Original subtitles

CHRISTMAS EVE

What's that?

- Stop them! Get them! - We've had it!

You just wait, you rascals, I'll teach you a lesson...

- Merry Christmas! - ...Christmas! Be seeing you!

You make me laugh.

Hallo,

hallo, is it you?

Hallo!

Eve!

Starring

- Hallo... - Mr. Gmur?

What? There's no Gmur here.

Now, now, don't you pretend, you bastard.

All right.

And then,

when the last man dies and is survived,

as we all know, only by the blatta orientalis or,

to put it more simply, by cockroaches,

there will be no...

Here is the news. In Vietnam today, airplane...

- Yes? - Agatha?

Yes.

Agatha, isn't Eve with you, by chance?

No Eve here. Zbyszek is here. Shall I call him?

No, thanks.

MARRIAGE IN THE WILDERNESS

CONSTANT DISAPPOINTMENT

Yes?

Excuse me. Is Eve there, by chance?

- Hm. And who is speaking? - This is Zapala.

- Oh, Andrew. - Yes.

- Do you know me? - And how.

- And who is speaking? - Well, Eve's husband.

Eve's?

Eve has no husband.

- I want to talk to her, please. - But she is asleep.

What do you mean, asleep.

Wake her up, then.

I couldn't do that. Eve has too little sleep.

Mister,

I know better how much Eve sleeps.

Where do you live?

We're not at home for anyone today. Call us after Christmas.

- Your address! - Lord, how nervous you are.

All right. You've asked for it.

Number 8, Jaskrawa Street, apartment 162.

The name is Zalewski.

I'm just warning you,

no dirty tricks!.

We will talk man to man.

Word is resounding in the stillness of night...

Come to Hell, you naughty Herod, for your evil pranks.

Well, well,

it wasn't you who threw snow at me?

Here, here!

Step on it, please, I'm in a hurry.

- Your name? - Zapala.

Get undressed, please.

Come in. I won't let you in in this sheepskin.

You've come very promptly after your phone call.

Where is Eve?

And where is Julia?

What Julia? I do not know any Julia.

Well, yes, it's been a long time.

Keep quiet.

When Julia deserted me for you, I behaved with more dignity.

When did you last have a holiday?

I came here about Eve.

What are you up to?

You're taking it out on me for Julia, and I don't even remember her.

I don't care for Julia. I haven't for a long time now.

What did you lately suffer from?

I'm making an exception for you... seeing you before Christmas.

Wasn't your head injured during the war?

What about yourself?

Doctor,

just two words with Eve, be human.

I am sorry, there's nothing wrong with you,

it's just your memory that is failing you.

I suggest that you take a rest, that you go...

...to the mountains. That would be best.

And without your family.

I have nobody, no family.

Not even a cat.

Get dressed, please.

Eve!

Excuse me, it was a mistake.

Excuse me.

Are you sure I called you?

You're afraid I will tell your friends?

And what did I tell you?

- Shall I repeat it? - Please do.

That you were having some sort of visions, fears,

that you could not be left like that for Christmas.

You were begging for help.

That's a good one.

O yes, one more thing,

that you had been looking for some Eve who does not exist at all.

She does not exist?

One moment.

And that Eve must surely be very beautiful?

- She is. - Outstanding intelligence?

- Outstanding. - A person of character, isn't she?

You know her?

No. I know the case.

I myself, sort of...

And this?

And this? It's only a medicine.

Twice a week, before dinner.

It helps?

In case it gets too bad,

if you really can't stand it...

but no more than one daily.

- Just one. - Well then? I am past helping?

- Thank you. - One hundred and fifty zlotys.

Yes?

You shall smart for this stupid joke.

Has Dr Zalewski confirmed our misgivings?

You bastard! Call Eve at once, you!

What for?

Do you know what happiness is? It is eternal search.

Happiness for me would be to get my hands on your ugly mug.

Not at all. It would leave you with a distaste. I know you.

I am sorry.

Hallo, hallo?

- Where is Eve, goddamit? - That is the question.

Where is Eve, where is happiness,

how to find the way to paradise...

I'll go to the telephone office and get your address.

I wouldn't do that.

You, be human,

be human for once, call Eve to the phone.

He wants to come here...

Eve says we must let you in,

or else you will go on ringing the bell. She knows you.

I should think she does.

So, if you still believe that Eve exists, come here.

But remember, you've asked for it.

