Calamari Union

Dedicated to those

ghosts of Baudelaire

Michaux and Prevert who

still hover on this Earth...

Gentlemen.

I don't want to tire

you or myself-

by going through

the many reasons -

why life is impossible

in this part of the city.

We all know the circumstances

forced on us in our early years:

Crowded homes,

ignorance and hunger.

Not to mention stuffy buses -

with irregular timetables.

There are more hills here -

than anywhere else

in the world!

Loose-running kids and dogs -

make it impossible

to move in the streets.

Like lepers we hide

in the back alleys.

We are humiliated

and spat on -

as if we weren't free members

of a proud nation.

Besides, an evil old woman

kicked me in shin once -

only because I opened my

mouth in the wrong place.

I'm not a dog.

I know that you can also -

respect yourselves slightly,

if necessary.

That is why we are here today:

No more crying -

it's time to leave.

The decision is not easy.

Many of us have strong

emotional ties here.

Many must sacrifice

their childhood -

their memories

and their families.

"The branch of a rotten tree must

seek a healthier trunk. "

We have all heard our

grandparents and our parents -

talk of Eira, a place on

the other side of the city.

The streets are wide and the air

is smooth and fresh there.

That is our destination tonight.

Before we move on to

practical matters -

I want to be certain that

everyone realises -

the dangers and

responsibilities of our journey.

The floor is yours, Frank.

- Thank you, Frank.

I have organised us transport

to the extreme centre of the city.

After that it's every

man for himself.

Some will take the southern,

others the northern route -

some will attempt a break

straight through the lines.

As we are all poor

we shall now share -

the funds our society

has inherited.

The body and blood of Christ...

The body and blood of Christ...

That's it. We'll leave at six.

Frank here.

Hi. Listen, we...

Yes, I did the shopping.

Alright, I'll come right away.

Oh f***!

This sure is different

than back home.

Isn't it, Frank?

Good day.

- Good evening.

A single room. - Welcome.

Your name, please?

Frank Merciless.

Haven't you seen enough already?

I'll check out a couple more.

Let's go or we'll get nowhere.

You can go anywhere

you want.

I don't even count.

I called Sirpa this morning.

We'll eat at five.

I'm not hungry.

I've got a full stomach.

Dammit!

I think I'll split. I'm free!

Freedom...

Good morning, Frank!

Morning.

How about a cup of coffee

before we go on? - All right.

You got any money,

Frank? - No.

Why?

- I need some breakfast.

Morning!

Four years ago, miss...

Hello, Frank. - Hi!

Still here?

The others will have the best bits.

The night is dangerous.

You can stumble into people

and things laying in the street -

and break your leg.

All cats are grey.

The streets lead wherever,

many have lost their way.

Dangers abound,

there is hunger and thirst.

Frank and I decided to

wait for daybreak.

If you don't do something

at once you'll never do it.

Turn yourways now or

you'll be eternally damned.

If you want to reach your goal,

you must heal yourself-

of sickness, poverty,

misery and gloom.

Taste for work is

all that's needed.

Fulfil the daily demands of

wisdom and responsibilities.

What's the time?

Good morning, Frank!

Sleep well?

Why, thanks, Frank.

Daily work would make

life more tolerable.

Work for six days

in a row!

You start, you use your talents

for deducting and analysing.

You must find the fury

for daily action!

What do you say, Frank?

Without love Frank is

but a tinkling bell.

On the other hand,

when you're very young -

you may feel that you

can afford to wait.

That you have years

ahead of you.

All lies!

- Let's take...

Frank, for instance.

He's stupid, ignorant,

can't keep his mouth shut.

His conception of morals

has the finesse -

of a hamburger.

What does he say

about his mother?

Or the Sanitation Service?

That a woman can fall in love

with a toilet seat like him -

is proof of the state of abasement

of the woman of our century!

Who are you talking about?

- Sit down, Frank.

Who are they talking about?

You, Frank.

- Shut up, Frank!

You swine!

OK, Pekka, -

we've heard that

many times before.

Last days -

have been... a bit rough.

I've been a bit mixed up.

I haven't known

which side I'm on.

What? Where?

F***ing a**hole!

I thought he'd take me

straight to Eira.

But he just keeps

driving round the block.

I've got an idea,

if you don't mind.

We'll go to a bank.

I'll get a loan with you

as my security.

We'll buy a bus and drive

through the damn city!

What do you think?

Not bad.

- F***ing bad.

I don't sit in a bus. I'm me!

Who's going to drive?

- I'll drive.

We'll let Frank drive.

This old sh*t won't start.

Hey, Frank!

Let's go to the bank!

A decent bus costs 28,000.

Then we need gas, food and

refreshments - that's 36,500.

But we must have

it right away.

For a new customer without

any securities I really can't...

Just take a look outside.

I see.

I don't know why a man

in my position -

has to come here to beg.

I should get what

I need delivered -

to my home every morning.

If I had a home.

But that doesn't change anything.

I think we'd better go, Frank.

Go tell Frank, Frank.

Let's go, Frank.

Keep out of this, Frank.

We're ready in a minute.

OK, Frank.

I can't walk any longer.

OK, Frank.

I'm thirsty, Frank.

Two ice waters.

Sit down, please.

What do you want?

Leave everything

and come with me.

I've got a good job

and a flat here.

What can you offer?

I'll build a house

by the sea -

on the other side

of the city.

Then I'll go into business -

and build a career.

I can even think

about having kids.

They don't mean a thing.

When will all this happen?

As soon as you tell me

the way to Eira.

That kind of trip costs money.

Money's not a problem

- so far.

I'll let you know after

a couple of days.

I can't wait that long.

Sweet dreams, Frank.

Let's take a taxi.

- You got any money?

No. You?

- No.

Let's take a taxi.

- Right!

Take us to Eira.

This time of night?

That's too far...

Somewhere where we

can get a drink, then.

All the bars are closed already.

Try to think of something.

What are you doing, Frank?

I wanted to die.

I was lost...

you'd left me here.

I didn't know where to go.

You'd left me.

Why did you come back?

Go away, I want to die.

- No. Come with us.

OK.

Pity you didn't get

run over, Frank.

Why?

Don't you like me?

'Cause you're so

f***ing stupid, Frank.

That was a bit too much.

I've been... thinking.

Thinking? You?

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

Honestly!

You're OK.

We'd better go.

I could take you to

a guy I know.

Miss!

Yes? What'll it be?

Hi, Frank! - Hi.

A glass of ice water.

Ice water? - Ice water.

What are you doing here?

Just a moment.

Frank's here.

Hi Frank. We can sit here.

Hi, Frank!

- Back to work!

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes