All language subtitles for Almodozasok kora

PRESENTS

THE AGE OF DAYDREAMING
(ADULT ADOLESCENTS)

We, the Rector and the Senate
of the University of Budapest

confer upon you the degree
of Doctor of Law.

Dear viewers.

You are watching the graduation
ceremony of the University of Law.

The young graduates receive
their degree from the Rector.

CAST

SOUND

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

PRODUCTION MANAGER

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

'I SAY THAT MAN IS NOT GROWN-UP YET
BUT, FANCYING HE IS, RUNS WILD.

MAY HIS PARENTS, LOVE AND INTELLECT
WATCH OVER THEIR UNRULY CHILD'

ATTILA JÓZSEF
TRANSLATED BY MICHAEL BEEVOR

These four are engineers.
They graduated a year ago.

They dream of breaking through
the wall of the mediocre and old.

They admire technology
and think themselves talented.

That still has to be proved.

Miss Éva Halk is a lawyer.

Congratulations on your degree.

Why did you become a lawyer?

It's hard to tell.

Our viewers are eager
to hear your answer.

What shall I say?
I thought it was interesting.

Why exactly?

It's fascinating to study
the new relationships

between people and society,
to find new laws for them.

The Ten Commandments
still prevail,

but how hypocritically
we live by them!

Love thy neighbour.
But not against my interests!

Don't commit adultery! You!

The true laws controlling
the formation of the intellect,

healthy passions and individuality
must be appraised

to allow new social laws
to be created.

- I can't stand clever women.
- Who?

- Clever women.
- Are there any?

She looked definitely clever.

You're wrong.

She wouldn't be wrong
about your brains.

She might be interested
in other things.

Brainy women at close quarters
give me the creeps!

- You look happy.
- Why shouldn't I?

I saw a girl today.

The most interesting woman
I ever saw.

- Did you talk to her?
- No.

Really? What a pity.

Was she a blonde?

No, a brunette.

Doesn't Anni resemble that girl?

Lucky chap.
He finds a piano everywhere.

What's he playing?

Quite nice.

Never heard it.

He's improvising.

We should get some extra work.

Who from? How?

By wheedling it out.

Are we on holiday?

All right, sit down.

Strike a note.

Any note.

Go on...

Slowly.

Do you hear it?

Here's the enemy.
The older engineers.

“T he untalented The mediocre. ”

They run the show.
They order you about.

The gang hates them.

They think they are dumb
and conceited.

They have no idea
of modern technology.

They only know
how to make heaps of money.

To hell with you all!

I feel I'm becoming idiotic.

They keep discovering obsolete
things from 30 years back,

and expect you
to carry them out.

The boss gets new ideas
every week.

- At least he gets some.
- Yes, from books.

Do you know any better?

Suddenly, two of them have
a stroke of genius.

An amazing idea!

If it's feasible,
the Old Ones will be struck dumb.

It must be kept secret.

They'll work on it,

and then jump in with the result.

If there's no response in this
country, they?! try Africa or Cuba!

Meanwhile they'll learn Spanish.

Wonderful!

Won't you sit down?

We're poor but we've got chairs.

They'll last out another meeting.

Let's hope for the best.

Will you smoke, comrades?

This is a little celebration.

I won't be long.

Your probational year being over,
we all welcome you

as members of our staff,

our great family.

I hope none of you minds.
If so, speak up now.

There have been minor clashes,

there are more to come
but that's as it should be.

Things should be discussed,
opinions voiced.

Speak up if you want anything.

About the posts
you've been assigned to.

Congratulations.

Mr. Mizséri and Mr. Oláh,
Section 1, salary 1600 Forints.

Mr. Radé, Mr. Domonkos,
maintenance, 1500 Forints.

Anni Klinger, administration,
1550 Forints.

I wish you success in your work.

Do not hesitate to come to me
with your problems.

I am half an engineer myself

so I understand your problems.

I promise nothing
but that I shall keep.

What's up?

We've got the job.

We must celebrate it.

Mr. Oláh.

Is that you?

What do you want?

We've been a good team.

Couldn't we stay together?

Our company has various needs.

Can't we get the same salary?

Is 1600 too much for you?

- No, but...
- What do you want, then?

Don't get sentimental.

You should be glad you're appreciated.

Don't let yourself be tricked
into such things.

No...

I do envy you.

You had the opportunity to study.

I had no time.

They're crazy.
I can't separate them.

You fool!

And the Spanish?

Third lesson.

What was your husband like?

Does it matter?

- A drinker?
- An eater?

- Were you actually married?
-Yes.

How old are you?

23 or so? Yes?

Hello.

You here?

On holiday. And you?

Me, too.

I'll look out for you.

I'm staying at the Motel.

- What will you have?
-Brandy?

Yes, four.

We were school-mates.

- Look, the boss.
-What's he here for?

He was missing us.

How about a puncture?

A childish prank

He would repair it so nicely
with our help.

Got a piece of paper?

- Coming boys?
-Coming.

FOR SALE.

How long will you be
in the chorus?

- I don't know.
- When will you dance solo?

Soon, I hope.

- Are you heavy?
- No, fairly light.

Let's see.

Is that girl his lover?

- The one he's dating.
-Who knows.

- Does it matter?
- No.

I had a love affair, too.

- Did you love him?
-Yes.

- Any regrets?
- No.

I got fed up.
He was a bully.

- Past tense?
- Yes.

Listen!

If a condenser...

The y"re talking shop.
they have a new brain-wave.

Anyone can have one,
but they have thousands.

Brains are quickest
between 20 and 30.

Great results can be achieved
in ten short years.

Take Einstein. He was around 20

when he found out about relativity.

I hit upon it in my dream!

Fidel Castro was questioning me
on physics.

He asked me about condensers.
I answered him in Spanish.

But it's a stroke of genius
in Hungarian, too.

What a beastly silence.
Let's break up the happy home.

What do you want from me?

This is happiness.

She isn't like the girl
he saw on TV,

but she is there and loves him,
and to hell with everybody.

That's Mozart.

That guy is sweet on you.

- True?
- He's an old friend.

Why do you do that?

I can't help it.

Listen, I had a look at you

when you started to date
my girl.

I didn't mind then.
I had had a fight with her.

Then I was in training-camp,
but now - enough!

I had her first,
and she liked me.

- How do you know?
-She told me.

Beer.

Two beers. Yes.

I hate fighting.

I'll introduce you to a nice skirt.
There are plenty around.

Look! His new best friend.
He's thinking of the future.

How disgusting!

What?

- I'm in love with Gergely. Madly.
- You're drunk.

No.

You won't tell anybody?

I went to bed
with his brother.

This summer.

Because Geri kept tormenting me,
laughing at me.

Why on earth?

My fault...

I was chasing him.
I made a fool of myself.

Don't be stupid.

I'm crazy with love.

But you aren't a fool.

Never mind him.

To hell with him
if he doesn't want you.

I really wonder
why you love him?

If he were clever at least.
Once we thought him a genius.

Funny, how things have changed.

Now he finds excuses every time
a problem arises.

You're much more gifted
than he is.

You are most efficient...

and attractive.

Do you want me, too?

I love you so much.

As a sister.

Hello, little brother.

Funny, Anni seems to come nearest
to that lawyer girl.

As for their discovery,
work progresses

mainly in words and promises.

Two of them finished their parts
as last,

and start urging the others.

After much ado.
a meeting held in Anni's flat.

Why didn't you say
you didn't feel like working?

- We did work.
-And where are the results?

You've seen them.

You've got the nerve to say...!

It's next to nothing.

And yours?

- Did you do more?
- No, only better.

- That's what you say.
- Shut up.

I'd like to work on a new idea.

I'll tell you
when you've calmed down.

Weren't you talking a bit too much
while I worked?

You could've done better.

That tops all.

The whole room reeks,
thanks to you.

We got disorganised.
We hardly ever meet.

I can't help you.
I've so much to do.

I'm dog-tired by evening.
Stop playing. My head aches.

We should work together.

- Tell the boss.
- You're pals with him!

