Original subtitles

EPISODE 3

- Open the trunk. - Sure.

- What are these? - I don't know.

Comrade, I'm seeing them for the first time.

Lane 1, suspected drug trafficking.

‎CHISINAU/BUCHAREST

Dear friends, please forgive me for being late,

but believe me, I'm a bit nervous.

Today is the day I've dreamed of for many years.

Today, a dream of mine comes true.

It's like a child you raise, and when he grows up,

you have to let him go, out into the big world to find his way.

So the time has come to give this child his freedom,

and I ask you to cherish

and love him, just like I do.

Thank you!

Meet my wife, Eliza.

Plaha, nice to meet you.

- How are you? - Wonderful.

I'm really glad you came.

It would've been absurd not to make it to this event.

Mr. Plaha is a devoted friend of the embassy and of Romania in general.

By the way, things have sped up.

Oltean is arriving in the next few days. And that's beyond my control.

Very good.

I think we won't find a more suitable place than this one for his arrival.

From me, for the embassy. We'll talk later, yes?

Of course.

How are you?

- Just sitting. - Sitting.

Dorel, the guy from the boxing gym I told you about.

- Dorel. - I heard you're doing wonders there.

Maybe. Come in and see for yourself.

I will. Definitely will.

Did the guys explain what this is about?

Yes. For the most part, yes.

Very good. Enjoy yourselves!

Yes. He just walked in.

Good. I'll talk to him and call you back.

- Cheers! - Good afternoon.

- All good? - Yes.

The clients from Aristocrat, satisfied?

I'd say so.

Please.

So if everything's fine, how can I help you?

Alexei told me you wanted to talk to me.

Exactly, I wanted to talk.

Mr. Lunca, I've got information that the Romanians

want to launch Petroil Moldova.

That's right.

I don't think it's good to let a Romanian company

operate here without control.

Or is it good?

Don't tell me that suddenly...

you've developed an interest in the country's energy security.

Well... sort of.

So I talked to... Alexei.

And we came up with an idea, and I hope you'll support it.

I could buy, let's say, 30 state-owned gas stations.

We both know how they are... some are in terrible shape.

And if I manage to convince Romanians

that I can be the best manager for Petroil-Moldova,

through your connections, we'll make all state institutions

and dozens of enterprises fuel up from us.

We'll open Petroil accounts at Alexei's bank,

thus ensuring financial flow to FinComerțBank.

And, thus, to the Communist Party.

That's... not that simple.

What guarantees do we have that it'll go as you say?

You have my word of honour. Other guarantees...

Mr. Lunca, everyone knows me as a businessman.

It wouldn't raise eyebrows if I bought the gas stations.

Good. And from us, specifically, what do you need?

Just to speed up, through your friends,

the privatization of the gas stations.

And, of course, to cap the prices at a reasonable level.

And second, to have a talk with the government so that, if needed,

I'll be recommended to the Romanians

as the best manager for such a business.

Alright.

I'll talk to Cioroian, but... we'll see how it goes.

- How was your flight? - It was good, thank you.

- Please. - Thank you.

I didn't know our embassy had such cars.

Mr. Oltean, it's from the Records Department.

You probably know ours are in terrible shape.

It's from a local businessman. You'll meet him.

You'll be staying at his hotel.

We'll see.

That's it?

It is, yes.

You could've taken longer...

It's alright.

Meet Mr. Oltean, Mr. Plaha.

Mr. Oltean, please accept this Nokia 8210 from us.

The first number is mine, the next two belong to the girls.

You can reach them anytime.

Thank you, I hope I won't need it.

Please.

I'm coming in two seconds.

I've got news. Bad ones.

Oltean told me that the people from Bucharest, from Petroil,

are considering Ion Șeremet as the director for Moldova.

- Very well. Thank you. - Anytime.

- Hello, Mr. Plaha. - Hi.

Are all of them yours or are there some strays too?

All mine and not even all of them.

How many did you say there were?

235 guys.

Between 15 and 32 years old.

