Original subtitles

There are some things in life that transcend time and national boundaries.

Music, love, the bond between parent and child.

Things like these have no language.

They exist in the heart, in the memory, and nothing can erase them.

Sometimes, though, it takes a kind of miracle to bring things back to light.

Good morning.

It's 6 .30 in the city of broad shoulders, and here's the new...

Good

morning. Good morning to you, too.

What the... What if you knew,

beyond a doubt, what was going to happen tomorrow?

What would you do?

There's no easy answer for a guy who gets tomorrow's news today.

Come on. Now, just consider it before you toss it in the trash.

Okay. It's a bad idea.

It is not a bad idea. We are dying on Thursday nights. We need a new angle.

Angle, yes.

Gimmick, no.

It's not a gimmick. Gimmicks are cheap. I am not cheap.

Okay. What about last week?

Free meals for gay divorcees? That was a brilliant idea. That was innovative.

And this is a gimmick. Uh -uh -uh. Let's ask a true connoisseur. A man with

vision. A man with taste. Okay. What do you think?

Thursday nights, karaoke.

Especially not karaoke.

I think that's a terrible idea.

Thank you. What the hell does he know? This guy puts ketchup on his filet.

but look at this. What is it? Well, I don't know. It's different. It's what?

It's Russian. It's written in Russian.

You know Russian?

Yeah. I got a bit of Ruski.

You gotta be kidding me. No, why should I be kidding you?

What do you think Fishman is? Irish? Comes from Fishniak. My grandparents are

from Moscow.

Russian's practically my second language.

What is this?

In English.

Okay, don't rush me. It's written in Cyrillic. Maybe you ought to try singing

it.

Something about spam.

Stop while you're behind, Chuck. Okay, so I'm a little rusty. What do you think

I am, Dostoevsky?

Gotta get this translated now.

What's the hurry?

There is a hurry, but I do know that that article's not in there for any

accident.

Uh -oh.

What?

This wasn't here before.

Why? What is it?

32 -year -old mother -to -be died yesterday morning after being struck by

cab in downtown Chicago.

The cab driver, involved in an argument with his passenger, reportedly never saw

the victim.

What is it going to happen?

Nine o 'clock.

Wait a minute.

No, please.

Hey, Gare, remember, think karaoke.

I found something simple.

Driver, can you turn it down?

Driver! What?

It's too loud.

What's too loud? The music.

It's supposed to be loud. It's Shostakovich.

Slow

down!

What was that?

Concerto in A minor.

What, are you nuts?

You could get hurt running out like that. Oh, yeah, you tell me about it. I

to stop you. You're about to hit someone down. Oh, yeah?

Well, next time, try yelling taxi from the curb like everybody else. Driver,

what are you doing?

Smelling roses.

No damage. Oh, boy, are you a lucky guy. I'm lucky.

Look, let me tell you something, pal. I practically just saved your life. Oh,

yeah? Well, how do you figure that? How do I figure that? I'll tell you how I

figure that. I figure that because...

Because I'm a good figure. That's how. Let me give you a bit of advice from

someone who knows absolutely nothing.

Always watch out for your own life. Nobody else will.

Back in Russia, we got a saying.

I'm walking.

You can forget about your fare.

Good. Do svidaniya. Do svidaniya.

You say you're from Russia?

Who wants to know?

I want to know.

Listen, you read that to me?

Ignore it. It's nothing. Pay no attention. Yeah, well, just tell me what

says, would you?

It says there was a fire at the consulate.

At the consulate.

Which counselor? Russian.

The Russian counselor. But this is not true. I drove by there this morning. No

fire. Wait.

Take me there. Why?

Because I want to go there.

Sorry. I can't drive today.

What do you mean you can't drive today? It's your job.

All right.

Hey, that's my cab.

You can do this.

You crazy American.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?

May I have your attention, please?

If you would all take your places, we would like to begin.

I know you're all anxious to meet our guests.

Once we've completed the introductions, there will be plenty of time for

questions from the press. Thank you for joining us.

Good to see you again.

Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen.

It is my great pleasure as council general to welcome today two most

distinguished visitors from our homeland.

The distinguished Russian ambassador.

Welcome, sir.

