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INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE DAY
INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE DAY
John enjoys sitting in his chair doing nothing. His secretary Anica gets to the room and reminds John on his daily duties.
ANICA Chief, you have a meeting in 10:00 AM with the director of public feeding. In 1:30 PM lunch with the director of public transportation. In 3:00 PM a meeting with the director of city sewage...
JOHN Cancel everything. Let them do everything like they are used to so far.
ANICA They may work as they are used to but that will certainly not increase the productivity of commune in the scale you proposed.
JOHN (waves his hand showing it does not matter to him) Who is the boss here?
ANICA What do you mean who is the boss?
JOHN Who decides things in Heaven?
ANICA God?
JOHN I was not thinking of God nor Jesus Christ but who is the boss among you people here?
ANICA Nobody, we are all equal here.
JOHN OK, if we are equal, why don't you go to those meetings instead of me?
ANICA This is your job...
JOHN Now you see... that means we are not equal! Who is the boss here?
ANICA You.
JOHN No, me as a professional executive needs powerful people. Somebody has to protect me. Who are these people here?
ANICA We don't have such people here. We don't have powerful nor powerless people, nor influenced nor uninfluenced, nor rich nor poor...
JOHN How come?
ANICA That's how we live!
JOHN (asks scared) Who will tell me what to do then?
ANICA Here everyone tells themselves what to do.
JOHN (says honestly) But I know nothing about this job!
ANICA Then learn it fast otherwise this hat on your head will grow really big.
JOHN OK. I'll take these people...
Director of public feeding Slavko enters the office. He is a man in his forties. Suit, tie. Serious and busy.
SLAVKO Hello.
JOHN (he does not stand up from chair) Hello. What can I do for you?
SLAVKO Where is Aleksandar?
JOHN (says very arrogantly) I am Aleksandar now.
SLAVKO (is surprised) Oh I didn’t know that... (he gets to the point fast) I am Slavko, director of public feeding. People complain that pancakes are not tasty enough. They accused the cook for it. But it is not the fault of the poor cook, the flavour is not good. We need to get a new flavour and use this one as fodder...
John interrupts him arrogantly.
JOHN You are wasteful!
SLAVKO (politely) No, no...
John doesn't listen to him.
JOHN No, we are not going to do this.
SLAVKO But...
JOHN Tell the cook to put some sugar in it.
SLAVKO OK, but...
John interrupts him again.
JOHN Excuse me, I am very busy. Do you have another issue?
SLAVKO I don't. But...
John stands up from his chair interrupting Slavko again and walks him to the door. Slavko’s tie occupies him...
JOHN Nice tie. Where did you get it?
SLAVKO I ordered it through the internet.
JOHN I am very busy these days. Could you please order the same one for me?
SLAVKO I will, it's not difficult for me...
JOHN I would appreciate it very much... Nice meeting you...
Slavko is very confused and leaves without a word.
John shakes Slavko’s hand, and closes the door in his face. After that John stretches out in his chair and puts his feet on the table...
JOHN (says to himself) It's not easy being a mayor today.
INT. CLASSROOM MORNING
Huge high school classroom. It is unusually furnished. Every table has drawers, a computer and an upholstery chair. At the corner of the classroom are a love sofa and a triple-seat sofa for students to have discussions and rest. Beside them is a fridge stacked with refreshing drinks. Students are all cheerful. One student takes a drink from the fridge.
At that moment, Kathy walks in. She chose to be an English teacher.
KATHY Good morning, I am your new English teacher. I hope we will get along together...
The students sit at their tables. Murmur is heard. Kathy continues...
KATHY Today we will do Shakespeare. Do you know who said: “To be or not to be, that is the question?”
No one answers so she picks a student.
STUDENT I My dad said it before he tried to turn on a washer... ...he'd been fixing it all day.
KATHY This is a famous sentence. Do you know where he has heard it?
STUDENT I No.
KATHY In the theatre. (she stresses affectionately)
STUDENT I I doubt he was ever there. He listens to folk music only...
KATHY This sentence is said by Hamlet in the same name drama.
STUDENT II (asks Kathy a question) Do you know who said: “To drink or not to drink, that is the question?”
KATHY No...
STUDENT II This famous sentence is said by me!
Students laugh loudly...
KATHY (seriously) It's not funny!
STUDENT II Relax a bit, maybe it would become funny... (smiles)
Kathy pretends she didn’t hear it, but she is mad.
KATHY Now I will give you roles from Hamlet. For the next class you will memorize the lines and we will put up a play.
STUDENT I I don't think so...
KATHY Excuse me?
STUDENT I (repeats) I don't think so...
Now her madness comes out...
KATHY You will learn Hamlet by heart for me! (says in a threatening voice)
STUDENT I I am going to park. (he starts collecting his school supplies)
KATHY You cannot leave the class! (she is very angry)
STUDENT I Watch and see if I can...
He leaves the class. Other students follow him one by one. Kathy is left surprised with no words...
EXT. ROAD DAY
A winding road follows the coast. The waves hit the reef. Pines and cypresses swing slightly in the breeze. The sky is blue without any clouds. Barely any traffic to be seen.
Danny drives his wife Bette in their Mercedes cabriolet.
BETTE Look how beautiful nature is here!
DANNY (uninterested) Yeah...
BETTE I cannot breath enough of this clean and aromatic air... ...smell of pine and sea salt...
Danny does not pay attention to her. Actually he looks for something...
BETTE (continues) Have you noticed that we passed only a few cars... ...it’s pretty quiet here...
Danny does not listen to her. Smile covers his face when he approaches to one brand new garage. Parks the car...
DANNY Bette, come here to see these beauties...
BETTE What have you found?
Danny stands in front of garage, gives a significant look to Bette and starts imitating fanfare.
BETTE Ta ta ra ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ra ta ta ta ta. Ta ta ra ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ra ta ta ta. Boeeeing. (imitates gong)
Danny opens the door of garage and proudly presents to his wife 10 Mercedes cars he collected and hid in the garage. He smiles while she rolls her eyes....
BETTE What is it?
DANNY Mercedes!
BETTE (suspiciously) Whose are they?
DANNY Ours darling! (responds very happily)
BETTE How did you get them?
DANNY (modestly) Hard work.
BETTE Excuse me?
DANNY ...OK, with a little help from this wonderful place.
BETTE Why do you need them?
DANNY Huh?
BETTE Why do you need them?
DANNY I need them...
BETTE Why do you need them, are you mad?
DANNY (starts worrying) Darling, I have been collecting them all day....
BETTE Why do you need them?
DANNY If one stops running...
BETTE Return them immediately!
Danny desperately looks for an escape.
DANNY Darling, may I keep just three?
Bette shakes her head in protest...
DANNY Two?
BETTE Return all but one!
Danny shakes with his head unsatisfied.
INT. APARTMENT OF MIRJANA AND MIKI DAY
A very modern apartment. One can easily see the furniture is chosen and arranged tastefully. Everything is set in order.
Mirjana enters the apartment. Miki sits in a chair and reads newspapers.
MIRJANA Hello Miki.
MIKI Hi.
Mirjana takes off her shoes and puts on her slippers.
MIRJANA Have you cleaned the carpet?
MIKI Yes, darling, I did.
MIRJANA Are you sure?
MIKI Yes I am sure!
MIRJANA (smiles provocatively) You will get an award tonight...
Miki smiles satisfied as well.
Mirjana looks for something in closet and finds that Miki’s blue hat shrank. She takes it and shows to Miki.
MIRJANA (surprised) What happened to your hat?
MIKI (innocently) I do not know. It must have shrunk in the wash...
MIRJANA (says angrily) It has shrunk in the wash!! Now you will see what a shrink in the wash is!!! Oh, yes you will...
Mirjana angrily goes to kitchen, takes a rolling pin, returns back and threatens Miki with it.
MIKI (wails) I'm not guilty!
MIRJANA What happened. Tell me immediately! (still threatening with a rolling pin)
MIKI I'm not guilty! (wails)
Mirjana waves the rolling pin.
MIRJANA What happened!
MIKI (afraid) She attacked me, she attacked me...
MIRJANA (asks angrily) Who attacked you?
MIKI Diane!
MIRJANA (angrily) How did she attack you?
MIKI (responses afraid) In the office...
MIRJANA (angrily) I am asking how she attacked you?
MIKI (tries to be convincing) Furiously!
MIRJANA (angrily) How did she attack you?
MIKI (says broken) As a woman attacks...
MIRJANA Arrrghhh, the bitch will get what deserves! Oh, yes she will...
Mirjana catches Miki by hand and drags him to the street.
EXT. STREET DAY
Mirjana carries a rolling pin and drags Miki along the city street. That attracts peoples' attention and they start following them. She catches Diane in the corner between two houses. Diane has a bigger red hat then before. The people form a circle around them.
MIRJANA (screams) Bitch, stop!!!
Diane turns towards her surprisingly.
MIRJANA Listen to me bitch! Miki is my man and only my man. If you ever come closer than ten feet to Miki, first I will thrash you with this (shows rolling pin) and then I will personally ship you right to Hell!!!
DIANE This must be a misunderstanding...
Then she sees Miki and finds there is no point of lying.
DIANE Please, forgive me. I will never do it again... (she is afraid)
MIRJANA Just try me, bitch... (turns to Miki) And you, go home!
MIKI I'm going honey, I'm going...
The people around them smile...
MIRJANA This attacked you, ha?
Miki is silent.
MIRJANA You couldn't resist this, ha?
Miki is very silent.
On returning home they are passing children ages 10-15 years who plant flowers in the park.
INT. BEDROOM MORNING
John wakes up beside Diane, takes a shower, sings, takes clothes and suddenly twitches in pain when he sees his hat. His hat has become five feet long. Runs to his office.
INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE DAY
John rushes off to the office, looks for the secretary Anica. She is already there. He wears the red hat on his head and holds the knitted ball at the end of hat in his right hand. He raises his hand to the side. The middle of the hat droops because the hat it longer than his arm.
JOHN Anica, what is this?
ANICA A red hat.
JOHN (says frightened) I know, but why is it as it is?
ANICA The people are very dissatisfied with your decisions. You have not realised proposed productivity. I am afraid your hat will grow more.
JOHN Stop, stop, stop... Stop this unjustified process.
ANICA You can do it alone by resigning from the position....
JOHN I want, I want, I want, now!
ANICA That will bring a penalty that will increase the size of your hat but the process will stop soon.
JOHN OK, OK! Where?
ANICA In your computer...
John takes a keyboard and fills a resigning form. Leaves the office without a word. While leaving the building he meets Aleksandar. John is embarrassed, looks to the floor but still...
JOHN Hello.
ALEKSANDAR Hello Mr. 100%, how are you doing?
John runs away to the street saying nothing.
EXT. STREET DAY
John exits to the street where he deeply exhales and feels relief. But a big red hat gets lots of attention from people. Everybody who sees him becomes shocked because such an appearance is very rare. John is embarrassed, takes off the hat, and hides it in his bag. Accidentally Jack walks by. He sees that John does not have a hat on his head...
JACK (smiles and says cynically) John better put your hat back on. It is useful. If you behave properly the people will give you positive evaluations and you will escape from Hell...
John understands the lesson, brokenly puts the hat back on the head, and leaves absorbed in thoughts. When Jack sees how big hat John has, he cannot resist but to mock him behind his back.
EXT. PARK DAY
Kevin drives a local bus. Stops at the bus station. Lazar gets off the bus. Kevin smiles kindly...
KEVIN Have a nice day!
Lazar waves to Kevin. Kevin waves back. Lazar continues towards park. In the park he accidentally meets Al who is absorbed in thoughts. Lazar approaches him with a smile.
LAZAR What's on your mind, godfather?
They shake hands.
AL I've thought about what to do...
LAZAR (is jolly) And what did you come up with?
AL I cannot go against the system.
LAZAR Why?
AL It's too strong. And it's not bad at all...
LAZAR That's right, but we can do something!
AL Something else bothers me...
LAZAR What?
AL My past persecutes me.
LAZAR How come?
AL I am deeply sorry for being a criminal...
LAZAR So you are done?
AL (nods his head affirmatively) I want to devote myself to spiritual life. I’ve decided to become a priest.
LAZAR But why priest? Come to us in a communist party. The spiritual life we have, nobody has...
AL I've decided.
LAZAR Well, it's your decision, so good luck... (he smiles) Let's have a drink in the name of your decision!
