MY FRIVOLOUS FRIEND
Lasmanis, Arvid Petrovich.
Year of birth – 1951. Secondary education.
24 years of age, married, two sons.
Why? Birthrate is poor in Latvia.
One should ensure the future of one's people.
Mechanical plant – quit on his own volition,
automobile repair plant, quit on his own volition,
Run away from your grandpa and your grandma...
Well, sit down, Petrovich. Let’s talk heart to heart.
Why do you want to quit?
Tell me frankly.
You see, my son comes home one day.
He has cut a bunny from white paper.
I say, ‘Good boy!’ put the bunny on the shelf and forget it.
Later, cleaning up the room, I throw it in the garbage.
The boy says, ‘But dad, I made it for you!'
Crying his heart out.
Do you get it?
Yes, I do.
But what does job have to do with the bunny?
The boy’s just like me.
You see, I can have an output of 120, 130 or 140 per cent.
But when I see my bunnies lie about and rust at some storeroom,
Where's the job satisfaction?
I can read you like a book, bunny. Why are you smiling?
Why are you always smiling?
My mother-in-law doesn't like me smile either.
Madame Andersone!
The same old story! Oh my, oh my...
Adam he had seven sons
Seven sons had he
They would not eat, they would not drink
But they all walked just like me
They all walked just like me
Put some muscle in it! Roll it in the flour.
Arvids!
Ah! Pardon, madame!
I’ve repeatedly asked you, not to call me 'madame'.
Call me simply, comrade Andersone.
They would not eat or drink
But they all walked just like me
They would not eat or drink
But they all walked just like me
They all walked just like me
They're here, they're here!
Dad!
Come here!
Grandma's here.
Grandma for you but mother-in-law for me.
A cake, a bottle of vodka...
And that's for us.
Go and wash your faces!
And tell your grandma we're washing faces twice a day.
We can wash as much as three times, she won't believe us.
My pumpkins!
Hello, mother-in-law!
Shake hands. – Hello, young gentlemen!
Will you be our grandpa?
I will, if you like me.
Old flame doesn't burn out, grandma's getting married!
Who told you that?
Madame Andersone.
I’ve repeatedly asked you, not to call me 'madame'!
Hello, Kornelija Yanovna! Don't take offence, they're still little.
Hello! They are little but they are repeating after the adults.
Meet Edgars, a friend of my youth.
Kornelija Andersone. – Ciekurs.
Arvids. – Edgars.
Make yourself at home! Come in, please.
Arvids! Why are you teasing her again?
Well, mother-in-law? Will the pie taste good?
Mum will come home...
Are you still jobless? - ...then we'll eat.
Just until my wife can stand it.
Long time out of work? – For the second month already.
It's been for a month and three days.
You don't have to take offence.
Well, Arvids here, he's a good guy.
He neither drinks nor smokes, and he the loves children.
Brings home premiums when he works.
But he cannot stay in one work for long.
Don't look at that, Edgars! It's not his.
All of it belongs to Madame. The china, the furniture – it's all hers.
They have nothing. It hurts so much.
How much does she charge?
Let's go!
Mirdza!
I'd like to talk to you tête-à-tête.
You know, it's a delicate issue.
Every time when I have to go to the loo,
the boys run out of their room,
push past me, rush into the loo and shut themselves up.
And don't come out.
I've talked about it to your son-in-law...
but he's just giving a laugh.
Really? – Really.
All right, Kornelija Yanovna. I'll talk to them.
Boys!
Janis, open the door! I can hear that you're not peeing.
Valdis!
Why are you doing this?
Because she is some madame.
Yes.
Peep again and I'll smash your windows.
Hello!
Have you been waiting for me? – Sure!
I've made a great pie.
Mummy, it's Uncle Edgars. Our new grandpa.
Inta. – Edgars.
He brought a bottle of vodka, a cake and two toy cars.
Are you returning from a night duty?
It's enough chatting.
Wash your hands, have breakfast and off to visit Uncle Edgars.
Quick, to the bathroom!
Can you play?