Number 7, Pomaranczowa street, apartment 12.

Where to?

Pomaranczowa 7,

apartment 12.

Are you getting off?

He's dead?

Eve...

Bar "Eve" is around the corner.

What? Where?

Honey at last!

So you found me after all.

Well, come on!

I'll make you a nice cup of coffee, just as you like it.

No, thank you, no.

But you surely won't refuse that.

I know you.

Honey,

I've been waiting for you,

you were so cruel,

I cursed you,

I hated you,

-but now everything is forgiven. - No. Thanks.

You're tired, honey.

I'll put you to bed, you'll rest right away.

No. I don't want to rest.

You only think you don't. I know you all right.

No. I don't want to.

You must take care of yourself, doll. You are so gifted.

It's good that you came right before Christmas.

Lonely Christmas is a nightmare.

I'll take care of you.

I'll take you to the mountains, you'll have a rest.

I have to go. I...

I know better what you have to do.

Who else would be as good for you as I am?

It's bad for me.

Come on, drink it, honey. You're so nice when you've had a drink.

Now, here's a good boy, see?

You have calmed down.

Do you love me?

Come on, say you love me.

Oh, you're so secretive.

Don't be afraid, say you lo...

Eve!

We're going to have a talk now. Who is Eve?

- What Eve? - Don't you deny!

You were calling Eve, weren't you?

Leave that Eve alone.

- So there is some Eve. - Eve does not exist.

She does. I can see that Eve in your face.

- I have to go now. - Eve waiting for you?

I am meeting fellows with whom I was in the war.

You're in a hurry to see Eve?

Cat...

Since when! It's Eve. Here, take her...

The key!

If you leave now, you may never come back.

Open the door!

You idiot,

maybe you think I care for you?

You're dull and stupid.

You only love yourself.

Do you have any idea of what I think about,

what I aspire at, what I'm dreaming of?

You're unable of being generous.

You think you're God Almighty.

For you I deserted my child,

my husband - and what a husband! Understand?

But I did not want it. Open the door!

Get out!

Go to that Eve of yours! Get out!

Wait!

You'll also croak all alone,

and there won't even be anyone to bury you.

Where to?

I wish I knew.

- Yes? - Is this Johnny?

- Johnny what? - Well, Johnny Gmur.

He's dead.

Get out!

Get out from here, you!

Hushaby,

Little Jesus,

hushaby,

and...

You!

- Mr Andrew Zapala? - Yes. This is me.

- May I? - Come in, please.

Excuse me.

Please... take off your coat.

Do you know the telephone number...

- 88-55-88? - Of course.

We've received a complaint...

that you are molesting the owner of that phone...

and insulting him with vulgar epithets.

- What a swine! - Swine is just another epithet.

That's not the matter, sergeant;

won't you have a cup of coffee?

No, thank you, I haven't got the time.

Look, sergeant,

you could help me...

How?

You see, I'm left all alone for Christmas.

My girl's run away.

Can't it drive one crazy?

Well, I could hardly stand for her, could I?

I need her, don't you understand,

I need her!

You won't refuse a drink, I hope.

Please!

No, thank you.

I don't drink on duty.

And how can I help you?

Now, if she were a minor, at least...

I'm wondering...

...why she's left you.

Here you are with an apartment of your own, and a good job,

and you're no cripple.

Unless... it's that cat.

Is he always like that?

No,

- it's only before Christmas. - I see.

Maybe, she found a better one?

I mean, with a bigger apartment,

or perhaps a manager of a second-hand store...

No. She wasn't like that.

Maybe, it's my fault.

I only loved myself.

I didn't know what she was thinking of,

what her aspirations were,

her dreams.

I was unable of showing any generosity.

And so, I'm left alone.

And I'll croak all alone.

And there won't even be anyone to bury me.

Mhm...

Me, I know all right what my Mrs is dreaming of.

A refrigerator.

Yeah. Women are delicate creatures.

But perhaps she just went skiing and will be back after Christmas?

Perhaps.

- With whom did she chum lately? - I don't know.

I don't know anything about her.

And can you give me a detailed description of her?

I can. She was...

she was lovely.

Clever,

intelligent, good,

had a nice figure.

Eh, Mr. Zapala, here you're making a fool of me,

and over there lonely women are being attacked by hoodlums.

So long!

And as for that Mr. Gmur, you'd better not call him again,

-or you come before the jury. - Gmur?

I'm speaking clearly: Gmur, ain't I?

