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”

 Back to the beginning