And I've got a few K1 champions too.

Got it.

Good job!

I've explained the details to Dorel.

Very good.

Still, I feel obliged to say something too.

I want you to make a clear calculation

of all the expenses you'll need

to open a professional, serious club, okay?

Calculate everything: equipment, clothes, gym, all that.

We'll do everything we can to include the club

in circuits and championships, alright?

Sounds good.

You know what I want in return?

I can guess.

What?

To...

I want loyalty, Dorel.

In exchange for my investment, I want loyalty.

- 235 young men loyal to me. - That's what I meant.

And one more thing, no minors.

I want us to respect the law. Or at least, not to conflict with it.

Understood. We'll do it that way.

Come on! Let's work!

Sorry to ask, but I still don't get why you have to feed an army of athletes.

Athletes are disciplined and naive.

We need someone to be our muscles.

You know the saying: As you make your bed...

So, what did you decide?

Okay.

I'll get there around half past ten.

At Aristocrat.

Good evening. One person?

- I'm with the gentleman. - Please, this way.

Good evening.

- What can I get you? - What do you recommend?

Tonight's special: game meat in truffle sauce.

What kind of game?

Wild rabbit and venison.

I'll have both.

And you, the usual?

Same here, both kinds.

- To drink? - What do you recommend?

A Cabernet Sauvignon?

- Works for me. You? - Same.

- Right away. - Thank you.

What's our plan for tomorrow?

At 10:30 a.m. we're at Mr. Șeremet's winery,

and at 4:00 p.m. there's a meeting with Mr. Eșanu,

the Minister of Industry and Energy.

- And the day after tomorrow? - Nothing for now.

Good.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- How are things? All good? - All good.

Glad to hear that.

One moment.

Would you mind if I recommended something truly special?

Also French, also 15 years old,

Bordeaux, Pinot Noir.

Strategic reserve.

Bring us a bottle, please.

Leave this one too. It'd be a shame not to taste it as well.

Alright.

If everything's fine, I'll leave you then.

You're not staying with us?

Maybe you've got work, maybe you need to talk.

Who works at this hour? Come on, stay with us, please.

If you insist.

But you should know I never start dinner without a digestif.

What do you prefer? A Hennessy Paradis, 40 years old?

Or a Moldovan cognac, Prezident, also 40 years old?

Let's go with the Moldovan one.

I'd say the same, the Moldovan one.

Dina, run to Vadik and bring a Prezident.

Nice place you've got here.

We do what we can.

Mr. Consul spoke very highly of you.

And he spoke highly of you too.

What a coincidence.

Would you mind serving us yourself?

Of course.

Larisa, what are you doing there all alone? Aren't you bored?

- Have you tasted this 40-year-old one? - No.

Not here!

Here.

That's my room?

Take it off yourself, please.

Fuckin' shit...

Hello?

Yes.

Stay there, I'll be down in ten minutes, okay?

Stay there, I'm coming.

- The phone died and the alarm didn't ring. - It happens, it's not a big deal.

Can you call to tell them we're late?

I already called them, told them we're late and we'll arrive around 12.

Thanks.

- Mr. Șeremet? - Greetings!

- Good afternoon! - Welcome!

- Did you arrive well? - Yes.

Sorry for being late, something urgent came up

and we couldn't...

No worries, it's fine. We have plenty of time.

- Very beautiful here, your place... - Indeed. Beautiful.

Let's go inside.

- We'll taste the wines and talk. - Yes.

Excellent.

Very good.

What's it called?

Fetească Neagră.

Indeed, exceptional.

Let's get back to business.

You probably know that Romania would like to invest

in a network of gas stations.

After some discussions in Bucharest, your candidacy was proposed.

Thank you, I'm honored.

You've succeeded in viticulture.

Why not succeed in the oil industry as well?

I can't refuse the proposal, but...

probably...

we should first make an investment plan.

We'll see the risks and competition.

And only then things will become much clearer.

You have the full support of the managers from Bucharest

and especially of the Romanian authorities.

Sounds good.

Although, the real bureaucratic swamp isn't in Bucharest,

but in Chișinău.

On that matter, I've arranged a meeting today

with the Minister of Industry and Energy.

We'll speed up the implementation and investment process.

Glad to hear that! Thank you!

- Cheers! - Good luck!

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

- Excuse me, is the Minister in? - Oh yes, he is. He's expecting you.

Yes. Please, come in.

Here.

- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.

- Did you arrive well? - Yes.

Especially since I'm with the man who won't let me get lost.

That's right.

Beautiful city, but I can't quite tell, is it Romanian, is it Russian...

We want to make it Romanian.

But you know well that...

it's not just the landscape that makes a city, but also its people.

- Exactly what we wanted to talk about. - Yes. Please, have a seat.

Please.

Tea? Coffee?

Water, please.

Jenika!

Bring some water, please.

Right away, Minister!

And I understand you have big plans, Mr. Presidential Advisor.

Please, call me Titus.

I'm not too fond of titles.

Agreed. Especially since, apparently, we're about the same age.

- 1966. - 1965.

Close enough.

Mr. Eșanu, I assume you know that Petroil Romania

wants to expand into Moldova.

More than that.

Our plan is to become market leaders in three years.

A commendable goal and you should know that you'll have my full support.

I'm very glad to hear that.

Especially since a project of this scale

is nearly impossible without the state's help.

As we like to say, if you want to help but don't know how,

better stay out or you'll just make things worse.

You know, we also have a good proposal for a future director of Petroil Moldova.

Really? Who?

A dynamic young man,

representative of the new generation of entrepreneurs.

Vladimir Plaha.

I understand that he recently bought about 30 decommissioned gas stations,

so you're kind of on the same wavelength.

Vladimir Plaha. Isn't he the man from the hotel?

Exactly. It's a good proposal.

We could identify other people,

but from our point of view, he's the best candidate.

He also has Romanian citizenship, he's well regarded in the West,

especially in Bucharest,

so I recommend him with full confidence.

Thank you.

What a strange coincidence.

In what sense?

Both you and the Minister keep praising this Plaha guy.

- You two have an arrangement? - You're exaggerating, Mr. Counsellor.

Not exaggerating at all.

We drive his car, we stay in his hotel, we eat his food.

Now even the Minister recommends him...

Truth is, Plaha is a very energetic and skilled businessman.

And if I think about it, he perfectly fits the profile

of Petroil Moldova's manager. Just as Eșanu said.

Schedule me a meeting with him tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.

Wouldn't it be better if you called him yourself?

You have his number on the phone he gave you.

Peace.

Peace to you too.

They moved you to the common cell. You were with the dirty ones, right?

Yeah.

For good behaviour.

Good?

Good.

Good, that's all.

Cobra, from today this is his bed.

What's your name?

Petru.

Put your stuff under the bed, we'll talk later.

Can I get a cigarette?

I heard you're getting out soon.

Congratulations.

If you're getting out,

don't you want to settle things with those who put you in here?

Meaning?

Does the name Vladimir Plaha sound familiar to you?

What about him?

- So you know him or not? - I know him.

- He's the one who ratted you out. - How do you know?

Wasn't I a security officer?

He wrote the statement against you right in front of me, on my desk.

- Are you sure? Maybe it was someone else. - It was him.

Moreover, you know that case with the doctor who hanged himself?

The one who had a maternity clinic in Central Hotel, selling babies abroad?

Yeah. He was behind it too.

He's the one who organized everything.

Then the doctor took the blame.

I'm telling you this so you know what kind of man he is.

He'd commit the crime, but someone else would pay for it.

So?

Just so you know.

And you expect me to believe you?

Do as you wish.

What do you know about this Vladimir Plaha?

In what sense?

In the most direct sense.

Well, he's a good and skilled manager. He got into business a few years ago.

He's very good at what he does.

How long have you known him?

Well... For about two years, since I've been on this mission.

He offered to help us with several events,

but that was happening before my time.

That's why I never doubted his sincerity.

