Notias

To my friend Thanos Ari Onassis.

Well... Let's see.

When the first symptoms appeared

both in body and mind,

my mother took me

to the best pediatrician of Athens.

Again.

He used to know Greek mythology

inside out.

But now he gets confused

and mixes things up.

- When did it happen?

- A few days ago, all of a sudden.

While he was listening at the radio,

his breath started to get heavier.

He said something weird.

He asked whether the Trojan Horse

was a mare or a stallion.

Did he use this word?

What did he want to know?

He mixes mythology

with the news, Doctor.

He asked me how the Greek Allies

got out from the Trojan Horse.

Whether it had an emergency exit,

a latch or a lock.

And he fell into depression.

What made you sad, Stavros?

Now, listen.

I'll ask you to tell us a story, so that

we see whether you know it or not, ok?

Stavros! Hey, Stavros!

The Professor

is talking to you, my son!

Tell us how we won

the Trojan War.

We lost the Trojan War.

- Who told you that?

- No one. I thought it by myself.

And Hercules didn't perform

any labor.

The snakes ate him up

in his cradle, when he was a baby.

You see, Doctor? With this nonsense,

his friends don't play with him anymore.

He gives them nicknames

of villains and they get angry.

Such as?

Cyclops Polyphemus, Procrustes...

- Pine-bender!

- You see?

When Theodore

had the same symptoms...

his family put the blame on me.

Hello, Mrs. Tzevoula.

How are you, Theodore?

Your son is making fun

of my nephew.

He has really upset us!

- He told me a wild story.

- What story?

He said that the Minotaur

grabbed Theseus

and pulled his hair out one by one

and then ate him.

- Is that what he said?

- The Minotaur devoured Theseus!

With all this nonsense, the kid

gets upset and has bad dreams.

And in the morning, there is hair

all over the sheets!

- Can I say the other one too?

- Say it.

He told me that Ulysses

didn't go back to his wife and son.

He became a pirate, sailing

in rough seas along with the Cyclops.

He gets up at night,

all nauseous.

Ulysses along with the Cyclops

in the rough seas!

Stavros, when did you

make up all this stuff?

I started playing with the myths

when my first childhood

erections popped up.

I'd get fascinated by the most

celebrated females of that time.

I'd meet them secretly

in the movies.

Greek Newsreel.

That's where I met

my first great love.

Her Majesty the Queen

Anne - Marie of Greece

visited the town of Thessaloniki

for the National Day celebration

where she laid a foundation stone

for the construction of a house...

As soon as I saw her,

that tantalizing, yet sweet force

arose between my legs

turning things upside down.

We became inseparable ever since.

The News on the radio would talk

about her all the time,

taking on mythical proportions

in my mind.

When playing tag, I was helping

the Allies to chase Prince Paris.

When playing hide - and-seek,

I'd live the adventures of Ulysses.

I was challenging

the mistresses of gods...

while the South Wind was

pushing us into the Queen's cove,

where she was waiting for us,

wet and dampened by the hot breeze.

Until the day

the bad news broke.

After the fruitless counter-coup

against the Revolutionary Government,

and after wandering

from village to village,

the Royal Couple ended up in Rome

seeking political asylum.

When I heard that the Greek Army

instead of bringing back Helen of Troy

banned the Queen from Greece,

I killed all the mythical heroes,

known to everyone around me.

You can put on your clothes, Stavros.

What has come upon us, Professor?

Is it serious?

It's nothing. Children

often make up stories.

They have a wild imagination.

What about his melancholy

and shortness of breath?

Nothing serious. Humid weather

can cause respiratory failure.

Can't you see?

The South Wind will keep on blowing.

I prescribe a little syrup...

And in a few days,

he'll be as healthy as a horse.

- Does he like any sports?

- He likes dancing.

He's been dancing the Tango

since he was three.

In that case, he must go

to a dance school,

meet new friends

and take his mind off things.

Right, Stavros?

- How is your husband?

- Fine.

ARISTOTLE (ARI) ONASSIS

GREEKTYCOON:

My father had his own stories.

His clients, enchanted, listened him

talk about his life as a seaman

in the hostile waters

of the South.

- Hello. How can I help you, Sir?

- I'm looking for a suitcase.

- If I may ask, for a long trip?

- Quite long.

- If I may ask, by boat or plane?

- By bus.

I'm going to Frankfurt

to see my brother-in-law.

I see... Well...

Anice suitcase...

to take you to Frankfurt

and back again with no problems...

This one here.

Afaux leather suitcase

that comes in all sizes and colors.

It's specially made

for travelling by bus.

It normally costs 200 drachmas,

but I'll give it to you for 180.

What about the red one

on the window? How much is it?

You are going to Frankfurt, right?

You'll buy this one.

The red suitcase is for long trips.

It can go as far as to Argentina.

- It's Onassis' favorite suitcase.

- Yes, I saw it.

Ari is an old friend and client.

Really?

I even know what he puts inside.

What?

I'm sorry, I can't tell you that.

Discretion is a vice

I can't get rid of. I'm sorry.

- Of course, Sir. I appreciate it.

- Thank you.

- How much is it?

- Ari's suitcase?

- 300 drachmas...

- 300 drachmas?

Maybe more.

- But...

- But?

But I'll make you a special price.

- This is the only one left.

- I don't mind.

March 25, 1968.

Dance can help you forget

your former loves,

but finds new ones for you.

Beautiful and juicy Smaragda...

She was living in our neighborhood.

I forgot about ancient times

and fell in love

with the myths of the Greek War

of Independence against the Turks.

When dancing dances of the time,

I was trying to draw her attention.

Wait here.

My main rival was Lucas,

son of a high - ranking officer

of the military regime.

When Lucas and the other boys were

peeping for their night wet dreams,

my secret devil between my legs

gave me hope that

I was her heart's choice.

Until, one day,

jealousy prevailed.

And I became a traitor.

- What is it?

- They peep on you.

Who?

The boys peep on you from the stairs

when you change your clothes.

You are a sweet little traitor!

I'll tell you something, but promise

you won't tell anyone.

We all know it, that's why

we don't change quickly.

Do you like peeping on us?

Then, come with me on Sunday.

We'll go somewhere you'll have

your fill of peeping on us.

A few days later, my most

secret fantasies became real.

Smaragda had arranged for me

to see the junta's fiesta

from inside the Horse.

So, I came back to the world

of the heroes...

that I had betrayed

a few days before.

September 1969.

Patriots, no sudden moves!

Spread out on the horse's rump!

Kid, go up so that you can see.

But don't move or we may keel over!

Get ready, guys! Let's go!

Are you ready?

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