Original subtitles

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Film Group KAMERA presents

BAD LUCK

In the main role

In supporting roles

Song "Kriegsgefangenenpost" sung by

Screenplay based on the short story by

Cinematography

Music

Production manager

Directed by

Unfortunately, I can't keep you anymore, Mr. Piszczyk.

Please, sir...

I beg you, don't throw me out.

It's only here that I've begun feeling like a normal person.

It's only here that my bad luck hasn't followed me.

It all began so long ago... I'll tell you about it.

It started when I was a little boy...

Essay Who is my daddy?

CEZARY PISZCZYK DRESSMAKER

But I don't want to bore you with my school years.

Eventually, I finished high school and was accepted to university.

You might have noticed that my nose is somewhat well pronounced,

and that it gives my face a... Semitic appearance.

Of course, this is just a result of mixing

my father's characteristics with those of my late mother.

Actually, my father belonged to the Christian Tailors Guild

and he hated Jews. Especially female tailors.

Nevertheless, my nose has influenced the course of my life.

One day I turned up at the auditorium as usual,

and I was just going to my desk, when...

- Jews sit on the left! - What? I'm not a Jew.

- He says he's not a Jew... - You're not a Jew?

I'm not a Jew. Get lost!

Look at who you're beating!

Forgive us, Mr. Piszczyk.

You should wear that ID on your chest.

Have a seat on the right, please.

I realized the importance that appearance played in a man's life.

I envied all my friends who had no trouble approaching girls.

I dreamt of meeting with a girl, of taking walks together,

of professing love on park benches. I was ready to give it all my best.

Unfortunately, I lacked the girl.

The students' organization helped make my dreams come true.

I had an aversion to organizations in opposition to the government.

I couldn't predict the events of history.

So I joined the pro-government Camp of National Unity.

Piszczyk, I've been looking for you. I have a job for you - tutoring.

Take this letter to the Zoliborz district.

- How can I ever thank you for this? - Not me. The organization.

Major Z. Wrona Wronski

What do you want?

I'm here to see the major's wife. It's about the tutoring job.

Make sure to close the gate!

I'm here about the tutoring job.

Splendid. Your connections are good enough for me.

You can begin at once. Come in.

Jola? Get down from there.

You know you're not allowed to touch father's books.

I'm coming down.

This is your new tutor.

- Good evening. - Piszczyk.

You can begin.

I don't know anything.

That's why I'm here. To teach you.

- Shall we begin with trigonometry? - Do you live in the dorms?

- No. - Too bad.

I'd like to go there sometime.

A young lady shouldn't go to such a place.

Why not? My friend has already been there.

Let's get back to trigonometry. You know what sine is, don't you?

Not really.

If you take a right-angle triangle, the sine is the ratio

of the side opposite the acute angle to the hypotenuse...

Just try to imagine this mathematical ratio...

That's what sine is.

I couldn't be wrong. She was looking at me as a man.

Apparently, she didn't think I was ugly.

So, sine is the ratio of the side opposite the acute angle

to the hypotenuse, while cosine is the ratio

of the second right-angle side to the hypotenuse.

You're late again, honey.

I can't help it. The situation is tense.

Serving your country is good, but don't forget you have a wife.

- Have you finished? - Just now.

Come have some tea with us.

- Good evening, Daddy. - How are you, darling?

This is Jola's new tutor.

- I'm sorry, I'm disturbing you. - Nonsense, quite the contrary.

Have a seat, please.

So, how are the lessons going?

Splendid, Miss Jola is very intelligent.

- Do you think so? - You have to be very strict with her.

That won't be a problem, madam.

Jola did something very important. I began to believe in myself.

Come on, Dad...

Well, my son likes to iron his own clothes!

Yes, I do.

Rana, ranae, ranae, ranam... rana, rana.

Will you go on a date with me?

I wish I could go on dates!

I'm not allowed to go out at night, my mother watches me like the police.

Why?

She thinks I have the devil in me. She was probably the same.

Rana, ranae, ranae, ranam...

How about after school?

Juliet waits for me after school.

Can't you ditch her?

Juliet? She's a bitch. She tells my mother everything.

We could take her to church, but there's no mass in the afternoon.

Write this down. Rana, ranae...

Maybe they'll go out one of these nights.

I'll send Juliet to the vespers and then you could come here.

Rana, ranae, ranae, ranam...

Please wrap it up. We'll walk together.

Yes, madam.

- Oh, good evening! - Good evening.

- Where are you going? - To see the dressmaker.

- At this time? - I'll be back in fifteen minutes.

- Maybe I should... - Hold on. You can walk me.

My husband hates it when I go out alone at night.

- Goodbye. - I'll wait fifteen minutes!

Extraordinary supplement!

New Lithuanian provocations!

I'd like to speak with you about Jola.

She is a premature and restless child.

Yes, a bit.

- Is it hard for her to concentrate? - Somewhat.

I have a favor to ask of you.

How may I help, madam?

I would like for her to graduate.

I'll do my best, madam.

Please wait for me out here.

Good evening.

No doubt you find it curious

that I make calls at the pharmacy even though I have a phone at home.

