|
|
|
|
EXT. STREET MORNING
Newcomers are going out of their apartments and houses into individual research and action in Heaven. They walk through the town and look around. Street with no car traffic. Green everywhere. Children drive bicycles and skate carefree. The people sit on benches and talk pleasantly. Smile of adults and laughter of children is heard.
John walks fast straight to the mayor.
INT. OFFICE OF MAYOR’S SECRETARY DAY
A big office full of documentation. The secretary Anica sits beside the table and types something on the computer keyboard. She wears a simple outfit. The office is full of flowers. John enters through the open door.
JOHN Hello, is the mayor here?
ANICA Yes he is, but he is not available right now.
JOHN It's important...
John does not pay attention to Anica any more and continues to walk towards the door with the sign Mayor Aleksandar...
ANICA Excuse me! Please...
John knocks on the door and enters without waiting.
INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE DAY
The office is large. Classical dark rustic furniture. Work table with a computer and big monitor. One lower table with four chairs for guests. The walls are arranged with pictures. The shelves are full of books. The big window opens a view of the sea.
The mayor wears a dark blue suit and tie. He reads electronic mail.
JOHN Hello Aleksandar!
Aleksandar rises his eyes from the computer.
JOHN I am John. I would like to become mayor instead of you.
ALEKSANDAR (gives a surprised look) Oh really...
JOHN Yes. How can I do that?
Aleksandar stands up from his table. They shake hands.
ALEKSANDAR Hello, please sit down.... (shows the chair)
They sit in chairs.
ALEKSANDAR (continues) The best way for you to become a mayor is to make an agreement with me.
JOHN Let's make an agreement.
ALEKSANDAR First, you need to show me your program and in it a greater productivity than I offer. If you make me believe you are better I will support you and withdraw from here.
JOHN
ALEKSANDAR Yes, they told you well... If you offer in a computer center only one percent larger productivity than I, and if I would not be able to follow it, the position is automatically yours. But that is risky because it excludes an agreement.
JOHN How do you measure productivity?
ALEKSANDAR We measure it by the evaluations we receive for our work from the people.
JOHN That means I need to offer a higher mark?
ALEKSANDAR Yes.
JOHN How?
ALEKSANDAR
JOHN I will!
ALEKSANDAR
JOHN OK! (says self-confidently)
John does not pay attention to his warnings any more.
JOHN Where is the computer center?
ALEKSANDAR Each computer you use here is connected to the computer center.
JOHN Thanks... (smiles and starts leaving the room)
ALEKSANDAR (with good intensions adds) Our system awards good work. If you achieve offered production this hat on your head will get smaller. But I’m warning you again. If you propose a greater productivity than you can accomplish your hat will grow...
John confidently waves back to him and leaves the office.
INT. OFFICE OF MAYOR’S SECRETARY DAY
John sits at a computer. Types in the increase of productivity for the mayor position 1%. Thinks a little bit and adds one zero. Thinks a little bit more and adds one more zero and registers his offer by typing the enter key in the keyboard. So that greed has pushed John to offer 100% greater productivity for the mayor’s position. Then John opens the page that defines his responsibility and without thinking types rise of 1,000%. He made a typo. He makes a grimace but waves his hand carelessly and registers his offer.
INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE DAY
At the same time the Mayor's computer starts to flash and sound the alarm. Aleksandar is very surprised when he sees what productivity John offers. He silently picks up his things, and leaves the office rolling his eyes.
INT. CITY ADMINISTRATION HALL DAY
At the exit Aleksandar meets John, shakes hands with him and leaves without a word.
INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE DAY
John sits in the mayor's chair, puts his feet on the table, rubs his hands with glee, and smiles self-lovingly.
EXT. STREET DAY
Street full of small locals. Pleasant peace fills the air.
Kevin stops a passer-by Bogdan on the street. Bogdan is a middle-aged man, carelessly dressed, a little bit slow in comprehension. Phlegmatic.
KEVIN Hello, excuse me please, where is the closest police station?
BOGDAN (phlegmatically) We do not have police stations.
KEVIN (surprised) How can I find policemen?
BOGDAN (phlegmatically) We do not have policemen.
KEVIN (surprised) How come?
BOGDAN Just like that... (says like it is the most natural thing)
KEVIN (is more surprised) So, who protects you from crime?
BOGDAN (phlegmatically) We do not have crime.
KEVIN Well, who enforces the laws?
BOGDAN (phlegmatically) We do not have laws.
KEVIN (is very surprised) What?
BOGDAN We do not have laws. (repeats like it is the most natural thing)
KEVIN How come?
BOGDAN How come? (thinks a little bit)That's how! At the beginning we had laws but we developed our relationships so much that nobody uses laws any more. They become unnecessary.