No. – It's a pity.
Can you? – No.
So why do you have the piano?
In case someone who can play comes to visit. It would come useful.
Don't touch it!
So, what do you think? – It's very...
I don't mean this. I mean Edgars.
You'll have a beautiful life.
I'm not fit to be a grandma.
When I take the boys for a walk people think that they are my kids.
Loneliness... I don't want it.
And I can't move in to live with you. Think about your life!
You don't even have a decent coat.
Mum! When you move to Edgars' place, will you give us your flat?
No.
Edgars says we should sell my flat.
Government will assign you a flat.
Don't tell anything to your folks.
Arvids! Comrade Ciekurs can fix you up at work in his company.
To work as...? – As the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
That would suit me! What are the prospects?
Prospects? A mechanic.
Some screwing and filing,
and off to the pay office to collect your wages.
And how much do you earn?
Do you know, Arvids, what's the most popular saying right now?
What is it? – I wish you lived all your life...
...on your salary!
Mirdza!
What're they doing there?
Mirdza!
Valdis! Janis!
Put the scissors away!
Valdis! Do you hear me?
Go out, to the garden!
Mirdza, dear...
What are they doing there again?
Tell them, I’m embarrassed.
I am educated as an agronomist. - Why don't you work at a kolkhoz?
Who could imagine that kolkhozs would be doing so well?
But cucumbers and tomatoes are my hobby now.
Ar you selling them?
Sometimes I'm taking them to customers in Riga.
What about the work?
Doing well. There's a premium every month.
No place to hang the award certificates. You just stick to me.
Inta!
Mother-in-law! I think that Inta and me, we also need a house like this!
Or a summer cottage at least.
When will you come to your senses?
The third baby on its way! – The third?
What're you thinking about?
About the future of my people.
If children were not present I'd say what are you thinking about.
Inta, is it true?
Why don't I know anything?
Ciekurs! Hooray!
Soon I'll become the head of a many-children family!
Soon!
Don't be splashing, loony!
Tomorrow I'll start a new and beautiful life!
Hi! – Hello!
Uncle Edgars!
Yours is a fine enterprise.
You supply folks with heating.
And you are?
You know who's missing there? Me!
I'll be hanging there soon, mark my words!
Arvids! – Hello!
Who is him? – I'm sorry, comrade Jekabsons.
This is Arvids Lasmanis. He has just been employed.
Comrade Jekabsons, they just called from the factory...
I'm sorry.
Who is that?
The big boss, comrade Jekabsons.
So young? – Yes.
Listen! Let's collect money and get some booze!
Don't you see? I'm driving. And I don't drink at all.
How much are we short of? – Two. – God!
Bush.
Krogis.
I like it here, Ciekurs.
Lasmanis. – Janka.
My son is Janka.
Arvids. – Antons.
Arvids. – Andris. – Oleg.
Your locker, comrade Lasmanis. – And the robe?
At the storehouse, comrade Lasmanis.
Do you have some traditions? Should I fetch vodka being a rookie?
Shush! Let's go.
Don't you understand?
Things like that should be discussed out of the door!
So you're having a drop out of the door?
It's a shame! Look at your eyes.
You have a kidney disease.
Listen, aren't you working as a clown at some circus in Riga?
Nope! But if my team wishes, I can be a clown as well.
Allez-hop!
Give it a big hand!
Ciekurs, what's the situation with the social benefits here?
What do you mean, comrade Lasmanis?
Like going on a trade-union paid trip to Africa, to visit black folks.
First you'd have to work a little.
Don't you worry, Ciekurs, I'm a first-rate labourer!
Let's go, let's go.
You have to work from the very first day but wait for the13th wage for a year long!
If you don't work well after this showoff, you'll get it in the neck!
If you'll ever get famous in your life,
then just because you were the contemporary of the famous plumber Lasmanis.
You better don't address me so frivolously at work.
And don't you dare tell anyone that we are related.
Aye, aye, my General!
He won't complain to anyone. He's settled here illegally.
Have you turned it off? – Yes.
Gaskets must be replaced. Here, put on new ones.
Will you manage? – Sure thing, Ciekurs!
Calm down! Calm down, old man!
I'll report to whoever needed and you get lost with all your stuff.
Got it?
Guys, get on the car and off to the forest heating main!
Hello!
Ah, it's you.
You know, there's a word in Russian, that is hard to translate,
something like 'scallywags'.
Just like you, dilly-dalliers, buggering around,
'Good enough, good enough!'
Bu there's a constant leak here.
It's here... Here...
Every quarter of a year, as if there was a schedule.
Are you working here?
Don't tell anyone.
Here's a ruble. – Put it away.
Not a single word to anyone. Not a word!
Don't tell anyone, or they will turn me out.
Unsanitary conditions.
But where else could I create my masterpieces?
Is this all your work? – Yes.
Each one of these figures
is connected to some event from my life.
Each one.
I'm sorry, it's my first day at work.
So what? You think you'll be better than the others?
I will.
In that case –
un, deux, trois,
excusez-moi, Mon ami.
Comme Ci comme ça, the cellar greets ya!
Alright. Here's the ruble, buy yourself a beer.
No, not on duty.
Comrades!
Since because of lack of hot water our factory is at standstill
and consequently the state is losing thousands of rubles,
I address you with an explicit appeal...
Ciekurs!
...finish the repairs at our factory before the appointed time!
It's not the matter of gaskets. The tubes have slides down.
Decent repairs are needed.
Comrades! Who wants to speak?
Comrades! I believe we can do it.
We assume the responsibility
to accomplish all the works planned in the territory of the factory
before the appointed time!
Comrades, and this will be accomplished by our friendly and diligent brigade!
You, guys, are pot-boiling and I have to blush in shame.
Dear comrades, I have put it down.
And now, all together,
we will friendly sign this resolution.
Lasmanis, where are you going? Come back!
Why? – You have to sign.
What for? – You have to! – I don't want to.
Listen, you... – Lasmanis.
Listen, Lasmanis! Do you have a sense of responsibility?
Do you have principles? – I do!
I've served in the army, voted every year. I know my responsibilities.
Listen, Lasmanis.
Why are you smiling all the time?
Are my principles less valued when I smile?
Don't play the fool! Sign it like everyone else!
What if everyone else jumps out of the window?
On what grounds can we pull ahead of the schedule?
By increasing labour productivity, right?
So it was low before?
If the team has assumed the responsibility,
you, being a member of it, have to support it.
Let the team allow one of its members have a shower.
Since you're all clean already.
As to the work, I don't like idle talk.
We can work without signing the papers.
Indeed, comrade Jekabsons, enough with the papers.
If neighbours are in a need, we'll make an effort without any papers.
Here you are! - Thanks.
Despite all this fooling around, comrades,
the work will be completed ahead of the schedule.
Fine. - Well, Ciekurs...
What if it's flooded again? – You've already received a premium.
I'll deal with it in three days. - In two, and not a word to anyone.
You have to deal in two days, no matter what!
And don't make a fool out of me in front of the whole team!
Talking about that meeting again? – Yes.
I thought you were a real master, like here.
Here, here... Here it's one thing.
There – that is something else.
Who are you standing up for? An aged geezer!
Why? He's a great old man.
He said, if there was no war he had become a famous artist.
An artist? All the artists are cracked goons.
How about a side job?
What kind of job? – At the house management office.
As a mechanic.
When will I see my boys if I take up side jobs?
They'd be asleep when I leave in the morning.
Asleep again when I come home at night.
When would I go to movies?
You better put your life in order.
Lay the foundation. Get it?
This is my foundation! I laid it even before the army.
One doesn't need much reason for that.
Boys! Paddling on the grass again!
How many times should I repeat? One should walk on the path.
Safe and sound?
Bad weeds grow high.
Ones like us catch no ailments,
say nothing of mental illnesses.
Why so?
Because we know how to have fun in life.
It's a great God's gift.
Do you know how they call me at work? – How?
A clown.