And as I said, he's a successful manager.

Successful manager.

What other businesses does he have?

I'm not sure exactly. Import, export.

Wines, agriculture.

Children.

Child export.

Importing luxury cars stolen from the West.

Women in Kosovo.

I requested everything about him from the Intelligence Service.

They sent me enough for you to get a clear picture.

Mr. Oltean, you truly leave me speechless.

Really?

Maybe it's a mistake.

A mistake?

Mr. Oltean!

We had a meeting at 7:00 p.m., if I recall.

What happened?

The plan changed?

You didn't tell me anything about your past businesses.

My past? What did I do?

Export-import.

Now I'm investing in 30 gas stations, modernizing them...

I have a lot to do.

You know you were proposed as director at Petroil.

Yes, that's what I wanted to talk about.

I suppose you also know the purpose of my visit here.

I'm a well-informed person.

With many connections.

I have a saying: no matter how many connections you have, it's never enough.

Don't you want to speak frankly?

- You want to speak frankly? - Yes.

You're not a good fit for us.

Let's not waste time.

Titus, you know what I suggest?

Let's calm down.

Look, it's ten o'clock.

Let's meet in an hour in my office.

Thank you, good night.

Good evening! Mr. Plaha asked me to pass this on to you.

Yes.

So, you've decided to blackmail me?

With what?

With American Beauty?

It may have won an Academy Award, but...

How do I blackmail with this?

You surprise me, Titus.

What's there isn't exactly Oscar-worthy, but you can still find some beauty.

Let me be very clear, Plaha,

I may be young, but I have power.

Blackmail doesn't work on me.

Titus, but this isn't about blackmail.

I just wanted to show you that I know how to achieve my goals.

And right now, my goal is that in two years,

Petroil will become the leader in gas distribution in Moldova.

And by the way, it won't be good just for me.

It will be for you too.

Do you want this position?

Okay, it's yours.

But you might have problems with our services.

Everything will be resolved. We're human.

Calls will be made, all issues will be smoothed over.

Before you reach the President with your proposal,

no one will have any complaints against me.

Especially since the person you were targeting until five minutes ago

is in trouble with the law.

Meaning?

Exactly as you hear.

Mr. Director of Petroil Moldova,

I have one condition.

What?

If you send those girls to me again, don't film me, please.

I need some privacy.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

But I'll call them to come.

Good afternoon.

No, no documents are needed.

I have a problem with my car and...

If you could help me.

How can I help you?

Please come with me. I'll show you.

Get in, please.

And when I tell you, turn the key.

Okay.

Here, try it.

It's not working.

One more time.

- Good afternoon! - Good afternoon!

Here!

- The license! - Sure!

Here's the license too!

The insurance!

Did something happen, Mr. Șeremet?

- Did I upset you in any way? - No.

It's okay.

- Are you sure it's okay? - Sure.

After all, this is your job. To search through people's belongings.

I sense a bit of arrogance, or is it just me?

It's just you.

Open your trunk.

What's this?

I don't know.

It's the first time I see them.

Lane one. Opel car.

CTR 2-1-1.

Suspected drug trafficking.

Hands up!

Put your hands on the car!

Good evening, Irina!

Are you sure he's behind the maternity clinic?

I can't be sure until we verify.

But I know I spent 12 years in prison for nothing.

And that he was in our room when we were kicked out.

In your room, not ours.

Mine.

And what if it was someone else who took the knife and cut the boy?

He didn't cut him.

That's exactly the nuance.

He threw that knife around as if it had fallen out of my pocket.

He took that knife without leaving a single fingerprint?

Yes, it doesn't quite add up.

Plus, let's... let's be realistic.

Do you really think that a pitiful little doctor, alone,

could have handled such a huge child export organization by himself?

I don't think so.

Petru...

Next time we meet, I'll ask you, if you want to see me again,

to let me know beforehand.

To call me or...

Not to come unannounced.

Especially at night.

Because it scares me.

Here,

this is just so you won't get scared anymore.