You'll understand when you're older.

Please don't tell anyone about this.

Good afternoon. Would you come in here for a minute?

- Would you like some coffee? - No, thank you. I never drink it.

- Nor alcohol? - Nor alcohol.

That makes you very reliable.

Here you go. This is for last month.

You deserve it. Jola got a B in math for the first time.

Would you like to go to the movies tomorrow?

- To the movies? - Please, don't look.

With whom?

With me. But in actuality, alone.

We'll go out after Jola's lesson. You'll watch the movies,

and on the way back, you'll tell me what they were about.

If anyone asks, we were together for those three hours.

Three hours?

Yes, you can see the double feature at the Palladium.

Won't the major object to this?

That wouldn't even cross his mind.

Great! I love going to the movies.

- Wonderful, see you tomorrow. - Thanks very much.

- I see Miss Jola isn't back, yet. - No, not yet.

Let me call her. Oh! Here she is!

- Hi. - How do you do?

So, I'm going to the movies with your mother tomorrow.

- Will you stay at home? - I always stay at home!

And your father?

My father? He's preparing for war with Lithuania.

I'll come back in half an hour. Send Juliet to church.

And the movies?

That doesn't matter. Just in case, I'll leave my hat here.

Now I understand why my mother always gets me the ugliest tutors.

Don't worry. I like you.

Don't you believe me?

I went to see the movies that same night

so I could tell the major's wife what they were about.

Hey, Piszczyk! It's great to see you.

We're helping with the demonstration to support the Marshall's policy.

- I see, but... - You can't refuse. It's your turn.

- But I'm tutoring at seven. - You have plenty of time.

Comrade Gozdzik, pass me the banner.

Great!

TO KAUNAS

WE WILL GIVE OUR LIVES FOR THE IDEA OF GREATER POLAND

LONG LIVE SUPERPOWER POLAND!

COMMANDER, LEAD US TO KAUNAS

WE ARE INVINCIBLE BECAUSE OUR LEADER IS SMIGLY-RYDZ

WE NEED WEAPONS!

Long live Marshall Smigly-Rydz!

Long live! Long live!

Commander, lead us to Kaunas!

Commander, lead us to Kaunas!

The way I was feeling at the time, I didn't care about any of it.

I kept thinking of Jola.

This day was supposed to be the Rubicon for me, passing into maturity.

I just wanted to ditch the banner and escape as soon as possible.

Long live Poland from the sea to the sea!

Suddenly, I realized I was no longer at the back of the group

but somewhere in the middle.

I had no idea our organization had so many supporters.

I became invigorated by the shouts of the crowd,

even though I didn't care about Kaunas.

I felt the power of the community in me.

- To Kaunas! - To Kaunas!

- Long live the Marshall! - Long live!

ONR (National Radical Camp) - rules! ONR - on the alert!

ONR - is shaping Poland!

It turned out that these new people were not part of our group.

Jews to Madagascar! Jews to Madagascar!

Long live the Camp of National Unity!

I didn't know what to yell anymore.

I was afraid that they would mistake me for a Jew again because of my nose.

So I decided to yell both sayings, one for the people up front,

and one for the people at the back, but only in self-defense, mind you.

Commander, lead us!

- Jews to Madagascar! - Jews to Madagascar!

- Long live Marshall Smigly-Rydz! - Long live!

Down with the Sanation!

Down with Jews and communism!

I thought I had no right to risk.

The meeting with Jola was the most important.

Thieves! Bandits!

Sir! What are you doing?

Down with the Jews!

Well done, my boy! You'll be fine, soon enough.

Don't worry, you'll be home in no time.

You shouldn't meddle in politics with a head as fragile as yours.

The sound persecuting me since my childhood directed all my hatred

against my father. The thought that I would take money from him,

which he gave me with trembling hands, and hear his stupid opinions

during many years of my studies was disgusting.

I decided to break with my family at once

and not to enter the door with the nameplate:

Cezary Piszczyk, dressmaker.

Good morning, madam. This is Piszczyk.

Oh, it's you.

Unfortunately, Jola has a new tutor. A very nice boy, and reliable.

It wasn't my fault. I had to go to Kaunas

and I was accidentally beaten up by the police.

I can't trust my daughter with someone who gets beaten by the police!

I started to realize that fate was not treating me very well.

In the span of one month, I was beaten for being a Jew,

the second time as an ONR member, but more importantly,

I lost the first love of my life.

Three tickets, please.

One ticket, please..

SOLD OUT

I was always envious of cadets and their sharp uniforms.

They were always surrounded by girls and had the love of the entire nation.

That's why I didn't mind he stole those tickets from under my nose.

Hold on for a second, girls. Piszczyk!

It was Jelonek, the laughing stock of our class and a complete airhead.

Jelonek. Where have you been?

The artillery academy in Wlodzimierz. How about you? University?

Yes...

Is it hard to get into the academy?

Of course it is! Everyone wants to go.

Hey, tell me. Does anyone still wear spurs?

The cavalry, and signal corps.

Hey, I have to go. What's this? See you later.

Only two professions could ensure my immediate independence.

Military school, or the seminary.

There was a huge difference in uniforms.

Who could help me with this?

Jola's father!

The major usually came home from headquarters at this time,

provided there were no problems with Lithuania or Zaolzie.

After that, everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Actually, I should smack him for stealing my idea.

My imagination was working frantically.

The hour he spent with Jola was torture for me.

- Good evening, Major. - Oh, it's you.

I'm glad to see you, Major. I have a favor to ask of you.

About the tutoring?

No, I'd like to be admitted to the cadet academy and become a soldier.

You're studying medicine, aren't you?

No, law, but it was my lifetime mistake.

I always dreamed of the army. The signal corps. I like phones.

I've already applied there, but with so many candidates...

What's your name? I forgot it.

Jan Piszczyk!

I'll try to help you.

But I don't know if you need my help. Looks like we'll all be at...

in the army.

I didn't like the major's hint about mobilization.

There would be too many cadets.

The major kept his word.

I got a call-up card to the cadet signal academy in Zegrze

for September 30th, 1939.

So you know what happened next.

On September 1st the war broke out and crushed my dreams.

But my bad luck had to be spectacular,

even on the background of the back luck of the nation.

On the 8th of September, I left Warsaw like most of the city's residents.

First column, stop.

Convoy, stop.

What?

Excuse me, Mr. Soldier, I'm going to Zegrze.

I have a call-up card for September 30th, and I'd like to be in advance.

So be in advance.

- You're going to Zegrze too? - No, I go in circles.

- What do you mean? - In circles around Zegrze.

Nieporet to Struga, Struga to Prague, Prague to Nieporet,

and from Nieporet to Struga!

- Since the beginning of the war? - No, sir.

First we went from the border through Mlawa.

- Yes, you are from a convoy. - I'm not from a convoy!

I'm from the balloon corps.

But they put me on the cart since they didn't finish the balloons.

Mr. Soldier, do you know where the Germans are now?

Has anyone even seen them?

They must be close.

- What are you transporting? - Cases.

- Food? - Don't be so nosy!

They say it's a new weapon.

But I can't open it without orders.

Did you get any orders?

Who's going to give me orders? Anyone who could, went elsewhere.

It's scary to carry such things.

No, I'm used to it.

Convoys move on!

Where am I?

Past Nieporet, near Struga.

Oh God, you were supposed to wake me near Zegrze.

We'll be in Zegrze again in the evening.

If you're in a big hurry, you can go through the fields.

- It's about four versts. - Four... versts?

Four versts.

- OK, thanks. - A bit more than four!

Hurry up, guys! Hurry!

Excuse me, sir, is Zegrze in this direction or that one?

- What? - To Kaunas! To Zegrze.

- Let's see a picture ID. - Yes, to Zegrze.

- I need a picture ID. - Oh, ID.

- To Zegrze! - Quiet.

Where did you get this?

From the bursar's office.

What's with you?

I don't know.

What did the man who gave it to you look like?

The short one, from the bursar's office, with a moustache, that very short one.

Oh no, he was an average height, like you, sir.

What?

I mean... the one as tall as you are, sir.

That's right. I know him.

- Where are you from? - From Warsaw.

This way?

I want to get to Zegrze. I have a call-up card for September 30th.

For the 30th. A bit too early.

And too late.

Hard to say whether anybody is still there!

So I'll check.

As you wish. Five kilometers.

Five?

- To Zegrze, right? - To Zegrze.

- That way? - That way, five kilometers.

Good dog!

Hands up!

The Germans didn't believe my explanation.

Nobody changes civil attire to military uniform when the country is occupied,

but rather vice versa.

I was so embarrassed by my stupidity that I couldn't bring myself

to tell the truth to these exuberant officer-cadets.

We're neighbors.

- I'm officer cadet Sawicki. - Officer cadet Piszczyk.

You went to war in your dress uniform?

No, when the war broke out I was in Pilsudski hospital

and the doctor didn't let me go.

You know... staying in bed the whole war because of stupid pneumonia.

But I ran away. Through the window.

And the uniform?

But when I got to Zegrze there were no uniforms left.

So you didn't take part in warfare?

No, I caught up with my division at Mlawa and caught hell.

You know how it was with the signal corps.

Where were you captured?

Near Nieporet.

The planes shredded us like cabbage!

Hands and heads were flying in the air.

Our major was blown up along with his horse.

Nobody from my company survived.

I see.

All my squadron is dead too.

Then tanks came from the forest.

We had some anti-tank ammunition, so I turned the machine gun around...

Over the next few days, I began adding many specific details to my story.

The fear of being unmasked passed away.

Officer Sawicki helped me

as he gave me his friendship and had confidence in me.

Excuse me, this will take just a moment.

Excuse me.

- I've examined the terrain. - Terrain, yes.

We could try to dig our way out. What do you think?

Dig our way out? Well, yes, we'll have to think it through.

Do you think we'll be able to?

Of course we'll be able to. It's only 13 meters to the fence.

- Thirteen meters? - Thirteen.

Thirteen... Then, let's do it.

I knew you wouldn't let me down!

I secretly hoped that something would interfere with this dangerous plan.

