Shtisel (2013–…): Season 2, Episode 10 - The Tragic Symphony - full transcript

Mother, it's me, Shulem.

PREVIOUSLY ON

-Do you know him?
-It's Shulem, Mother.

Shulem, who has been taking care of you
your entire life.

The man at the hospital was Nuchem

who has been in Belgium for 15 years
and doesn't care about you at all.

-Congratulations.
-Thank you, Aliza.

-Who is that?
-The secretary.

I suggest you replace her.

Menukha, I realized we're not right
for each other. We shouldn't get married.

Mother is gone.



No, no, no. Shulem, stop.
We're not kids anymore.

-I may be going to New York soon.
-I didn't know this was what you wanted.

So focused on art...

-Libbi wants to get engaged to you.
-She does?

We have some distinct conditions.

No more painting, ever.

Next month I'm opening a travel agency
here in Jerusalem,

I want you to run the business.

Hello, Kaufman.
I don't want to show my paintings.

Mazel tov to the young couple.
Mazel tov, Mazel tov, Mazel tov.

Abot Hameiri Barkai Productions

Talisma Productions

Created by
Yehonatan Indursky and Ori Elon

Dov Glickman



Michael Aloni

Sasson Gabay

Neta Riskin

Zohar Strauss

Shira Haas

Hadas Yaron

Casting
Hila Yuval

Executive Producers
Eitan Abot and Guy Hameiri

Line Producers
Isca Gur-Luzon and Aviv Ben Shlush

Art Director
Shimri Gal Novak

Music
Avi Belleli

Cinematography
Roey Roth

Editor
Eti Li-On Zingman

Screenplay Editor
Sayed Kashua

Screenplay
Ori Elon and Yehonatan Indursky

Executive Producer and Editor
Dikla Barkai

Director
Alon Zingman

SHTISEL

NUCHEM TOURS

You sit here.

People walk in, your job is simple.
What is your job?

To be nice to the people
and sell them airplane tickets.

No need to be nice to anyone.
Those damn evil people.

-Then what's my job?
-You have to identify the person.

-Identify.
-Exactly.

Get what he's about in seconds.

How much money he has,
how much he's willing to spend

and based on that
you give him an offer.

If it's some nobody who wants
to collect donations in London,

you give him the cheapest flight.

But if he's wealthy,
he'll want the expensive package

-and that's what you give him.
-Sounds easy.

-You know how to use the software?
-Yes, it's not complicated.

So, you know how to book flights,
make cancellations?

-Not yet, but--
-You'll do fine.

I've always wanted to do this,
but I needed someone I could trust.

-Don't worry.
-Yes.

There are not many people
you can trust,

that's why I installed these.

-Cameras?
-Exactly.

Look at this.

Wave.

-They're fine quality cameras.
-HD. Nowadays everything's HD.

-You know what HD means?
-Damned evil people?

-Damned evil people? I said HD.
-I'm joking.

Highly Dumb, HD.

Excuse me. Yes.

I've got to run, take care.

Now you're calling?

Hershi.

Damn evil anti-Semites.

-You know that.
-What about El Al?

A month is too much.
You need it now, you hear me?

Damn evil people.

Blessed are You, God,
Who brings forth bread from the earth.

-Rabbi Shulem.
-Oh, good morning.

I have here the righteous woman
who worked here before me.

Who?

-Aliza.
-It's Aliza? Could be.

How are you?

-Should I let her in?
-Don't you dare.

You see what I have to deal with
since you've left?

You have crumbs in your beard.

More to the right.

-Gone.
-Praise God.

-May that be my only problem.
-Amen.

-I'm here to ask for a favor.
-Sure. I'll do anything I can, Aliza.

I'm considering a new job.
I need a recommendation.

-A recommendation from me?
-Yes, if it's okay.

Of course. I'll give you
all the recommendations in the world.

-I only need one.
-No problem.

But as you can see,
I have lots of work to do.

The shiva ended yesterday and...

-I'll have it ready for you tomorrow.
-Thank you.

