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The Lord is my shepherd

I'll not want

He makes me down to lie

in green pastures

And leads me...

...the quiet...

...waters by

You pig! Grow up, can't you?

Coffee anyone?

- Franta? - No, I must dash.

Another job? You must be rolling in it.

Can you lend me a hundred till Monday? You'll get it back

I know. Or I wouldn't lend it

Thanks

At last!

Your car is ideal. So practical

Get yourself a Trabant

You simply can't keep up. I'm sorry, but you can't.

There are plenty of lesser cellists who can play at funerals.

How much is a Trabant?

- New or second-hand? - Second-hand

You'd need a hatch-back. Twenty, twenty-five thousand

Slow down

They looked better from behind

That's why I didn't look round

Bills, bills!

Vultures, the lot of you

Helenka. It's me, Louka

I suddenly felt so lonely so guess who I thought of?

You, of course

Would you be scared to spend a night in my 'tower'?

To the theatre?

No, I'm not cross. How could I be?

Run along then. 'Bye

Zuzi? It's me, Louka

Zuzi, I suddenly felt so lonely so guess who I thought of?

Oh, he's home?

Right. 'Bye

SOCIALISM - OUR SECURITY

Czechoslovak socialism is now more democratic but unchanged in essence

Economically inefficient, it has no regard for human dignity

It's on the point of collapse

Twenty thousand...

...for Trabant needing repair. Daylight robbery!

This is Radio Free Europe

Good morning

The lettering needs restoring, doesn't it?

- It's the rain - I could put it right

I restore headstones.

And it's cheap. A gold letter costs five crowns. Silver costs three.

I recommend gold. The silver wouldn't stand out.

How much would you charge?

There aren't many letters

Thirty-six letters. That would be one hundred and eighty crowns

Why is it so expensive?

Because you have to use...

...real gold dust

Pity there are two T's in his name. You'd have saved five crowns

Franta!

You won't recognize the grave next time, Mrs Horáčková.

All in gold.

He makes me lie down

in green pastures

And leads me...

...the quiet waters by

Do you know how long I've waited for this?

Two years. Ever since that usherette's funeral

- It's awful - All that time!

No, awful that we measure time in funerals - like funeral directors

You were never married, do you?

My late father always said...

If you want a musical career, don't marry

Stay single

Celibate, no kissing.

Do you always get hiccups?

Yes, always afterwards

When it's... that good

Try this

Bite your little finger

It puts pressure on the hiccup points

Or try lifting your left leg at the same time as your right arm...

...so the blood drains out

First time I heard that. What's that noise?

It's the pigeons

Sharpening their beaks on the window sill

I must have got it wrong Lift up your left leg

That's my right leg

The other way about then

Why did they chuck you out of the Philharmonic?

I don't feel like talking about it

Then don't

Guess what? It works

I told you it would

Why are they sharpening their beaks?

That's easily explained

So they're sharp

You are an idiot!

- Hi, comrade - God bless you too

I've loads of orders for you. Three in gold, two in silver

Here you are

It's all written down

Mr Broz, a grave-digger like you brings joy to the whole cemetery

You're doing it so well

I'm trying not to smudge it.

Mr. Louka, tell us about the concert in America.

- Which one? - The one at the hall.

- I already told you about it. - But Ladik hasn't heard it yet.

We played "My Country" in New York.

- By Dvorak. - By Smetana.

Carnegie Hall was packed.

We didn't get much of a welcome.

We were tired after our trip, but we got a second wind.

Which races were there?

Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans...

I wondered what this one big black fellow

could get out of songs about places he didn't know.

Now listen.

When we finished playing you could hear a pin drop.

- Then all hell broke loose. - Applause.

We were in shock. It was like an avalanche.

While we were bowing I could see the black man clapping.

Tears were streaming down his face.

Music exceeds race and nationality.

I was beside myself.

And I'm finished.

Don't touch it!

You only owe me 37,600 now

I'm doing my best but I really need a car

We could sort out the car problem

Yes, but how would I pay?

Exactly my point. I've a wonderful job for you

30,000 for a day's work Straight into your pocket

Daddy, Andy has a tick

Do you have a pet at home?

No, no pets

Do you have a baby?

Nor a baby

What do you have?