And indeed, after roll call, we got a new transport of prisoners-of-war.

Officer cadet Piszczyk.

Osewski.

Officer cadet Krawczyk.

Judging by your insignia, you're from Zegrze.

Yes.

- From the second class, right? - Yes.

- I'm from the second class too. - Really?

How is it that I never had the honor of meeting you in two years?

That's strange...

ANNOUNCEMENT: From the 31st on, all prisoners must work manually.

Volunteers have the right to choose the kind of work.

Beware of snoopers.

Please, sir...

Could you put in a good word for me with your boss?

What boss?

My father was a POW during the first war.

He said that they also put snoopers in the camps.

Did they also do it so stupidly?

Gentlemen, it's not true.

I'm not a snooper.

I wanted to go to war, so I found this uniform in some abandoned barracks...

Did you hear anything?

No, I didn't.

Gentlemen...

Friends, I'm really not a snooper...

This way, please.

I left the camp by volunteering for physical work in the factory.

I was allowed to choose between work in a sewing factory

or in the arsenal. The choice was very easy.

I couldn't stand the sound of scissors anymore.

I came back to Warsaw with a dismissal certificate.

I was regarded as unfit for manual work.

It was funny. I owed the dismissal to the repulsion for dressmaking

and the physical weakness, which always worried me.

Move!

Quickly!

- Jelonek! - Piszczyk! Good heavens!

I'd recognize that nose anywhere!

- What will they do to us? - Anything they want to.

Easy, easy, I'll talk with him.

Herr Kommendant, here is my ID.

Shut up!

Herr Hauptmann. Herr Hauptmann...

Here is my ID.

I'm a bombed invalid. Three kids...

Five kids! Wife pregnant! Father paralyzed!

Whole family in the hospital!

Be from labor camp. Was work Germany.

Done bombs for Germany.

Here is another piece of ID. This is my best one.

Everything's in order. You can go.

Goodbye.

You're doing well. Where did you get the signet ring?

From the forefather... of my friend, coat of arms Slepowron. Want one?

- I have no money. - I can tell by your clothes.

Why would you taunt the Germans with an old uniform?

I just came back from a POW camp.

They let you out? Maybe you're a Folksdeutsch?

Are you kidding? I'm unfit for physical work.

Let me see that ID.

You weren't taken prisoner? You were in the cadet academy.

I'm not a sucker. I'm not going to waste the best years of my life.

When the Germans came, I took off the uniform. How about you?

Nothing. I put on the uniform... A little too late.

Death to losers! But you've got a good document.

Do you want to make some money?

Sure, why not?

I need a man who can walk a little. Driver, stop over there!

Take the package.

- Twenty. - Here you go.

Now, go see your daddy, and bye-bye.

Bye.

- Bye. - Get lost.

CEZARY PISZCZYK DRESSMAKER

I can't...

Jelonek!

The prodigal son returns. Come and enter the castle gate.

You'll soon meet Queen Zosia.

Jasiek, come in.

Come in.

I married because of the curfew since it was boring after 8 pm.

This is my wife.

- Good evening. - Piszczyk.

Zosia, our friend here will stay with us for a while.

Should I serve dinner?

No, we've already eaten. Come!

You'll sleep here until you marry an apartment, like me.

I buy dollars.

No, Kazik, I've finished with you.

Ah, good morning.

Thanks to that little piece of ID, which protected me from the Germans,

I became a means of transport to deal with Jelonek's orders.

- Greetings, Mr. Ber. - Greetings.

The spindle is bent. I don't have that size in stock.

- The spindle? - Spindle, yes.

- The spindle? - Spindle, yes.

- Goods. - Give it to me.

Stop that.

How come none of them work?

I hate the ticking. It bothers me while I work.

Soon I got back on my feet. I had Jelonek's full confidence,

and started my own business.

Don't bring me such crap in the future.

What's this?

- Here. - Thank you. At your service.

I'm writing to you most differently

In these most strange days of my life

Letters like lost travelers

Are wandering about somewhere

Maybe the wind blows them somewhere in autumn

Maybe my letter is rushing in the world like a leaf

In any case, these letters won't change much, my darling

If the war continues

Kriegsgefangenenpost (POW mail)

It sounds like a secret

Give me the cash! There's a carat to buy.

- Ten. - OK.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

It's your home, number and street

Kriegsgefangenenpost

It's waiting for your letter

Kriegsgefangenenpost

It sounds like a secret

It's a train's distant whistle

It's waiting for your letter

I felt I wasn't that bad, a hero exalted in songs.

I thought I could visit Jola.

- Good morning, Jola. - Good morning.

I've just returned...

- Don't you recognize me? - I do. Come in, please.

This is my pre-war tutor. My fiancee.

Piszczyk.

My friend, Basia.

Basia!

- Piszczyk. - Pleased to meet you.

Please sit down.

- Continue with the story. - That was pretty much it.

So how did it end?

We were running around the Krucza street corner,

when suddenly we saw three men in stiff hats.

So we pa-pa-pa-pa-pa, and were home by six.

Fantastic. Oh, come here.

How are your parents?

Mom bakes cakes, and father is in a POW camp.

I was in a POW camp too, a stalag.

Did you escape?

Well... I thought it's nicer in Warsaw.

When were you captured?

Halfway through September.

So you fought on the northern front?

- Yes... - Which army?

Uh... we went from the Prussian border to Mlawa.

So you were captured during which battle?

At Nieporet. What a battle.

Two German divisions attacked us from both sides.

I used up all my bullets, didn't even have one for myself...

Oh God!

What do you expect? After the capitulation of Warsaw,

I saw a young lieutenant jump from the fifth storey of a building.

- He probably had no bullets. - Tell us about the POW camp.

The POW camp? In the camp...

Kriegsgefangenenpost.

What do you intend to do now?

Well, I'll have to look around. I have some friends from the camp.

You can always count on us.

Thank you. You've really changed, Jola.

- It's all thanks to him. - I have to go now.

I'm also on my way out. Goodbye, Jola.

Goodbye, friend. And good luck.

You see what a dare-devil?

Sure, whatever. Let's get back to trigonometry.

I can't allow a woman to carry a heavy bag in my presence.

Everyone should carry their own bag.

What's in there?

Did I ask how you escaped from the camp?

If you're afraid, you don't have to walk with me.

I'd walk with you even if you had a machine gun and a bomb.

How do you escape from a camp?

The original method is through a tunnel.

One of my friends started digging in September, but still hasn't finished.

- You can dress up as a German. - But how do you get a uniform?

You have to make it yourself. Out of paper, for instance.

You just have to pick a sunny day so that rain doesn't ruin it.

The best way is to use a bike left by a German soldier who just arrived

from the city to the camp headquarters.

Very interesting!

I'm sorry we must say goodbye here. I'm going to Bielany now.

Don't look behind you. Do you have any ID?

Don't be afraid.

- November is beautiful this year. - Would you like some candy?

Only staying cool can save us.

Will I see you again sometime? Maybe you could sell me some candy?

I have some on order! Perhaps next time!

Call Jola tomorrow morning!

That is how my great love began.

Here I am!

It's very uneasy in town tonight.

The main thing is that our boys attacked.

How many military police were killed? Five?

Seven.

A description of this action will be in the gazette.

- Who writes it, a man of letters? - Yes, and a good one.

I'm so worried about you.

I'm sure you risk a lot.

No, this isn't the place.

But we keep meeting in town, and you never have time.

- You have a lot of time? - No, not really.

- Take care of yourself. - You take care.

I only carry candies.

Will I ever be allowed to kiss you?

Don't think about trifles now. There are more important things.

It's very important to me.

Sir, where is the raid?

Aleje, Nowy Swiat, Mokotow, Praga, Wola... enough?

Enough!

What bad luck! I'm in such a hurry today.

You have such strong nerves, Janek.

That was the most beautiful moment of my life.

No woman has ever looked at me like that since then.

And then I realized with despair

that as she looked at me, she was seeing someone else.

We can go now.

Be careful! The alleys are surrounded to the bridge.

I need to get to Zoliborz as soon as possible.

If you get caught, you definitely won't get there.

I'd get there if it wasn't for this briefcase.

Why's that?

You don't really think I sell candies?

No, of course not. What's in the briefcase?

Underground press and mail.

You want to get through the round-up with this?

I have to pass an important message. In the morning it'll be too late.

Give me the briefcase. I'll bring it to you tomorrow morning.

No, I can't place you in danger. You do more important work.

I order you to give me the briefcase. I'm your superior.

Good night, Basia. I'll see you tomorrow morning.

Be careful, I beg you!

Finally! I thought they had captured you.

Can't you reschedule your date for another day? What's that?

My girlfriend's candies. I have to carry it to Marszalkowska Street.

Maybe you should start with candies.

Safe occupation, you don't earn as much on money exchange, but...

Do you remember Majewski?

They found dollars in his pocket, so he was taken to a work camp.

- You also carry dollars like that? - Yes, where else?

It's better to put them in the briefcase, between candies.

- Hey! - What?

- That's new, isn't it? - Are you crazy?

- Dinner's ready, darling. - Let's eat.

Sir, wake up.

What's your name?

What's your name?

- Piszczyk. - Documents!

- Why are you in this apartment? - I'm sleeping.

Inspector, it's my old schoolmate.

We know such tricks. He's been hiding here for a long time.

- This document is counterfeit. - I'm not afraid. The ID is real!

You're going to the Gestapo! I don't like your nose!

- But Inspector, he's always... - Get dressed!

He's always had that nose, he's a true Aryan! You can even check!

- No, I don't want to. - Don't be an idiot. Look here!

- There's no need... - Moron!

You gentlemen had to get up so early, maybe we could...

Ten thousand!

Ten thousand? For what? This man is innocent!

His name is really Piszczyk, his father is a dressmaker.

On Sienna Street, he's famous in all of Warsaw.

He's registered there, but they had a fight and...

- I'm mad at my daddy. - What's with the briefcase?

Nothing, it's my friend's. It's just...

...candies.

Jesus!

Here's the money, Inspector. As much as you wanted.

I thought it was candy. It's his, I had no idea. Here's the money.

I don't interfere in these matters.

Get out of here! Now!

On my way there, I never thought of the danger posed by the briefcase.

I'd had enough. Fate let me know it had given up harassing me.

It was typical:

the conspirational press and mail saved me from the Gestapo's hands.

It was an unnecessary risk, Janek. No one even stopped me.

That doesn't matter. I have bigger problems.

What happened?

There was a raid at the apartment last night.

I had to flee from there, and now I'm left out in the cold.

You can stay at Jola's tonight. Tomorrow, I'll find something better.

- Somewhere close? - Maybe even in this block.

Why are you looking at me like that, Basia?

I'm boring and ugly.

You know, when I first saw you at Jola's

you didn't seem very interesting.

But now...

You're beautiful. Very beautiful.

I feel dumb telling you this, since you've always viewed me so highly...

What are you talking about?

Well, it wasn't a serious group.

I decided to break with them after the raid.

Maybe you could find me some contacts?

Of course! I've spoken about you already.

Our people are looking for someone who's got relations in the Reich.

That's perfect. I know a lot about a weapons factory in the Rheinland.

Janek, we can arrange it at once.

Just a minute.

I'm Witold.

It's a pleasure. Basia told me a lot about you, officer.

Our work isn't easy.

- I don't like easy tasks. - Great.

Everyone you'll meet has already visited the Reich at least once.

You can tell us about yourself. We have to get to know each other.

Go on, darling.

Come in.

Come in, please.

Janek!

Officer cadet Sawicki escaped through the tunnel.

I left Warsaw the same evening.

I won't tell you about the remaining war years.

I spent them in Kielce, in the country, with my uncle.

I came to the conclusion that fate would leave me alone

as long as I wasn't trying to stick my neck out.

I guess it shunned cheap tricks like

catching my fingers in the chaff-cutter or cutting my ear off with the scythe.

When we were finally liberated, I immediately went to Warsaw.

I'M IN KRAKOW A. WASIK

- Have you found anything? - No, nothing.

You're Mr. Piszczyk, right?

You recognize me?

You'd recognize me, too, except that recently, I gained...

I'm Wasik, I used to live above the gate. Are you a dressmaker too?

No, I'm a student.

I was an assessor, but now I'm planning something more independent.

- What did you study? - Law.

You know what... I'll help you out.

Warsaw will be desolate for a hundred years.

You can come with me. I need a lawyer.

- But I don't have a diploma. - Diploma?

Let's go under the roof, and I'll explain everything.

ADAM WASIK CONCESSIONED APPLICATION OFFICE

Mr. Piszczyk, our hands will swell from so much work.

Do you know how many offices are being opened every day?

Or how many are returning from labor and POW camps?

Each has to recreate his existence with at least a hundred applications.

We're going to make a lot of money, Mr. Piszczyk.

- New? - New.

Only... I don't know how to write applications.

You don't know?

Here's the book of wisdom. You'll learn in two hours.

The book contained many formulas for all types of occasions.

I learned to open the book in a drawer so that the client would not notice.

The most frequent requests that we received

were for a death certificate for a lost person.

The work was simple. I would rewrite the formula, word for word,

and I only had to substitute the person's first and last names.

The date of death was always the same since it had to do with the war.

May 8th, 1945.

It was much harder when it came to widows' pensions.

I had to listen to long stories about work, unemployment, military service,

and then write down almost two full pages.

There were many store owners who tried to get exemption from taxes.

I had to listen to their dramatic stories

of low income, sick mothers, invalid brothers and other misfortunes

which seemed to befall them with amazing cruelty.

Over time, I developed a fondness for money.

I dreamt about a comfortable and peaceful life.

But fate...

Come in, please.

Just one moment. I will be with you in a second.

I should have guessed that the appearance of a woman in my life

is an omen of a forthcoming disaster.

What can I do for you, madam?

- Irena Kropaczynska. - Jan Piszczyk.

Listen, we need...

Don't forget, we have a conference in an hour at the voivodeship office.

Yes, of course.

Well, I don't want to disturb you. I'll be at the tax office, OK?

All right. Please, sit down.

What can I do for you?

I would like to file for divorce.

Divorce?

What is the plaintiff's... your husband's name?

Witold Kropaczynski. A civil servant.

Why do you want a divorce?

- My husband is cheating on me. - How strange...

Do you have any proof?

Unfortunately, no.

But I'm sure he has a mistress.

But the court needs some evidence, witnesses.

That's why I came to see you. I was told you could help.

I don't understand.

I'm all alone, so you're the only one I could ask for this favor.

Of course, I'll reward you.

What do you mean?

We have to find out where he goes. I'm sure he has a lover.

There must be a mistake. I'm a lawyer, not a private detective.

That's funny. There are no private detectives in Poland.

This is just like going for a walk. You have no idea how horrible he is.

He's a monster. You'll be doing a very good deed.

Money is not an issue.

I understand, madam, but...

I have a feeling that by doing this, I will be breaking the law.

Why? Does the law forbid helping a woman in need?

- What if we fail? - We must succeed.

In any case, you can keep this payment.

DELIVERY

I began to wonder where he was calling now that he knew of his wife's betrayal?

Maybe his mistress, to tell her his decision to leave his wife?

My boy, you shouldn't come in without knocking.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

You know Mrs. Makulec.

And this is Mr. Pytel, the head of the tax office, my best friend.

Will you drink with us?

No thanks, I don't like vodka. Besides, I have some more work.

Don't be silly. There are no clients now.

Gentlemen, the office is closed until 2pm. Later, after lunch.

Don't worry, I'll take care of it. I have nothing to do.

We're from the Security Police. We have a search warrant.

Please, go ahead.

- Anastazja Makulec? - Yes, that's me. I just came here...

- Haberdashery shop? - Yes, that's right.

Mr. Pytel was on his way to my shop and stopped by to see Mr. Wasik,

and we were here to...

Quiet.

What's this? Pocket change?

I'm from the tax office.

This is my money. I have nothing to do with them.

Look, there's no fourth glass.

I've been saving this money for two years, and didn't buy anything.

I denied myself everything. I didn't go to the movies, or buy cookies...

That's enough whining.

I wanted to have a lot of money! I didn't take it from anyone.

Let's go. Get out of here.

Stay here.

Tell us your life story.

I would just like to say that I have nothing to do with Wasik's business.

He did it all in secret. I just came there right before you...

Fine! Fine! Your life story.

I was born on May 12th, 1916,

from father Cezary Piszczyk, a dressmaker,

and mother Wiktoria.

I told my life story as if I was in confession.

I feared telling the story of the uniform, so I made sure

to describe all my wartime experiences very vividly.

I was afraid that this officer would suspect me of spying for the Nazis.

There was no one who could testify that I just put it on for fun.

What are you babbling about?

I swear I'm telling the truth.

I'd like to be part of this new life, and become a helpful citizen.

I want to work in whichever field the state needs me to work.

Do you confess to everything?

To what? I already told you that Wasik...

Shut up with this Wasik! Don't make me out to be a fool!

You're part of a secret organization working for foreign intelligence, yes?

Yes. No!

Oh Jesus! Holy Mary! Oh God!

If you confess everything, there will be extenuating circumstances.

You were lured into this because of your stupidity, right?

No! I don't belong to any organization!

I never spoke with anybody about any organization!

Really? Then who asked you to follow citizen Kropaczynski?

Well?

Of course, it was me who directed the security officers

to Wasik and his bribers.

After a few interrogations I was released

but all my savings were credited to the future surtax

and fines I had to pay.

I left Krakow just as I had left Warsaw.

I spent the next few years working as a low-level official.

Unfortunately, a man always wants more than he already has.

I decided to look for a new job.

Good morning.

What? What is it?

I'm here to see the personnel manager.

- Your pass. - Here it is.

- Room 125, 1st floor. - Thank you.

Yes, comrade.

- Good morning. - Good morning. Can I help you?

I was told to report for work today.

- Your name? - Piszczyk.

Please, come in.

Please fill out this form, with capital letters, right here.

Yes, comrade.

My father's occupation, a dressmaker,

ranked me among the socially promoted.

I didn't think it was good to mention the Sanation student organizations.

I wasn't able to join the underground. My parents did not own any land.

I never traveled abroad. I had no relatives abroad.

I didn't mention being in prison in Krakow, since it was a mistake.

In other words, my answers were almost perfect,

and I would have been at ease, if only he had been a little less inquisitive.

What if he knew something about me?

You write with good handwriting.

Very good.

We need an editor for our board bulletin.

- I hope you won't refuse. - No, of course not.

I think propaganda is one of the most important aspects of our time.

Please report to the head of the propaganda and statistics department.

Yes, comrade director. Yes, of course.

- Good morning. - Thanks.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- My name is Piszczyk. - I'm very happy to meet you.

We have a very important statistical task to accomplish.

I would like to place you in charge of that.

- I'm sure you'll find it interesting. - Yes, comrade.

I want to devote all my power to building a new life.

Please familiarize yourself with the instructions.

That will be your desk. And this is Mrs. Wychowna.

There were a lot these statistical reports.

The local clerks sent them at the last moment,

and we had to get them out as fast as possible.

I took the work very seriously.

Yes, comrade president, yes, of course.

I'm very happy with you, Piszczyk.

Clean, solid work.

Your appreciation will drive me to work even harder.

BOARD BULLETIN

Very nice, Piszczyk. Very nice, indeed.

You know what? You should not be doing all of this by yourself.

We need to get you a staff.

What do you think about Kozienicki?

Him?

He was laughing at our board bulletin. He doesn't like what we write.

You really think so?

He also doesn't like me, because I don't hide my positive opinions

about this place and in my personal life.

He even mocks you.

- What, me? - And how often!

It seemed to me like I was riding on the galloping horse of success.

Soon I gained complete independence, even with Kozienicki's objections,

who wanted to minimize the importance of statistical reports.

My status grew along with my office.

We were no longer flooded with local reports.

Now the local offices were terrorized by the flood of my new questionnaires.

Our new machines could calculate anything.

For instance, how many paper clips does each one of our clerks use?

This was a very important factor in judging their efficiency.

You've been nominated for an award. You don't know how happy I am!

- Who nominated me? - The director.

For all your outstanding work. The personnel manager agreed.

Kozienicki is furious!

He said the world is ending if such idiots get awards!

Thank you, thank you very much. Now... to work.

Pour me some, Piszczyk.

Will we write about this celebration in our board bulletin?

Yes, we will. You deserve this, Piszczyk.

Thank you. This award will drive me to do even better work.

You don't really know much about life, Piszczyk.

Your father made very good money, so your childhood was soft.

He sent you to university...

That's why I stopped talking to him. I hated his middle-class views.

So you abandoned your own class.

Yes, I abandoned it... I abandoned it completely!

I changed the subject because my life story was a dangerous topic.

Why talk about those old days? Now is a good time to be alive!

You're happy, aren't you, Piszczyk?

I am so happy.

You have no idea what this celebration means to me.

This is the first time in my life...

The pathos of our time carries me away generally!

Comrade Kacperski, don't give him so much beer, you can see...

Why not? We consume much more beer now, than we did before the war.

For instance, I never drank beer before the war.

It's only now that I've found my real place in the world.

Everything I've accomplished was through my hard work and effort!

Kacperski, I don't know if...

You're a strange man. You're always talking, speaking...

wearing your heart on your sleeve.

But for the last two years, I haven't been able to figure you out.

What's there to figure out? I've been figured out! Completely!

I always say what I mean. I can tell you anything.

Piszczyk...

To your health.

Kacperski... Brotherhood?

- Call me Janek. - Jozek.

Long live manager Piszczyk!

Good morning, Mrs. Suchulska.

Good morning, Mr. Mioduszewski.

Good morning, Mr. Mioduszewski.

- Are you still here? - Where else should I be?

I was distressed by what he said. I sensed misfortune deep in my heart.

Director's office. This is Piszczyk.

The director is busy.

When will he be available? This is very important.

I don't know. Not soon.

TOP SECRET! - VERY STRICTLY SECRET

Joziu...

Jozek!

Yes, Piszczyk? What do you want?

Oh, nothing.

Suddenly, I felt a knot of fear in my throat.

I wanted to avoid this terrible, new attack of bad luck.

I was ready to tell about the OZN and everything,

including Kropaczynski's investigation.

God, how stupid I was to think that I could hide here!

Mr. Piszczyk is called to the director's office.

I'm on my way.

Come closer. Come on.

Sit down.

You've deceived us, Piszczyk.

We've treated you very well, but instead of showing your gratitude,

you've decided to reveal the evil soul of the enemy.

I will confess self-critically...

I belonged to OZN because I wanted to be a tutor.

But I haven't done anything here.

I know there are some who think that I'm waiting to take their job.

- You want to boot me out! - We have undeniable evidence.

As far as this confession is concerned,

that will require a separate investigation.

One moment, comrade Kacperski.

You were tipsy after those beers yesterday, comrade Piszczyk?

That doesn't justify anything.

A drunken man always tells the truth.

I wasn't drunk.

So you were fully aware of what you said yesterday?

Fully. I can even repeat every word I said.

I said that I was happy, that the pathos of our time carries me away...

Yes, these lies about the pathos of our time were meant to distract us.

I've suspected you for a long time, Piszczyk, because of your enthusiasm.

You pretended to a fault.

I pretended? I was pretending?

Me? Pretend to who?

I was trying hard.

No other office has such a model statistics department.

Even now, I'm adding a new appendage

to statistics form 112-B...

and I'm doing it honestly, fully honestly.

Kacperski, I swear.

I like our reports so much.

Why would I pretend?

No, this is too much. I'm not competent to fix this matter, comrade.

We must fix it to the end.

Let's go.

Come with us, Piszczyk.

No, not now. Go on.

Do you have a pencil, Piszczyk?

- I do. - Then write.

What should I write?

How about you dictate, director?

- How about Kozienicki? - Me?

Why not? Can't you?

I can. Write exactly!

Tooth.

Soup. Oak.

- What? Write it. - What?

Yes, tooth, ass... I mean soup, oak.

Well?

Soup.

Under the picture, I could see an obscene insult in my handwriting.

Well, I believe there is no more doubt that this is his handwriting.

It wasn't me! Him! Him!

I'll teach you!

I'll teach him!

Ass! Tooth!

Oak!

I'll teach you tooth!

I'll teach you oak ass! I'll teach you soup!

I'll show you! I'll catch up with you! I'll teach you!

I must have been dazed.

I was accused of a crime of passion

and sent to your model penal institute.

Please don't throw me out of here.

It's only now that this bad luck has stopped following me.

Please, sir...

Sir?

What? What?

Please, don't throw me out.

Unfortunately, Mr. Piszczyk, I can't keep you here any longer.

Sir, I'm afraid of starting all over again.

But you're free to go and do whatever you want.

- Couldn't I stay here to help out? - No.

- Board bulletins! - What? Where?

In every corridor, in every cell, everywhere!

No. Please leave immediately!

Maybe statistical reports?

That's enough! Please go away!

Well?

THE END