Put that blind up,
or I'll go blind.

Well?

Shall we go on?

How can we?

Let's divide the work

into five parts again.

And shall I do it twice over?

Because you're humbugs?
What do you take me for?

You're unbearably priggish.

All right.

You don't have to join in.

I'm just stunned.

Didn't it strike you
that only I did my part?

Don't you think it unfair

to have other people
slave for you?

A nice pseudo-team that is!

I'm not willing to do
one bit more than you do.

People seem to be right about you.

The chief engineer asked me
who that conceited fellow was.

I stood up for you,

though I know they all hate you
for wanting to outdo them. And us.

- Who? Me?
-Don't shout.

You have ideas and they will to work.

Lots of people
never get a single idea.

Doubts and indignation
overcome him.

They're all liars and enemies.

He hates them for paralyzing him,

for having to stick to them.

But do they really hate him?

And why? Wasn't he right?

Maybe he wasn't.
He thinks he looks foolish.

Envy. The world is full of it.

It's worse than cancer.

The communists, too, are envious

if they don't have
what others have.

That can't be helped.

The priests envied men
who could do what they couldn't.

Though they did them
all the same!

That's right.
I'm not a communist, you see,

only a realist.

No fairy tales for me,
I stick to reality.

So Manyi goes to church for me...

What's the time, please?

A quarter to five.

I met our school-mistress.

She mistook me {or Sana.

I thought I'd tell her my name...

But what for, after all?
“So you'll be a dentist.”

“Fine, then I'll come to you.”

“Please yourself.”

“Where have you been all this time?”
“In Canada,” I said.

“Heavens, you fled? Why?”
“Why not?”, I said.

“Besides, I got away from the bigotry
and clericalism of my parents.

Remember how she sobbed in class
when Stalin died?

It was dreadful.

I felt so awkward.

I was so scared
I burst out laughing.

I met Barta at the movies.

It was dark and he started
whispering to me

as he always did.

He's learning to sing.

- What's the score?
- 11:7.

Now watch out.

- And our prize pupils?
- They became doctors.

And Vámos?

He's cutting wood in Canada.
He divorced his wife.

The locks worked the wrong way
in her flat.

He couldn't get used to it.
The idiot.

- Who's winning?
- It doesn't matter.

She's a sweet little thing.

Not like that lawyer girl, of course,

but she talks charmingly.

She's a skating champion.

Her partner is nice, clever,
handsome, honest, only tiring.

They've been partners
since she was 5.

And her girlfriend!

She's a mean person.

When a boy starts dating me,
she tries to cut me out.

Just wait, she'll use her charm
with you, too.

I don't mind.

- Are you so generous?
-Yes.

My heart is like white snow.

Snow-hearted Gabriella.

Snowgab. Not bad.

Her parents divorced when she was 6.

She saw her father on Sundays.
He is a miser.

Since he left the country in 1956,
he hasn't sent a single parcel.

Her mother is all right,
only a bit of a shrew.

And she has a boyfriend,

who doesn't want to marry her.

Isn't it awful?
All her friends have husbands.

Why can't she find one?

After all, a woman needs security.

Such a fellow is of no help.

Even if he happens
to buy one something.

I keep asking him
when he'll marry mummy.

He just smiles like a Buddha.
A shame, isn't it?

What can we do?
Throw him out and let him beg?

Poor mummy.

She's shattered.
She said I was to blame.

Who wants a child on his buckle?

Of course, making me was fun.

This is jealousy.

Life isn't easy.

Are you a bachelor?

- You intend to have a family?
- Yes, today.

- Your most ardent wish?
- To hear you sing.

Anything-

Now listen.

Gosh. You did it?

All of it?

You're lucky
to be so clever.

It's nothing.

Say four big cities.

Paris, London, Rome, Prague.

Do you hear?

By the window, Paris,
there's Rome, behind you Prague,

on the lamp, London.

Well?
How is the world?

Fine.

And these?

Unknown relatives of mine.

How funny theses skates
of 50 years ago, look.

There's a new hit.
You could skate to it.

It's sort of languid.

Let's try.