And on her first international concert tour, our own national treasure, Polina

Rosanova.

Thank you.

It is my great pleasure to finally be in the country I've heard so much about.

I look forward to playing for all of you.

I hope I live up to my reputation.

Nice driving. You have maybe a rash of blood?

Here. Come on, I might need your help. Me? No, sorry. I can't. Not today.

Personal reasons.

Look, get on the radio. Get the fire department over here now.

I told you it was nonsense.

Besides, it happened yesterday.

Yeah, yeah.

Mr. Bates, take care of the girl. What?

The woman with the violin.

Go, go, go.

Miss Rostanova, is it true the violin you'll be playing on this tour is the

your father gave you when you were a child?

Yes.

I only wish she could have been here today to see how far it has brought me.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

There's going to be a fire here. There's supposed to... There's going to be a

fire here, and I... There.

My violin, ma 'am.

What are you, crazy?

Get away from there. I can't. My violin.

My violin.

You saved my life.

I don't think I saved your life. I just... How did you know?

Well, I didn't. No, I didn't.

Who are you?

Gary Hobson. I'm Gary Hobson.

Don't be such a baby. Keep still and it won't hurt.

You sure you know what you're doing?

Why shouldn't I?

Well... I'm a musician, Mr. Rhodes, and not a performer.

How is she?

Oh, it's a little burned around the edges, but I think I'll live. Thank you.

You're lucky.

Very lucky.

Security thinks it was an incendiary device.

They set the fire?

Perhaps to ask a diversion for something else.

Diversion by who?

In our country, we call them Cherki.

Here you say mafia, the Russian variety.

They controlled many things in the old Soviet Union and wish to control more

now. We need to be careful, with you and the ambassador.

Once again, my thanks.

Do you feel anything?

Yeah. I mean, it's, uh...

It feels fine.

Thank you.

Well, it's the least I could do. You say something very precious to me. I don't

think I could have done a tour without my violin.

Why not?

It was a gift from my father many, many years ago.

Everything I am, I owe to him.

When he died, I vowed I would dedicate my life and music to him.

It's crazy, huh?

No, I don't think it's crazy.

It's just that... Well, I better be going.

Wait, but you didn't answer my question.

How did you know?

How did I know?

I wish I knew.

Perhaps another time.

Yeah.

Oh, Paulina Rossanova, huh?

The concert violinist.

I believe Newsweek called her the mournful angel of Moscow.

Yes, they did that.

The one with the cheekbones.

This is perfect.

This what?

Well, you saved her violin, right? So now she owes you. You know, I hate to

but owes what?

She plays here.

Thursday nights.

Oh, you gotta be out of your mind.

No, imagine it.

Black tie.

Fine crystal. We dim the lights. She comes out wearing something very sexy.

She starts with the standards.

Shostakovich, Rostopovich, all the itches. And then she segues into, you

the old stuff, like hillbilly music, bluegrass. She's a concert violinist,

Chuck. Okay, okay, forget the bluegrass.

What do you think, Garrett?

What do I think? Oh, I think I agree with her.

You know what?

You guys have no imagination.

Oh, don't worry. I'll get it.

You got something to say?

You got a thing for it, don't you?

What makes you say that?

Vibes. Vibes?

Well, after all, she's the mournful angel of Moscow, isn't she?

I got things to do.

You still don't want to talk about her, do you? No, I don't want to talk about

her. You know what? There's nothing to talk about.

These were addressed to you, Matilda.

I told you not to call me that.

How about dinner?

Roses.

How Russian.

Eat a lip, mister.

What do you want?

You owe me six bucks for the campfire this morning. Lucky for you, I'm a

generous man.

How long have you been waiting out here?

No time at all. Purely coincidence.

Nice clothes.

Men's their house.

If it's all right with you, I'm late for a dinner.

With who?

It's none of your business with who.

All right, forget the six bucks. We'll start fresh from zero, eh? Well, thank

you very much, but I'll walk.

So how did things go today at the consulate? Fine, thank you. She's okay.

not hurt?

No, she... Why are you so interested in Paulina?

Have you ever heard her play?

No.

Then what's the use explaining?

She let you call her Paulina?

Oh, yeah, she let me call... What do you care what she let me call her?

Oops, her radio's beeping.