Wait a minute, where do I know this name from?

Don't you pretend. From the telephone directory.

An artist, goddamit!...

- Yes? - You, Gmur,

that number with the police - that was hitting below the belt.

It's all for your own good, Andrew,

and you'll thank me for it in time.

Don't you have an urgent design job to finish before Christmas?

You give me Eve to the phone at once!

Eve, and Eve again, what's the matter with you?

Come to your senses, man, there is no Eve.

- There has never been any. - Get out of here!

- Andrew... - You bastard...

- Andrew, Andrew... - Mr. Gmur,

I've been governing myself so far, on account of Eve...

Who does not exist...

...but I'm coming to number 8, Irysowa Street, right now -

and I'll bash your face in,

and if you have any sense of dignity left,

you'll wait for me and open the door...

I'm not stirring out of the house, Mr. Zapala,

I'll open the door as soon as you ring the bell.

I'm just warning you, it won't be pleasant...

Hey, Mister, what are you - a nutcase?

What do you mean battering like that at this time of night?

O dear, here you are at last.

It's been two days that I'm sitting without light,

and now Christmas is coming and no one would show up.

- Where's Gmur? - Gmur? Over there!

You, Gmur,

get up enough of these jokes!

Help!

Open up!

My good sir, my dear sir,

for heaven's sake,

don't leave an old woman alone!

Where's the telephone?

Telephone? Over there!

It's been a week since they took him off.

Say, if you're from the telephones,

-you must know about the light, too. - The key!

- The light! - After Christmas.

Look out, you'll spill my fish. They all say so, "after Christmas"!

My good sir, I'll pray for you, the fuses are here!

Why did they take the telephone off?

He didn't pay.

He would spend everything on drinking,

pilfering my tea from the kitchen, too.

- Choking the john with papers... - An artist!

Artist, my foot!

Even the police were after him, for some sort of pretending.

He posed for Napoleon...

and for someone or other from the housing administration.

At one time he had a position,

money,

and the respect of the people,

and now he's lying here,

and there isn't even anyone to bury him.

Maybe after Christmas somebody will come from the city council...

because now before Christmas...

it's too late you know nothing doing.

And before he died,

when he lost consciousness, he was calling one Julia.

Julia! Are you here, Julia?

- so he was calling - and then he died.

My fish, Mister, my fish for Christmas, a carp!

Why are you squeezing my fish?

You get out of here!

- Has Eve been here? - What Eve?

Tall, good figure.

They're all tall and with good figures here.

But this one is always having coffee as black as pitch,

-and with cream. - We've never served cream here.

Good evening, Andrew.

Good evening.

They say some Eve of yours got lost?

- That's right. - What's yours?

Coffee, black as pitch, and with cream.

We never serve cream here.

Brilliant idea -

you just go out and get lost.

I've been dreaming of this for several weeks now.

It's Robert. Send him off somewhere.

- Hasn't Aldona been here? - I don't know.

Hi!

Haven't you seen Aldona?

Well, speak up!

Did she leave with someone?

She did, with Doctor Zalewski.

Eight, Jaskrawa Street,

apartment 162.

Here you are.

Well, what about the cream?

Thank you.

Are you running away from him?

Have you seen his face?

He doesn't understand anything.

That's true... I think I should run away from him myself.

I'll get my chiffons and I'll go to the mountains for Christmas.

And then...

then I'll get myself transferred to another town.

I'm going to busy myself with my job and to take care of myself.

I won't always be a satellite of an egoist and buffoon.

What a relief.

Thank you Andrew.

You understand everything.

You don't think he will be looking for me, do you?

- You'll miss your train. - Doesn't matter.

I promise you. He'll do some running after me, yet.

Andrew, is that you?

Andrew,

Andrew,

Andrew...

And who let you in here?

I want to see the technician in charge.

That's me.

I must get the name and address...

of the owner of telephone number 88-55-88.

It's listed under the name of a certain Gmur but he died,

the number's been given to someone else,

and I must find him.

And who are you?

Don't you know that entrance here is forbidden to strangers?

It's an exceptional...

matter.

Sleep over it.

...and call the office tomorrow but in business hours.

Or even better, after Christmas.

But look, it's about a woman. You should...

...understand it.

You are a woman, too.

Wait a minute, are you her husband?

No.

Yes.

She got straight at your pride. It hurts.

Does it make you so glad?

It always makes me glad when men get theirs from women.

