Miekkailija Page #2

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- I believe you teach my grandson, Jaan,

fencing. Is that right?

- Yes...

- I might have something for you.

I attended the University

of Leipzig before the First World War.

Received my doctoral degree there.

- Here you go.

- Thank you.

- And this, Jaan, is for you.

- Thanks.

Put it on.

- Can you breathe?

- Yes, I can.

Marta, come here.

- Who won?

- I did.

Jaan goes to Tiiu,

and Marta will fence Lea.

Be careful with that.

Good boy.

- Marta!

- Wait! Hold your horses!

You remember the parents' meeting

on Friday?

Of course.

You might reconsider the fencing.

Excuse me? - I was hoping to inform

the City Educational Department

that the fencing was temporary

and we're going back

to more traditional sports.

- I see.

- That would be best for everybody.

I gave you my permission, but it was

for a sports club, not for fencing.

I don't think the parents

will approve, either.

But we don't know that

before the meeting, do we?

No, we don't. But then again,

this is not Leningrad.

We're not at some prestigious college.

Things are different here.

You'll see that eventually.

We have one more item to cover.

It has to do with the new

sports club here at our school.

Comrade Nelis. Please.

Thank you.

We started at the end of this winter...

And have been practicing

for some time now.

Would you mind telling us

what you are practicing?

Fencing.

We practice fencing.

I have some two dozen

boys and girls in the club,

not all of them attend regularly,

but considering the short time,

we've made good progress.

So, with your permission,

I'd like to continue teaching them.

- The children...

- Thank you, Comrade Nelis.

Comments?

Am I the only one who feels that this...

Relic of the feudal times is not

quite suitable for our children?

I agree. The club is not solely for sports.

Everything we teach at our schools

has a political meaning.

The choice of this particular sport

might be misunderstood.

- Our son really likes it...

- That's not the issue here.

I suggest that we let

the sports club continue,

but that in the future Comrade Nelis

will concentrate on sports

that are better suited

for the proletariat.

Since nobody else wishes to comment...

Yes?

May I...

Please.

There's nothing particularly feudal

about fencing.

People have always fenced,

with sticks and spears and swords.

Did you know that...

As a young man, Karl Marx was a fencer?

Thank you for sharing this with us,

but I strongly suspect its authenticity.

If I'm not mistaken,

we have two competing stands.

I suggest we take a vote.

Very well...

I don't have to remind you

that whatever stand we take here today,

our decision will be made known

to the City Educational Department.

I suggest you all consider the

options with care.

So, those in favor of the fencing,

please raise your hands!

Touch!

Where's your reaction?

You're out of shape.

- Where's this?

- Trudovye Reservy.

- You don't recognise it?

- Oh yeah.

Here. Take it.

What's this?

They need a sparring partner

for somebody,

you wouldn't get to compete.

But maybe later you could...

- Novosibirsk?

- The farther from Leningrad the better.

Here.

You'll leave with me tomorrow morning.

As soon as we get to Leningrad,

you'll travel on to Novosibirsk.

I can't. - Someone's been

making inquiries about you.

Who? The Secret Police?

No, it's not them this time.

What is it?

- I've got a favor to ask of you.

- Yeah?

I teach the kids fencing and the

equipment we have is next to nothing.

So I've been thinking...

If we could join the Spartak,

we would get funding...

An all-Soviet sports organization?

They'll want to see documents,

ask questions! Are you crazy?

Your life is at stake and you worry

about kids! - But what should I do?

I just want to live a normal life!

Oh, Endel, you are naive!

Someone's after you,

and you want to live a normal life.

Dear passengers,

we leave in two minutes!

Alexey!

I'm listening.

Goodbye, teacher.

- Goodbye.

- Teacher, someone's asking for you!

- Who?

Some men.

I'm calling from Haapsalu

Secondary School Number Two.

I sent you a letter earlier

asking about one of your athletes...

Yes, very impressive,

we can be proud of him...

- Is that Secondary School No. 2?

- Yes.

You Comrade Nelis?

Endel Nelis?

Go upstairs,

I'll be there in a moment.

There seems to be some confusion,

or maybe I misunderstood something...

Thank you. Goodbye.

What's the matter?

We have a delivery for you.

Watch out!

Thank you.

- What's in them, teacher?

- How would he know?

- Are we gonna open them?

- Of course we are.

Give me a crowbar.

It's heavy.

There are masks here!

Teacher, a letter for you...

"Dear friend, It's all second-hand,

but I thought you wouldn't mind.

I wish you the best of luck!

Alexey."

- What is it?

- Just a letter.

That's correct. Good grip.

Bend your knees.

Margit, would you put the kettle on?

Right now?

We have a guest.

Well, can I get you anything?

Vodka, or Georgian cognac?

No, thank you, I don't drink.

Margit. If you please...

I'd like you to go and see

what you can find out

about Comrade Nelis.

I've written down

a list of places

where he used to live,

before he moved to Leningrad...

- Keller?

- Oh yes.

Comrade Nelis has changed his name.

He was originally Endel Keller.

Your right leg starts moving.

See how I'm doing it. Hand, leg...

One more time.

Lower your shoulder.

Hand up. Very good.

"Announce-ment..."

"All-Soviet..."

Teacher, guess what Jaan found!

- Well?

- My grandfather did.

- Where is it?

- Where'd you put it, Marta?

I just looked at it,

I gave it back to you.

- You didn't.

- Tiiu's got it.

Tiiu, come on, bring it here!

See! A tournament!

- Where?

- In Leningrad!

Teacher, what's Nelingrad?

Leningrad!

It is an all-Soviet tournament.

There are teams from big cities,

Moscow, Leningrad...

They have a lot more people,

facilities, equipment, everything...

They can pick and choose their teams.

And they will choose their best.

We're not going then?

Goodbye.

There'll be other competitions.

In a couple of years time,

you'll be much more prepared...

What is it? You forgot something?

- You won't even let us try!

- It's not that simple, Marta.

It is! We wanna go,

but you won't let us!

- Look, Marta...

- You think we're no good?

No, that's not it...

- Why then?

- It's not that you're not good.

You are good.

But it will be tough. We've been

practicing for a very short time.

And you're not quite ready yet for...

As grandpa had heard from his grandpa,

many a king's sons had tried

to get through the slubbery...

- Shrubbery.

of rose.

Good.

- Are you Jaan Kask?

- Yes.

Are you part of that fencing club?

Is your grandfather in?

You listening? Is he in or not?

Don't go!

Listen to me. You're a man now.

Support your mother

and don't worry about me.

Become a good fencer,

then everything will be alright.

Got it?

It's me, Endel!

There's a tournament in Leningrad

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