[THEME MUSIC BEGINS]
[LYRICS BEGIN] Well, she's up against the register
With an apron and a spatula
Yesterday's deliveries
Tickets for the bachelors
She's a moving violation
From her conk down to her shoes
Well, it's just an invitation to the blues
And you feel just like Cagney
She looks like Rita Hayworth
At the counter of the Schwab's drugstore
You wonder if she might be single
She's a loner, likes to mingle
Got to be patient, try and pick up a clue
She said how you gonna like 'em
Over medium or scrambled?
You say any way's the only way
Be careful not to gamble
Oh, Stefan, I'm sorry
[GUARDS SPEAK IN SLOVAK]
You will call, hmm?
It's not really like going away
For you
[AMBULANCE CREW TALK HURRIEDLY IN GERMAN]
[REMEMBERING PHONE CALL] MILENA: Oh Alex, I've done something stupid. Alex!
MILENA: Oh God, I'm tired. ALEX: Tired or drunk?
MILENA: I wanted to say goodbye ALEX: You said it exceptionally well here tonight
MILENA: That's right Pissed.
ALEX: Milena, what? MILENA: How else could I get myself ready?
MILENA: God, goodbye, you.
MILENA: Oh, Alex, please don't go. I wanted us to have a real goodbye
MILENA: Alex?
DOCTOR: Are you the husband? ALEX: No
DOCTOR: A relation? ALEX: No
Any idea what she took?
DOCTOR: Was it full before? ALEX: I wouldn't know, doctor.
DOCTOR: It'll kill you in the end.
[PARTY BANTER IN GERMAN]
We're gonna meet.
Might as well be now
You could be right Then again, why spoil the mystery?
Mystery?
If we don't meet, there's always the possibility it could have been perfect.
GUEST: Hey, Alex.
GUEST: Alex ALEX: To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what I meant
It's OK
Excuse me
DOCTOR: Nicht rauchen, bitte
You were longer than I thought
I'm afraid it's going to take a little longer than that I'm leaving now
Road's wet
It wasn't raining when I got here
No?
Too bad
If you let me by, I'll drive carefully
If that's the way you like it
Are you going to let me by?
Wrote my number on it
Call me
Please?
ALEX: Bye
Bye.
POLICEMAN: Husband?
No.
POLICEMAN: Relation? ALEX: No
Er, boyfriend?
SISTER: Bitte gebrauchen Sie das Physiologiezimmer
POLICEMAN: Danke schon, Schwester
Look.
what connection do you have with her?
ALEX: You could say I'm a friend. POLICEMAN: So
were you there when she swallowed the pills?
ALEX: No POLICEMAN: Please, this way
Now, good.
Please, sit down
And how did you happen to be there afterwards?
POLICEMAN: Did somebody call you? ALEX: She did
POLICEMAN: What, the girl? ALEX: Yes, she phoned
After she took the pills, or before?
How would I know?
She called and said, "I'll be dead in a minute I wanted to say goodbye."
POLICEMAN: That's all? ALEX: That's all.
And what did you say?
POLICEMAN: Did you try to--- ALEX: Nothing. I hung up
Cigarette?
Thanks I only smoke these
MILENA ON PHONE: Oh Alex It's true this time
MILENA: I've done something stupid Really stupid ALEX: Milena, what are you?
POLICEMAN: What time did she phone you?
I don't remember
Try to think
Had you gone to bed?
POLICEMAN: Were you asleep? ALEX: No, I was working
Was it very late?
I told you, I don't remember.
Twelve, one?
I didn't look at the clock. Use whatever time you want
It is now two o'clock.
You called for the ambulance at. half past one.
How did her voice sound on the phone?
Normal?
Upset?
Did she have any difficulty speaking?
I don't
ALEX: But MILENA: It's just that
I wanted to see you
This is the only chance I got and I didn't want to wait
You tell the truth about a lie beautifully
Take me to your favourite place in Vienna.
[MILENA BREATHES DEEPLY]
NETUSIL: Who is this Linden? POLICEMAN: The fellow who brought her here
Bit of a pain, bad-tempered.
What?
DOCTOR: You combine traces of various drugs
none of them harmful in themselves, but with her overdose.
you have a very advanced toxic condition.
MILENA: How does it work? ALEX: I'll show you
MILENA: Where are they? Here they are. ALEX: The cards are in the back
You need a neutral field. This is not really good That's why I wanted to go home
Do it here. We have to do it now
Pick your favourite colour, the one you're most sympathetic to
ALEX: And then the second MILENA: OK All right.
Slow down
No, no I already know which ones I want
Don't associate it with anything. Slow down
ALEX: Turn 'em over now MILENA: OK
There
MILENA: What does it mean? ALEX: Hang on
MILENA: I want to know Right now, Alex ALEX: Just a second
MILENA: Tell me What does it say? ALEX: Hang on Hang on
What?
What? Tell me
Is it bad?
I don't think you should spend too much time alone
Oh, Alex
"What is it men in women do require?
The lineaments of gratified desire
What is it women do in men require?
The lineaments of gratified desire "
MILENA: That's good. I like that ALEX: I like that
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYS IN BACKGROUND]
Alex?
Come here I wanna try something
MILENA: Like them They're happy
That's because they don't know each other well enough yet
Oh, come on
You don't really believe that, do you?