Where is Lasmanis? Where is that buffoon?
Krogis! Come here!
Sign it.
Don't yell. I let him go to Site 17. But...
Sign it.
Step aside! And don't look up.
This is no sunbeam reflected in the mirror.
You know, they take me for a nut-case as well.
That's right.
If you don't care what you eat or wear, then you are a nut-case.
You'll become a laughingstock.
Keep it in mind:
Only strong people can let others laugh at them.
Let them laugh! They can make us happy with this as well.
Comrade Ciekurs! – Yes?
Two of your men are absent today.
Where are they? – Right you are, comrade Jekabsons.
Krogis asked for leave to see a doctor but Bush is at the storehouse.
And the new guy?
Which one? Lasmanis?
He's at Site 17.
You recently had total renovation there.
Yes, but gaskets are blown.
He is fresh hand, so it drags on.
Really?
Don't you believe me?
That'll do for today.
My wife's got a night shift. I have to pick up the boys.
Wait, wait!
Where are you running? You'll make it in time.
Let's have some coffee.
All right. Five more minutes.
How many little ones do you have?
The third is on its way.
That's not enough.
You need to have some more.
It's the greatest joy in the world,
while you haven't kicked the bucket.
Brother, you just pump on
While you're still young
When your old age comes
You'll get into a jolly mess!
Arvids!
Come here, look.
Did you see the dress material Uncle Edgars bought for mum?
She says she'll have a dress made with a neckline this low...
My mother-in-lay is enjoying her second youth.
Why don't you like my mum?
Tastes differ: some like the mother, some daughter, some just a new dress.
Can we switch over to Channel 1? There's a crime series on.
You won't possibly buy it and have a dress made.
I know you won't buy it for me. And I'm not asking.
I'm not asking anything.
Go and watch TV. I'll wash it.
You go. My place is in the kitchen.
Inta...
What's wrong?
My bright-eyed.
Because of clothes? Don't...
We have two boys instead. Right?
This is our foundation.
And soon we'll double our foundation. Right?
Let me go!
That's a lot of bottles!
So much money there.
Our Zhabotinsky will make a fortune handing them over for recycling.
Kornelija Yanovna! They say a woman is short of three things:
time, money and dresses.
Yet they are always right.
They have the cleverest children and the stupidest husbands.
You're right, as always, madame Andersone!
Comrade Andersone, citizen Lasmanis.
Listen, Arvids.
When we'll have a little girl...
A boy. - No, a girl.
Would you buy me a peignoir? – What's that?
A nightgown. You know...
If we have a boy, I'll buy you...
A mink coat! – All right!
Uncle Edgars bought mum some shoes. Do you know how much they cost?
All my salary!
Listen.
How do you like your new job? – It's great.
Educated and exciting people. All wearing white robes.
Design.
Look where you are going!
Where is Lasmanis today?
Still at Site 17, comrade Jekabsons.
He seems to be still getting accustomed, that's why he's lingering,
Tell me, Ciekurs, who's fooling whom?
Are you fooling me or Lasmanis - you?
Comrade Jekabsons, you know how inexperienced workers are toiling.
That's it!
Ready!
What do you mean? – It won't be flooded again.
Indeed?
Neither as planned nor scheduled? – Neither as planned nor scheduled.
Then we have a reason to celebrate.
I'm not like all the others
The bar-room boozers
Since I'm not like all the others
The bar-room boozers
But!
I can buy a pint
A pint or two or three
A pint!
And I nod off asleep
I can buy a pint
Just a pint, just a pint
And I nod off asleep
If you just were side by side with me
I'd enjoy it to the full
If you just were side by side with me
I'd enjoy it to the full
Because!
I'm not like all the others
The bar-room boozers
He’s in for it!
Here, comrade Jekabsons.
In the cellar.
Come on!
My heart, so mischievous and loving
You'll stop beating once and for ever
My heart, so mischievous...
Our guys!
Hello, boss! The task is accomplished!
Ciekurs, it will serve for hundred years. By Jove!
Comrade Ciekurs, I'll expect a report on drinking on the job.
Lasmanis, for now you're assigned to unskilled works.
For what?
You, potboilers! Why him?
The guy was sweating for two days and nights.
Excuse me! Is this drinking?
You haven't seen real drinking.
Really?
What did he do for two days if the renovation was completed a month ago?
Just reported, not completed. – Keep silent when you've been drinking.
Did you complete the renovation or just reported it as completed?
We did, he can witness.
You've just replaced the old gaskets!
You go and sleep your fill.
Thank you, Arvids.
You'd better quit on you own volition while it's not too late.
Why? I like it here. I'm ready to work also as a sweep.
Isn't it all the same to me?
Andris!
Is it true that Jekabsons has entrusted The Komsomol Searchlight
with inspecting the renovation done during the previous quarter?
Yes, it is.
Well, it's an offence!
I've been entrusted to work and they're checking on me!
As if I was some crook!
I've been working for twenty years.
Why are you so upset if your conscience is clean?
Or is it guilty? – I'm not upset!
It just hurts. – Listen!
Read what they are writing about the honour of a working man!
Krogis! Let them inspect!
Let them inspect, all right!
Comrade Jekabsons! How can you take seriously that loiterer?
Check on his work experience.
You know what it means, 'quit on his own volition'.
Guys like that are brawlers or drunkards.
That's why I want to inspect.
Comrade Jekabsons! – Comrade Ciekurs!
Haven't you made haste, promising to complete the renovation by the 25th?
Comrade Jekabsons, trust me.
You have no reason for doubt. This is the best team.
Be careful, Ciekurs!
Mark my words, he won't be working here for long!
What is Lasmanis doing here?
Foreman! That guy has skilful hands.
What are you doing here? – Surprise!
Comrade Lasmanis, I'm asking you, what are you doing here?
Comrade Ciekurs, it's not five o'clock yet.
I finished my work and came to help the guys.
Has anyone sent you over?
No, but I’m just frittering away time with the broom in the yard.
This is how it is done.
If you're assigned as a sweep, then you should sweep.
Which means frittering away.
I don't like it here any more. – Foreman!
That guy needs urgent brain repairs.
I just don't like frittering away.
Then you're welcome to quit on your own volition.
You, the sweetest among the wives of the Earth,
When will you give yourself to me at last?
Or perhaps the God of Love...
Looker! Come here!
...Should hear only songs of sorrow?
Served your way up! - That's for now.
Here you are! – I don't want it.
Listen! Want an side job? – Nope.
You'll be sorry.
Yes.
Halfwit.
Bush! Krogis!
Guys, now you have to be more careful.
The new boss, The Komsomol Searchlight...
You know it.
Boss! I'm offended by your act.
Arvids has to apologize to Jekabsons,
he should tell him that was drunk and said much nonsense.
But he's not drinking!
What's the difference?
It won't hurt him saying so.
Arvids is a new worker at a new place.
They are still shutting their eyes to him.
But what about Edgars?
He is in a totally different position.
A foreman, his picture's on the board, he's receiving premiums.
That's totally different. – Arvids is no drunkard!
Who's making him drink?! He just have to say it.
No.
He won't agree.
It's not his fault and he won't.
Naughty child!
Valdis, what's that?
Behave yourself!
Come on, come here!
Don't, don't!
Relatives have to get on well -
live in peace and harmony.
Can't you quit on your own volition?
You haven't worked long, made friends.
Mum said that Uncle Edgars can fix you up in a good job.
I have always quit with honour.
A good example to the boys!
Hello, my dear team!
You could take me back, I've mastered sweeping by now.
I cannot live without my dear team.
Hey you, listen!
Don't you happen to be...?
What's wrong?
Dear colleagues!
Listen to me!
Beat it while you still can!
We don't need clowns here.
No way! I like it here.
It's a great job, to provide heating for people!
Don't pay attention, he's taking Site 17 to heart!
Want to join the practice? I have a tournament next week.
I have no time, kids are waiting.
Let's go and catch crayfish tomorrow!