Go out and play I'll deal with the tick

I won't beat about the bush. It's a question of marriage

I have this old 'aunt'

I'm not marrying Least of all an old aunt

- She's Russian - Worse still

It's not the aunt, it's her niece

Not even a niece

Just a fake marriage

No, I'm against marriage in any shape or form

Cheers, cheers!

She's visiting her aunt...

...and needs our papers to avoid being sent back

Sounds fishy. It's not for me

In six months you get a divorce

- Is Andy here? - He has a tick

I thought I'd lost you

We're talking business

- You know what I think - Leave us alone

A fake wedding, Mr Louka. Just pretending! For 40 grand

It was 30 before

She'd willingly pay you 40

You could buy a car and still repay me 20,000

It's better than renovating headstones

Graves, graves

A heck of a job

You've lots of pets

A grave-digger has to have living things around him

Her name is Nadezda. It's just a business deal

I can't, Mr Broz. It's not for me

Franta, stop that

Come to see your mother, have you?

Yes, how are you?

- Hi Fanda! - Hi! -Surprised?

They're finished already.

- Know the name of this building? - Nope.

- Coconut. - Coconut?

Meaning "Communist church".

- Hi. -Hi. - Geeze...

Frankie!

Go home and practise. Today was too awful!

I thought you might come. Guess what I've made for lunch

Potato dumplings

I was in the chemist's. I said "I'll make him dumplings"

That's great

Vic has written. Look in the cupboard

It arrived yesterday. He sent beautiful photographs.

Yet you didn't even send a postcard.

The Philharmonic was in Belgium. Were you there?

I heard about it on the radio. You can't even drop your mom a line.

There wasn't enough time.

The Belgians dragged us around from pillar to post.

Read it aloud

Maybe later

Sometimes I think you don't like your brother. What did he do to you?

What he did was leave

And you hold that against him? He went with nothing...

...and now he has a good business

And I have bugger all

You're a virtuoso player, you'll have money again one day

Here you are. There's lots more

Mr Holecek says we need new guttering

- New guttering? - Yes

The gutters have rusted through

He said 2,000 would cover it Materials and labour

I can't afford it. This house has cleaned me out

I've had to sell my car. I'm in debt

Where am I to find the money?

Don't talk like that

Frankie, the house is yours now you've bought Vic out

But for that, we'd have lost it to the state, when Vic emigrated

Would you want me to live with strangers?

We'll finish our coffee, then we'll play. Okay?

We haven't played together in ages.

See you tonight!

Just don't fall!

Still playing for corpses, Franta?

What about you? Still playing for gall-bladder patients?

Yes. Come see us. The music at the spa is more cheerful.

Bye! I'm hurrying to catch the bus. Goodbye, Mrs Loukova.

You, maestro, are going to play at the colonade.

What's this about corpses?

That's what we call a concert audience...

...when it's dead and doesn't respond

It was blocked here. Otherwise the gutters are in fairly good shape

Except for the odd spot

Well, I'll be blowed!

How did this get here?

It's not very valuable, Frankie

Just a piece of costume jewelry

That's not entirely certain. How did it get there?

Where did you get it?

I found it

And what do you think it's worth?

You tell me

I could give you five or maybe ten crowns for it

A couple are walking along your street

She says "You and this trinket can both go to hell!"

And she tosses it into the air. That's how I see it

Mr Broz, I think I agree

Of course. There's no other explanation

I mean this bogus marriage. I might agree to it

You can talk to Nadezda in German

She translates from Russian into German

I'm afraid I speak neither

Oh, you Czechs, the story of your life!

First you're allergic to Germans and then it's Russians

It's not that. I've no head for languages

Anyway, who cares how they talk together?

Every Czech knows some Russian

Every Czech speak a bit Russian

Except me

Except him?

They won't suspect. What's important...

...is for Maestro Louka to know there are no tricks. Divorce in six months

A fake wedding, that's all. No hidden agenda

Nadezda has a little boy. And she's very young

You could be her father. What would she do with you?

Tamara, tell him it has to be a real wedding

We want a real wedding

There must be a reception...

...and a wedding night. Everything like a normal wedding

A wedding night?

The first night you'll sleep together. But in different rooms

To avoid suspicion - in case you're followed

A deposit

Have you any idea how much it costs to fix Russian officials?

You don't want to know

Franta, I'm amazed

Good luck

She's a beauty, a real beauty!

Must you be everywhere?

- Hi, Eman. Louka here. - They're blowing their horns...

Keep this to yourself. Huh? This is a fun place.

- There was a girl who loved him... - Please be quiet.

Don't tell anyone what you saw at Vysehrad, Eman.

I don't want anyone to know about the wedding.

- Don't sing so loud. - It's either all or nothing.

Keep it under wraps.

Who'd you tell?

You're an idiot, Eman.

And with his finger on the trigger

he looks into the bushes...

Friends

Druzya

I like my wife, Nadezda, very much

I like my wife very much

I've decided...

...that Nadezda my wife and I...

...shall enjoy a truly beautiful...

...real wedding night

- What did he say? - A joke

It would be a great pity if a Czech man denied...

...his Russian wife her unde... undeni...

...undeniable right

- Wait, where are you going? - Frantisek, you drink a lot.

Yes, we drank a lot...

Fabulous, Mr Louka, but have a seat.

Because we drank so much, I now ask that the guests

such as Broz, return to their own homes

and leave the couple alone.

Come, Nadyezda.

We should all keep in mind that a wedding night...

You only get one wedding night.

I'd like Nadyezda Ivanovna to remember Prague for a long time.

And I promise tonight I'll be as hot- blooded as any Russian Don Juan

Idiot!

I'll be...

...a real Cassanova!

Mr Louka, they don't understand your jokes. They're terrified

Very proper

Every bride should be terrified on her wedding night

The baby's coming. The contractions have started

Go home. Look after the children

I have to go

Nadezda!

Wife!

New, isn't it?

Not quite

No? It looks pretty new to me

No rust anywhere

These cars never rust

Then it was a good buy

Look at all those Russians! They're like locusts

Would you believe it? Lots of Czechs do business with them

It's certainly cheaper - diesel, petrol, coal

But collaborating like that! Fine patriots, they are

When the Russians invaded...

...people said they wouldn't even give them stale bread or water

And look at them now

Just as well you didn't live to see it

I've brought you coffee and chocolate.

Did you give a concert abroad? Where? I missed that.

In... In Switzerland.

The Swiss have always had the best chocolate.

Like a lift?

Is this your dowry?

I see people can't keep their mouths shut

It's a nice car

You're better off in more ways than one

- Look, this marriage... - I'm not interested

I live alone Nothing has changed

I'm such an idiot, I nearly divorced because of you

Klara, let's go to my place

Stop, I'd like to get out

I want to get out

I've done all your washing and ironing

Great

We're supposed to decorate the windows

Another anniversary? I can't keep up with them

They're judging again for the best-decorated building

My windows are too high for them to see

Don't you believe it. They watch us like hawks

I darned two pairs of socks for you. Should've seen the holes.

Put up one Russian flag and one of ours...

...so they leave me in peace

That's 70 crowns. I'll add it to the 200 you already owe me

You can have it right now

Right now?

I've no change

Keep it

How do you do?

Mr Stocklasa sent me

He did, did he? Hold this

And what was Mr Stoklasa's message?

He wanted you to look me over

That is, he wanted you to hear me play

- You're putting flags up? - No way. I'm too old for all that

Like a drink?

Yes, please

I play the viola but I want to play the cello

- Why... - Do that?

I like the size

You prefer big instruments, do you?

Play something, then

You've long fingers. That's good

I feel nervous with you there

Squeeze more with your knees

Shall I play?

Like that?

Louka?

Which friend?

This minute?

Who are you?

Blanka

We must make it some other time

That's a pity

I know

Come to the Green Tree

Come to the Green Tree!

Can I sit or do we move again?

It's all right here

Are you a spy? Is grave-digging a hobby?

Mr Louka, we're in deep shit

Nadezda has emigrated

Where to?

Germany

West Germany?

She went as an interpreter and stayed on

She's got a bloke. A married businessman

She's nuts about him. But I thought she'd have him visit her here

- Why not go straight there? - From Russia to West Germany?

They're not allowed. Russians can come here but can't go there

So how come she got there?

Because she has Czech papers, thanks to you

She left her son here, so she was allowed to go

Why did she go, if he's married?