What does it matter?
Definitely happy At least I hope so.
Twice?
It's good.
Once when I was 18
Again last year
Shit.
MILENA: Both times I. thought I wanted a child, but.
at the last minute, I changed my mind
And how do you feel about it now?
It's done.
I did what I chose
And the fathers?
The first was happy
The second.
he was mad at me
Oh, God, I spilt that all over It hurts
ALEX: Maybe we could get something at the Café MILENA: Let's
It's burning my pussy, Alex
You're going to have to do something about this Quickly!
All right Let me just turn off the road
You hug like an ape, Konrad You belong in a zoo
KONRAD: Du bist's
KONRAD: It's always you who only makes me do this
You know how dainty I am, nicht wahr?
Move on, Konrad Move on
[CROWD CHEERS]
ALEX: Asshole MILENA: I suppose he has one.
Who are they?
MILENA: Oh, friends. Crazy people ALEX: In what way?
They do crazy things.
Anyway, you're sexy That's better!
Could you comment on sex with crazy people?
Eurgh! Cold
[CROWD CHEERS]
How come you're so cold?
STUDENT: Wurden Sie sagen, dass der Neugier der Antritt zum Wissen ist
Yes, but I'm referring to the whole manifestation of curiosity.
And through the gratification of curiosity, one acquires knowledge.
MILENA: Could you tell me if Dr Linden's here? WOMAN: Yes, in the library.
MILENA: Will you tell him Miss Flaherty's here? WOMAN: Of course, my dear
MILENA: I'll be in the other room
One would ask the question, "What is a kiss?"
And the answer is merely an inquiry on the second floor as to whether the first is free
WOMAN: Excuse me, Dr Linden It's a young lady to see you
Thank you
Excuse me
ALEX: No, no You can't. MILENA: Tell me, doctor.
is there any chance for us?
No.
No, come here, you.
[MILENA STRUGGLES TO BREATHE]
[GERMAN DOCTOR TALKS AGITATEDLY]
I've just been drinking
Fuck.
MILENA: Practising ALEX: Yeah.
Why?
What?
Yeah, "why", "what."
DOCTOR: She's been drinking a lot, hasn't she?
ALEX: The past few months Why? DOCTOR: Please, wait there
NETUSIL: God, prices today
A ticket to Fidelio Who could afford it?
Poor, silly girl
How old is this girl?
Just a question
24 5
Nice age
She had difficulty speaking?
She seemed normal
It sounded like a joke
But it wasn't, though
How do you know?
Someone rings you---
They ring you, they telephone me
Sorry, I'm a little tired
Yes.
Someone rings you, says she's going to kill herself
Now, that isn't normal
At least for normal people.
Would you agree?
I've spent a good part of my life trying to understand what normal means
I still don't.
Would you say she sounded
excited?
Say whatever you like
No, Dr Linden, what you would like.
Excited
What area do you work in, Dr Linden? Surgery?
No, I'm a research psychoanalyst.
NETUSIL: Research? ALEX: I teach.
Is your girlfriend a bit mad?
Mad is an expression I never use
I see.
It's quite simple.
If you say so
[STUDENTS SHOUT IN GERMAN]
Yes, but I must first know who I am before I know what I'm capable of
How we come into this world and how we go out
is different for every one of us
We are constantly in isolation, watching.
spying on everyone and everything around us
In birth, chance seems to be merely the visible part of an as-yet-unknown
and uncomprehended natural law
which links us up with the central area of today's inquiry.
secrecy and spying, or - call it what you will - watching
So I give you the first spy.
ALEX: And the first to be spied on
ALEX: Some famous spies
two of whom might be called political voyeurs
STUDENT: Could you not as well put your picture up there?
STUDENT: Or mine? ALEX: I could
Then you are saying we are all spies?
Well, I prefer to label myself an observer
Now the guilt-ridden voyeur is usually a political conservative
Anyway I had time to think about it and I feel I was wrong
I wanted to apologise for being too nosy
Yeah, I want to apologise, too.
I guess I did get a little. tipsy
Yeah, you did.
I don't want to embarrass you, Alex
I do things when I drink too much
I guess I think you're not happy with me any more and.
it makes me nervous.
Still seeing that actor?
Let's get some air
I'm not seeing him or anyone.
I just went out with him a couple of times, once or twice,
maybe even three times
You don't own me, I don't own you
You are seeing him
Is that why you called? To apologise?
I missed you
I missed you, too
It's just that I can't stand these dumb arguments any more, Alex
Move in with me.
You'll see, it'll be great
Can't
But we've been practically living together
Maybe later.
Why can't we get it back to how it was?
No?
I don't know.
For now, why don't we just keep it?
You know
I'm going to take a walk
I'll catch a bus
Talk to you later, OK?
Los jetzt Sei wieder friedlich
[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS]
Hello
[AUDIENCE CLAPS]
[AUDIENCE BANTER]
I've got to go to work now, darling See you Love you
COMPERE: Ladies and gentlemen.
and now the lovely Ulla
[AUDIENCE CLAPS]
[SOFT ROCK MUSIC PLAYS] Which party shall I go to tonight?
Tell me whose party shall I smile at tonight?
I'm gonna look for it
I'm gonna lie for it
I'm gonna swing for it
I'm gonna---
Better than words, eh?
So you like Ulla, do you?