Al smiles, hugs Lazar, and they go to have a drink.
EXT. SQUARE LATE NIGHT
Middle-aged town surrounded by huge bulwarks. Houses made of stone. Simple architecture. At the end of the main street is a Baroque church.
Here John meets Diane. Late night. Empty town.
JOHN It seems I screwed up totally...
DIANE I see... (red hat long five feet says it all)
JOHN Guaranteed, I'll finish in Hell... For God's sake, do you know what the trial period here is?
DIANE Miki mentioned one year but I am not sure...
JOHN Uh, then maybe I still have a chance...
DIANE Now you are the same as Al. If he has a chance you definitely have one too. We must grow wiser quickly...
JOHN I agree, but how?
DIANE I think the best choice is to behave same as others, and what will be, will be...
JOHN I agree, that's the best.
They leave absorbed in thoughts.
EXT. PARK AT BEACH AFTERNOON
Sunny day, no winds but rough sea. A picnic is arranged with barbecue, entertainment and sport contests. Food in abundance, lots of beers and wines. All characters are present. They sit together by the tables and around on the grass. Somebody plays the guitar and sings. Many join him when they recognise the song. Everything happens in perfect harmony, joy and laughter.
BETTE (asks Danny) Have you returned the Mercedes?
DANNY Yes, I have, darling. You know, all night I have been thinking, why would I need these Mercedes...
BETTE And what did you come up with?
DANNY I don't need them.
BETTE You thought well.
DANNY I came up with something else.
BETTE What?
DANNY You always know what is good and what is not. You are my sunshine. (tells gently)
Bette is very flattered and joyful.
Kevin meets a girl he likes. They whisper something and smile all the time. He is very satisfied.
Suddenly somebody screams. A huge whirlpool appears in the sea. One boy in a canoe tries to escape it. He paddles strongly but the canoe overturns. The boy does not swim well. The whirlpool is reaching him slowly. Only a good swimmer can pull out the boy from the sea before the whirlpool takes him down. Nobody dares to help him. John takes off his clothes, grabs a surfboard, jumps into the sea and rescues the kid. All the people applaud.
Lazar and Brandon stand close to each other by chance and watch John exiting the sea and carrying the child.
LAZAR (murmur to himself) He steals water again!
BRANDON (asks him) Excuse me, what did you say?
LAZAR Satan steals water.
BRANDON (asks him) Who?
LAZAR Satan!
BRANDON Why would he do that?
LAZAR The people are very thirsty down there.
BRANDON They drink salt water?
LAZAR That's why it's called Hell.
Brandon gives a confused look on his face.
Some people congratulate to John, some take their cell phones out while watching John, and type something. Somebody says John is a hero. Diane watches John proudly. He rinses himself and takes his clothes back. Looks for his hat but cannot find it. He does not recognise it because it shrunk to a normal size. Proudly shows it to Diane. She happily gives him thumbs up and asks him...
DIANE Did you know that was the entrance to Hell?
John widens his eyes, looks at Diane very surprised, but says nothing.
The people continue to entertain and drink. Kathy talks to Jack.
KATHY How can they drink beer in a park?
JACK Kathy this is not the US. This is Heaven.
Jack takes a look to the sky and makes mouth mimicry (without a voice) “Thank you.” Kathy just nods her head complying.
Suddenly Kathy sees the student she had a misunderstanding with in school passing by. She stands up and approaches the student...
KATHY Hi!
STUDENT I Hi!
KATHY Please forgive me. I was very arrogant in the classroom.
STUDENT I No problem.
KATHY That will never happen again... Please come to the class and bring your classmates.
STUDENT I (smiles satisfied) I will, no problem.
Jack hears that but cannot believe what he is hearing.
JACK Such nice words I have never heard from you all my life.
KATHY (says honestly while smiling) It's never late to learn.
Jack expresses great satisfaction. He climbs up on a chair and shouts out loudly...
JACK People, please pay attention!
They all turn towards him.
JACK (continues) Kathy and I have been married for forty years... That was a marriage full of ferment, pleasant and less pleasant moments. I will never forget how devoted she was to me when I broke my leg at skiing 30 years ago. But I also remember she spent a lot of time with a skiing teacher while I was in bed... She likes working with kids very much but her own she could not give birth. God is my witness, I worked hard on it... Sometimes she cooks what I cannot stand and complains when I drink a little bit, but if we exclude these small shortages, she is a good woman... Therefore I am making a solemn vow - Kathy, I love you.
He said it loudly, clearly, and proudly. After that the audience joyfully applauses. Jack bows to her and to everybody else. Kathy begins to shed tears.
When Brandon has heard the declaration of love, he gets an inspiration, kneels on one knee before Frances.
BRANDON Frances I love you. Will you marry me?
FRANCES Brandon I love you very much. I will marry you!
He jumps to the sky. They are both very happy, kiss each other. Brandon pulls a ring from his pocket and gives it to Frances. Again they kiss. Again people applaud.
BRANDON (tells all) You are all invited to celebrate our marriage.
People applaud and congratulate them.
Al comes to park in a black priesthood. He has a cardinal's type, size, and red color hat with a small knitted ball on the top.
AL (shows his priesthood to Kevin) Does it suit me well? (smiles)
KEVIN Super, even your own mother wouldn’t recognise you! (he smiles)
Beside Al in priesthood stands Lazar. Lazar still has hat “titovka” with red star. Together they make a very strange picture.
AL (asks Lazar) If this is Heaven, where is Jesus Christ?
LAZAR He stops by sometimes.
AL To control us?
LAZAR No there is no need. He comes over for dinner, we drink and enjoy time.
Joy continues. Everything is full of laughter.
EXT. PARK BESIDE THE SEA DAY
Marriage celebration of Frances and Brandon. The altar is in the park. The wedding guests sit on the chairs. The bride is in white with a blue hat below the veil. Brandon has a dark dress suit and of course a blue hat. They all have blue hats. John has so little hat he has to wear it on the top of his small finger. He shows it to camera and winks satisfied. One man who sits in the middle of the table, has a blue hat ten foot long wrapped around his shoulders like ribbons. Lazar has a blue hat with red star. Al has red cardinal's hat with a small blue knitted ball on the top.
Brandon holds Frances's hand in front of the altar. He kisses her cheek. Al starts the speech of the marriage proccedure with the help of the book and marries them...
AL We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Brandon and Frances, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. Marriage is a promise, made in the hearts of two people who love each other. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other's lover, teacher, listener, critic, and best friend.
Frances looks at Brandon with love in her eyes. Brandon returns the look...
AL (continues) Do you Brandon, take Frances, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honour, and cherish her as much as you can?
BRANDON I do!
AL (continues) And do you Frances, take Brandon, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honour, and cherish him as much as you can?
FRANCES I do!
AL You may now exchange rings.
They put their rings on each other happy and smiling.
AL The ring is a symbol of unity into which your two lives are now joined in an unbroken circle; in which, wherever you go, you will return to one another. Let these rings bring you closer together forever in love... ...love has no other desire but to fulfill itself!
Brandon and Frances watch each other lovingly. Frances has a tear in her eye.
AL (continues) May this day shine eternally in your lives! I now pronounce you husband and wife. (watches Brandon) You may now kiss the bride!
Brandon kisses Frances. The wedding guests cheer and applaud. Then Frances turns around and throws the bouquet. Diane catches the bouquet and laughs. John smiles. Jack borrows a flower from the bouquet and puts it in Kathy's hair. Kathy is very happy.
They all move to the dinner tables close by and sit there. Bette sings folks songs with the brass band. They all salute with champagne, dance folk dances (professionals help them so that it looks perfect) happily and satisfied. Movie ends full of joy and optimism towards the future.
Words come up: “IT'S NOT THE END”
EXT. PARK BESIDE THE SEA DAY
Silence. Beautiful green nature and blue sea. One can hear birds chirping and a silent overture to Beethoven’s IX symphony. The camera zooms in and stops on one man. It is the same man who had a ten foot long hat at the wedding celebration. But he has not it now. He wears a simple shirt and jeans. He stands on a big rock beside the sea and says to the camera...
MAN Bless you.
Then he makes a small bow and friendly smiles.
Music CRESCENDO. Choir sings “Song of Joy” FORTE. The camera stays a few seconds on Jesus and then zooms out long.
Words come up: “NOW IS THE BEGINNING”
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updated:
January 15, 2011
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