That's her problem, Mr Louka

But the cops are bound to get curious about you

I knew it was idiotic. I felt it in my bones

I'm sorry. But you'll be all right, you'll see

The boy will stay with the aunt

When should I expect them?

- Who? - The cops

I'd say soon

Frantisek Louka?

Yes.

You're this lad's father?

We've the old lady he was staying with, in our ambulance

She's had a stroke. She says you'll take over

But I'm nobody. I'm only his stepfather

That's your problem. Sort it out among yourselves

She says he's to stay with you

Come on then

Don't just stand there. Come on in

Mr Broz, do you know what's happened?

You knew? Then come and fetch him at once

This wasn't in the deal

We can't solve this on the telephone

Pop by tomorrow

I can't hear you

One night won't kill you. Give him a bath and put him to bed

You have some slippers?

Something to wear indoors

A fine conversation this is going to be!

This is all I needed

Here they are

Slippers. Yours

Take your shoes off and put your slippers on

Look, stop snivelling. I'm not over the moon about this myself

Stick it out for one night here and then it's off to the grave-digger's

He got us into this mess. It's up to him to get us out

Look what's here

Some crayons and paper. You can draw

Why don't you sit down and draw something?

Scribble, scribble!

Stare out of the window. What do I care?

As you're so pig-headed, take a good look

Eat

At least drink your tea

Tea

Russian tea, what you lot drink non-stop

I've put sugar in it

Don't pretend you don't understand

You must understand something

We're both of us Slavs

I don't speak Russian, you don't speak Czech...

...but you must understand the word 'tea'. We have it, you have it

We use the same word

There you are

That's it

Today there are 115,000 heavily-armed Soviet soldiers...

...in our country

Stop snivelling and sleep. One night won't kill you

Be like that then

She was against the wedding

Who was?

Marush, my wife

She kept saying "You'll get him into trouble"

She was right there

I know. So I can't ask her to take in a fifth child

Mr Louka, our place is a madhouse these days

Try to put up with him

I'll let you off 2,000

Three, 4,000

Put yourself in my shoes. What am I to do with him?

Can't that woman with gold teeth take him in?

Pasha? She's in Leningrad

Look, his aunt will be out of hospital in a fortnight

Keep the boy. It's in your interest

That's why the aunt left him with you - for your own sake

Looking after your wife's child makes your marriage look genuine

In whose eyes?

The authorities', when they come to interrogate you

You've been questioned before?

I was. Once

The first cop was a softie. The second was called Novotny

He was sharp as a razor

Mark my words, they'll pounce

And they'll grind you down, Mr Louka

When my old mother rocked my cradle...

...she taught me to sing...

Mr Louka, you didn't put up the flags

You said you'd do it

I've been too busy. I'm doing concerts every day for the workers

You're the only one who didn't do it. All the others did

What a nice little boy. Who are you?

He's my nephew

What's your name?

He won't talk, he's terribly shy

I don't care about the flags but you're drawing attention to yourself

I'm a coward

Last year...

...I didn't give a damn and it was okay

But we mustn't upset them now we're in the shit

Ours - yours

What was that?

Ours

Yours

So you can understand when you want to

The thing is, we put up your flag because we have to

Once we put it up in gratitude

But that was before we realised that you Russians are scoundrels

You understand? No, you don't. You lot take up too much room

Wherever you march, you stay

But not you, you'll go back to your aunt

The moment she's better, I'll pack Your chemodan and you'll be off

Chemodan

That's all the Russian I know because they stole mine in Moscow

You steal suitcases and territory

Ours is beautiful

What's beautiful about it? It's just red like your underpants

- Ours is beautiful - No, ours is

Oh, you don't know anything

Look what I bought you

A Russian egg

Some Czech hens...

...lay Russian eggs without knowing it

Grandma!

Hello. I've come for my lesson

- It's a bad day? - Not at all

It's just that I've a 'visitor'

He's your little boy?

- A grandson? - Of course not

I'm babysitting for a colleague. The boy is Russian

Hello

- What's your name? - Kolya

Shall I begin?

We'll put the light on so you're not scared

And here's a steamboat

Ours is beautiful

So you did put the flags up after all!

Nurse, take the child out

Am I going to see Grandma?

She died yesterday. At seven a. m.

You're her... what?

Nothing. Just an acquaintance

There was nobody to take her things

Dressing gown, teeth, spectacles, watch...