You've got quite a record with us.

But Madam,

I never hurt anyone, understand?

It stands out in your eyes that you are lying.

And why do you need her at all?

Once she's started to step out on you,

she will never stop until the day she dies.

No. She's not like that.

It's not true. I love her. I love her!

And he believes it himself!

The best thing is to tramp on their face a little,

and at once they love.

I need number 88-55-88, don't you hear me, I need...

We shall see...

- Give me... - Yes?

You! You think I'll let you scare me?

No. I'm coming. Tell Eve!

I'm waiting. I'm waiting.

Fine girl, that Eve. Grind a guy down like that.

- Give her a kiss from me. - Just let me find her.

And maybe you give up while there's still time.

There's nothing good in store for you.

Never!

Go through with it, then.

It's here.

Third floor, the door left of the staircase.

- How do you know? - New cable.

Go right ahead, I answer for it.

And keep this for a compress.

Is your telephone number 88-55-88?

Yes. Are you Andrew?

What's going on there?

Get him!

Pass him here!

- Hold him! - Get him!

Take him alive, boys, take him alive!

Hold him!

Tie him tight...

Yeah... you bastard.

Now, boys, get him on the chair - on the chair with him!

Look out...

Okey...

Hi, old man!

- Look, boys! - What's the matter, Andrew?

- Are you nuts, old man? - Now, now...

- Why did you hit Witold? - Because I don't know him.

Witold was in the "Tulip".

Well, we are using his diggings, aren't we?

We had even chances but you came the last - well...

Oh, you sons of bitches', so you invented it.

But with that Eve, I made suckers out of you.

What Eve?

You wouldn't think I would run the whole evening...

after an Eve that doesn't exist, would you?

- He's mad. - There are no Eves here.

We're all married men,

and with kids.

Now, boys, let's hold our ground.

Untie him!

You're good guys,

I forgive you.

Did you hear that,

he forgives us.

No, no, old man, shake hands!

You've been getting on in years, old man.

But he still has a pretty good punch.

- Name's Andrew. - Lieutenant Witold.

Telephone...

Hold it!

Glasses!

By the numbers...

bottom up!

Now, now...

Excuse me, it somehow doesn't agree with me.

- Now, now... - No... No...

The chair!

Drink it down!

Penalty drink!

The bell...

It's been buzzing like that all the time.

It must be out of order.

Ringing again.

I've no idea, something is buzzing on the line.

Drink!

No, fellows, it's not that, now be good chums.

I've got to make a call.

- Call whom? - My wife.

So you got married, brother...! Well, well! Congratulations!

So life has finally get its hands on you, too.

Well, hold on, old man. We'll be seeing more of you, I hope.

And you'll stop...

...shirking duty, eh?

What kind of a life it was, after all?

No wife, no kids,

no wash at home.

The king of life is just having fun and doing as he pleases -

and you work like a slave and can't even squeak.

And if you manage to go out and have a drink with the fellows...

once in a year... it's flags out, fanfares...

and God knows what, ha, ha!

Well, go home, then. Report to the missus.

And speak slowly, so she wouldn't find out you've been drinking.

Andrew,

Andrew,

hallo...

Andrew,

Andrew...

Hallo...

Andrew...

Andrew...

Andrew...

Andrew...

- Andrew... - Well, yes, yes... What is it?

I thought you would find your way there.

There are few women to be loved so much as Eve.

Look, with that Eve, it isn't true.

- What do you mean? - Just that -

we've invented her. For the long winter evenings.

Andrew, I don't get you. Are you giving up?

Thanks.

We've had our fun - and it will do.

- Be seeing you! - Wait.

I don't like your voice. I can't leave you alone like that.

What do you care?

And suppose I told you Eve is with me?

Shove off.

This Eve - I invented her myself. And the same goes for you.

And for that telephone of yours.

You've never existed at all, have you?

Let it be. Go on like that, and you'll soon pretend...

that you don't exist either.

Who knows? Who knows...

I beg you, anything but not that. You really are ready to...

Andrew... You mustn't do that... You're an able man,

you distinguish yourself in your job...

Wait...! Don't put off the receiver...

Eve does exist...

"Three pretty daughters had mother old..."

Well then, call her to the phone.

- She just stepped out for a moment. - In the middle of night?

Don't you know she likes to walk at night?

You,

and what's she doing at your place?

I've never met another woman...

who would be so good a talker as she is.

We're lucky men, Andrew.