Gotta go.

Now, wait a second. Hey!

Hey! Hey! To America, land

of tall buildings.

And to baseball.

And traffic.

And... Strangers who rescue violinists from fiery deaths.

That too.

What?

You know, when one is famous, especially in my country, it's hard to find people

who will just be themselves.

The way you rushed in today, I thought, this man is special. He's his own

person.

Yet there is something else.

What might that be?

I was hoping you would tell me.

How did you know?

About the fire?

Perhaps.

It's some kind of gift you have, isn't it?

Well, that's hard to explain, actually.

I understand.

You do?

Sometimes, when I'm playing that violin, the one that my father gave me, the

strangest thing happens.

I can be on stage in front of a thousand people, and just for a moment, it's as

if I'm all alone.

And...

He's standing right beside me.

Not a ghost, but real.

Right nearby.

Can you explain that?

No.

You see? We are connected.

Thank you. I had a lovely time.

I hope you did, too.

You didn't give me a chance to say it.

Perhaps I didn't dare.

Perhaps it's a good thing that you didn't dare, but all the same, I did

good time, and thank you.

Good.

I play tomorrow at the Consulate.

Prokofiev.

I hope you can come.

But no fire this time, eh?

No fire.

Oh. Let me get that.

This is you?

Yes, it's me on my 10th birthday.

This is... My father.

He was my father.

I'm sorry.

No, it's okay.

Take care of them.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay.

Yes, ma 'am. Where do you want to go?

Wherever these things go at night, take me there. No problem.

Excuse me.

Where to?

No, no, I don't need a cab. I'm looking for someone. He's Russian.

Does everyone else here name?

Yuri. And I didn't get his last name.

Yuri. Yeah.

Is he here?

I'm afraid not.

Perhaps I can help you.

Victor Choleding.

You're in charge?

I am in charge, yes.

Yeah, well, is he here? It's pretty important I talk to him.

May I ask what about?

No, it's kind of personal, actually.

Of course, I understand.

But there is a problem.

He no longer works here.

I just saw him today.

You see how things happen so near and yet so far?

Yuri quit this evening.

Left town, no address.

Can you imagine?

Huh. Just got up and left town.

Of course, if you would wish to leave a message, perhaps you will contact me and

then I could pass it along, but only if you like.

Yeah, yeah. Why don't you tell Yuri that I came by to give him a ticket to a

concert that I think he might want to go to?

And your name?

My name's Gary Hobson.

He'll remember me. He took me to the consulate today.

Well, why don't you leave the ticket with me?

Why would I want to do that?

He left town.

May I call you a cab?

No.

You took him to the consulate.

What else haven't you told me?

Perhaps I should be asking you this.

The fire at the consulate.

People could have been killed.

Was that you?

My friend, I'm surprised.

I thought we agreed we would never speak of this.

In any event, no harm was done. Everything is fine.

Just be sure and stay away from this man.

He could cause you great trouble.

And that would grieve me.

I got a feeling you're looking for this, Yuri.

I figured you'd get the message.

Do I get it or not? The tiki.

Oh, yes, yes.

After you tell me one thing.

Which is?

You're her father, aren't you?

Yes.

Except for one thing.

Now, what's that?

Her father's dead.

Why do you want to hear this?

Last night, I listened to a woman tell me about her father, who she made out to

be one of the most important men in the world.

The only thing is, she thinks that her father's been dead for 15 years.

But he isn't.

Now, you tell me, Yuri, or I'm going to call the cops.

Yuri Rozanova.

A great man.

A musical genius.

A moral giant.

That's what she said, isn't it?

Pretty close.

I want you to look all around this room, Mr. Hudson.

Do you see such a man standing here?

The answer is no.

He doesn't exist.

Well, she's walking around on this planet, so he must have once.

Who can remember such a long time ago?

Things were different then. You were a musician.

A gentleman, the heck.

I was lucky to work once or twice in a year.

But Paulina, oh, from the time she was six, she had the

gift.

She could play like an angel.

The first time I heard, I knew this was a miracle.

She needed schooling.

She needed an instrument.

These things cost money.

So I took a job with a friend.

I asked no questions. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

He had connections.

But something did go wrong.

