Winter Sleep Page #8

for people's spiritual development

is alchemy, you say?

No, dear, what I'm saying is this.

If all you thinkers thought

about solving the big problems,

all this trivia you fuss about now

would solve itself in the process.

If you go up in a balloon

to see a town,

you'll incidentally see the trees,

rivers and meadows too.

But no, you focus on one tiny spot.

Lazy, cowardly, conservative.

We're in an endless cycle again.

We don't have to agree.

Why do we keep arguing?

You know what your problem is?

In order not to suffer,

you prefer to fool yourself.

Yes, that's it.

But one has to have the courage

to face the truth.

If you're looking

for something more real,

you'll have to be destructive

when necessary, dear Aydin.

But since you're an actor, you forgot

about being real, being yourself.

You jump from one personality

to another, just like a grasshopper.

But there's something called

living with yourself.

So, you want me to be realistic?

All right, listen, then.

You're a person sentenced

to loneliness and boredom for life.

Because you're a coward,

because you're lazy.

- Me?

- Yes.

You're used to living like a parasite

expecting everyone to help you.

You act as if the whole world

owes you something.

- Easy, calm down.

- I'm calm.

Whatever you do, whatever you say,

you expect indulgence.

- You think that's possible?

- That's certainly not what I want.

Where do you get such ideas?

You're not realistic yourself

without being aware of it.

- Me?

- Yes.

Wonderful.

I swear, every time

you come through that door,

I find myself praying

you won't say something irritating.

While you sit silently behind me,

I feel your gaze on my back,

seeking trouble, just to escape boredom.

My back goes numb.

I've got unsuspected powers.

It's as if somebody is rubbing

his calloused hand on my back.

I feel cold inside, I can't write.

Aydin, what are you saying?

Do you always have to be

that irritating?

- You're angry.

- Look, this drives everybody away.

No husband, no friend, nobody.

You're left all alone.

Am I wrong?

Is that realistic enough,

or shall I continue?

Yes, that was a very

personal realism. You're right.

Thinking more important than action.

There we go.

The age-old excuse

of cowards and slackers.

Are you counting on that?

Marvellous tirade.

- How are you, man?

- Hey, how are you?

I didn't know you were coming.

I invited Mr Suavi.

So I figured.

Is there a celebration?

No, we're just having a meeting.

- A meeting?

- Yes.

What's the mystery?

Is it an army council meeting?

Didn't I tell you? I did.

When?

I don't know, but I did.

You said "hmm" or something.

It was odd

that you weren't interested.

I said "hmm"? I don't remember.

Never mind.

It's nothing to do with you anyway.

As if you didn't know.

- Nihal.

- Yes?

Where exactly did you tell me?

I don't remember.

You heard,

it's none of your business!

Shall I take your coat, Mr Aydin?

Where's Necla?

In her room.

Why? Is she upset?

No. Do you want me to go and see?

No. Did she come down today?

Probably.

In what sense you ask?

Nothing. Off you go.

So?

I thought you never went out.

I don't really.

Nihal called me,

I couldn't say no.

Listen...

Don't let them fleece you.

They're insatiable.

And you can't say no.

Look at me.

Do I look that gullible?

I'm just warning you.

You're an old friend.

Don't regret it later

and take it out on me.

Fatma, could you get me a coffee?

I'll have a coffee and leave.

- Why do you have to go? Stay.

- No, I don't fancy it.

- Why don't you stay for a while?

- No, thanks.

- Welcome, Levent.

- Hello, everyone.

- How are you?

- Fine.

Give me your coat.

Teacher, where were you?

I was about to leave.

At the army office.

The commandant's wife was there.

So?

People are nice

to their wives in public.

But given the chance,

they'd stuff them in bags

and throw them in the water.

Hello. I'm Aydin, Nihal's husband.

Are you? Nice to meet you.

I'm Levent, the teacher.

- I guessed so.

- Really? How?

You come often.

I've heard about you.

I'm not sure what you're doing...

Mrs Nihal could explain it better,

but we're collecting donations

to renovate disadvantaged schools.

Since Mrs Nihal joined,

we've made a lot of progress.

- That's nice. Bravo.

- Thank you.

Friends, why don't you sit down?

Please.

Levent, what would you like to drink?

Some of your famous

coffee liquor, please.

Of course. Anyone else?

Mr Suavi?

Me too, but later.

I'll have a tea, Nihal. Thanks.

Listen, Blent.

How many local primary schools

are there?

Levent, not Blent.

There are three in the centre.

And how many pupils?

Well, we have 75...

plus 150 there.

250-300 in all. Why?

That's not many.

I thought there would be more.

Look, it's snowing!

If it goes on, it'll be difficult

to drive up the slope.

Aydin...

Can you come? There's a problem

with a light in the kitchen.

Coming.

Which one is it? This one?

Sorry, that was just an excuse

to bring you here.

Now, don't take it badly but...

I must say this is a private meeting.

So?

In this meeting,

we'll try to finalise

months of effort.

So?

I'll have to ask you

to leave us alone.

Discuss whatever you like.

Are you hiding something from me?

It's not a matter of secrecy.

But Nihal, don't you think

you're being a bit impolite?

Why "impolite"?

All I'm saying is

that this is a private meeting.

Nobody in this country

would believe it.

Men everywhere

but the husband banned.

Don't be ridiculous.

There are women inside.

And some more will come.

But with you around,

things get complicated, that's all.

You stick your nose into everything.

Just let us do things our own way.

If I organised a meeting like this

and you came in,

I'd never treat you like this.

I really don't get it.

It's beyond my understanding.

We've been working for a year now.

You never showed the slightest

interest and you show up at the end.

I'm the one who doesn't get

what you're after.

I'm not after anything.

I'd have soon got it and left anyway.

What makes me angry is your nerve

to actually tell me this.

I didn't say it in front of people.

I asked you to come here

and I'm asking you nicely.

What else can I do?

I don't know.

But I know very well that I'd never

do such a thing to you.

That's for sure.

Playing the old scenes over again.

I can't stand it.

All right, then.

Have it your way.

I'll leave, you can stay.

What's up?

- I'm leaving.

- So soon?

When you've got to go,

you've got to go.

There might be black ice.

Could be dangerous.

I don't mind.

We love danger.

Awesome.

- So where are you heading?

- We'll see.

Wherever the road takes me.

Was Hidayet downstairs?

- Yes, I checked out with him.

- No, that's not what I meant.

Do you need anything?

Food for the road?

No, thank you.

Anyway...

Fine.

Have a safe journey.

- Thank you.

- Don't forget us.

Nihal, am I disturbing you?

Don't hide it, I won't look.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes