Zmiennicy (1986–…): Season 1, Episode 11 - Antycypacja - full transcript

ALTERNATES

One life's not enough to handle
the abundance of the burden.

Episode XI
ANTICIPATION

Who'll replace you for a while?

Lessen daily problems file?

A trustworthy alternate,
him and you, hand in hand.

World's spinning, time's flowing,
life's passing.

And the voice that keeps repeating:
Radio Taxi, please hold on.

We shall wait, we'll hang on,
we shall get to where we're told.

Frankly speaking,
everything's got its price.

If you're not equal to a task,
your alternate's the one to ask.



The right man that takes things easy
though spare part's often missing.

Dear faithful alternate's like
a spare wheel when you need it.

We know well those bends and junctions
we respect our memories.

Radio Taxi, hold the line.

We will do with understanding
being also understood.

Our life's being reeled,
spinning like fast like a car's wheel.

Speed it up and scud along
your alternate'll keep the pace.

Spinning round the serpentines,
moving on or underground.

Radio Taxi please hold on.
We shall wait.

There has to be something... There
has to be something round the bend.

Free or finishing
come in.

13 13 here.
Good morning.

Go to the Link Sport Club.
Do you know the address?

Yes. I got you.
Thank you.



You once drove my sister's
son and his friend.

Maybe. I don't remember
all my passengers.

You were chasing
a train.

My employers know
I've been called here.

My sister's son's a student now
he's being dragged to court.

If you don't help him he's
going to be sentenced.

His life will be wasted and there
will be nothing in it for you.

What is it?

It's nothing.

Say my nephew betted his friend
they'd catch the train.

You know. Just young
guys fooling around.

That's all it was.

- This isn't a game.
- And the drugs?

That was just fooling around.
This is 10 000 dollars.

Half now and half
after you testify.

This money will set you up
for the rest of your life.

You can buy an
apartment, a new car.

This doesn't oblige
you in any way.

If you change your mind then
too bad. I'll accept it.

Then both sides
will lose.

Now I'm thinking what
to do with this.

Such a sum would
completely change my life.

But I heard about a man who
lost $2000 playing poker.

He was released of his debt.
And what happened a year later?

He was caught trying to smuggle
jet designs out of his office.

Now he's in jail and the other guy,
a diplomat, was sent home.

But I won't steal
their Fiat designs.

But all you r life you'll be
waiting for it to be collected.

I'm supposed to give them
all this money back?

Go to the cops? We have nothing
on them. It's a waste of time.

Then you worry about it.

Do with it what you want.

Good. I will.

Now only those who have
the rest have to worry.

And if they had
good intentions?

If it really was
just fooling around...

He lost his and his
sister's meat rations.

You wrote it in 78, then
there were no rations.

Let's say
I anticipated it.

The rations will add to
the dramatic effect.

This will take well
over a month.

This is just the
first chapter.

The rest I have to copy
it from the script.

For that I need
some time off.

Can I take two
months off?

I'll arrange it with
the company doctor.

The film might overtake us.

Barewicz is finishing shooting.

They don't even have
the first chapter.

I got this out of Oborniak's
parents as a down payment.

Lusia, listen.

Because of some foolish joke
he lost his sister's meat rations.

But there were
no rations then.

He anticipated them.

He was ahead of his time.

We've got a best seller.
Lusia! It's a hit!

Maybe an aspirin?

It's been raining for a week
and they tore my roof off.

Don't worry. I heard it's
going to be sunny soon.

When is soon?

Never mind my health.

I just passed up
a huge sum of money.

A new deal?

Something like that.

It's a bit illegal but
absolutely safe.

My fiance ruined
everything right away.

On one hand it's good that
she's so honest, I hate liars,

but she doesn't realize
how this affected her.

You wanted to
give her a cut?

I wanted to buy a flat.

If we had a flat we'd get married.
Then why are you so happy?

I want to ask you something but
I don't know where to start.

Start from the end.

I want you to testify in
court that I'm an alcoholic.

Sure.

I drink all the time
and beat my wife.

It's important.

I have to divorce
my wife.

She needs an intelligent witness
but she doesn't know anyone.

- Are things so bad between you?
- No, everything's great.

But the problem is
that we had twins.

And you're fed up with all
the feeding, washing, crying.

No. We love each other.
Everything's great.