That night I became an enemy of the party, a criminal. So long as I lived,

daughter would suffer.

Her gift would be lost.

I had no time.

So I did what I thought was best. If I died, her life might be spared.

So that night, I ceased to exist.

So, now you know.

Any questions?

Yeah, about a hundred of them. Let me start with this one.

The Soviet Union's broken up.

Have you thought about going back?

Maybe... Maybe.

Maybe not.

What about my daughter?

What would she think?

When her father, the martyr, shows up on her doorstep after 15 years in the

grave.

Well, I don't know. I would imagine she'd be thrilled.

Are you sure?

Are you really sure?

I don't understand.

Yes, I know.

You never saw me.

Now, wait a second.

Just hang on a second here, would you?

Let me get this straight.

You've got a daughter on the other side of the city who thinks you've been dead

for 15 years.

And you're not even going to let her know you exist?

She wouldn't believe me if I did.

Wait a minute, would you?

Just wait a minute now.

Yuri, take the ticket and go see your daughter play.

Not already.

All right.

I got it this time.

Rabbit marinates in melatonin. What?

What's wrong? What's wrong?

Rabbit beats little boy. Oh, God. This is hopeless, Chuck.

I'm sorry, okay? I haven't spoke Russian since I was seven. I can read two of

the words. Linkin Park. Let's go.

Me? Come on. I might need a translator.

Oh, sweet as ain't.

See ya.

Such a beautiful day. I wish we didn't have to spend it rescuing people.

Come on, get out.

And do what?

Oh, what?

Look around.

Excuse me, can you take me through the... But I gotta get... You wanna ride

that trunk?

Out.

Polina.

Polina!

So what's this all about?

I think I know what it is.

Pierski.

Are you all right?

Yes, I think so.

I thought you were going to be. I had to do something.

You're not hurt, are you? Polina.

Gary, what are you doing here? Are you following me? No, I'm not following you.

Polina, hello.

I'm Chuck Fishniak.

I am a manager of McGinty's restaurant.

Maybe you've heard of it.

But who is this?

Him? I know not. Do I know you?

Yuri.

Yuri Rolf Novo.

It's your father.

Is this some kind of a joke?

Let me explain.

No, let me explain. My father was a musician, not a cab driver.

He died in Russia 15 years ago. I know that's what you believe, but the fact...

Believe! I know it to be so.

She's right.

I'm sorry I lied to you.

I may bear a resemblance to Rosanova, but the fact is, I never even met the

I've never even been to Moscow.

I just thought... Anyway, I'm ashamed of myself.

I misled you.

Both of you.

I hope you can find it in your house.

Don't forgive me.

Never.

Never.

Paulina, wait.

She's not going to talk to you.

Well, I've got to talk to her. Well, then I'd start with flowers.

Here it is.

Morris Hotel.

You believe this guy's story? It sounds like something out of a Pushkin novel.

I saw the picture. A picture, an old one. I mean, don't you think she'd know

you were her father?

Maybe she does.

Hello, Paulina Rosanova, please.

One moment.

Hello?

Hello, Paulina.

Paulina?

Hello?

It's good to see you still got the touch, kid.

There's got to be a reason for these headlines.

Yeah, it's trying to tell you something.

Like what?

Stay away from musicians.

Remember Dr.

Zhivago.

What?

This is not like you, Nathan.

Something wrong?

Wrong? What could be wrong, eh?

Everything is wonderful.

This is America.

And I am Yuri Rozanova.

Taxi cab driver.

Invisible man.

I saw

her

today. I even spoke to her.

And?

You were right. It was a mistake. I never should have tried.

I'm sorry.

Life happens.

What can you do?

It's like you always say, know where you stand, huh?

Trust your friends and no one else.

The concert today, what will you do? I assume you won't be there.

No.

Bear your eyes.

It will only be pain.

Well, if you like, you could give the ticket to me.

The concert ticket.

Oh, of course.

But who would you give it to? No one. I'm going by myself.

You? But you hate music.

Why on earth would you want to?

But my daughter will be there.

As will the ambassador.

May I have it, please?

Your old friend.

Would I let something happen to one of yours?

Trust me.

It's just business.

No one will get hurt.

That's what you said 15 years ago.

And now I am with you.