How do you feel?

It's not easy.

People think an orphan is a child
whose mother died...

but what can I say, Aliza...

I feel like an orphan.

I understand.

Do you remember when my mother died?

I couldn't stop thinking about her.
I was sad.

I was so blue.

-What?
-I was depressed.

Oh... "blue", yes.

I bought a Walkman,
I'd listen to the Gashash Trio.

-It was the only thing that made me laugh.
-Oh, yeah?

Those guys that...

Good for you.

Well, Aliza, I'll get on with my work,
I'll have that letter for you tomorrow.

Thank you, Shulem.

That's a bad idea.

They have to be watered.

-Yes, water, not soda.
-Oh, right...

I usually use water,
but it's been so chaotic today.

-Yes...
-Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Good luck.

-Hassidic music is on that stand.
-That's not what I want.

Can I help you?

Do you have tapes of the Gashash Trio?

We have CDs of the Trio.

I need the Gashash Trio,
not just any trio.

Same difference.

Here's all their CDs.

Do you sell tape recorders
to play these disks too?

I bet it's him again.
Are you going to answer?

Could you?

Okay.

-Hello.
-Is this the Shtisel residence?

Yes, who--

This is Izzy Kaufman,
can I speak to Akiva?

-He's not here.
-Who am I speaking to?

His sister.

When will he be back?

I don't know.

Tell him to call Kaufman,
it's extremely urgent, okay?

-I will. Good day.
-Thank you, bye.

Why don't you talk to him
and get it over with?

What for?

We made a decision, it's done.

-All right.
-Yes.

-I had a nice idea.
-What?

Maybe you can draw something
on our invitations.

-Draw?
-A nice picture,

on the back of the invitations.

Interesting thought.

What should I draw?

Maybe a little house?

-A faithful home in Israel.
-Exactly.

I like that.

But, Libbi...

you said you wanted me
to stop painting, forever.

No, I don't want you to stop.

It's just...

the life of an artist,
that's what scares me, but...

painting here and there is nice.

I can't use acrylics
if I'm not in the mood.

Besides, I've been doing this
for 30 years,

no one ever said I'm dragging my feet.

Shame on you!

Mister, you misunderstand...

-Yes?
-Shulem, how are you?

Praise God, and you?

I'm downstairs. Can I come up?
I have some treats for you.

-Treats? I'm in bed, Nuchem.
-I'm coming up.

-Where did you get Bubaleh at this hour?
-It's never too late for Bubaleh.

Real Bubaleh, like the Hungarians make it.

Blessed are You, God,
at Whose word all came to be.

Blessed are You, God,
at Whose word all came to be.

-How can I help you?
-Help me?

Who said I need help?

A Jew thinks to bring you Bubaleh
and you think he wants something?

Spit it out.

Okay.

Truth is... I need a small favor.

Well?

I need you to take out a loan for me.

You need a loan?

You could lend money
to half of Meah Shearim.

-Yes, praise God.
-Yes, praise God.

The thing is...

I made a mistake, red tape, forms...
Never mind.

I can't transfer funds for 2 months.
I need a loan for just a month or two.

How much?

Hundred thousand.

-Hundred thousand dollars?
-Shekels.

Shekels, I see.

Weintraub lends that kind of money
if you have guarantors.

I can't approach him

because of some nonsense
that happened in the past.

-What should I say the money is for?
-Do you lack reasons?

You're marrying off your son,
you have 6 mortgages...

Isn't that enough?

It's not that easy, Nuchem.

I can be your guarantor if you want.

But I'm good for it.
It's only for a month.

You know what?

I'll do it.

-You will?
-Yes.

But I need you to sign something for me.

Don't you trust me?

Fine, I'll sign whatever you want.

-Okay, then.
-No,

I want you to read it before you sign.

Out loud.

"I, the undersigned,
Nuchem son of Velvale Shtisel,

hereby declare that
for the 15 years I lived abroad

I neglected my dearly departed mother."

What's this?

"And I never visited her

despite her requests
and longing, etcetera, etcetera.