- I'd like to lift you.
-You'll drop me.

Now another one.

Have you hurt yourself?

My leg is bleeding.

That's you all over.

And that's me.
So sad.

Who's that?

Mummy's man, imploring her.

And that?

That's daddy.

No, he wouldn't even wag his tail.

I'm another sort of animal.

Which one?

A zebra.

- Or a horehound.
- isn't that a plant?

You never ate horehound candies?

That's why you look like this monkey.

- But I like him.
-And me?

Want it?

I'm good, see?

I'm bad.

Do you love me?
Or would you prefer a lapdog?

I love you.

Now you'll only be mine.

I bind your hands with the stole

as a sign of your marriage
being indissoluble before God.

I envy them
for their trip.

The autumn was uneventful.

They went to parties,

Jancsi complained about the boys
and about his bosses.

In November
Anni's mother died of cancer

and Snowgab won the second prize
at a competition.

Jancsi is idle,

except for repairing
a few tape recorders.

She told him she'd marry him.

He just mumbled, explained,
mentioned future dates...

otherwise they got on well.

- Is he a good dancer?
- Not with me.

Where are you going?
Have a sandwich.

- János Oláh.
- Éva Halk

I know you.

You were interviewed on TV.

Is your memory so good?

When it's your face...

- Really?
- Yes.

Thanks.

Are you a judge?

No, not yet.

- But you'll be one?
- I hope so.

And you?

- An electrical engineer.
- That must be exciting.

Danger! High voltage!

I'm shock-proof.

Switching on the light
is about all I know

about electricity.
Sad, isn't it?

It's simple.

Not to me.

Though I learned about it.
Long ago.

Too long ago.

Let's buy one.

We'll be lucky.

It depends on who greets you first.

For me it was a girl.
For you?

A man.

A young man.

Are you superstitious?

Afraid of black cats?

Depends on the cat.

I'm scared of hearses.

If I meet one, I'm done for.

If I look at my watch
when one hand is on the 5,

I'm happy.
5 is my lucky number.

Do you like snow?

Yes, I even used to eat it.

Is it good?

So my father said.

They drank it
in the concentration camp.

In Auschwitz.

My father did the same
at the Russian front.

Want to try?

- I'd like to travel.
- Where to?

Somewhere.

Scene of my first kiss.

That doorway.

How old were you?

16. May 17 at night.

You remember it so well?

Important, isn't it?

It was a difficult time.
There was a girl next door.

We met, we chatted sometimes,
we walked around the block.

One night I made up my mind
and tried to kiss her.

She didn't let me.
I implored her.

No, no.

We had a fight
and didn't meet for a year.

Then we made up.
Next time she kissed like mad.

Then it came to an end.

You see, one must bide one's time.

What's the matter?

You look worried.

I'm all right.

Funny.

You are so serious.

Me? Not at all.

I had a boyfriend for two years.
A lawyer.

He was clever.
He taught me a lot but...

We were so different.

Everything went wrong.

He was the dogmatic type.
All principles and manners.

The domineering sort.

We had an awful fight,

not long ago.

I told him to break off.

He asked if it was for good.

It was.

Next day he wrote me a letter
saying he hated me.

And life would pay me back.

He cursed me.

I spoke to you once.

Where?

- In the street.
- What did I say?

A quarter to five.

Did you ask for the time?

You were in a hurry.

Look.

LONG LIVE LENIN

A child scribbled it.

- A schoolboy who is a communist.
- Or a communist who is a schoolboy.

Shall we go in?

Let's sit down.

- Are you tired?
- A little.

- We've been walking...
- for two weeks.

You ought to phone her.
She's awfully upset.

Make up something.

Poor thing,
she's suffering like hell.

Why don't you comfort her?

She doesn't even go out at all.

What am I to say?
That I'm a scoundrel?

Because I prefer another girl?

Do as you like,
but do something.

Why?

- She sobs in my arms.
- That's what you wanted.

Silly ass.

You're lucky, sir.
Girls aren't choosey these days.

They don't blush to admit
they like it.

The girl next door had her wedding
the other day.