Now, Victor. Not this time.

I can make you in.

It's right again.

A word to the authorities about your involvement in certain activities.

It would break Paulina's heart.

Look, just let me get a bite to eat, will you?

What's this?

Something big is happening, isn't it? Something big is happening. I got a

page headline in Russian.

Well, we know it has to do with one of two people.

Yeah, the question is which one and why.

All right, I'll tell you what.

Just this once, I'm going to do this for you because I think you're cute.

Yeah, no, thanks a lot, but I don't need to know about pigs with melanoma or

spam. I need to know what the headline says.

Maybe I can help you.

Yuri? They're going to kill him.

Who? The Russian ambassador today at the consulate.

Did he get one of these, too?

No. What are you talking about?

I need your help.

I've done too much running away in my life.

Too much being nobody to be somebody.

How I might succeed.

Because of that, I lost my daughter.

She is in danger. I could not bear to lose her again.

Will you help me?

How are you going to do that? It's a consulate. You can't just walk in.

Oh, hold it. Who are you? I'm with the band, Substitute. What kind of

Substitute? The bass guitar and tenor sax.

Where's your ticket?

Well...

The reason I'm substituting is the guy who usually plays got very sick, and he

puked all inside the case, and that's where the ticket is, too. But if you

me to get it, I can show you. To the next.

Thank you.

No wonder the whole country collapsed.

Perfect day.

It's lovely.

The ambassador has asked if he might sit nearby when you play.

He's entranced by your music.

Mr. Planov?

In Moscow, if one wanted to research old records, locate reports from local

deaths, traffic accidents... Why on earth would you think of such a

thing? Where would one start?

Better not to.

In Moscow, what was not labeled top secret was most often thrown into boxes

used as fuel.

What are you searching for?

Nothing important. It was just a thought.

Paulina!

It's okay. Let him through.

Thank you.

Don't mention it. Listen, something's happened. Look, I'm sure it has, but I'm

really not interested. I thought he made that quite clear.

Wait. Then why'd you let me through?

Is it true?

Tell me it was just a hoax.

What if I can't do that?

Then my life has been a lie.

What are you talking about? Look, you share a God -given talent. How can that

wrong? Because I believed in him.

And you say my father abandoned me? My father was not such a man. You were ten

years old. How do you know? He was brave and noble. And human. Brave and noble.

They make mistakes. Maybe he was doing all he could.

Is everything all right? No, it's not.

Listen, Paulina. Look, I've said all I have to say. No, Paulina.

Paulina.

Hey, where are you guys taking me?

What's wrong? Don't you speak English?

Thank you.

On behalf of my country, I welcome each of yours.

It is through cultural exchanges like this that we hope to forge a greater

international understanding.

What the hell is this guy?

Hey, listen.

You guys, wait.

This is Boris.

Troubleski. Headlineski, huh?

How am I supposed to read that? It's in Russian.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I give you... Paulina Rassanova.

What a wonderful greeting. Thank you.

How long I have dreamt of this day to play here in America.

I feel both happy and sad.

Happy to feel so free and sad for what I have learned.

Sometimes I guess it is easy to fool ourselves about who we are.

Sometimes it's easier to pretend than to just be.

Especially when very young.

I... said I would play this violin today.

The one that my father gave me.

But I won't.

I no longer believe.

Oh, you must believe.

Now we are even.

Excuse me.

You drop this?

Hey.

Tell me what this says.

Hero cab driver saves violinist.

Well, I could have told you that.

Paulina. Papa.

I never played the violin or the tenor sax.

Got a drum set when I was 12, but my dad put an end to that.

I know this about music, though.

Even though playing solo's okay, it always helps to have someone backing you

As for falling in lust with a beautiful Russian virtuosis, well, that can be

complicated.

Especially for a corn -fed American boy.

Maybe sometimes it's safer to stick with the music you already know.

On the other hand, when it comes to tomorrow's newspaper, there's a new tune

every day.

Chinese?

You've got to be kidding me.

A woman conducted a very shady business deal. Then she turns up dead.

Her husband had a bad temper.

Is he the guilty party?

Perry Mason doesn't think so.

Our Perry Mason season begins next on Hallmark with the case of the murdered

madam.