This is my signature."

Why do you want me
to sign this nonsense?

Because this nonsense is the truth.

I won't sign.

Then don't.

Fine, I'll manage.

Take care, good night.

Good night and good luck.

-You're not married?
-No. I'm not.

-And what do you do for a living?
-I'm a dance doctor.

-A what doctor? I see...
-A dance doctor.

-You cure dancers?
-I teach dancers.

-You teach.
-I teach.

-Good morning.
-Indeed.

-What are you listening to?
-Pure nonsense.

Seems you find that nonsense funny.

Funny, I wouldn't say that.

Well, I'm off to the synagogue.
Enjoy your breakfast.

Looks like that bride of yours
does you good.

Who would have thought
you'd be up before nine?

-Take care.
-Take care.

NUCHEM TOURS
WE MOVE CONTINENTS FOR YOU

Nuchem Tours,
we move continents for you.

-Kive, how are you?
-How did you get this number?

How's work?
Is my brother treating you all right?

Yes, but it's just that...

-he's installed cameras...
-Very nice, Kive.

Listen, that guy from the gallery,

-Koifman.
-Kaufman.

Kaufman, Koifman, whatever.
He's been trying to get a hold of you.

He even called my office.
Why are you avoiding him?

-You screwed up, deal with it.
-I screwed up?

He said you disappeared.

And that you were planning a trip
to America.

-I didn't know that.
-Why'd you take his calls?

How was I supposed to know it's him?
I don't have a secretary.

-Where's Farshlufen?
-He didn't come in today.

I guess he stayed in bed
instead of sleeping here.

-Anyways, what should I tell him?
-Is he on the line?

No, but I'm sure he'll call again soon.

Tell him he doesn't represent me anymore.

Fine, fine, that's what I'll say.

-Good. Take care.
-Take care.

Thank you. I want light green.

Get me some milk. Thank you.

Olives too.

-Olives?
-Yes.

-What color?
-Olive green.

Come in.

Aliza.

I see you're in a good mood.

I was reading this document.
The Ministry of Education, I swear...

-if it wasn't so sad, it would be funny.
-I'm here for my recommendation.

Please sit down.

Actually, I'm in a rush.

Just for a minute.

Okay.

Truth is, Aliza,
I didn't write the letter.

That's okay, I'll wait.

-It has to be a brief letter, anyway.
-No, you don't need a recommendation.

-What?
-I want you to come back to work.

But you said you had to cut back.
That there's no money.

There's money for the important stuff.

-I even got you a raise.
-A raise?

I don't know, Shulem,
you already found someone.

Forget him...

he's not even here.
Besides, you saw him. No big find.

-Then why did you fire me?
-I didn't fire you.

There was a problem with the woman
I almost married.

She didn't want me to have
a female secretary.

-Wait, you're not getting married?
-No, it's over, praise God.

Blessed be the Rescuer and Redeemer.

You mean you fired me because of her?

She pressured me, but thank God,
she's out of my life.

-But, I'm a married woman.
-Exactly.

I told her Aliza has been here
for over 15 years!

She's our rock!

I'm sorry you cancelled the wedding,

-but I guess it's for the best.
-It is.

So, you can come back to work tomorrow.
See Goldman about the pay.

Great.

I'd... like that.

-See you tomorrow morning.
-Very good.

I'll tell that genius
to look for another job.

-Goodbye, Shulem.
-Take care.

-I know we said four, but I couldn't wait.
-I'm glad you're here.

I'm not very busy, as it is.
I haven't had one client all day.

The ads will appear in the paper
this weekend.

My dad says that next week
you'll be very busy.

Yes, "Nuchem Tours,
we move continents for you."

Who are you hiding from?

-Oh, the cameras?
-Yes.

Wave hello to your dad.

-He installed cameras.
-Yes. HD cameras.

-Don't you mind?
-A little.

Which is why I built a wall.

But your father says
it's for security purposes.

No, he's just bored,
so he watches his employees.

He did it in Belgium too.

-Hello?
-Dad, how are you?