Where's Grandma?

Grandma is asleep

We mustn't wake her

Write to the Welfare Office and have him put into care

Say you're his stepfather. His mother has left...

...and you can't look after him

He can't stay here

- Look what he's drawn - A coffin, isn't it?

It's not a bad drawing

Gentlemen, the dead won't wait

Are you his dad or his grandad?

His grandad

Fill in these forms and send them to Comrade Zubata

- And when do you think...? - I can't say

I don't understand. You say the boy is from Yugoslavia

His parents let him come to you just like that?

So he'd see the Czech countryside

And why is he called Kolya? Isn't that a Russian name?

Kolya is the same as Nikolai in Jugoslav

Couldn't he spend a few days here?

Who?

He's pale

He needs fresh air and he'd be company for you

What's the world coming to? Parents leaving their kids just anywhere

People with a career in music shouldn't have children

Like you. It should be either music or a family

How long would it be for?

You see them? Always driving...

...back and forth

Our soldiers

No, not yours. They're Russian

Look, the king

Russians. Russian soldiers

What's he saying?

I don't know. Maybe they remind him of Yugoslav soldiers

Here, Kolya, it's almost ready

You lied to me. He's Russian

Yes, I lied to you

How could you do it?

Mother, not all Russians are alike

We're not at home

But he saw me come in

May we wash our hands?

- You want to wash your hands? - The water's off

Water cut off

Water off?

Burst pipe somewhere

Never mind. Goodbye

It's running

The water's not off

I'm not having a Russian child here

Come along, we'll go and see uncle Ruzicka. You'll like it there

Fancy lying to your own mother. Vic would never do that

First you show no interest in children and then it's a Russian!

Come and look

- What's happening in Prague? - Same as here

There's this soothsayer who predicts it will all collapse this year

They've said that for 40 years

He's had this vision. There were Communists buying...

...rods of gold

They were rushing off in great hordes to Russia

But Gorbachev took their rods...

...and used them to flog their backsides

He said "Leave the gold here and go back home"

But nobody wanted them any more

The young people and nurses rebelled against them

So they chased them out...

...and set up colonies for them in Albania...

...like Red Indian reservations

What a vision!

Why did the nurses rebel?

I've no idea

Our people?

Yes, yours

Going to Moscow?

No, they're here to stay

They just go back and forth

Do they live here?

Unfortunately, they do

Just like me

The shows's off. We had the Russian kids yesterday...

...but today there's nobody

The show's off. Come along

How big an audience do you need?

At least five. But this is a Russian film

'Angelika' is on tomorrow

Give me five tickets

Mr Lansky, don't go. We're doing a performance

Hi, Franta

Where's my grandma?

She's asleep

Mr Louka, registered letter for you

I signed so you wouldn't have to go to the post office

Just fancy!

Our building came second in the decorationg competition

But for that stupid fellow Pech, we'd have been first

It's from the police. Probably a parking ticket

Now you'll have to go and see them, I suppose

I'm Pokorny. You'll be Mr Louka

- How come...? - I couldn't leave him

But during the interrogation... Comrade, take care of this child

He'll bawl his head off

This is most unusual

- You've no kids? - Yes, but I don't take them to work

Maybe I could ask Jitka...

Jitka, look after this boy. Use Kopecky's office

Go and play with auntie

He won't go with strangers

- How old is he? - Five

He only speaks Russian. Can't he stay?

If you've some paper and a pencil, he'll draw

Sit down, Mr Louka

You wouldn't have any crayons? He prefers colours

So you decided to marry, Mr Louka?

Well, well, how surprising. A confirmed bachelor like you...

...suddenly, at fifty-five!

Yes, a man can go off the rails even at my age

Well, she's very young and pretty

- Love works in strange ways. - You know how it is

Where did you meet?

- In a restaurant - Which one?

It was the Malostranska café

She was sitting alone and there was no other table free

- We got talking - You speak Russian?

Only a few words. From school

- Your cigarette... - Want one?

- No. It fell out - That's always happening

Very nice

He draws well. That violin...

Cello. It has a spike

You're right. A violinist might stab himself

My kid doesn't draw as well

- What's his name? - Radek, after my wife

- She has a man's name? - No, it's Radka really

How's it going?