Next morning I asked her,
“Well, how was your wedding night?”

“Short”, she said.

Yes, they like going to bed.

It's the law of Nature.

In my days they did it, too,
but they kept it a secret.

Though love wasn't the same.

My father died in World War I.

He owned a tailor shop.

So my mother married another tailor.

She couldn't afford to lose the shop.

L, too, married a hairdresser
30 years ago,

to be able to set up in business.

Since then we've been, well,
working together.

Why do you convict a man
who promises marriage?

And skips off?

- For breach of promise.
- And if he was forced into it?

Into a succession of promises?

- Women want to marry.
- He made them happy for a while.

And wheedled money out of them?

Illusions must be paid for.

The greater the illusions,
the greater the cost?

Thus a clever guy might even get
a “fiancee” into debt.

- Were shall we go?
- it's up to you.

- Let's go into the hills.
- To look around.

Look around here.

Jancsi is jealous of Laci.

He'd like to throw his friend
into the river.

Take me.
You know I'm decent...

Would you convict me,
if I killed someone?

It depends.
Maybe I wouldn't.

And if it weren't
an act of self-defense?

Maybe you prevented
a greater crime,

and you had no other means.

But murder is still murder.

Not always.
But don't kill if possible...

What is a sentence based on?

Law, circumstances
and the legal mind.

Mrs. Frank, wake up, please.

Where to?

To buy glasses for me.

And then?

You'll see.

How are they?

May face is asymmetrical.

Awful isn't it?

It's lopsided.
I'm very ugly.

Do you like them?

Nice?

And I've got small eyes, too.

A tragedy.

Well, where are we going?

To the movies.

- To see what?
- You'll see.

An old film.
Starring me when I was 12.

It was made at the Pioneer Railway.

- You used to work there?
- Yes.

Me, too.

What sort of a film is it?

A kind of historical review.
Ever taken a ride since?

Long ago. Before '56.

Shall we go there?

- How does the Morse code go?
- Give me a word.

Street-car.

Your turn.

- Omnibus.
- Too easy.

Dreadful calamity.

It wasn't perfect.
You don't remember me at all?

- Nor do I remember you.
- Who was there?

Did you know Apor?

The model boy,
the best railwayman.

When were you born?

In '38.

Me, too.

Do you remember
Emöke Jankovics?

I mostly worked with her.
I did my best to get in her group.

She was a beauty.

Once we were on duty
on the blue train.

There were no passengers.

We sat by the window and chatted.

About what?

Obscenities.

I loved to be a conductor.
I adored travelling.

I enjoyed people looking at me,
but I smiled airily at them.

“Tickets, ladies and gentlemen!”

To be on duty at the station
was best.

I donned my red hat,
gave a signal,

people were staring at me...

I hated the traffic control office.
I was scared I'd make a mess.

I couldn't learn the signal.

Once I forgot about
the all clear signal,

and the train stopped in the wood.

Once I shifted the points
the wrong way,

and the train pulled in
on the wrong track.

I loved to be on control duty,
preferably at the terminal.

I kept pulling the handles

and looked at the signals moving.

Up at that stop deep in the woods,
it was fine there.

Fine? It was a lonely place.

The grub was good, wasn't it?

How is the letter “j”?

It just crossed my mind...
Watch out!

Now.

There is Apor.

On the steps.

I'm waiting to see you.

That's me!
Do you recognise me?

Yes.

- Wasn't I pretty?
- Yes.

Who's the boy?

Karcsi Bálint.
Did you know him?

Was he your friend?

- And now?
- He is in America.

- Do you correspond?
- On and off.

Still friends?

He was my first love.

It began in a pioneer camp
in Bulgaria.

We didn't like the war game
we were constantly playing,

so we escaped to the shore
and stared at the sea.

He was my boyfriend until we were 19.

“Aren't you fed up yet?” people asked.

“No, we saw the sea together.”
That was our motto.

Have you ever seen the sea?

It's marvellous.

Was my friend Laci
with you there?

Maybe, his face was familiar.

Yes, now I remember.

He was a zealous little boy.
A troop master, or something.

He ordered us about.