Right! Take it easy, let's go!
Why the foreman did not come?
Right he was.
I would not have come either if I knew that buffoon was coming along.
Look at him!
He just can't mind his own business.
Arvids!
Stop bathing, let's go and catch frogs!
I'm on my way!
Krogis! Come and help skinning the frogs! – I'll skin you instead.
Can I help with anything? – No, you cannot.
Thanks, dear, thanks.
She's wearing Leontine's wig.
And the jersey. – Poor thing.
Why aren't you taking a dip?
If you're afraid to wet the wig, take it off.
Inta!
Inta, come here, quick!
Seven crayfishes! The boys will be surprised!
What's the yelling? Shut up!
Let's bring them home, boys have never seen anything like that.
Then you'll have to boil them. And there'd be crying.
Right.
Arvids, don't you think
that your colleagues aren't really accepting you?
What?
Wait and see, I'll make them laugh at the bonfire
so that they will split their sides with laughter.
Sit here.
I don't know them. – You're like a little girl.
Hey, Bush!
Are you still seeing the light?
Arvids!
Come and join us.
Jekabsons will do nothing about him.
Yeah. Ciekurs is a big bug.
The honourable audience!
Now performing in front of you the famous artist –
Arvids Lasmanis!
Here comes my wigged self!
Welcome, maestro!
Buffoon!
As the soil in March is ripening
The feast of cats is running high
Even for us, when the March comes round,
Heart sings along with the tomcats' yowl
A ginger follows a ginger, a glossy follows a glossy
And a Grey follows two gingers
Here and there, and everywhere... – A nightmare!
But the sun will rise and sink for plenty o'times
As thousands of new kittens will come into the world
And the cats will never cease to exist
Just like the mankind will persist!
Krogis, stop it!
We like to listen!
Why are you always telling me and lying to me
that everybody respects you and loves you,
that they cannot do without you?
You're just a jester!
Give me my jacket.
They are taking revenge on me about Site 17.
Do you know who you are? A clown, not the head of the family.
Charlie Chaplin is also the head of his family.
Inta!
They are potboiling, and it's my fault?
What do you care?
Some screwing and filing, and off to the pay office!
That's what Uncle Edgars say, right? – Yes, Uncle Edgars.
Are you working the same way at the hospital?
Dirty syringes? Slapdash? – That's different!
I have patients, living people, not some piece of junk like you have!
Wait! Who else am I working for, if not people?
For swines? Nowadays one takes pain also for swines.
Pig-tenders are decorated with orders.
You want to earn an order!
I don't want to earn, I am just working.
Your mother's boyfriend, he wants to earn!
That's enough!
You leave my mum alone. My mum is my mum!
Who brings us tomatoes and cucumbers? Tell me, who?!
When did I ask her do that? Tell me! When?
I can earn for it myself. – Right, as a sweep!
Why as a sweep?
Janka! Valdis!
Good morning! – Good morning, kiddies!
Have you been waiting for me?
She's wearing a wig. – Hell!
Hello, Arvids. – Good gracious...
Did Inta make in time for work? – Yes.
We are going to Riga, to theatre.
With cucumbers? – It's for the customers.
We'll take them on our way.
Why didn't you bring the crayfishes?
Make it up with Edgars! He's your relative now.
And he wishes you only well. – Yes, yes!
Hello, Uncle Edgars!
Mother-in-law says you're angry with me. – One cannot be angry with nut-cases.
Why am I a nut-case? I just want to do good to everyone.
Everyone?! You better take care of your family.
Take care of your kids, your boys!
Trade union will take care of everyone.
Arvids, it's for the children.
I don't want it.
Why are you insulting us? – We don't need it. We can buy it.
Valdis, get off the car!
I don't want it, I don't want it!
Get off! – Don't be a fool, take it.
Stop it, Mirdza. He's growing up, starting to grasp things.
Arvids, I won't be able to take you today, there's no place in the car.
It's alright, we'll ride on a horseback.
Well, Janis, can you catch up?