Thank God. Where are you, sweetie?

-I'm visiting Kive at the office.
-Well, how do like it?

It's very nice,

-but why the cameras?
-What cameras?

-The security cameras.
-Oh, that.

-Don't you trust Kive?
-Cut it out, sweetie,

I have better things to do
than spy on your groom.

I got them for free from the guy
who installed the alarm.

Then turn them on when
the office closes.

Of course. I just forgot
to turn them off this morning.

-I'll do it, where's the panel?
-Behind the door. Press "off".

Tomorrow I'll show Kive
how to turn them on when he leaves.

-Okay, Dad, thanks.
-Bye, sweetie.

You shouldn't have,
it's not that big a deal.

To me it is.

Okay. Thank you, Libbi.

-So, what's the surprise?
-A surprise is a surprise.

You'll find out soon.

-Are you all right?
-Yes.

Want to skate?

Sure.

Then let go, slowly.
Put one foot before the other.

Okay.

And... Oops!

-Okay.
-I got it.

-Oh, no.
-I'm fine.

-There.
-Okay.

-Like this?
-Straighten up.

Oh, no.

-There.
-Okay.

-Good, good.
-I'm doing it.

Okay. Stretch your arms.

Nice.

But keep... You okay?

-You know what's funny?
-What?

That my name won't change
after the wedding.

That's right.

If we weren't religious,
you could be Libbi Shtisel-Shtisel.

No, I prefer Libbi Shtisel-Shtisel.

Absolutely.

Shtisel! Shtisel!

I've been so worried about you.

-I'm fine, thank God.
-Where have you been?

Look, Kaufman, I told you...

I need some peace and quiet.

That's fine,
but you can't disappear on me.

And two weeks before the exhibition...

I told you, do what you want
with my paintings.

What good are the paintings
without the artist?

It's an exhibition, I have expenses.
Advertising, PR.

You got money last month,
you'll get money next month.

-What?
-You're right, what can I say?

But I've made up my mind.

No, it doesn't work that way.
You made a commitment.

-I don't remember signing an agreement.
-You didn't, but we agreed.

You got money, a studio,
you can't just walk away.

I'm sorry.

Shtisel, I'll sue you, I swear.

Rabbi Asher, thank you for coming
all the way to Jerusalem.

Of course.

-I would travel further than this for you.
-Indeed. Please sit down.

I'm sorry you had to come all this way,
but we opened an office in Jerusalem

and I can't leave town.

-I'm honored to come here.
-Good.

Here's the thing.

This is still the 30 day mourning period
over my mother.

-Yes.
-I was contemplating

as to what should be done
to honor her memory,

and I've decided, the best thing
would be to donate a Torah scroll.

That's wonderful. It's a great honor.

When do you think it will be ready?

We'll start writing it now,
but it will take some time.

I spoke to a great scribe
here in Jerusalem.

It will be ready
on the first anniversary of her death.

That's not too long from now.

-Everything will be ready by then.
-God willing.

There's just one little thing.

I would like you to announce it now
in all the religious papers.

-One year in advance?
-No, no, you misunderstand me.

I mean a nice, big ad

in which the Yeshiva thanks the honored,
righteous, benevolent Nuchem Shtisel,

owner of Nuchem Travel Agency,
for his support of the Yeshiva, etc...

I would like it to appear this Friday.

Our secretary will contact you
and make the arrangements.

Thank you so very, very much.

-I'll show those damn evil people.
-Who?

The Gentiles, Rabbi Asher, the Gentiles.

-Indeed.
-Indeed.

The Gentiles and all haters of Israel,
amen.

It's beautiful.

It is?

Maybe we'll find a house like that.

-I've seen one just like it.
-Really?

Near the fields,
on the hill around the corner.

Of course.

It made me happy...

drawing again.

-It did?
-Yes.

I miss my pad and pencils,
the smell of charcoal.

Charcoal has a smell?

Everything has a smell.

Yes.

Hello.

Hello.

-You're Shtisel's cousin.
-That too.

-We're engaged.
-Congratulations.

My grandparents were cousins too.

-I came out fine, in case you're worried.
-I'm not worried.

-May I sit down?
-Sure,

I'll be right with you.

-Would you like some too?
-No, thank you.

It's wheatgrass. It keeps me alive.

Mr. Kaufman, Akiva doesn't know I'm here,

-I'd like to keep it that way.
-Okay.

I want to tell you something.

Kive admires you very much.
He told me a lot about you,

he appreciates everything
you did for him.

I don't need his appreciation.

I know you gave him this opportunity
but you must understand,

-Kive must stop painting.
-What are you talking about?

Just for a few years,

so he can live his life
as he truly wants to.

How can painting interfere with his life?
Where does it say it's forbidden to paint?

-No one is saying it's forbidden.
-Then why are you doing this to him?

You really think I care about
this exhibition?

I care about his talent.

-I want to tell you something.
-Okay.

My father, Kive's uncle,
is an Orthodox man.

He never misses a prayer service,
he studies the Talmud

and he's a business man.

But he also...

loves classical music.

-Me too.
-Yes.

One day a friend gave him a tape
with Mahler's Symphony No. 5.

He had never heard Mahler before.
I was around 7-years-old.

He sat me down
in the middle of the couch,

so we could hear the stereo properly.

Put the tape on, pressed "play",
and sat down next to me.

Since then, he listened to that symphony
whenever he got the chance.

He must have listened to it
a thousand times.

I know it by heart.

It's the "Tragic Symphony", very unique.

Your story is very moving--

-Wait, I haven't finished.
-Forgive me.

One morning I asked him to put the tape on

but he said he didn't have it.

I asked why and he said he erased it.

He erased Mahler's Fifth? Why?

He said, "Sometimes you feel

that something is pulling you in

and a Jew has to know when to stop
before he drowns and can't get out."

He said he recorded a long silence...

over that tape.

A long silence.

-Fine.
-What's fine?

Take care.

Dear 5th and 6th graders,

before you go home today

I would like to remind you
that the big Shabbat Laws quiz

will take place on Sunday.

He who studies Jewish laws every day
will have a place in the world to come.

Thank you.

Hello, Yosefi? Hello.
I'd like to speak to Silva.

-Yes, Silva. Hello, dear man.
-Hello, this is Dr. Lichtig.

Yes, Silva, I'm so sorry,
I can't come today.

I'm renovating. The painters are coming.

Please tell Mia to begin with Swan Lake,
go on to the intermezzo

and maybe, just maybe,
I'll be there for the finale.

Hello, Sir.
I've been waiting for two hours.

I am trying to figure out
why you would be so late.

Goodbye.

-Where are you going, Sir?
-You wrecked my mood...

-Aliza, how are you?
-Fine.

-Why did you stop? It's funny.
-That? I was listening to the radio.

The programs these days.

Next time you listen to the Gashash,
turn off the PA system.

What?

The kids are enjoying it too.

What do you mean?

-The speaker's on.
-Oh, no.

Oy vey.

No harm done.

You're a little late, that's okay.

Get your desk in order.
We'll start tomorrow.

Wait, where are your things?

Shulem...

I discussed this with my husband,

I don't think I should come back.

It's up to you,

but...

I'd appreciate it if you could write
that recommendation.

Of course, I can.

-I'll write it now.
-Thank you.

If I may ask...

what made you change your mind?

I gave it a lot of thought.

One never knows if they're making
the right decision...

but I learned something.

Once you make up your mind...

stick with it.

The worst is doing one thing...

and wanting another.

Indeed.

I don't really understand what you said,
but... indeed.

If that's what you want...

-good luck.
-Thank you.

Say hello to your husband.

Azriel, right?

Yehezkel.

I'll tell him.

Take care.

Take care.

How are you?

I'll sign.

What did you say?

Write whatever you want
and I'll sign.

I don't have to write it again,
I have it right here.

I'll talk to him tonight,
tomorrow you'll get the money.

Wait.

You keep this.