Captain Novotny, Mr Louka

My dear man, you seem to have a bad influence on your family

Your brother emigrates, your wife emigrates...

You didn't live together very long, did you?

Nobody saw her at your place

We lived together for a few days...

...but she only spoke Russian and me Czech

Surely you were aware of that before the wedding?

Of course. But there were other problems as well

She kept opening the windows. She was so used to Siberian winters

So we decided we'd live apart

Okay, you've had your fun

Now spit it out. How much were you paid, you jerk?

Isn't that a bit familiar?

I'll be as familiar as I like

I call a jailbird anything I choose And that's what you'll be

I asked you a question

- Comrade, take this child - We tried

How did you buy a car?

I saved up and borrowed the rest

From whom?

My colleague Parizek and Mr Broz

Did Nadezda Bilyukovova tell you she planned to emigrate?

That caught me out

And her son, that caught you out too?

Absolutely

What will you do with him?

I don't know. Maybe I'll keep him now he's mine in law

Look here, my dear man

This marriage was a put-up job

Tell your fairy tale about falling in love to someone else

And don't think you'll be playing with the Philharmonic much longer

You'll be lucky to fiddle at funerals. We'll make sure of that

HE DOES FUNERALS ALREADY!

Why not try to save your skin?

Tell us who arranged the wedding

and how much you've got for it

This won't be the last time we meet.

Go back home, and have a good think

Then maybe you'll come back and see us before we send for you

Well, that's it

That's it...

...my dear man

Two or three more interrogations and you'll be speaking Czech

- If it isn't Marketa! - Mischa

Of course

- And what are you doing? - I play in a sort of ensemble

Jesus, the boy!

Excuse me

A small boy is lost on Line B. His name is...

Kolya. He should be taken to the guard at any station

Kolya, don't worry and don't run off

Stay in the metro and we'll find you

End of message

Kolya!

What a fright you gave me

She was wailing down the telephone

- What she said? - "Kolya, my darling baby"

When I said her aunt was dead, she wanted to get on a train right away

But I talked the idiot out of it

I told her they'd send her straight to Siberia

- And the Red Cross? - She's applied for the boy

And there are international agreements on mothers and kids

She sends you her greetings

Charming of her

Hello, Grandma

It's me, Kolya

We went to see you but you were asleep

Please come back, Grandma

Come on out.

Come along

Zuzi? It's Louka

I suddenly felt so lonely and guess who I...?

Can you speak? He's in the country?

Lucky you

Oh, in the lavatory! He takes his time, doesn't he?

Listen, I'm looking after a Russian kid

Russian. Belongs to a violinist from Leningrad. He can't get to sleep

You teach Russian. Could you read him a story?

Anything. He's five

Go and find something. I'll wait

She's a teacher

A fairy tale

'The Eagle and the Lamb'. Fantastic! I'll pass you over

Yes, Kolya Bilyukov

No, I'm not scared of eagles

High on a Caucasian mountain peak lived an eagle

One day he flew so high he reached a star

On that star, there was a little house

In the house, lived an old sheep and her lamb

"I've come to visit you" said the eagle

"I've come to see how you live"

Lovely

Thanks, Zuzi

You left them here?

Black lace ones?

And you went home without them!

No, I'd have found them

I'd like to see you too, Zuzi, but I can't right now. I'll call you

Bye.

Hello

What's your name?

My name's Kolya

Do you want some bread?

Go away

Stop feeding the pigeons

And shut the window

Through pastures green...

...He leadeth me...

...the quiet waters by

What are you playing?

I'm doing your job

That's enough

We're up as high as the birds

As high as the birds

His mummy isn't at home?

She's abroad at the moment

He must have antibiotics

Every four hours. Set your alarm clock

With a quarter aspirin. You have some?

Yes

There's a danger of meningitis

If the fever continues, apply cold compresses. You can do that?

Yes, of course

- Will your wife be away long? - Possibly

You'll need a note for your employer

I guess.

It will feel a bit cold

Hold on, it's going to be all right

You'll be all right now

Klara, I'm sorry about calling you out so late

That's okay

No, really, I mean it. Good night now

No need to say good night. I'm staying till the morning

And what will you say at home?

That an old flame of mine had a child

And he couldn't cope

A magpie or a jay. They steal shiny things

You're right. Nobody thought of that

It's still beautiful, even if it has no value

When I said we couldn't have children...