MILENA: Just get here? ALEX: Yeah.
Yeah? I was just gonna call you.
We're all on our way to another place
ALEX: All? MILENA: Yeah, my friends
I thought we'd be alone
Oh, come on, be with us
I'd rather be with you.
Yeah?
MILENA: OK, come on ALEX: Really?
First read, then sign, please
So
It's all right It's a formality
Of course.
Read first, please
I know someone who could get two tickets to Fidelio
So that's what they mean by a university education
Hmm Maybe
All right if I go out and pick up some cigarettes?
Yes, you can do anything you like There's an all-night bar near the bridge.
NETUSIL: Ask for the ale. Superior to the beer ALEX: Thanks
Dr Linden.
Will you be coming back here or going home? After the cigarettes
I thought I was free to do whatever I like
Absolutely
It's just to know where, later on
to give you any news if necessary
I'll be back
Sure
DOCTOR: Tracheotomie Anheben.
DOCTOR: Hoher, hoher, hoher
DOCTOR: Einschnitt
DOCTOR: Watte Watte. Mehr Watte.
DOCTOR: Die Tube einfuhren.
DOCTOR: Fassen Sie daran an
I thought you said he was in the army, your father
That's a rather strange envelope, no?
It's normal for him.
He works for a wire service in San Francisco.
He left the army three years ago
Mother loved it there I miss her terribly
She was only 46 when she died.
Can I have a cigarette?
He married again last year
She's nice Teaches
I drifted back
Back here to where Daddy was stationed when I was little
Actually Paris first
That's where we were all together last.
I worked at this and that
I worked for one guy who had 20,000 bees and he didn't even like honey
He wasn't very funny, either
That's when my brother died in an auto accident
Daddy could hardly get himself together
I guess with he and Mother gone, we weren't much of a family any more.
Just people on our own.
Ever been married?
No.
I hate these sheets
[MUSIC PLAYS] I hope that I won't be that wrong any more
And maybe I've learned this time
I hope that I find what I'm reaching for
The way that it is in my mind
Some day I'll get over you
I'll live to see it all through
But I'll always miss
Dreaming my dreams with you
No, I won't let it change me, not if I can
I'd rather believe in love
And give it away as much as I can
To those that I'm fondest of
Some day I'll get over you
I'll live to see it all through
But I'll always miss
Dreaming my dreams with you---
GUARD: Ihren Pass, bitte.
MILENA: Hi.
MILENA: Danke schon GUARD: Bitte schon
MILENA: How are you doing?
What happened?
You don't like it, do you?
ALEX: Don't like what? MILENA: The way I look.
ALEX: You look fine MILENA: Oh, come on, I look better than that, don't I?
Right, you look real fine
MILENA: I bought it for you Aren't you happy? ALEX: I couldn't be happier You're a day late
Hey, I wired you, didn't I?
Yeah, it was waiting for me when I got back
Alex, I'm moving in with you Can't we just---
Do one thing - never force yourself to be different.
from who you are
Well, how am I then, huh?
You tell me, how am I?
You're just fine if you forget someone was waiting
Look, can't we just forget all that?
Forget because you've got on something pretty it changes who you are?
I was going to tell you something.
I'm sorry
Milena, I'm sorry
ALEX: Where are you going? MILENA: Nowhere.
DOCTOR: Die Pupillen? NURSE: Geschwommen
DOCTOR: Wie ist das EKG? NURSE: Nimmt keine Luft zu sich
[ANSWERPHONE] TAYLOR: Colonel Taylor here
I hear you're thinking of going to New York Confirm one way or another
We've got some important profile work coming up
By the way, the NATO people were delighted with what you did on those two files yester---
[NEXT MESSAGE] Hi, sweet, it's Amy here
I just got back from LA so give me a call when you've got time
[DISCONNECTED PHONE TONE]
ALEX: You got a whole department here TAYLOR: You gotta see what we got in Italy
You say this is a rush job?
Yeah I'd have used one of our regulars, but as you can see, we're working full blast.
Got some people coming in soon
Files, Inge Need some up-to-date psychological reports
You know, the usual.
ALEX: She's Viennese? I--- TAYLOR: Born in America, of Austrian parents.
Regular army through and through One of us
You'll find everything you need to know about these two guys in here, or maybe you won't.
Any idea what it's for?
Come on!
For all I know, it could be because their names begin with the same initials
You just work out.
whether either one of them is likely to sniff coke or play with little girls or boys
I don't know what any of it's for
Maybe they forward it to American Express for credit ratings
I'm just cleared for taking them out of the cabinet and putting them back
All yours, doctor
Doctor
Inge.
No, no, it wasn't anything so shadowy or complicated.
ALEX: Why would she marry him?
Listen, I've had men in my life
And only one would I have liked to marry.
But there are problems, you know?
But marry him?
Sure Why not?
Did he want to marry her?
Why not?
As for him and intelligence work
it's ridiculous.
I think he would be flattered someone he didn't know was analyzing him.
Though I'm sure he'd be as amazed as he would amused
Of course, everything I say has to be taken in the context of who I am
I'm only joking
Suddenly so sad, so silent?
So sad, so silent That's me
Here, have some
You know I hate this stuff.
Why didn't you tell me you were married?
Oh, I didn't---
You sort of lied, though A relative is what you said.
was over the border
If I told you I was married.
you'd think it meant your way, and it wasn't like that, so better I---
I don't think it was a lie It's words
It's not important
ALEX: Not important? MILENA: Nope
To whom?
Not important to whom?
DOCTOR: Stay back
ALEX: To whom?!
ALEX: To whom!!!
ALEX: To whom?!!! TO WHOM?!!!
Not important to whom?
To whom?
MILENA: It's over
It took time to get out
And for how long out? A week? A month?.
a day?
For good
Do you still love him?
I married him Of course I loved him
I don't any more
He's who I needed then
He's almost 30 years older than you
You think you're not?
Are you cold? Hmm?
Yeah, I am cold
Why is everybody so nosy over nothing?
I know something much better
I'm not everybody
No, you're not.
Anybody home?
Yoo-hoo, Alex?
MILENA: Hi. ALEX: Hi darling
MILENA: How are you doing? ALEX: I'm great
ALEX: And you're great MILENA: Where are we going tonight?
ALEX: I'll tell you MILENA: Better be exciting I'm in an exciting mood
ALEX: You're in the mood, huh? All right, come on MILENA: Where?
ALEX: Tonight I thought I would take you to the library
MILENA: The library? You got lipstick all over you
Well, it's just that.
Stefan lived through the.
going here and there.
doing crazy things on a whim
Well, he'd do them for me
I tried to please him
stop doing whatever it was I felt at the moment
Oh, I don't know
It seems the more rules I make for myself, the unhappier I get.
MILENA: You like me, huh? ALEX: I like you
How much?
This much
Is that all?
All right, I like you this much
Find me charming, too?
I am immune to your charms.
Who said that?
Guess
Oh, a certain shrink I know.
ALEX: Wrong MILENA: Who?
You don't know?
How do you keep a moron in suspense?
ALEX: How? MILENA: I'll tell you later
I love you, honey, but I don't know why
I am going to fix us a terrific cheese omelette That is, if I can
Even a not-so-terrific one would be great.
MILENA: You got it.
Well, tell me, what did you think of the play tonight?
Well, coach?
The drama?
POLICEMAN: Dr Linden?
NETUSIL: No, we don't need Dr Linden now
Rest
NETUSIL: Rest
Smoke Soon we'll have a chance to speak
ALEX: What?
With me.
Who was the doctor who took over when the woman was brought in?
POLICEMAN: Dr Schneider NETUSIL: See if I can have a word with her on the phone
Well, Doctor.
is there hope for us?
Yes.
ALEX: Yes
Yes.
DOCTOR: Wie alt ist Sie eigentlich?
NURSE: Funfundzwanzig?
GUARD: Alle Besucher links rein
Kann ich Ihnen helfen?
Yes, I need some information on, er---
Yes? On what?
Divorce in your country
I have---
Je tady American
ktery poreos eo rozvod
[PHONE] Druhe patro Prvni dvere Na pravo
Stairway to the second floor
first door on the right
Danke schon
Soudruhu, je Tu American
OFFICIAL: Dobre
Please.
Essentially, what I'm asking is, how does one go about getting a divorce.
in your country?
In my country, as anywhere else.
the first step is to ask for one.
But how does such a question come to be asked by you?
Someone I know, a friend, an American, is married to a Czech
It would seem, then, that the problem, if there is one.
is not properly one of your concern.
I asked you not to go You could cause trouble for Stefan
Milena, either you're married or divorced. You can't be in-between
To be in-between is to be no place at all
I don't get it
I can't find anything any more.
I put something down, I go to look for it, it's gone.
You could spend more time at your place
My place is getting to look exactly like your place
This must be his car.
It's open.
About 14 minutes
Let's say a comfortable quarter of an hour
Yes, but if there was traffic.
Traffic?
At one o'clock in the morning? Nonsense
[RADIO STATIC]
NETUSIL: Well, well The radio was on
That's the late station.
So that's what you do at night? Listen to music instead of your communications band?
Never
NETUSIL: What time does it start? POLICEMAN: Never
The late station The late station
Around midnight
I think
Ah, only think
POLICEMAN: It was open NETUSIL: Right again.
Like?
Incredible.
I was thinking, if I'm not nice to you, if I'm mean.
then it would be easy for you to leave me, huh? Look
Look at the kitchen
Oh, look
Your favourite sheets.
ALEX: That's great. MILENA: Yeah
Oh, Alex, not now.
ALEX: What's wrong? MILENA: Nothing
ALEX: What is it? MILENA: Nothing It's just that I don't want to
What do you want to do, then?
What's so urgent?
Can't we just sit and talk.
be with each other?
Relax. You're so tense these days
Hey, we're OK
I'll talk, it's just that you don't want to face the things I want to talk about
ALEX: I daren't talk MILENA: Oh, honey
Come here Come and sit down.
OK, what do you want to talk about?
Haven't we anything else left?
I just wanted us to be nice together, that's all
You say you want to be nice. I'd like you to be
ALEX: But this--- MILENA: Is that the only way I can be nice to you?
You know that's not true
Do I?
Anyway, I have to go soon
Why do you have to go?
I have things. There's some stuff I was going to do
What if we'd made love?
But we didn't
Anyway, I really can't stay. I'm sorry if I spoiled things
Alex, don't go
Wait
Why are you lying to yourself all the time?
I'm not I have to go
Wait
Wait a minute, Alex, look
You gotta understand me - the way I am.
I mean
there's nobody else, they're all in your head
But I must be who I am
You know, to. be with people you don't like.
Get up when I want to get up
And eat when I want to eat.
Drink when I want to drink and fuck when I want to fuck
I'm sure you will You do everything only when you want to
See you tomorrow Same time, same place.
Fuck you
Wait a minute. Wait, Alex.
Wait, Alex!
Alex.
You want me? Huh?
MILENA: Come on
Come on, do it now, Alex Do it now
Here it is, Alex Here it is.
Look at it, Alex. That's what you wanted, huh? There it is
Come here Come here
Come here and take it. That's what you want
Here it is Come on
Huh?
It's what you wanted. Do it now Fuck me
Fuck me right here now, goddamn it
I'll fuck you
Huh?
There you go.
Come on Stick it in there, then, huh?
That's it
Oh, God
ALEX: Oh, God MILENA: That's all it is, huh?
That's all it is, huh?
Love me
MILENA: Love me!
MILENA: LOVE ME!!!
Love ME! Damn it!
Right again
What a mess Just like my sister's.
ALEX: Nothing.
Nothing.
MILENA: Come back!
Bonjour, monsieur.
ALEX: Notre voiture est en panne Nous allons a Ouarzazate.
pouvez-vous nous aider, s'il vous plait?
Ouarzazate?
ALEX: Oui DRIVER: Ouarzazate, c'est la-bas
ALEX: Oui DRIVER: Nous, nous allons ici
Je vous en prie, monsieur
Qui est-il?
Il est Mon frere seulement.
Bon
ALEX: Merci DRIVER: Vous, vous montez derriere
Il y a une seule place ici pour votre soeur
DRIVER: Ah, Les jolis cheveux. Ca c'est beau, Ca
DRIVER: C'est tres tres beau.
What's happening?
DRIVER: Et ca suffit, non?
PASSENGER: Il y a longtemps Que vous etes Au Maroc?
MILENA: Trois semaines DRIVER: Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay
American Beautiful!
DRIVER: On Va aller a la Maison Je vais vous inviter Vous allez prendre Le the
DRIVER: Voila. MILENA: Merci.
DRIVER: D'accord? MILENA: Oui
DRIVER: Comme ca vous prenez Le couscous avec moi a la Maison.
Shake the guy
Monsieur, monsieur, enough, enough
DRIVER: Vous voyez Ce Que je veux dire? MILENA: Oui
DRIVER: nous allons boire un the comme dessert Et puis nous allons bien rigoler.
Si vous voulez
ALEX: I remember in New York.
across from us on the other side of the park was this beautiful old mansion.
it was very elegant, aristocratic
it made me feel good knowing something so beautiful was so close.
around it were lots of other lovely buildings.
mostly built, I think, round the turn of the century.
one by one they went down And one by one, up went mostly monstrosities.
but that one building remained.
it was there
someone said an eccentric millionaire owned it
At night, as a kid.
when I'd walk across the park, I'd use it to guide me
Then later.
when I'd graduated, started to teach.
it was still there
One day I had to go to Boston That was Friday
When I got back on Tuesday, it was gone
Gone
Like that
What?
Nothing.
I found this on the floor
Hi
MELINA: I missed you ALEX: I've been shopping.
New York?
I have an option to renew my contract with the university, which I won't
But I say we go back, get married, build something solid together
What about now?
ALEX: What do you mean, now? MELINA: Here, right now, this minute, this second
MELINA: Look where we are.
Did you miss that I just asked you to marry me?
No.
Well, what? I'm asking you to marry me
I've loved these days.
MELINA: I've loved them
I don't get it
Well, weren't you happy?
ALEX: You have to be happy MELINA: I am happy I was happy.
ALEX: It can be that way from now on MELINA: I am happy
When I'm with you, I'm with you.
I love being with you
What does that mean? With me, not with me
ALEX: You have a husband you don't want MELINA: I just want
my own life, my own time.
You can be a part of it, the biggest part of it. You are the biggest part of it
I love you
Come on
OK?
Look at where we are
POLICEMAN: Look at this
[PHONE RINGS]
DOCTOR: Beine
[PHONE RINGS]
Yes?
OPERATOR: Dr Alex Linden? ALEX: Yes
OPERATOR: Your call to Bratislava Do you still want it? ALEX: Yes, I want it
OPERATOR: Fine We'll put you through as requested
OPERATOR: Hold the line STEFAN: Yes
Yes.
ALEX: My name is --- STEFAN: Yes
Yes, Alex Linden You've heard of me?
STEFAN: To be sure
Look, this is as embarrassing for me
as it must be for you.
Listen, Mr Linden, please come to the point and tell me what I owe this communication to
ALEX: Milena She hasn't been seen for almost a week
I haven't seen her and I'm worried and I thought.
I thought maybe you knew where she was?
Are you there?
Did you hear me?
Yes, I heard you, Mr Linden, and no, I don't know
Please help me
Some place, someone she might
that you know.
Believe me, Dr Linden.
I would most certainly tell you if I knew
What I want more than anything is for Milena to get bored with you.
as soon as possible.
and it may come as a surprise to you, more for her sake than for mine
So why don't you just bugger off?
NETUSIL: This Stefan Vognic?
He's her husband, is he not?
I think so
Then there's a question in your mind?
He's her husband
Do you know him?
We spoke. on the phone.
Does Mr Vognic---
He is aware of the relationship that exists between you and his wife, is he not?
What relationship is that?
You tell me?
I've told him. I've told you already
I'm a friend
Ah, yes
Forgive me. Of course
A friend.
And this is why she telephoned you and---
But as I understand, you didn't believe her.
because this wasn't the first time she telephoned you threatening to kill herself.
Is that a correct assessment of the truth?
It is, but I went all the same
Without, however, taking the business very seriously. Right?
MILENA [PHONE]: Say goodbye
Right
I see.
You went to make sure
But you were convinced you would find Mrs Vognic alive and well as usual?
Am I right?
MAN: You like Superman? WOMAN: Sooperman?
It's Superman Why you say Sooperman?
It's not a bad book Would you excuse me?
Are you going to Hummel's party?
Bye-bye.
Ich warte
ALEX [THINKING]: Lost your tan
You lost your tan
More than a month It fades
Doesn't matter You look good, tan or no tan
I heard you've been trying to find me
Why didn't you call me?
I did, five, ten times
I didn't know.
Did I?
MILENA [THINKING]: I guess it was---
I guess it's as difficult for you as it is for me. I.
maybe if you would have.
left a message or something?
Maybe---
Alex, some interesting papers arrived from America
MAN: Let's have a coffee and talk ALEX: Sure.
Who's the guy?
Does it matter?
Why did you come here?
MILENA [THINKING]: I don't know Alex, I---
I guess I want--- Maybe I wanted to stumble into you
Sounds reasonable, but how can I believe you?
What are you afraid of, Alex?
Let's not argue
You're calling me a liar
He's not the guy in the photo, is he?
What photo?
You and someone at a lake
You took them?
ALEX [THINKING]: Stefan I know, but that someone at the lake---
It wasn't him.
Or him.
Would it really matter if I told you?
Who?
The lake was in California
And the boy was my fucking brother
You don't believe me, do you?
You think I'm lying
Think? You'll never change, Milena
Never
If you weren't who you are, I wouldn't have to.
MILENA: Oh, God, I'm.
I'm glad you decided to get rid of me, Alex. You know that?
Because I did love you and
I couldn't---
Fuck off
You're drunk
Disappear.
Milena, I want to explain.
Tell it to your students
It's just that I can't stand to think of you with anyone else
Please.
I'm tired. I had too much
I need sleep. Please, just go
Milena, I love you
I waited all night out there in the car
It's fucking daylight!
You want me to tell you I slept with someone?
Is that what you want? We fucked?
Would you believe that? Is that what you want to believe?
What do you want to know?
The truth?
No, you'd only call it a lie
What do you want to do? Go up and make love?
Go up and fuck?
You want us to do that?
You want me to do that?
What is it you want?!
OK
I love you
I don't love you
What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do because of that?
Kill myself?
Would you be sure then?
Huh? Would you? Would you?
ALEX: What do I want? What do you want?
ALEX: I want you to be mine
No, you don't You want to own me and dump me.
Well, I don't want to be yours or anyone's
Greedy bastard
Got everything
Had everything
Know everything
I don't want any fucking thing of mine
Let alone yours
I'm not ambitious
I'm not a fucking artist.
Or a poet
Or a philosopher
Or a goddamn revolutionary
I don't want to have to pretend I am for anybody.
I just want to be allowed.
to give, where I can
How I can
To whom I can.
For Christ's sake, don't ever use that word love again
And I promise I won't
Want me to give you a great big present, Alex?
Yes.
I did do it
I did it
You made me do it
You drive me crazy Why did I ever meet you? Anyway, who are you?
Did you know that Mrs Vognic took drugs?
No.
Tests made before the operation reveal traces of amphetamine in her blood.
Amphetamine She may have taken stimulants She suffered from severe depressions.
Drugs aren't so unusual, are they?
You wouldn't recommend them, would you, doctor?
I'm not her doctor
ALEX: I'm a friend That's it NETUSIL: Of course
Did you get her the prescription?
I'm a friend That's it
Of course. You did tell us that Yes.
Another?
You may smoke if you like?
This, Dr Linden.
is an extract from our archives.
The Germans have always been very good at archives
This is Austria
On 5th May.
a disturbance was reported by various neighbours.
living in the Schonbrunnerschloss Strasse
complaints were filed.
against Milena Vognic.
for drunken and disorderly conduct
After additional inquiries, it was learned that the party receiving the attack.
of verbal abuse was.
Dr Alex Linden
Currently on the faculty.
So what does that mean?
Of course.
But what caused that?
ALEX: That?
I told you, she's a very erratic person.
We decided not to see each other after that
For a while, at least
Why did you decide not to see each other?
How, Dr Linden.
would you account for a young girl getting into a state?
Drugs, depressions
[PHONE RINGS]
Yes?
MILENA [PHONE]: Alex?
Yeah
MILENA: Alex, I think I've done something stupid
MILENA: What are you up to? ALEX: Nothing.
MILENA: Is someone there?
No, nobody's here
MILENA: There isn't, is there?
No, and, Milena, I really want to talk to you I've been thinking about things.
MILENA: Oh, yeah?
Really. We ought to talk
[WOMAN COUGHS]
MILENA: No-one there, huh?
ALEX: Listen, it's a little late for drunken phone calls. MILENA: Oh, Christ, the usual lecture. Jesus, Alex!
MILENA: Why don't you just fuck me to death?.
I've done it, Alex.
this is strange and fucked up and confusing
no-one there?
you are a creep
ALEX: It's none of your business MILENA: You liar
why don't you just fuck off?
Milena, your scenes are boring, dull and stupid.
MILENA: Stupid?.
Not according to that orange file of yours.
not according to that, huh?.
You know, you really are a prick.
don't worry, I won't embarrass you any more You'll be able to close that file, Alex Linden
ALEX: Milena, I wanted to talk to you about all this.
I hate to be hung up on
GIRL: She wouldn't do anything stupid?
I don't know.
ALEX: Milena?
Milena?
Welcome to the wake!
Chains. so you can lock me up and I'll forever be yours.
Did you bring your orange file for protection?
Don't worry about it. Doesn't matter
You've won
I've won?
We are celebrating the death of the Milena you don't want
and the birth of the Milena you do
Do I look pretty?
Don't you like---
Here, for you
The only one, sir
The only one chains for which you have the only key.
For you.
for Milena's freedom!
Leave and you'll kill me Leave and I'm dead
Don't go Help me I need you now, Alex!.
I need you, please!
Me? You need me now?!
Milena, you have so many friends
Call 'em
Call 'em now
MILENA: I'll throw myself out the window. ALEX: Be my guest
Alex!
Alex, no, don't go!
Alex, please, don't!
Alex!!!
ALEX!
ALEX!!!
MILENA: Where are you? Come here!
ALEX!!!!!
Alex! Alex!!!
MILENA: Come on there, you! Do you hear me?
There you are
You'd like me to do it, wouldn't you?!
Admit it, admit it You'd like to see me dead Oh, shit!
ALEX: Milena!
FUCK!!!
Milena!
MILENA: Why ruin your neat little existence, Alex, why? ALEX: Stop that, you crazy bitch!
That's what you want, isn't it? To neaten up your little fucking life.
You fucker!
MILENA: I hate you!
MAN: Lass Mich doch zu ruhig schlafen ALEX: Stop that!
Blow it out your ass!
MILENA: Fuck you!
Fuck you! I hate your fucking guts!
2ND MAN: Ruhig da oben!
MILENA: I'm going to do it, Alex! I'm going to do it for you!
Don't go Watch me!
MILENA: That's what you wanted, isn't it?
Oh, God! Oh, God!
MILENA: Oh God! Oh God!
[MUSIC BEGINS - THE WHO: WHO ARE YOU?]
Who are you?
Who-who? Who-who?
Who are you?
Who-who? Who-who?
Who are you?
Who-who? Who-who?
Who are you?
Who-who? Who-who?
I woke up in a Soho doorway
A policeman knew my name
He said you can go sleep at home tonight
If you can get up and walk away
I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember throwing punches around
And preachin' from my chair
Well, who are you?
Who are you?
Who-who? Who-who?
The said Et cetera Et cetera telephoned me at about 1:30
NETUSIL: Now I want--- ALEX: I can't remember the time precisely
But I'm not asking you for the precise time
So could it have been half past twelve, perhaps?
NETUSIL: Ten, eleven, midnight ALEX: No
You see It wasn't eleven and it wasn't midnight
NETUSIL: Could it have been one? ALEX: Wrong again.
If you know I'm wrong, you must know the correct answer
It wasn't one
Later or earlier?
Which? Later? Earlier?
Later, naturally
Naturally?
Not two?
Obviously
[PHONE RINGS]
Yes?
[MILENA CLEARS HER THROAT]
MILENA [PHONE]: I wanted to say goodbye
You said it exceptionally well the other night, Milena.
MILENA: Alex, I.
MILENA: Alex?
I didn't mean to, I.
oh Alex, please don't go.
Alex?.
please.
I wanted
I wanted us to have a real goodbye
MILENA: I wanted.
I wanted us to have a real goodbye.
oh, God, I'm tired.
very tired.
ALEX: Tired or drunk?
MILENA: That's right Pissed.
how else could I get myself ready?.
God, goodbye, you
[MILENA COUGHS]
MILENA: Oh Alex.
I've done something stupid.
really stupid
What did you do after you got the call?
Did you have to dress?
No, I was working
I put on my jacket and tie
Your tie?
Then you went to your car?
[PIANO MUSIC PLAYS]
[RADIO PLAYS MUSIC]
Like this or faster? Or slower?
More or less like now.
NETUSIL: Was the radio playing? ALEX: What does that mean?
While you were on your way to see.
whether Mrs Vognic had---
Stop calling her Mrs Vognic
While on your way.
to see whether there had or had not been a suicide.
you switched the car radio on.
It was still on an hour ago when I went for the first time to look at her apartment
You wouldn't remember what was playing?
I don't know. Music
A news bulletin maybe
NETUSIL: Do you have a light?
Maybe it was the late station?
No, it wasn't the late station
the radio was tuned to the second station
I switched it off myself
Thanks
RADIO: Und mit dieser Note meldet sich das zweite Programm ab Gute Nacht
POLICEMAN: Herr Hauptmann RADIO: Hauptmann Netusil?
Go up I'll join you in a minute
NETUSIL: Stay here RADIO: Hauptmann Netusil?
NETUSIL: Yes, speaking What?
MILENA IN ALEX'S MIND: Alex.
you came
Well, we've decided it took me about 20 minutes to drive here
Where was she when you entered?
NETUSIL: Mrs Vognic rang you between 1:00 and 1:30.
which means she was in a condition to dial and talk
So?
She arrived at the hospital about one hour later in a state of advanced coma.
So?
So.
an abnormally rapid toxic process, wouldn't you say?
Not my branch Ask a specialist
I have When Mrs Vognic reached the hospital.
she had swallowed the pills at least three or four hours before
If she swallowed the poison between 10:30 and 11:30.
then at 1:30 she was in no condition to ring anybody
Or even move a finger
Do you follow me?
Maybe she phoned earlier I don't know. Maybe I didn't leave that quickly.
ALEX: I wasn't convinced.
I probably was---
It must have been half an hour before I got here
ALEX: I mean she'd threatened before.
And there's that business about your radio being tuned to the second station.
you know, don't you, that the second station ends at midnight?
Now, please, Dr Linden
be kind enough to tell me.
exactly what did occur when you received her call?
ALEX: You're not going to scare me, Milena
Not with a weak gesture like this.
Why don't you scare Konrad, that slob you kissed at that cafe?.
He'd laugh at you now and throw a bomb at somebody
or Giovanni?.
He's probably at the theatre tonight
If only you could have gotten yourself together.
we could have.
it could have been good.
But you couldn't get it together.
My sweet, you've been drunk before You've handled it then You will now
On your own.
without help
who would you call anyway?
That young guy in the photo?
Your brother?
Your brother
I'm here
We don't need anybody else.
Just you and me
MILENA [QUIETLY]: Help me.
Louder
MILENA [ALMOST INAUDlBLE]: Help
It's better this way
Believe me
There was no other way
If you arrived here let's say two or three hours.
before you said you did.
Which I didn't.
Of course. Only detection
NETUSIL: What is it if not.
a process of elimination?
Why I chose this profession
A puzzle
NETUSIL: Certainly the law doesn't interest me
But.
when I see.
when I.
when I see---
Where was I?
You were making incorrect assumptions
Yes, yes
Anyway, if. if
then you'd have to explain why you allowed all that time to elapse.
before calling for an ambulance
But what about all those Marlboro butts?
You smoked quite a few last night waiting for the ambulance.
They could have been there for weeks.
One could never accuse Mrs Vognic of an obsession with cleanliness.
ask the portress
I have What I need is a confession
Would you like to confess, Dr Linden?
To what?
The truth of the matter, Dr Linden, is
is that no-one cares about Article 139B
Suicide.
It has little, if any, indictable application to this case
But Article 205: Ravishment
There we have quite another apple, do we not?
Do you know, I ordered a vaginal swab taken?
As detection demands.
[RECORD BEGINS TO PLAY]
Wake up, Milena.
Don't sleep
Wake up
[MILENA SCREAMS]
Tell me!
We're alone here No witnesses.
Tell you?
A sort of confirmation
Tell you what?
About ravishment
I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about.
Difficult, the law.
Difficult
In this area.
it's not as clear as it could be
Ravishment
It. has to do with.
when.
well, in a sense.
in a sense you take advantage of someone's love
NETUSIL: You disguise your feelings of.
of hatred.
I have the feeling we're talking about you and not me.
We are not. unalike.
I could understand.
people who live in this sort of disorder.
A sort of moral and physical sewer
They spread it around them like an infectious disease
Dangerous creatures
To themselves and others
They envy our strength.
our. capacity to fight
our will to master reality
What do they do? They try to drag us into their confusion
their chaos
Anything to get you.
Anything to get you back
Back the way it was
I love you
I love you, Milena
I love you
Hello We need an ambulance. It's urgent
What?
Schonbrunnerschloss Strasse
Zwei.
Schnell, bitte
[AMBULANCE SIREN]
Confess.
Please, Dr Linden
As a personal favour
Personal favour?
You see, a swab would prove nothing
I fear I'm not so good a detective
But what is detection if not confession?
Confess between us It might help
Help who?
You
I can help you
Dr Linden.
confess
Between us.
Tell me what you.
dare not
I had a phone call before.
In the car
Is she dead?
No. She will live
Then you don't need me any more
Everything you need you can get from her
Excellent Thankful news
For me, perhaps, it arrived a moment too early
I trust that both you gentlemen will.
make yourselves available to me for the next few days?
What did you get from her, Dr Linden?
Not enough, I think
You must understand, you see.
it's not enough to love a woman when she's so. difficult
You must love her tremendously
More even than one's own dignity
Don't you agree?
MAN: I've got to take two with me this afternoon.
MILENA: Ann, those are the strangest shots! ANN: They're not mine I found them in my apartment
MILENA: Did you really?
Milena
Milena!
Call me
[END THEME PLAYS]
The same old story
It's as old as the stars above
The same old story
Of a boy and a girl in love
The scene: Same old moonlight
The time: Same old June night
Romance the theme
Two hearts awake
Deep in a dream
The same old story
It's been told much too much before
The same old story
But it's worth telling just once more
It's all fun and laughter
They lived ever after
In ecstasy
The same old story
But it's new to me