The boys are 4 years old.
They clean up after themselves.

What's the problem?

I don't have enough money.

They can't go to pre-school 'cause they
don't meet the social requirements.

We can't afford a nanny.
After divorce we'd be better off.

I see. A single mother
left by her alcoholic husband.

There are only good sides.
The pre-school's guaranteed.

How can I say that about you?
An alcoholic taxi driver.

If you were a truck driver

or a tractor driver.

Say you're living with her
and she can't do without you.

You love each other, I beat you
and turn the kids against you.

That'll be difficult 'cause
I have a girlfriend.

Then tell her
this is a lie.

I'll talk with my partner.

He won't mind.
You can trust him.

Alright.

- I have a girlfriend. You know.
- Is she jealous?

That too.

Explain things to her.
She must trust you a little.

She trusts me completely, but
you know what women are like.

They always get things mixed up
and then it turns against you.

You'll just show your papers,

mumble something and that's it.

I can't lie.

Maybe for you it's easy.

My face'll turn red,
I'll start stuttering

and ruin everything.

I can't.

Alright. I have an idea.

Stutter, blush, cry,
faint, it's even better.

Why?

- Jump over to me.
- Second, third, fifth.

First.

Now second.

I can't go anywhere 'cause
I don't have a conveyer belt.

Unfortunately I also don't
possess an extra conveyer belt.

- I'll get you one.
- No. You have a Polish one.

I have a Pirelli belt at home
but I don't know how to get it.

I have to go by your apartment
so I can get it for you.

Thanks a lot. Here are
the keys to my apartment.

Have a nice drive.

Why are you talking like
a bunch of idiots?

Maniek, hurry up.

Your partner will
be here soon.

- What if the kids come earlier?
- They're at their mother's.

Till three thirty.

Hurry up.

What's with you?

I've heard such talk about you
and you're acting like a virgin.

You believe that gossip?

Shoes.

What do I see?
Miss Jolanta Parzydlakowa.

With my partner
Marian Koniuszko.

Irka, Maslaczek,
come here.

I come for a conveyer belt for
my friend Stefan Parzydlak

and I find his wife
in bed with my partner.

What's this
world coming to?

A colleague with
a colleague's wife...

This smells
like divorce.

It's good the kids
didn't see this.

I can sense such things.
I noticed something right away.

That's brunettes for you.
You can't keep a hold on them.

Stop. There's
no need for this.

Leave the apartment.

Hit him.

- We don't need witnesses.
- But I have to explain.

Now they're going to be pulling
skeletons out of the closet.

I apologize for the trouble
but the divorce won't work.

A so called truce.

You think I'm afraid
you'll use your freedom.

We're just lucky.
Our next door neighbor

is the principal of
a kindergarten in Zoliborz.

But that's
so far away.

It doesn't matter.
I talked to her.

She agreed to take our kids
and drive them there and back.

What kindness. If it was in the
papers nobody would believe it.

Don't be silly. She'll
be taking them in my cab.

- From Grochow to Zoliborz?
- That'll be 80 km a day.

It will cost
him a lot.

It won't be that bad.
She's thin.

- Plain skinny.
- Alright. She's skinny.

She'll put the kids on her lap
and three seats will be free.

It's driving in
the rush hours.

There are a lot of
suckers out at that time.

What?

I saw him sneaking in
yesterday and the day before.

Thank you.

She's crazy.

Your excellency. There is
an old Polish saying:

Poland and Siam are
like one family.

Your visit is like
a holiday, your excellency.

That won't do.

That one family
bit was good.

Your excellency...

You won't make bread
out of this cake.

Miss Piorecka, you don't
realize the real tragedy.

Siamese culture minister
will be here in an hour.

It's been decided I should
present him with a gift.

I will be standing
in for the director.

China.

We didn't spend too much on it.

Diplomacy forbids
buying valuable gifts.

Anyways in ten thousand years
this shell will be worth a lot.

Well, yes.

Think how much a plain
pot from Babylon costs now.

- But that'll take some time.
- It doesn't matter.

This building doesn't exist.
Jesus Christ.

An international scandal will
take place in 30 minutes.

They're very sensitive to
any changes in the protocol.

Even if we give them a Matejko
instead they'll be offended.

And I was already planning
my trip to Bangkok.