...I didn't mean that I can't. You must have misunderstood

When is he supposed to take his next pill?

At five. I set the alarm

You're less selfish than I thought

I never imagined you'd worry like this about someone else's child

Neither did I

Weren't you afraid to make that fake marriage?

You a dissident, of all people

I am not a dissident

I've just been punished for my own stupidity

They used to let me go to the West

One time, the Party officer said...

"Your brother has emigrated but we trust you"

When I returned, I had to fill in the usual forms

One of the questions was "Did you meet an emigré?" I wrote yes

Then it said "State in detail what you discussed"

I wrote "The usual shit, Comrade Blaha"

Is that all?

I guess he felt hurt

And I thought you'd done something heroic!

Bit of a let-down, isn't it?

But you did it so nicely

I want you to have this

Lovely. And you've stopped drawing coffins

Story by telephone

You'd like a story?

Good. Let's call the teacher auntie

Could I have the one about the eagle? I liked that one

It was the uncle. He's no good at stories

We'll have to manage alone

Once upon a time, there was a grandpa and a grandma

A grandpa and a grandma

They had a grandson who was called Budulinek

One day Grandma said "Budulinek, my dear

"We're going to the woods. You will be here on your own

"Don't open the door to anyone at all"

Don't open the door

That's it. And so they left

We had otters once

What's otters?

You keep asking "What's that?"

It's an animal about this big with whiskers like me

It eats trout

What's trout?

A fish

Fish!

But because the water is poisoned now by acid rain...

- you won't understand and nor do I -

...the fish died

Fish kaput?

So the otters died too

The otters are kaput too?

So now you have a River Otter...

...with no otters in it

Oh, my God!

Some East German bloke is celebrating his birthday

What's a birthday?

That's the day he was born

And when am I going to have a birthday?

When were you born?

You're five but when were you born?

I don't know

Then it's a bit difficult, isn't it?

'Night, Dad

'Night

Happy birthday...

The main thing is you're healthy and happy

What's in it?

Fantastic!

Why must you live at the top?

I'm from the Department of Social Security

You sent us an application regarding this boy some time back

We've only just got round to it

In the meantime, we've sorted things out

You play at night, don't you?

No, only during the day now

- Where does the boy sleep? - Over there

He doesn't have his own bed?

No, but there's enough room...

So it's the boy's birthday?

Not really. But I don't have his papers

I wrote that application when I wasn't coping very well

The boy is Russian?

Not now, my dear

He understands Czech now

His mother went to the West and shows no interest in the boy

That's untrue. She applied to the Red Cross

- Look, Mr Mouka - Louka

Czech nationality by marriage...

...she is still a Russian

So the Russian authorities still have an interest in this child

The matter may well be taken out of our hands

They'll probably put him in a home

That's my opinion

Miss Zubata, that letter of mine... couldn't it be declared void?

Why? They'll take care of the boy

I'll be back, Mr Mouka

Next time, I'll bring someone from the Russian embassy...

...and they can take over

A nice little boy

Goodbye for now

Chemodan?

Yes, before Miss Zubata comes to get us

Franta! What'up?

Can you put us up?

But of course

These springs are a bit ropey...

...but, held down by this blanket, they should be all right

This is Uncle Houdek but you'll say Goudek, I suppose

A great power, yet they can't say the letter H!

I'll enjoy hiding you. It'll be my way of joining the resistance

- Will your conductor take me on? - Definitely.

Though he'll wonder why you want to play on a bandstand

We'll tell him... I know, I've a great idea

You're convalescing after a gall-bladder operation

We'll have you drinking the waters

Illegal activity. Great!

The police blocked the central streets...

...so there was no escape

Students, when faced with the riot police...

...sang the national anthemn. They were savagely attacked...

Franta, I think the whole thing has collapsed

Just because...

Shut up!

Prague's university students call on everyone to demonstrate

It's a pity we joined the resistance so late. It's boiled over!

We should be there, Franta. It's come at last

At last. At last!

Nobody wanted them any more

The young people and the nurses rebelled

They chased them out...

...and set up a reservation for them in Albania

What a vision!

There's your mummy

Come along

I can't thank you enough

Goodbye, Dad

Goodbye

When will you come and see us?

Goodbye