KEVIN (very surprised) How can you exist without laws?
BOGDAN Exactly as you see... We alone create, carry out, and change the rules in our relationships. Alone!
KEVIN (is very surprised) How?
BOGDAN It is clear what is right and what is wrong and we observe to it. Sometimes we listen to opinions of experts and then we make agreements about how things need to be done. At the end, the mutual evaluations give power to each of us...
KEVIN Then I am in charge too?
BOGDAN Yes. That is what assures good relationships in society.
KEVIN (very surprised) And it works just like that?
BOGDAN Yes, it works just like that. (He thinks a little bit and adds) It works perfectly, much better then where you have come from.
Brandon and Frances pass by across the street. They wave their hands to Kevin. Kevin relaxes a little bit when he sees them and waves back.
KEVIN (shouts to them) Where are you going?
BRANDON (shouts to Kevin) To the soccer stadium!
Kevin waves his hand again. Then he turns back to Bogdan, thinks a little bit and asks...
KEVIN Are there any available jobs in the army?
BOGDAN (phlegmatically) We do not have an army.
KEVIN (is not surprised any more) I should have thought so...
BOGDAN (smiles on that and adds) When we citizens of this peaceful place decided to stop supplying our army with money that was its end... We dismissed it and destroyed the arms...
KEVIN You do not have arms?
BOGDAN No... Not that we do not have baseball bats and kitchen knives but nobody gets the idea to use them as arms.
KEVIN So, what protects you?
BOGDAN (phlegmatically) Nothing attacks us.
KEVIN ?
BOGDAN We have learned that the worst danger comes from great leaders, those to whom their nation or homeland is the most important thing.
KEVIN Why?
BOGDAN Such people just use their nations for their megalomaniac goals and nothing good can come from that...
KEVIN So how do you protect yourself from them?
BOGDAN Simply, we easily recognise such people... then we give them very negative evaluations... That shuts their mouths far before they are able to produce any evil.
KEVIN (thinks a little bit and asks) So what will I do? I do not know anything but police work!
BOGDAN (thinks deeply and says) You do not need to do anything that you do not want to do. When you find what you want to do, you will do it because you will like doing it.
KEVIN ?
BOGDAN (continues) Don’t worry. If you need anything just ask for Bogdan. I am always here somewhere...
Bogdan waves to him and starts walking away.
KEVIN (calls over) Thank you.
Kevin leaves to another direction with a worry on his face. Some children pass by cheerful and smiling. Kevin absorbedly watches them and after a while he starts smiling too...
INT. MIKI'S OFFICE
Miki sits in his office and sets up some papers. There is a picture of his wife Mirjana on the table. The furniture is modern, the chairs are comfortable. Light curtains at the window let in light wind. Birds chirp outside.
Somebody knocks on the door.
MIKI Come in!
Diane enters the room. Looks magically hot in her bright red dress.
DIANE Please excuse me for disturbing you. Do you have time for me?
MIKI Of course.
They shake hands.
MIKI Please sit down.
Diane sits in a chair.
MIKI (continues) Drink?
DIANE No thanks...
Miki sits too.
MIKI What can I do for you?
DIANE I am very confused here in a new environment...
MIKI I understand. I was confused as well.
DIANE I supposed you are an influential man in a high position here?
While asking the question she crosses her legs and shows her beautiful thighs.
MIKI Yeah, something like that... (responds half confused half calculatingly)
DIANE Can you advise me with what I should work here?
MIKI What did you work so far?
DIANE Mainly I have helped successful people... (thinks little bit) ...is it getting hot in here...
She unhooks upper button on her dress, shakes it, and shows the place where her beautiful breasts are joined. Blood rushes to Miki's head but he restrains because he is married with Mirjana. He stands up, approaches the window, and opens it widely.
DIANE (continues) What have you worked before?
MIKI I was a party official, something like a director.
DIANE I thought something like that... ...I immediately recognise a successful man.
MIKI (tries to be modest) It's not just like that...
DIANE Oh no, I do not make mistakes here. (smiles) I recognise a man in charge.
Miki smiles modestly and nods his head self-lovingly. Diane thinks a little bit and continues shyly.
DIANE I always wanted to be an actress. I participated in part of an acting course with Mr. Blabinger. I was supposed to take an exam but I couldn't because I was very busy. You know, we travel... Mr. Blabinger had a lot of respect in my skills. He offered me a role in a theatre performance. It was not supposed to be a big role but he told me it would be a very noticeable and memorable role.
MIKI What role would that be?
DIANE I was supposed to be a striptease dancer... But, as I said I was very busy... Now I have more time so I can accept a more significant movie role. Can you help me?
Tension rises...
MIKI (says calculatingly) I'll look for something...
DIANE Oh, thank you very much...
MIKI (smiles) Nothing, nothing...
DIANE You would never understand how much it means to me. This is my greatest wish. If you help me I will forever be in your debt. Just tell me how to pay back the favour and I'll do it.
Diane stands up seductively from the chair to hug Miki in the "friendly" manner. Miki is surprised a little bit. He stands up from his chair as well and spontaneously embraces her waist. She kisses his cheeks.
Tension culminates...
She notices that he is very sensitive to her closeness, hesitates what to do, thinks a little bit and then slowly moves her head towards Miki and kisses his lips. He moves his head a little bit away. She slowly kisses his lips again. He moves away his head a little bit again. When she kisses his lips third time, he does not move his head away any more...
EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF THE LAZAR'S HOME DAN
Rock paved street. Two rows of stone houses. Each balcony is full of flowers. Doors, windows, shutters are freshly coloured.
Al tries hard to decrease the size of his red hat. He is a trash remover. He has a trash collector's uniform and tricycle with a garbage box. Right now he is cleaning the street in front of the Lazar's house with a broom. Lazar is coming. He has sympathized Al from his childhood. Lazar is a former communist leader and a criminal. In Heaven Lazar is almost an exemplary husband and worker. He wears something similar to a military uniform and a hat “titovka” with a red star.
Lazar is very pleasantly surprised to meet Al. He widens his arms...
LAZAR Al!
Al looks at him half interested.
LAZAR You are an idol of my youth!
Al does not change his face. Lazar tries to imitate Al. A smile emerges on his face because he is not a skilled actor. He puts his forefinger on his chest and asks...
LAZAR Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me?
But he hit Robert de Niro in the movie Taxi driver.
AL (responds melancholically) It wasn't me...
LAZAR Doesn't matter... (he waves with his hand happily) Let God give you good health and a long life!
Al looks at Lazar a little bit better...
AL Do I know you?
LAZAR We cooperated a little bit. Do you remember cocaine from Colombia?
AL (convincingly) I have never done cocaine in my life!
LAZAR C'mon, I am not your judge. Besides that we transported firearms to Iraq...
AL (now Al recognises Lazar) Oh, I remember you now... ... you are a communist from Yugoslavia... ...Lazar?
LAZAR (says proudly) That's me!
They shake hands friendly.
AL So how are you doin’?
LAZAR Not bad...
AL Do you know something about my relatives?
LAZAR Your father is good.. He is not far away from here.... I don't know about others... Ask him.
Al is satisfied with the answer and continues...
AL You communists have always impressed me strongly. The way you arranged your underground we were not even able to dream about. Nobody was able to interfere with your business...Nobody!
LAZAR Those were good times. And you have remained in my memory as a very moral man. You have always helped friends and killed enemies.
AL Those were good times, but it is not recognised as good here. (shows up his long hat)
LAZAR (complains) No, one cannot kill a man like a man here! They immediately send you right to Hell! Yes, they do...
Al thinks a little bit...
AL If I were in power here, I would return good old values back. In the first place a hierarchy. Authorities would have an unconditional power. I would establish order and discipline. One would know what anyone is supposed to do and allowed to do. Everything would bloom. Flowers would grow everywhere, birds would chirp like in the old days. (his eyes start to sparkle for a moment)
LAZAR Do it for God's sake. I would support you strongly.
Anica, Lazar's wife, interrupts them from the balcony of their house.
ANICA Lazar you haven’t done the dishes...
LAZAR (responds unwillingly) Just a moment...
ANICA Do it now, it will start to smell bad!
LAZAR (says silently so that her wife cannot hear him) Godfather, let's continue this conversation later.
Al agrees and continues to broom the street.
EXT. STREET DAY
Large building with a board “Auto Salon”. Through the glass of window one can see displayed models.
Danny stands on the street in front of the auto salon. In the glass of the store window he sees himself with a big red hat. He is unsatisfied. Thinks a little bit and takes the hat off, rolls the edge of the hat so that it looks smaller and puts it back on his head. Now he is satisfied. He enters the auto salon full of new cars.
INT. AUTO SALON
A contemporarily arranged place. Rade works there. He is the chief of the salon, an elegant gentleman in a suit and tie.
DANNY Hello.
RADE Hello. Can I help you please?
DANNY I need ten Mercedes.
RADE Ten Mercedes?
DANNY Yes...
RADE Why do you need ten Mercedes?
DANNY I need.
RADE You are supposed to order cars you need. These are exhibition models.
DANNY No problem, I'll take them.
RADE I can’t help you.
DANNY Uh...
RADE But if you need one immediately I can give it to you from reserves.
DANNY I need ten Mercedes urgently.
RADE Sorry, I cannot help you.
Danny sees on the Rade's coat a tag with the name Rade. He pulls the chief of the salon into a corner.
DANNY (says confidentially) Rade, I'll give you one Benjamin Franklin if you try to help me. (he shows the bill of 100 dollars)
RADE Ha ha ha ha ha... (smiles) Money is worth nothing here!
Danny is embarrassed because of the wrong estimation of the situation and tries to escape...
DANNY I did not offer money but the artistic picture of Benjamin Franklin.
RADE (now seriously) You cannot buy me. Besides, your orientation is pretty unhealthy here. If you continue like this your hat (red) will grow.
Danny wants to finish the conversation.
DANNY OK, give me then a beautiful new model, but a big one please!
RADE Please fill the application.
DANNY (grumbles) Ah, this bureaucracy!
Danny fills the application and Rade brings keys...
RADE Here are the keys. Your car is there...
(he points to it with his
Danny takes a Mercedes cabriolet and leaves whispering..
EXT. SOCCER STADIUM DAY
A big stadium. The amphitheatre may hold about 35,000 people. It is covered with a metal grid structure. One can say that it looks like somebody put two slippers with ends inside each other.
Brandon wants to play soccer in Heaven as well.
INT. DRESSING ROOM DAY
Brandon enters the club’s dressing room. Big room. Lockers, benches, hooks... On one door is a sign that says massage, on second sauna, third showers...
Here Brandon meets Srđan a soccer player.
BRANDON Hi, I am Brandon.
Brandon gives a hand to Srđan to shake.
SRĐAN Srđan, nice to meet you...
They shake hands.
BRANDON May I play soccer here?
SRĐAN You can if you are good. Have you already played somewhere?
BRANDON Of course! I played for Manchester United, for Barcelona and for Zaprešić.
SRĐAN Excuse me?
BRANDON (confidently) Really!
SRĐAN Have you played with Ronaldinho?
BRANDON Yes.
SRĐAN In what position?
BRANDON Right winger.
SRĐAN (very satisfied) You are accepted. Here is the uniform. The game is about to start!
EXT. SOCCER STADIUM DAY
Only one person is in the public. This is Frances who has come to support Brandon because she is in love with him.
BRANDON (asks a team-mate) Where is the public?
SRĐAN There is no public.
BRANDON I see but why?
SRĐAN People come very rarely to watch us. They live here actively...
BRANDON What does that mean?
SRĐAN They like playing soccer themselves or doing something else rather than watching us play.
BRANDON (makes a face) So why do you need such a big stadium?
Srđan feels that Brandon is naïve so he starts pulling his leg.
SRĐAN It stayed here since ever. I offered to carry it down to your place, but was refused...
BRANDON What?
SRĐAN (smiles strangely) I was told it is too heavy for me...
BRANDON (understands the joke and smiles) I know you are joking me.
SRĐAN I used to be a devil, but I improved myself and now I am good... (he makes a devil face) Ha ha ha ha...
Brandon makes a surprised face. Srđan calms down and continues seriously.
SRĐAN The stadium should be removed but no one knows if it would be needed one day. (shrugs shoulders)
The play starts. Brandon gets a beautiful goal. Team mates congratulate him by slapping his shoulders. Frances applauds from the amphitheatre.
SRĐAN (is surprised) You have a fan! I haven't seen one in a long time.
BRANDON That’s Frances. She is my girlfriend. (thinks a little bit) No fans here?
SRĐAN No. People are self-confident here and do not need idols.
Brandon shrugs his shoulders. He turns to Frances and waves to her. She responds the same. Now he is very happy she is there.
BRANDON (says to himself) Brandon is good, Frances is the best.
EXT. PARK DAY
After the game Brandon and Frances walk through the park. Old pine trees. Sea is close by. Brandon looks Frances in the eyes.
BRANDON I love you more than ever.
Frances smiles but her face shows she worries about something.
BRANDON What’s wrong?
FRANCES (worries) If I do not get back to work on Monday I'll lose my job...
BRANDON It's not that bad?
FRANCES It's even worse. The company is in a crisis. They just wait for an excuse to fire workers...
BRANDON You will find a better job...
FRANCES There are no good jobs on the market. They cannot even provide enough income to pay the rent...
BRANDON Uh...
FRANCES I will need to find a roommate like a student...
BRANDON Brandon earns a lot. He will find a solution...
FRANCES You are a sweetheart but I cannot accept it.
BRANDON We will find a solution. First we need to find an escape from here. (he is absorbed in thoughts) But it doesn't seem bad here at all...
They leave absorbed in thoughts.
|
|
www.sarovic.com www.sarovic.net www.sarovic.org
Copyright protected at Consumer and Corporate Affairs
Canada Last
updated:
January 15, 2011
|