Tony 10

---

Gilles.

Ten years ago,

I came into this world.

I opened my eyes and the first thing

I saw were my Mum and Dad.

What about 'Tony'?

Tony.

Tony. Yes.

Tony Wagemans.

I was born in the house

near the big cranes.

That was just as well.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

My father is Gilles Wagemans...

the best operator of the country.

The crane is his third arm.

He can do anything with it.

When your father is a crane operator,

you really aren't afraid of heights.

My Dad didn't know my Mum yet

until they met at work.

It was love at first sight.

Hey. Could you take it easy?

Let me guess. Sissy?

My mother, my father and me.

We are very much alike.

For example:
I have my mother's eyes

and my father's cranes.

I was able to hoist

before I could walk.

That's because of my crane blood.

Every year on my birthday

my Mum bakes a cake...

and my Dad teaches me

a new crane to operate.

When I became four,

I rode a caterpillar.

That's when my Dad became

leader of the operators' union.

When I turned seven,

I was allowed on the forklift.

And at age eight, on the scissor lift.

That was right before my Dad

took over Kouwenaar cranes.

He became the boss

of Wagemans & Co.

My Dad bought 28 tower cranes,

and 37 cherry pickers.

At the age of nine

I was allowed on the grabber.

Then I was able to do everything

a good operator should be able to do.

Or nearly everything.

- And that one?

- No, not that one.

- Not the Beast.

- The Beast is very dangerous.

Extreme sports.

That crane demands everything:

Concentration, speed, muscles.

- When I'm ten?

- No way.

That boy of ours has crane blood.

He can't be stopped.

When you're ten.

I was lucky to have these parents

and they were lucky to have me.

But then I was still nine, and we were

still together. Just the three of us.

I was on eight roller coasters

this weekend.

That's quite something.

Tony, four legs please.

Thank you. Great.

- What did you do this weekend?

- My Dad and I had a job to do.

A car had driven into the canal.

A bit faster.

Fortunately no one got injured.

Of course the car was a total wreck.

We only talk about things

that really happened.

- But it's true.

- Write a paper and hand it in later.

- New hands?

- My cat ate his own tail.

How did that happen?

- A bit more.

- Sure, boss.

Stop it. Yes.

- Keep it straight.

- Stop.

Come on.

- How's it going?

- Fine. Lower it. Good.

And... stop.

Yes. Fine.

Go ahead. A bit faster.

- What?

- A bit faster.

We're waiting for the Queen.

She's in the car. There she comes.

Long live the Queen.

Your majesty,

I'm Gilles Wagemans.

We're responsible

for this whole operation.

The unveiling will happen here

in a few moments.

- So I have to push this button?

- Keep your paws to yourself.

- Paws?

- Pinchers.

Listen, I'm not here to pinch this thing.

I just want to push that button.

- For the unveiling.

- You can do that at the top.

It's possible to do it from there.

- Really?

- All the way at the top?

- Certainly.

- I hardly dare to ask, but...

- It's my pleasure, Your Majesty.

- Come with me.

- How exciting.

Did you see that?

That was me.

Dad and the Queen.

Did Dad say what time he'd be home?

She'd never even heard of pinchers.

Gilles Wagemans of Wagemans Cranes

wishes you nice dreams.

I have to go.

Coming?

Gilles, I miss you.

- I can't disappoint the guys in the band.

- Of course you can't.

Thank you.

- Three beers, please.

- Here's the next song.

Hi, Sis.

Calm down.

Calm down, honey.

He's here.

He's here with me and he's just fine.

I'll put him on.

Tony speaking.

She's crying.

Tears of joy.

She thought you were gone.

Honey, Tony is fine.

He's OK. See you later.

Here he is...

Watch out, girls...

Our trumpet player: Gilles.

Keep it straight.

Straight corners. That's the secret.

How do I keep it still?

My Dad's company was doing great.

Wagemans & Co became the country's

biggest crane specialist.

He became treasurer of the

Upwards Safely Foundation.

And secretary of the

National Dig and Hoist Association.

And chairman of the European

Vertical Transport steering committee.

Everyone knew how good he was

and they all wanted him.

It's not a problem technically.

A quarter turn and hoist it up.

Wagemans Cranes, good afternoon.

One moment, please.

- Dad, it's for you.

- I'll call them back later.

Gilles Wagemans speaking.

Certainly.

I'll give it some thought, of course.

Fine. I'll get back to you.

That's fine. Bye.

Well?

The Queen.

Do I want to become a minister.

That's one, two...

Those are for us, son.

Here we are...

Pass on the glasses.

Hurray. Long live the Queen.

Sweetie, dude, guys:

To the new Minister of Transportation.

Congratulations.

- Why don't we talk about it?

- We are.

You already decided without me.

- A once in a lifetime's opportunity.

- You're hardly home as it is.

Are you coming to kiss me goodnight?

Both of you?

Of course.

Blue?

Red?

Or yellow?

- They're all fine.

- Sis, please help.

Yellow.

Dad, it's time to go.

No, that won't do.

- Which one then?

- I don't care.

You do care, because you said

that this one won't do.

- We're leaving.

- We?

I'm taking Tony to school.

Good morning, this is

Gilles Wagemans. Tony's father.

I'm sitting beside his bed.

He's not feeling well.

He's coughing and has a temperature.

It's better that he stays home today.

Fine. I'll tell him.

Thank you. Bye.

'Get well,' the teacher says.

This is where it all happens.

My new office.

Wanda, this is Tony.

Wanda de Wit.

Wanda is my guard dog, so to speak.

Everyone who comes here

has to pass by Wanda first.

You're expected at the meeting

of the Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers

is for ministers only.

I'll be right back.

Who is this nice lady?

She has dimples

and a wonderfully regal look.

It's a very nice picture.

A beauty.

Come on, guys.

This beauty is of course...

Her Majesty the Queen.

Just like that:
In the photograph.

She's surrounded by people.

Have a good look.

Who are these people?

Who are these lucky dogs?

They're allowed to stand

beside Her Majesty.

- Those are...

- Say it.

Come on.

Her...

ministers.

The Queen and her Ministers...

are the most important people

in the whole country.

Lovely photograph.

What's this?

Wow. You made lots.

Wonderful. I'm starving.

Dad's joining us for dinner.

- Looks good. Can I have one?

- Help yourself.

I'll put sugar on it? Is that OK?

We'll save a great big stack for Gilles.

He'll be starving

when he comes home.

- Will you tell him I made them?

- He'll notice right away.

They look so great.

So you finally made it home.

- What are you doing here?

- I want to sleep. I'm tired.

- I worked all day.

- Oh, come on. This late?

- We had a meeting...

- Yeah, right.

- Everyone wanted to continue.

- Oh, and you wanted to stop.

That's enough.

Can we talk calmly for once?

Talk?

Is that what you do with her too?

Get lost. Gilles Wagemans,

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