One would have to live five more lives...

to meet another one like her!

Why don't you drop here for a drink? I insist!

Andrew! Are you alive?

Go up to the window,

look out, look at the phone cable!

We're waiting for you, Andrew!

Andrew!

- Are you mad? - Hold him!

A suicide case is all I needed for my new apartment.

You've gone crazy!

A woman can throw you out of gear so much?

Andrew, old man...

Sit down!

Have a drink, brother, today is our day.

No, no... I must be off now... My wife is not feeling quite well.

When I drink vodka my wife is never feeling quite well.

Well, let him be. She must've really given him a rough time

for not loving her properly...

Now, old man, don't you drop ash on the floor...

We are through with that...

You know, boys?

They've put a memorial plaque on that house...

where "Swallow" had died.

To those who are with us no more...!

Come in, please...

You know,

I have the feeling as though I were seeing myself in the mirror.

I also have this unpleasant feeling.

You know too much about me.

They have been mistaking me for you so often.

Too often.

I couldn't wait to have the telephone installed.

She'll be back presently...

As you know... her lipstick leaves no marks.

One who had never existed...

Eve's not showing up.

She'll be back all right... Don't worry.

You're outrageously sure of yourself.

Don't get nervous.

There seldom comes a night like this,

when you can talk to yourself.

- I don't want to talk to you. - No?

Let's have a drink, then.

You know...

One mustn't allow a woman to nestle for good.

But she did leave her toothbrush with you.

The toothbrush... Yes, she did.

Jolly good teeth she has, eh?

What now?

It's time I was going...

When I accepted this job, nothing was said about the cat!

He's in heat or rut.

Never seen a cat like that in my life -

and I've seen thousands of them!

And you...

it turns out you're a... sadist!

And altogether...

you get yourself somebody else to do the cleaning!

It's either the cat or me!

Pussy-cat,

pussy cat, who threw you out?

Come, here, pussy, come.

Mr. Gmur, please!

- Is this Julia speaking? - Julia, Julia!

- Where's my money, you scoundrel! - Hm...

- Yes? - You, Zapala,

I'll teach you how to make stupid jokes again!

Has Dr. Zalewski confirmed our misgivings?

Where's Aldona goddammit?

Aldona? What Aldona?

- I've never heard of any Aldona. - What?

Aldona's never existed...

- Has Eve come back? - Eve? What Eve?

You're afraid of me...

You wouldn't try to convince me...

that you all of a sudden started to believe in her existence?

You wouldn't try to convince me that you all of a sudden stopped...

to believe in her existence, would you?

- What's that? - That's Eve...

I'll help you.

- You're getting sentimental. - Only with intimate friends.

Free at last...

Take off your coat.

Don't you want to get rid of me?

But not at all...

To our freedom...

Absolute...

Complete...

Did you choke with freedom?

Don't answer it...

It's a joke again...

- Let's have some fun, perhaps? - Yes, yes, yes, yes...

Let's call somebody and ask if she isn't there...

Eve...

Exactly.

But whom shall we call?

That's just it.

Why don't we try...

- ...Agatha... - Who's Agatha?

Well, that's just a friend of Eve...

or...

- Yes? - Agatha?

- Here's an extremely urgent matter... - Are you drunk or something?

Listen... I've got a chap here at my place,

nutty as a fruitcake, who keeps asking about Eve...

It's a persecution mania with him.

He's looking for Eve... all the time.

I see... I've been expecting that much...

I've got to find her or else I won't get rid of him.

I know him.

Andrew... Do as I tell you, take a trip, have a rest.

- In the mountains... - That's it... You'll have fun there!

- And Eve? - Eve? Eve's also leaving.

And so is Christine, and Barbara... Rush along to the train,

you'll still catch it... And let me sleep, I beg you...

Let's sleep it over...

Eve!

Eve!

Andrew...

- Where to? - What?

Don't play the fool, come back home!

- Leave me alone! - Go back home!

- Get off me! - Go back home!

- You will! - I won't!

Screenplay and Directed by:

Director of Photography:

Production Manager:

With:

Sets by: Assistant: Interiors by: Wardrobe by:

Music composed by: Sung by the "NO VI" Vocal Ensemble Title song "Christmas Eve" sung by:

Sound: Assistants:

Cutting: Assistant:

Make-up: Assistant:

Assistant Director:

Camera: Assistants:

Assistants:

Atelier and Laboratory: