Quintet (1979) - full transcript

Essex!

Look!

What is it?

My God.
It's flying north!

I haven't seen one of those in years.
I didn't know there were any left.

Will we make it to the city?

If the dogs are out this far,
there may be no city left

You're funny

What?

You've always told me you left the city
because there was nothing for you there

and now you are returning



Don't you think that's funny?

No

Tell me about your city

I already have

Again

There were 25 levels

five sectors

In the center there was a park

with a lake

And I remember

the trees

Vivia?

Six

Seventeen.



- Limbo
- Shh-shh-shh

Blockade

Redstone

you're in the tournament

Argo gratias.

You share the threat

You're up.

Me?

Good

Deuca

So soon?

My pleasure, sir

- Oh?
- Quintet!

Not your day, Ernecht

Better luck next time

- Your luck is better, Ambrosia
- Finally

A bonus

A new game
is starting at table number six.

Vivia

Vivia!

- May have been a bad idea coming here
- It's a place to go

That's what you said

Essex

By knowing five numbers,
you can find any person here?

Five numbers
and a color code, yes

How many people lived here?

Five million.

Five million?

Yes. It was designed
for a million people in each sector.

And you could find a person
with only five numbers?

And a color code, yes

You know so much

But not how to find seals

Vivia!

Vivia?

Vivia?

Vivia!

Vivia?

You're not very good at finding people

Don't run off like that

- I was just playing
- I know

But don't run off that way

Shouldn't we help him?
He's gonna freeze to death

He already has

I'm so tired of walking.

It's not far.

And what if he's not there?
You don't even know if he's alive

We'll face that when we get to it

I'm hungry

Who is there?

My name is Essex
I'm looking for my brother

Name is Francha.
Does he still live here?

There is no one here by this name.

Could you tell me where he went?

What did you say your name was?

Essex.

Essex.

My God

Come

Come in
We have a fire

Come, come, come
Quick

Essex

I was sure you were dead

Are trains running anywhere?

Where have you been?

South, hunting.

I went 10, 12 years ago.
I lost count.

- I didn't know if you'd be here
- South, huh?

- What's to the south?
- Seals

Well, not anymore

How'd you find me?
Things have changed so.

- Information center
- That still works? No

It doesn't transmit
The information's still there

Oh, that's Vivia

I used to hunt with her father.
He's dead now.

Jaspera Aeon

Obelus

My brother

What's your name, child?

Vivia

We're hungry
Is there any food?

Of course
Jaspera, some food

Is the whole city like this?

Will I find work here?

I can't believe my eyes

So young

Nothing like her anymore.

She's the youngest person I've seen.

She could be the last one born,
for all we know, the-

the end of the line

This is a real event.

My God.

Jaspera Aeon

It's true.

It's alive

Feel it

How long, child?

Five months, at least

This calls for a celebration.

- We are a real family now
- Yes

Some booza
Set the table

Quintet, huh?

You play, of course

When my family was alive
But I wasn't very good

Well, never mind
There are six of us We'll play

The last seal we killed

was just after Vivia's father died

I never saw an animal
fight so hard to stay alive

Well, I've even forgotten
what seal meat tastes like

That must have been-

Well, it was
more than a year ago

I'm so glad you came when you did

Francha was just leaving
for another tournament

The hell with the tournament
They can play without me for a while

They still have tournaments here?

Oh, yes
On all levels

What about work?

How do you stay alive?

We play!
There's nothing left but the game.

- Have you got pieces, Vivia?
- These will do

Oh, yes.
Sit. Sit, child.

Ah, some booza

This'll warm you

Here

That girl's a miracle

There's been no new life here

and no hope for any

Oh, not in limbo, child
You're up in the killing circle

- Have you got pieces?
- I haven't played for years

Well, here

You can use these

From my collection

You collect Quintet pieces?

Oh, yes It's a hobby

Hobby?
What does that mean?

That's just something to do...

for no reason

Come on, Essex
Let's play

I don't think I could put my mind to it.

All right We'll make you sixth man
You can play the survivor

Somebody'll have to go to the market
for some more wood if we're to stay up.

I'll do it.

I wanna look around
There has to be work somewhere

There's a wood seller
in the market below

Here
A thousand old sou a kilo

Don't let him cheat you
Make sure it's not treated

- Where'd you get-
- I've been very lucky in the casino

Essex?

I'm sure I'll be the first one to lose

Francha will look after you

- Be careful
- Yes!

We must be careful with a man who hunts
seals where there are no seals

We'll roll on

Five, four

- Double limbo
- Double limbo

Ah Limbo five
One there, one there

Four, two I'll arrange
the killing order for Essex

You see

I'm after you

- Can't be that important
- Hmm

Oh-ho!
You're after your own death!

Hello!

I need wood.

Buy or trade?

Buy
Enough for the night

- Two bundles.
- Is it treated?

Never been any complaints

- Treated with what?
- From a building.

This wood doesn't come from buildings

Taken out of the ice

Here you are

- I'm going to get you.
- No, you won't

Ohh!

At last the end is coming.

Where are you from?

- The south.
- The south?

They say there are still seals
in the south. Is it true?

If there were, I'd still be there

Why do you torment me?

I broke no rules!

What?

Are you finding
all the information you want?

The system is all but ruined

Trying to find a person or a place?

A friend

Oh A friend
How interesting

Amicus.

I haven't heard that word
for a long time

And what do you use in its place?

Alliance

How did you and your friend
become separated?

Time

Where does your friend live?

He doesn't

Redstone?

I'm a friend

- "Friend"?
- Yes. I know him.

I'm supposed to meet him here

Is he expected soon?

The tournament won't be over
for many days

or more.

They play at the old casino

He has a room...

at the Hotel Electra.

Where's that?

Second sector

Red level

- Your-Your hand-
- Please don't

I haven't had a fire for-

When did you last see Redstone?

Yesterday

If you see him again-

What?

Yesterday

You won't

They still let rooms here?

Uh, Deuca
She's probably in the Quintet room

I really played the casinos.

Six and two

Is there a Deuca here?

- I'm Deuca
- Redstone

- Redstone?
- Yes.

He hasn't checked in yet

Well, something happened
I was delayed

You're lucky I still have a room

- May I have a key?
- There are no keys here

You're room 243

All right

- Four and six.
- Four and six.

This is one of the imponderables

You play, sir

"Redstone, Francha

'Deusha'- "
Deuca?

"Goldstar

St Christopher, Ambrosia"

Oh. I'm sorry.

I must have the wrong room

I was looking for a friend

I'm the only one here
This is my room

My name is Grigor

Perhaps the room I wanted
is the next one over

But this is a nice room
Pardon me

- What's your name?
- Redstone

Redstone You're lucky
to have a warm room, Redstone

Why don't you put that knife away?

I will tell you the truth

Redstone

What? That it was no mistake
you came here?

I am afraid I have been
playing the sixth man with you

I thought the room would be empty

I wanted to shave

There's no water

There is nothing but water

and soon that's all
that will be left

The planet will be frozen
in an envelope of ice

and that will mercifully be the end

of this history

May I sit down?

- You don't stay here at the hotel?
- My room's at the casino.

I'm the adjudicator there,
the referee

The judge, you might say

A judge?

I interpret the rules

I settle the disputes

It's a lonely thing to do

The worst thing is not playing-

watching, game after game

and not being allowed to play

That's why I come here
on my days off.

There are very good players
in this hotel

Some great ones, I tell you

Do you organize these tournaments?

Ah, you know
about the tournaments.

I knew- I knew
that you were a player

I saw that fire in your eyes

Only tournament players
have that sense of life

I knew

that you were in this room,
Redstone

See, I misrepresent
without even knowing it

It is one of the problems of my work

One begins to lie even to friends

Forgive me, Redstone
I was looking for company

There is no camaraderie anymore.

No talk

No exchange of ideas or tactics

I meant no harm, my friend

Where do the explosives come from?

Explosives? Oh.

Alcohol

As long as the moss grows,
they will make alcohol

And as long as there is alcohol,
they will make explosives.

It's a waste

Come join me in a game
and some alcohol

Deuca has booza
I know

- Deuca
- Yes.

Deuca.

Deuca-
She's very efficient, but nervous

Watch

She's always expecting the worst

But she's not
to be underestimated

What took you so long?
We had to stop the game.

I was with my friend.

Yes, I know
Redstone

- Are we playing?
- Without question

But first, some drinks

I promised my friend some booza

- It's in the game room
- Good

Ambrosia

- You're sitting there alone.
- So I am

We are about to play.
You'll join us.

Deuca's bringing drinks
Booza

Ah He's my friend
Redstone

He's a new player

He doesn't look new

- Are you dangerous?
- No.

I don't like to play games.
I'm not dangerous.

That's good
I'm not dangerous either

My name is Ambrosia

It's a silly name
I think I should change it

Change

Everyone wants to change everything

There is nothing to change

Do you like your name...

Redstone?

Why not? It serves its purpose.

And mine doesn't.

You can sit here, Redstone

Drink carefully

This is the end of the bottle

Where's Grigor?

Maybe he found a better game

Let me have his share

What handsome pieces

Your own handiwork, Redstone?

- I inherited them
- Ah

- You have family?
- I had a brother here, but he's dead

So let's roll for the sixth man

Let the new player
have the honor

Deuca seems to know
that you're not dangerous

What are the stakes?

Sometimes we just play
for the thrill of it

Weak roll, Redstone
You'll never make sixth man like that

- Quintet
- Automatic

I always play the sixth man

One, five

Five and four.

Six and two.

Four, five.

Six and three

So, I'll arrange
the killing order

I want Deuca to kill you

and I want you two to change place

Grigor?

Grigor, I have to talk to you

Listen to me
I need a ruling

This is frustrating
Never happened before

You knew Redstone as well as I did

Now we have this impostor to deal with
Does he know what he's doing?

You ask me so many questions

- Which one should I answer first?
- Damn it, Grigor

Redstone never should
have been allowed in to start with

He was a fool He jumped
the starting time by an hour

How do you know that?

Well, I- I was following him

Then so did you, St Christopher!

I didn't kill him until
after the designated time

I was within the rules

Anyway, Redstone was a butcher!

He killed a whole roomful
when he took Francha

Well, that's not an infraction

A sensitive player doesn't do that

Sensitive?

Did I hear you, of all people,
use that word?

I play to win, but there are
certain ethics to be considered

At this moment, if I were you,
I would be more concerned about Goldstar

- He has no ethics at all
- Nor brains

I do not consider him a threat

I find you insulting

He could get lucky
It's happened before

You're late, Grigor

Late for what?
Give me the booza

What about this new Redstone?

Drink

How do I deal with him?

Before I can decide that

I must learn how much he knows

Not how much he knows

but who he is

Where is he?

- Who is "he"?
- You know who I mean Christopher

- Saint?
- St Christopher

He was standing there a second ago
Now he's gone

So he is

Which exit did he leave by?

I don't know that he left

I only know that, uh, he isn't here

Damn you, Grigor
You're trying to help him

You're always against me
You have no regard for me

I'm not here to help or regard

I am here to interpret rules

If it's help you need,
I suggest you talk to the sixth man

I find you despicable

I despise your arrogance!

It is as planned

There is an open seat
at table number one

Grigor
St Christopher

Playing God

Move!

Out of my way, you fool!

Come on

Come on You cannot leave us

There's a better way to die
Come on

All you need is a five,
and you have him

Then it's between you and Deuca

- A three and a two
- Good!

Now it's the two of you

She's been giving you good advice

It's obvious it's you
she wants to face and not me

Are you so certain?

You're so predictable
I sometimes lose interest

That's not good

Run away from her, Redstone

Let her make the mistake

I get impatient I can't stand
waiting around I said I didn't like games

Why do you play?

Education

- Four and a one
- Good! You got her

- Dead
- He's all yours, Ambrosia

So come, everybody
Put up the dead man

You only made one tactical error.

You killed her in your own sector

No one can protect you now

All I need is a one, and I win

One is my lucky number

Double one.
That's what I call overkill.

I got killed with one throw
That's very impressive

Being sixth man is an advantage
It's also boring

I just start to get excited,
and it's all over

- Do you live near here?
- Yes

In this sector?

In this hotel
Room next to yours

How do you know
what room I'm in?

Deuca told me

Deuca
Tell me about Deuca

I know her

You know a lot

And you are very curious

Do you know a man
named Francha?

- Is he a Quintet player?
- Yes

I know a man named Francha
He lives in another sector

He comes to the casino quite often

- He's a very good player
- He was

Are you telling me he's dead?

No, I'm telling you he was killed

Good night, Redstone

Don't forget to bolt your door

Who is it?

- Who's in my room?
- It's all right. It's Goldstar.

What are you doing here?
What are you doing here?

It's cold.
Do you have a blanket?

Nothing?
Nothing for me?

Nothing tonight.
I don't feel like drinking.

That was a very-

Now you're misreading my expression.

Everybody knows
there are no locks in the hotel.

No locks, but tight security.

Obviously not as tight as you thought.

I waited half an hour before I could
slip by without Deuca seeing me

I couldn't chance that

I hope you have
as much luck leaving

Now, you say that,
but you don't mean it

You're like all the rest

St Christopher- he's the worst

- He humiliated me tonight
- Is that possible?

He came to the casino with Grigor.

I was playing there

He came right in
the same room with me

Of course, Grigor was there to protect him,
which, of course, he's not supposed to do

Get off my bed and tell me
what you're doing here so late

St Christopher

I'm going to enjoy killing him

Saint, indeed!

He thinks he can charm Grigor

Well, Grigor can't protect him for long

- Why are you coming to me?
- To ask you outright

Is there a plot against me?

If there is, you would know,
and I protest it

It is not legal

I asked you to get off my bed

I don't trust Grigor

And I know St Christopher

Now, tell me
I know it's true

There's no plot
that I know of, Goldstar.

And if there is,
I have nothing to do with it.

Don't be too sure
Don't you be too sure

Your day will come

and before long

we may be facing one another again
under different circumstances

I've wasted my time coming here

Well, you may put the word out
that I know what's going on

You may tell St Christopher

that I'm after him

And don't be too sure
you won't be far behind

Who is it?

- It's Redstone
- I'm not open yet.

- Well, can you let me in anyway?
- No.

Hello!

I'm looking for someone
who lives at the hotel

- Who?
- St Christopher

He doesn't live in the hotel

He doesn't?
You know him then?

He runs a charity house
in the fourth sector

Thank you

Help me

Solace!

Solace!

Solace!

Solace!

Solace!

Solace!

Solace!

The geometric shape
of the universe

reflects the scheme of life

You've been taught
that they are the same

You've been taught that the universe
is bounded by five sides

and that life has but five stages

Primum-
the pain of birth

Secundum-
the labor of maturing

Tercium-

the guilt of living

Quartum-

the terror of aging

Quintum-

the finality of death

But this is not complete

for five sides
demand a sixth space

a center

and that is what you have
to look forward to

What is the sixth space?

It's empty

It's blackness

Void!

In other ages

equally ignorant

it was said an eternal fire
would follow death

But I tell you-

I tell you...

there is no fire

I tell you,
fire is not enough punishment

No
No, my sons!

The emptiness I'm speaking of

is the total horror of madness

the awareness of nothing

So, your wretched lives, in fact

are supremely happy

It is your reward

You must cherish your tortured life

because it is a pause,
an interruption of the void

preceding and following it

Don't fight.
Don't struggle.

Accept

When you think
of the number five

remember it is six

And if you look for an answer,
look far beyond what facts you have...

and add yet one more-

the unknown

Because only when you
consider the unknown

you have a hope, a chance

to solve

the dilemma

Redstone!

You're far away from the hotel

Well, so are you

I used to live in this sector

I sometimes come here to remember

Is that helpful- to remember?

- Sometimes one can't avoid it
- Who's St Christopher?

I'm sorry
Did you hear me?

- I don't know him
- Oh, really?

I said I don't know him
I know who he is

I know he plays Quintet
at the casino

Oh, this is nice

You know, there are people
who say he's the best player alive

The man in your room last night said
he was gonna kill St Christopher

- Are you spying on me?
- No, you woke me up

He said he was gonna
kill St Christopher

That man is a very bad sport

Quite paranoid

but harmless

Poor Goldstar is a bad loser

He has a passion for the game, but he'll
never be anything but a mediocre player

The only way he can save face

is to accuse someone
like St Christopher of cheating

Very cowardly.

He seemed very convincing

Tell me-

Do I misunderstand the word "killing"?

Not if you understand Quintet

Do you want to come in?
I keep a bottle

All right

Please sit down

That's the man who was
in your room last night

I can never get used to
this mindless killing

Mindless? It's ritual.

It's a ritual killing

And they wanted you to see it.

Or me

There's a list

His name was on it-
"Goldstar"

My brother's name was on the list.

They bombed his apartment.

But there were others killed

One of them was just a

girl who-

I saw the man who bombed it,
and I chased him

When I caught up with him,
somebody had slit his throat

There is a list, and anyone
on it is marked, like he is

You must be wrong-

trying to find a meaning
where there is none

Death is arbitrary

At least, that has always
been the main complaint

Your name is on the list too

Let's not think about it

Maybe it's better this way

To try to prolong life is pointless

In a few years, maybe months

all dying will be done

I don't want to be alone

I can't!

W- Would you sleep here
in my bed with me?

Mmm

Things have gotten so bad

It didn't used to be like this

I never think of the past
It's gone, but-

Maybe it's the closeness
of another person

You make me think of life

You remind me
of what we have lost

Something wrong?

It's not common
to see people smile

I had a dream

I- I dreamed about my mother

We were together on a train

I was ahead of her

and I- I turned around
and I saw her walk up the aisle

She was younger
than I am now

Very pretty

She wore a green hat

We didn't speak
We just smiled at each other

It was not at all sad

It was
immensely pleasurable

When I woke up,
I had a smile on my face

I put up my hand,
and I could- I could feel it

Do you dream about the past
very often?

I never thought of it-
whether I dream of it often or not

Memory is unreliable

I can't relate to my past
So much has changed

I would like to see
my past clearly

but I- I can't
trust my memory

I think memory
is the only thing you can trust

Do you still have hope?

Like a child

- Just a minute
- What do you want?

- I'm looking for St Christopher
- Come in

What do you want?

- Does this list belong to you?
- Yes

- Where did you get it?
- I found it

Then it doesn't belong to you
Did you steal it?

I have it That's enough
Your name is here

- It is of no interest to me
- It should be

- Goldstar
- Yes I know the name

Dead Murdered Francha

- I know the names
- Dead Murdered

Are there other lists?

Has it occurred to you
that what you're doing is disruptive?

You'll never understand the scheme
until you're part of the scheme

Are you telling me I will be?

Yes

At the exact moment
where it will be too late

Redstone?

What a surprise to see you here

You lead a very active life, hmm?

Tell me, is St Christopher
as good a player as they say he is?

- He is good, but too serious
- And not very talkative

Talk? Oh, if it is talk you want,
come with me, Redstone

I know a place
We can have drinks and talk about life

Only thing I've seen is death
or the prospect of it

But that's what
makes life worthwhile

Every time you cheat death

you feel the pure thrill of life

And that is what my job is

That is why I'm so content
in this frozen world

Tell me, exactly what is your job?

To keep the game alive

The game is all that's important

The only intelligent expression left
is the game of Quintet

All the elements of life
are contained in it

Our art, our philosophy

All things of value fit the game

The game is the only thing of value

Come, come

Do I disturb you?

As a matter of fact, you do

The door wasn't bolted

It's collection time
I've come for the money

And you're very prompt

Did you think I wouldn't pay?

Redstone didn't
I was just in his room

He's gone,
and I don't expect him back

He didn't sleep in his bed last night

He slept here with me

That's not possible

You have such a perverse
sense of humor.

So do you

You weren't exactly discreet

in presenting
your victory over Goldstar.

That's so lovely

You must be proud
to have such a treasure

Promise me you'll leave it to me

Isn't that very presumptuous...

with St Christopher still present?

You're a dreamer, Deuca.

He's no Goldstar.

- St Christopher doesn't frighten me
- He should.

And Redstone will be back

I'll get another bottle, Redstone

Booza

Redstone

- Scheme Order
- Scheme?

What is the scheme?
Disrupting the order

Excuse me
I don't understand

To understand the scheme

you have to be part of it

- Part of it?
- Uh-huh

- You're not making any sense
- You're part of it See, the list

Is the list part of the scheme?

- Are you all right?
- Do other people have the list?

But I don't understand you
What are you talking about?

No Think of five
Hmm?

- Yes
- It's six

Are you all right?

Consider the unknown

- The goose
- The goose?

The goose

Does he know where he's going

or does he just fly
into the unknown?

With all due respect, Redstone,
I don't understand what you're talking about

Oh, maybe you had too much booza

What a coincidence

and what a surprise.

Look.

A surprise, but not a coincidence

Nah, maybe it's
the other way around.

He is here to help people, see.

His work brings him here.

Does your work bring you here? Hmm?

You're drunk, Redstone.

I brought you here
Don't you remember?

Yeah, I-

Yeah-

St Christopher

Redstone is drunk

He is in need.
You must help him home.

I must help him home?
You can't be serious

Are you not St Christopher,
protector of the needy?

He's helpless
He needs protection

He certainly
looks helpless, but he's not Redstone.

Don't anticipate my ruling

Remember, he lives in the hotel
Room number-

I know what room he lives in

Oh, don't be so serious,
St Christopher

Does not Deuca live

in the Hotel Electra also?

Come up

Come Let's go

Deuca!

Deuca!

Be seated, please

You may begin

I am the winner of the front game...

and I'm prepared to meet the sixth man.

Are you prepared?

I am prepared

But the front game is not played out yet
Redstone is still alive

Redstone is dead
I killed him

Where's the proof?

An impostor is carrying his markers.

Are you suggesting
I kill him as well?

If you are to meet me

It would be a digression

How do we know he won't kill you?

He won't Killing the impostor
is a mere formality

I think you're afraid to face me

I'm afraid of nothing here

The unknown at least holds hope

Hope?

Hope is an obsolete word

I demand a judgment

The impostor

Even though he has not
chosen to play the game

he is in it

It is like life

None of us are in it by choice

The man who carries Redstone's markers
is Redstone.

His life is not important
outside the game

So be it

You look so sad, Ambrosia

On the contrary, Grigor

I am supremely content

I know how the game will end.

How?

You'll see

Redstone! Wait!

Wait!

- Where are you going?
- To my brother's house

- What for?
- To look for something.

There's something
I have to understand

Understand?
Is that important now?

St. Christopher will kill you
if he sees you.

If he'd wanted to try to kill me,
he would've done it last night

He had the perfect chance

Last night is not today

Redstone!

My name is Essex

That was yesterday

Today you are Redstone

Are you prepared?

Death doesn't wait

We already had four

Remember?

You're number five!

Primum! Remember?

It was Francha! Butchered!

Secundum-

death of a coward!

Tercium-
the stupid one!

Ah, quartum,
that was Deuca!

Oh, Deuca
was an artistic death

But yours?

What game
are you going to play...

you hunter of seals,
huh?

Have you found
what you're looking for?

Yes, I have

Did you meet St Christopher?

He's dead

And now do you understand?

You mean, the game?

Can I see
what you have found?

Grigor!

You shouldn't have brought her here

Take that body out of here

It's proof

I won
What's the prize?

Prize?

Winning?

Being alive- that is the only prize

You play for the thrill of it.

It is life itself.

It is feeling the heat
of the adrenaline

rushing through your body

Life can only be felt
when death is near.

That is what
the game of Quintet is-

those who play fight for their lives

And that is what you have learned
Is it not?

Tell me about that- the heat of adrenaline
rushing through your body

That should do it for you.

The smell of death- that's about
as close as you ever get to it

Someone has to be the adjudicator

Someone has to be the judge

It is my humble job

"Humble"?

I'm not sure you're even human

Why are you going?

There is nowhere else to go.

There is nothing more to be gained.

There is nothing more to be learned

So searching is pointless.

It is like spending the game in limbo...

throwing an infinite combination of sixes

You could be the greatest player of all

New tournaments
are starting right now!

Pity

Where are you going?

- North
- North?

There is nothing there.

You won't last a day and a half

You'll freeze to death

You may know that
I don't