A lame thing like this must
have been made by Pierzchala.

Don't be showing off
your knowledge now.

Don't worry.

Pierzchala always makes two
or three copies of his work.

He has more off this stuff than
a Cepelia before Christmas.

You saved my life.

I'll call there right away.

It's before twelve.

He's probably not up yet.

Mrs. Piorecka.

Jerozolimskie Avenue,
the National Museum.

- We got it.
- See.

I got a taxi. You'll take
it to Zoliborz to Pierzchala.

- No way.
- You'll get 3 days off for it.

A week and
I'm on my way.

Stop.

Good morning.

Go to the museum and say you
came instead of the Radio Taxi.

Thanks.

I don't feel my legs.

I accomplished
the mission.

Like the forth guy from
the three musketeers.

You went on a horse to
London for diamonds?

It felt like it.

I was supposed to get
a vase within an hour.

It had to be delivered on time
to avoid a conflict.

And everything was against me:
red lights, pot holes, detours.

And the taxi I called
left without me.

Another one came,
but it was private.

And we don't honor
their receipts.

So me and my boss had to
split the bill half and half.

At least he's going to Bangkok
but I get nothing out of this.

But that pirate
will be sorry.

What did you do?

The boss wrote to the radio
taxi company and I sent it.

Don't you like it?
It's cabbage soup.

mom, what have you done?

You know who was driving that cab?

It was my friend
Jacek's partner.

If he gets thrown out of work
that's the end of me and Jacek.

The end? Why?
Because of a partner?

You have no idea how
loyal they are.

I was there when Marian was
telling Jacek the story.

His shock absorbent broke so he
asked a friend to help him out.

What have you done?

Marian even asked me to pay
you back for your losses.

He gave me the
money. Here.

How did that Marian
know about me?

When he said it was a woman in
a red coat I knew it was you.

Let's go.

How long do you
want to stand here?

If everything works out
then a little over an hour.

Excuse me for asking
but what are they selling?

Nothing. I'm waiting
for a friend.

I'll wait too.

I'm standing behind you.

Could you give me back a letter
that got here accidentally.

You have to talk
to the addressee.

It's a complaint
about a taxi driver.

If his boss gets this
he'll be out of a job.

But it turned out the driver
was innocent and I feel bad.

That's the driver.

Who was the letter
addressed to?

Warsaw Taxi Company.
The sender is Mr. Kwiatek.

That's me.

Alright.

Let's look for
that letter.

Here it is.

Let me read it.

You saved a life.

Such a woman's life is nothing
to be jealous of either.

- You don't say?
- Oh yes.

She gets up, feeds the kids,
has something to eat.

She has to wash, take
the kids to kindergarten.

Her husband won't help. She
gets up 4 hours before him.

She goes to work.
She's late again.

The personnel manager tells
her she's late again.

- She starts crying.
- She's a sensitive woman.

She gets to work, but she
has to wash before that.

Why?

From the crying?

And she works all day. Tired,
hot 'cause the fan's broken.

Then she has to pick the kids
up. She has to wash again.

Again?

Because she's all sweaty.

The shopping, dinner,

darn the sox,
give her husband dinner.

He won't move
a finger.

After dinner she has to wash
the dishes, dust the carpet...

- After that she has to wash.
- True, after that she does.

But why does she was before
she dusts the carpet?

And she has to be quiet not to
disturb her man watching TV.

The supper, wash the
kids, put them to bed.

Make her husband's bed,
because he won't move a finger.

And finally it's night.
Peace and quiet, but her?

She's darning
the clothes.

Then she has to wash and
then she goes to bed.

But she doesn't get any
rest at night either.

Mine does.

Look how Warsaw
is developing.

Here too.

Thank you.

I have 2000 so
maybe you could...

I'm sorry, I don't
have any change.

- I have 38 zl.
- Exactly?

- I don't have it.
- I'll get change at the kiosk.

He took the 2000.
What if he won't come back?

We still
have his car.

A taxi driver also
has a hard life.

It's starting to rain.
And he has to walk over there.

Hello, "People's
Tribune" please.

Marian.

That's our worst
controller.

Mister, you forgot
your change.

Marian, you forgot
something.

- Good morning.
- Here you are.

Did the guy before me
leave something here?

Oh, young Koniuszko.

He's from another planet.

So young and so distracted.

He forgets everything.

- Where does he live?
- Near here.

Mom, one of the Taxi Company
controllers spotted me.

If he comes asking about
me, I'm not here.

I'm not here.
I might have problems.

Please.

Is Marian here?

If my son didn't pay for the
taxi then I will pay for it.

Just stop bothering him
at home. He's nervous enough.

I have money for him.
This is a misunderstanding.

Marian, come here.

Marian Koniuszko is your son?

And what if he is?

- No one else has that name?
- One Marian is enough.

Alright.
I'll deal with him tomorrow.

Good bye.

Who do you want to see?

Mrs. Oborniakowa?

- Who's asking?
- We're coming in.

- You live here?
- Yes.

But you're registered
somewhere else.

Temporarily. I inherited
a flat. I'm registered there.

That's interesting.

That was three years ago.

It takes time.

My family lives there so
we won't lose the flat.

You have
an Arabian family?

Did I say
my family?

Not my family
but my friends.

Foreign friends.

According to the law a marriage
can't have two flats at once.

That's why we
got divorced.

Our characters were
incompatible.

That's it.

You still use his rations.

I have permission.

I have a friendly
relationship with him.

- Are you surprised?
- We are.

Your husband has been dead
for the past six months.

Don't deny it.
We have proof.

Here is an obituary signed
by the highest authorities.

The late Jan Oborniak...

This smells fishy.

I'll tell you the truth.

The divorce was
fictitious.

My husband is alive.

- Jesus Christ. Do something.
- Wait.

- That's him.
- Yes, it's me.

Let's end
this farce.

Did you hear that?

We have Jan Oborniak's ID.

- Thank you very much.
- One moment, let's look inside.

And you say this is your

ex-ex-husband.

Let's end this farce.

I can shave.

We're not at the barber's.

What do you have here?

What is this?

I was making corrections
before second printing.

Listen Wrzesien.
Did you know the dead writer?

Can you confirm
the identification?

I just clean here.
I don't know anything.

- This is not my duty.
- That will do.

I have a summons for you.

Come to the police station.

I suggest you move.

The book stays.

People have no respect for

the dead or national culture.

I'm Kwiatkowski...

It's easy. I resurrect and
all will return to normal.

That editor, Walicka,
will explain the problem.

Don't cry.

Lusia?

Sir, this man
has to live.

Put yourself in
his situation.

You got me into this
now you worry about it.

I'm going to stay
away from this.

But "Scream of Silence"
is a best seller.

That's the living
writers' problem.

Living writers are more
influential than dead ones.

I really don't know anything.
I haven't heard anything.

He knows and has heard nothing.
There was no conversation.

I got it.

You said a director who wants
to film "Scream of Silence".

What was his name?

Barewicz.

I threw that man out.

In front of witnesses.

I would fee
uncomfortable if...

We'd have to forget about
beating around the bush.

Television?
Give me Mr. Mroczek.

He's alive?

That's a great story.

I'm glad.
Thank you, good bye.

What?
You're up to your tricks?

The viewers will think
this is the Wild West.

- But it's the truth.
- So what?

We're talking about looking
from our perspective.

Give me a story about
a guy with five kids

who moves from the gutter
to a new apartment.

Or about a village that had
no water and now it does.

What?
Water?

Something like that.
You need a different image.

This might be dynamite

but we have to wait
till it dies down.

You want fiction.

Remember that fiction
is a carrier of the truth.

Fiction is a carrier
of the truth.

Our reality doesn't
accept resurrections.

A dead man is
dead forever.

It's easy for you to say
but I'll be sent to prison.

Maybe it won't
be so bad.

They'll take away my rations.

You'll become a vegetarian.

- What about sugar?
- You'll be a diabetic too.

Here's your money.

You bought "People's Tribune"
and you forgot your change.

I never buy
"People's Tribune".

Someone told me you're
a mad man.

I think I like that.

- Don't you feel it a little?
- What?

- You want a lift home?
- No. I have things to do.

13 13 come in.

What is it?

You'll be driving "Grunwald's
Heirs", the movie.

Just hurry because they
have a lot of work.

I'm looking for one of the
Heirs but there's no one here.

The secretary's sun bathing.

She'll be back soon.

Alright.

Is that you?

Our crew went to the
Bialowieska Forrest.

Yesterday Jagiello was frying
sausages on a sword over a fire.

The sword melted
because it was plastic.

The king can't be without
a sword so they need a new one.

A day of shooting costs
a million - work or no work.

I'll get it there in 3 hours.

There's no rush.

Our producer is talking
with an amateur collector.

It sound good.

I like this rapier.

- How much is it?
- Actually it's a sword.

I can see it's not a coat.

I make these for my collection.

I have Batory's sword

and prince Jozef's rapier.

I'm not doing it for money.

How much is it?

I'll just charge
for the materials.

It's for art.

Some six thousand.

We can't buy props
over five thousand.

Our director and accountant
are in Hollywood.

Each prop is taxed by the film
company and costs 200% more.

And if it's lost the
prop-man has to pay for it.

And 6 thousand plus 200%
is 18 thousand.

We don't make as much in the
film business as people think.

Practically all
props get lost.

Too bad.
I'll go then.

One moment, sir.

Sit down.

We can rent this rapier.

It's a sword.

Then we'll give it back.
We'll pay 10% of its value.

That's 600 zl per day.

Let's calculate that...

How long is that...
Jagiello?

- 105 days.
- Let's say it's a hundred.

That would be 600
a day times...

Count it yourself.

Here.

What scum,

but a good person.

Good morning.

I'm from Radio Taxi.

- It's Marian.
- 13 13.

I remember the number, but your
partner must have been driving.

The number is right
and so is the driver.

Lusia, I'm sorry, but it
really had to be that way.

That's incredible.

So this is Marian.

Hello.

What brings
you over here?

Lusia was getting me
a copy of your book.

Is this about
an autograph?

Dead men don't write.

But a critic offended me with
his metaphysical philosophy.

So I'll go for
a small miracle.

- That's not exactly the point.
- It looks like a note book.

- I'll give you my copy.
- Thank you.

I might get another one.

It's not in the stores.

I'm printing the third batch.

That's wonderful.

Finally you won't have
any money problems.

They haven't paid me
for anything yet.

The publisher
considers me dead.

Only my heirs can collect
the royalties.

You're divorced so only your
parents can have it.

It'll take at least a year.
We have nothing to live on.

Without meat rations and
the money from the Arabs.

What happened?
I don't understand.

Explain everything to the lady,
it's to upsetting for me.

I'll open it and
you start talking.

I came to see you, Mr. Oborniak.
I'd like to hang up some flags.

Now you recognize me?
What you did wasn't nice.

I don't know
if I recognize you or not.

I water the lawn.

It's up to the higher
authorities to sign obituaries.

They know what
they're signing.

I inherited a flat
from my grandfather.

I had to get divorced otherwise
they'd take one flat away.

We got divorced, he died...
I think he died.

I don't get my meat rations,
the apartment is lost.

I couldn't support my family.
I rented the flat to Arabs.

If they take away the flat he's
registered in I'll be homeless.

I can't live with
the Arabs.

If I throw them out
I won't have any money.

Good bye.

For Maciek?

Who's Maciek?

My twin brother.

He ran away to Australia
three years ago.

I know where the story
"Guy in the Mirror" came from.

There were twin
brothers in it.

We looked very alike.

Once Maciek pretended
on TV that he's me.

Now I'm not even angry
at him about that.

You must have
been identical.

We were.

You had no idea what
a great story that was.

Here's his ID.

He looks just like you.
That's incredible.

Now your brother has
to pay you back.

That's the only way you
can be resurrected.

What?

Don't you read the papers?

- No.
- There was an amnesty.

Maybe they won't
do anything to me.

Take your ID and say you've
been in hiding for three years.

They'll give you the rations
and you can get on with life.

That makes sense.

If I have no choice I change
my costume and all works out.

What about the
apartment and me?

Make you brother
your heir.

But only if your
brother marries me.

I'll write a book
about this one day.

It's life.

I'll title it
"A Year in the Grave".

There was something
with that title.

No one would believe it
and the title's bad.

You're wrong.

And anyway lies are
the carriers of truth.

You can change the title.

Your brother'll have the rights.

- I owe you one.
- But this'll take at least a year.

Three years
knowing our system.

All you other works were
written by your brother too.

Those writers
sure are liars.

Lies are carriers
of the truth.

Let's remember that.
Keep up the good work.