A girl was expelled from the camp

because her father was a businessman.

How she cried!

Why did Karcsi leave?

I don't know.

We were in agony for days
whether to go or to stay.

He wasn't admitted to the university.

We didn't know how things
would be here...

Besides, he didn't like to be
a “small fish”.

He's a fighter.

- And you?
- I was scared

- of being shot at the border.
- Really?

Yes, I'm a coward.

In those days
I went all around the town.

I was afraid I'd be
left out...

of history.

- And weren't you?
- Nonsense.

I wanted to prove
I was a good Hungarian.

To whom?

I didn't want to start all over.

New relationships, new friends,
new ways of thinking...

I tortured myself for days
until I realised

that a thousand things
held me back here.

I was born here, formed here...

Are you a communist?

Yes. And you?

- I'm an engineer.
- Why did you stay?

- I never wanted to leave.
- Why?

Who knows?

This is my life.

I'm not fond of hacking around.

I didn't make a song about it.

Good for you.

- Do you mind that I stayed?
- No. And you?

- Nor do I.
- Do you mind that I stayed?

- No.
- That's fine.

Do you mind that I stayed?

Do you love me?

Can you read that?

I love...
Whom?

Now, my turn.

Lo-vely Éva...
I adore her.

I'm not lovely.

- You should know.
- Shame on you.

What beautiful silence.

It's wonderful to feel
such perfect harmony.

I love you, do you know?

- How do you know?
- You told me.

It's rare for me
to be at peace.

There's so much misery around
and I'm helpless.

I heard 650 cases last month.
I lost my sleep in the end.

They'd tell you about their troubles
the whole day.

Troubles and struggle everywhere.

I wonder why I'm still an optimist...

inextricable tangles
and relationships...

They are tied down.

They are prisoners of the past.

No possibility to break away
from their cruel ties.

I can't help them.

I have the will
but all I do is lie.

“I'll summon your son and tell him.”

“Tell your cousin
I'll have him locked up.”

“Go home, I'll take care of that.”

But can I? How can I?

And they persist in their
mistaken ideas.

They spill their most horrid actions.

The help I can give comes to nothing.

Should I let them choose
from five possible solutions

or just force the best one on them?

Will you make a fool clever
by hitting him?

And I, too, am
full of horrid prejudice.

A woman came last week, crying.
She'd had no alimony for 3 months.

“Where's your husband?”

They aren't married.
He left her with two children.

Listening to her, I felt a strange
reserve towards her.

Just because he wasn't her husband!

Would that make her less honest,
or less attached to a man?

It's a shame how stupid we are.

How helpless we've been
for centuries!

Lots of people live in mistrust,
uncertainty and unhappiness.

But not all go to court.
Some are ashamed.

It's a horrible tangle.
Believe me.

Shall I draw you something?

About humanity?
Do you know how the radio works?

- A little.
- it's simple.

Electric vibrations born from sound

hurry in all directions.

Big or small, thin or fat,

they all have the same speed
called wave-length.

A change in speed means
a change in wavelength.

Here is the radio.

The aerial lets everybody in.
But the oscillating circuit

plants itself
on a given wave length

and selects the waves
that can go on

to become sound again.

Various tubes amplify the sound
till it reaches the loudspeaker.

If one tube is defective,

it will make trouble all along.

It must be replaced.

Two good parts

may go wrong
if put side by side.

If their natures disagree,
they must be separated.

Out-of-date tubes must be
replaced by new ones.

If you know where things belong,
what their secret is,

it still becomes clear.

Tune it down, make it louder...

and look for programs you like best.

Laci suddenly got ill.

He lost weight and looked worn.
One day he fainted at work.

He was examined at the hospital
but the doctors said nothing.

- Hello.
- How are you?

- And you?
- Fine.

- Have you been in?
- No, the girls went in first.

- How are you?
- Well thanks.

- You got lost.
- You did.

- We were busy.
- Possibly.

We haven't met for a month.

What were you doing?

Nothing special.

Are you married yet?

What makes you think so?

- I just thought, knowing your...
- My what?

Your usual speed.

You can go in.
He looks fine.

He's just playing hookey.

You went into hiding?

Are you growing a beard?
It doesn't suit you.

Don't mind him.

Grow a nice, thick beard,
like that.

- But no moustache.
- I won't.

Get a drawing board,
rulers and compasses.

I've thought of something.
I want to do it.

Here, yes, why not.

The boss asked me
about our invention.

- I wonder how he knew?
- What did you say?

That you were in hospital, and so on,
but we should give him the plans.

Of course. He's clever.

- Shall I tell the others?
- If you like.

- He looks okay.
- Shall we go somewhere?

I want to sit down.

- Let's go.
- To your place?

Another time.

Jancsi wants to stay with them,but
he feels uneasy because of Éva.

He'd like to belong to them,
but it"s no use without her.

- Shall we join them?
- As you like.

Shall we dance?

Look, that's Mr. Mahrer.
I told you about him.

- How did you get here?
- By chance.

When did you become so lovely?

- How is your father?
- Fine, thanks.

Go on dancing,
we'll talk later.

Is he an old friend?

Didn't I tell you?

He was in the war with daddy.

They stayed friends for years,
then they grew apart somehow.

They learnt that Laci had leukemia.

They didn't dare to visit him,

except Malta, who sat
by his bedside all day long.

Jancsi talked to the doctor.
Éva sobbed in the hall.

Later a radiation therapy
brought a slight improvement.

Horrible premonitions tortured him.

He tried to work,
driven by a feverish will.

He asked for data,
for technical discussions,

or wept that the goal was so far,
then fell asleep.

When he woke, he reproached them
for having let him sleep.

He became weaker and weaker,
but he put up a brave fight.

Stop fiddling with that rotten radio,
will you?

We've come to say farewell.

They are all here,
your friends, your colleagues,

all those who loved you,

of whom you knew
the sorrows and joys.

A meaningless death took you
from us.

We stand here at the graveside
deeply moved.

You were an untiring worker
and researcher.

You worked even
when confined to bed.

But death prevented you
from fulfilling your plans.

We, your elders admired
your zeal and your integrity.

Your deeply human attitude

shall be an example to all of us.

Farewell, dear brother
whom the Lord summoned away.

Now eternal peace awaits thee.

We promise never to forget you,
dear friend.

Our joint achievements and efforts
will guard your memory.

I didn't know my father.

This is his watch.
it's still working.

Is that you?

These are relatives I never saw.

He's handsome.
I don't remember him.

Isn't she lovely?

How did she live?
To whom did she belong?

You can pair them as you like.
It makes no difference.

Nothing is left of them.

If only something
would remain of us!

One can't vanish
without a trace.

Laci had no time.

You're wrong.

Today we struggle with minute details,

and may never hit
on anything remarkable.

The principle of the tape recorder
was known in 1893.

Do you know the name of the inventor?

No, but you do.

I envy everyone who did something.

While I even forget
what I want to do.

I let things be forced upon me,

and I get nowhere.
My self is slipping from me.

I just sit and watch you
changing tubes and things.

That other boy bullied me
into becoming like him.

And you aren't any better.

People aren't like broken radios,

to be thrown away for new ones.

I've decide to...

I wanted...

But it's no good.
I never succeed.

My work can't be done
with your outlook upon life!

I don't want to live like you.

I want to be my own self.

You can't help me, damn it all.
Can't we help each other?

Fear of death grabs them.

It's an unfamiliar feeling

that drives them
into feverish activity.

Nothing is important
but their work.

Only their own world exists.

Suddenly it occurs to Jancsi
that he hasn't seen Éva for weeks.

- Are you tired?
- No.

- Don't you like it?
- it's strong.

- I'm hot all over.
- Me, too.

Let's go.

Where to?

Not to my place,
the old woman is on the look-out.

Nor to mine.

Pit)'-

Are you angry?

It shows.

Then they met again
but had little to talk about.

To go to his place
was impossible again.

They looked in vain for another room,

and drifted further apart.

I'm fed up with the old woman.

She even wants to know
what I dreamt.

I told her, Captain Cooper
had nicer dreams in space.

She'd better read the paper.

She was hurt,
but not for long.

She's lonely.
We talk about life.

You should.

Life is horribly intricate
and puzzling.

But Cooper dreamt even in space.

And what's more, the instruments
told us he was dreaming.

Hello.

Hello.

How are you?

Okay. And you?

Fine.

I read about you in the paper.
Congratulations.

Thanks.

How are you getting on?

I've got a job.

- I'm married.
- To whom?

My partner. You know him.

- Are you happy?
- Yes.

And you?

The same...

- Hello.
- Hello.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Who is she'!?

An old friend.

Good afternoon.

- Where to?
- I'm off.

I saw your plans.
Very interesting.

Any new ideas?

I'd like to go on with that.

Really?

Well, come and see me one of
these days to have a talk.

Yes.

- Where to?
- Home.

How about the match?
We're still in time.

- Sure you don't mind?
- Be my guest.

I'm working on an exciting
acoustic problem.

I'd be pleased if you could help me.

Of course.

Can you recommend a third person?

Perhaps Radó.

- Why perhaps?
- Do you know him?

- Do you?
-Well?

He's pretty decent.

- The pianist, isn't he?
- Yes.

Wouldn't he rather play the piano?

There are so few to choose from.
I agree.

It's rather hard to work here.

Mediocrity surrounds us.
At least it does no harm.

Tell me, who can one really rely on?
There is Harrer, know him?

Of course. He's your boss.
What has he got?

Goodwill. At least that.
And the others...

they are unable to keep abreast
with modern technology.

They have no imagination.
No use talking to them.

You just waste your energies
fighting against stupidity.

Wait and you'll see.

It's as if they hoped
you'd fail.

If only one could pick out
sensible people to work with.

But everybody wants to do
the picking.

But one can't work alone.

Go on, boys!

Well done!

That was a good one!

A feeling of uncertainty
seizes Jancsi.

Fleeing from his confused thoughts,
he phones Éva.

They meet in Anni's flat.

It looks very modern.

Where's your piano?

I sold it.
There's nobody to play it.

Your kids maybe?

They aren't imminent...
I'll take care.

But you'll have kids soon.

How do you know?

I know you.

- You can't avoid fate.
- I can.

Who's that?

That?
How shall I put it?

My lover.

- He'll marry you?
- I don't care. Bye.

You haven't answered yet.

The chief engineer.
What shall I do?

What can I say?

You know best.

- Are you peeved?
-No.

I hate this.

It's terrible to have
your feelings pried into.

In a most personal matter.

Nonsense.
Anni is a nice girl.

Maybe.

What can I do?

Let's go out of town.

Where?

To the mountains.
Well?

I'm busy.
When are you free?

At the week-end.

No good.

I have a date on Sunday morning.

- Postpone it.
- Impossible.

It must be a Sunday.

- Go next Sunday.
- I can't.

Then I'll go alone.

Can't they clear away
all that snow?

- Haven't they got snow-ploughs?
- Not enough.

What's the matter?

What if it doesn't stop?
Will traffic be paralyzed?

- We'll do some shovelling.
- You too?

Why not'!?

You'll look funny.

- Bye.
- Bye.

When will you be free?

I don't know.

And you?

I don't know.
I'll phone you.

Okay. Bye.

Bye.

Everything seems to be
baffling and chaotic.

Éva is strange and aloof,
which makes him desperate.

Is such agony necessary
to become an adult?

How long does it take
til! agony turns into experience?

For we didn't become adults

when the ideals of our childhood
turned out to be phony.

Nor in '56
when we had to choose

which country
we wanted to live in.

Nor when our friends changed
and we learnt how to judge them.

Nor when we learnt about
work, death and love.

No, these were all paving stones
on our way to maturity.

Step by step we learn to think.

All that seemed odd,
becomes natural and evident.

And we realise that we share
this feeling with others.

And that's a wonderful feeling.

Good morning
This is your wake-up call.

Time to wake up.

Good morning! Wake up, please!

Time to wake up!

Good morning! Wake up, please!

THE END