I can't take it with me to the theatre! – Give it to your customers.
Don't worry, Mirdza! He's starting to grasp things.
Tell a tale! – Which tale?
"Well, Just You Wait!"
You've seen "Well, Just You Wait!" on TV.
"Well, Just You Wait!"
Once upon a time there was... – A wolf? – A seagull.
It was flying high in the sky. And it was very lonely.
It liked to be high in the sky so much that she did not want to fly down.
It was eating and drinking there...
And there was the sea, the forests and the oceans underneath.
Once it wanted to land but it could not.
Good evening!
Ciao, mummy!
Why didn’t you return Leontine the wig and the jersey?
Janka, get under the blanket!
You couldn't do as little!
While we watched all the eight episodes of "Well, Just You Wait!"...
Had some cake, rode a boat...
I think we agreed.
A promise has to be kept.
You've just let me down.
Ciao, dear, take it easy!
"Ciao, dear, take it..."
Inta! Don't take offence!
Inta, what has happened?
Let me go! – This is your place.
You're no Chaplin!
You couldn't even do that much!
Leontine kicked up a row.
Nurses run up, looked at me as if I was a pauper.
Doctors were laughing!
Listen...
Have you hypnotized me?
Everything's fine and nice, isn't it?
It's hypnosis, right?
Look how others are living!
Look how mum's living!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
You think I can't earn money just like your mum's suitor?
Leave my mum alone!
My mum is my mum.
You should learn from Uncle Edgars
how to take care of your family and kids!
You haven't been able to do that! – Fine! – Boaster!
I'll prove it to you.
And I won't be sleeping there alone.
You'll have a summer cottage, seven wigs and nail polish.
Tell me tales!
A Zhiguli car...
Go to bed! Get asleep!
We had to talk to mummy! – We were having a nice chat with mummy.
She's tired after work, get asleep.
A master! Everything’s falling to pieces.
You'll have it all.
You'll wash your feet in champagne.
Dad, what happened to the seagull?
Tell us! – It croaked!
Listen, boss!
What about that side job?
Rest in peace, dear brother-in-law,
In the hill of white sand.
Silently in our hearts
We will always remember you.
I still wanted... – I still wanted to greet the sun,
Say some more kind words to you...
Did boss know the deceased?
Was it his relative?
You're a fool.
Look...
...and learn!
Don't be stingy! Did you see how much Stikane put?
That's all for us? – Who else?
Is it fair?
It's a little uncomfortable. We were paid for the work.
Did we pick their pockets?
They put it there.
Not for us but for their own prestige.
Every philistine wants to be buried with more pomp than his neighbour.
Sometimes I wake up and see seven luxury cars by my house.
And every one is begging me.
All big bugs!
Is it always so much?
It's a whole month's salary. – You don't say!
Before, when there were still old rubles and People's Guard did not make the rounds,
we couldn't shut our suitcases.
Here's your money and stick with us.
You’re our good luck charm.
Monsieur! Qu'est-Ce Que c'est?
A juggler!
It's for our mutual aid fund.
Hello, comrade Jekabsons!
The superiors are getting worried, it means everything will be fine.
Well, the foreman of the best team!
Have you read The Komsomol Searchlight?
I have no time. Who will be working while I am reading?
It turns out that not only on Site 17
but also on other sites of our thermal power plant
renovations were done carelessly or were not performed at all.
It is false record-keeping, fraud.
How can I manage it all, comrade Jekabsons,
if I don't have enough people?
How can I work with clean conscience
if there are no reinforcement bars in the store-house?
Then you should have reported: unable to accomplish for objective reasons.
Yeah, and for the same objective reasons
your district, I mean, our district,
would have received neither appreciation nor a pennant,
say nothing of a premium.
Is the entire team at work today? – Yes, it is.
What about Bush? - Asked for leave.
A couple of hours, for a personal matter. – For a side job.
Comrade Jekabsons!
Leave the team to me.
I'm responsible for it.
I have met here four district superiors,
and all of them have been promoted.
You are the fifth.
You can believe me.
Tell the team that there's extra payment for their work on the forest main.
Where will you get the money?
I'll pay if I promise. Even if I have to pay from my pocket.
Then that's a different matter.
Hello, old man!
Where have you been lost, vagabond?
Where have you been?
Are your wife and kids alright? – Sure, they are!
Snoring, fed and pampered.
There's something wrong with you.
Why? I was reinstated at work.
I'm having side jobs in the evenings, earning money.
My wife's crying with joy.
You're lying, my friend.
Does your wife really need that?
Why'd she care about my naked ass?
That's right.
Do you know what matters in life?
Three things matter in life. – Well?
First...
Come here...
That's the main thing.
Second – the soul.
Third – the work.
How are you doing with the first?
As to the first, it depends.
As to the soul....
Is there such a thing as human soul?
So you were taught at school that there isn't?
There is. There is the soul.
You just won't find it in the heaven.
It's here, on the earth, walking in your footsteps.
You don't believe me?
Read our folk-songs!
There's neither the heaven nor the hell,
there's just what your eyes can see.
Let us sing? – I don't feel like singing.
And you don't want to go home either.
Who told me: children, happiness?
Shut up, old man.
And afresh in an evening blue
A nightingale sings in the grove
Everything comes and goes away
And everything begins anew... - They have broken you, my boy.
Everything comes and goes away
Life has broken you...
Broken, as it is...
Arvids! Welcome back.
Don't yawn. Come to the fight tomorrow!
I don't have time.
What is it? – Change it.
Bush! Drive up the crane!
Krogis! – Yes.
Call the depot. – Alright.
Arvids! – Yes!
Jump down!
At your service, comrade Ciekurs!
You weren't home at night?
I had an side job.
During the night? – Well yes.
Have you found a lady? You have to be more careful with affairs.
What kind of lady?
I have my wife.
And I'm getting a surprise in store for her.
Come on! A ruble or two doesn't make much difference.
Don't talk rubbish! We'll live as brothers but share as wolves,
that’s the way to meet the world standards.
You’re our good luck charm, brother.
Since you are with us, our enterprise is experiencing an economic miracle.
They're dying more often?
You know, if the clients keep silent, they're satisfied.
Alright, off I am. – Hold your horses! I've received a premium.
I have to be at work.
Put on a helmet, Arvids.
Put it on, I'm saying!
What's wrong with you?
You've been so strange lately. Neither fish no fowl.
I'm growing up.
I don't know what to do.
It's been a week
since Arvids comes home at midnight.
Drinking?
Then what? Another woman?
It's impossible.
It's impossible, no.
Inta, dear, you have to talk about it.
You have children, they need a father.
I don't want...
...to humiliate myself, mum!
Inta!
I have a delicate question. – Yes?
Being your landlady, I have to know.
Tell me, why Arvids is not spending the nights at home?
He is busy at work.
Listen, Arvids!
They say you're good at basketball.
I cannot. – Can't you help out this time?
I have to earn money. – Money, money!
We have a game against the neighbouring department.
What do you mean? Hell, we need help!
We are short of two guys!
I can't. – Choke on your money!
He's an honest boss.
Do you know what a headache is? Can I have some small advance payment?
No advance payments. – A pint would do.
This won't work. I know you.
Finish the work and – here you are!
Count it. – No use!
I know you, guys. You'll vanish as soon as you get the advance.
Button it up. – Ah, right!
Will you come tomorrow?
It's a wrap! Enough for today.
Time is money. – Wow! A philistine...
Here, your share. – Thanks.
What's wrong with you?
Don't you trust me any more? Are you counting it?
Money loves counting.
Wait...
I'm in a hurry.
Do you have to go today, too? – Yes.
Time is money.
So...
Dear Inta!
Let me congratulate you on your name-day.
I'll say it with a poet's words.
Without love there is no living!
Without love it matters not
Without love the coals grow cold
And the sharpest blade is dull
Here's the serviettes.
I've noticed that you're always eating in haste.
When you underlay a serviette like this,
put the plate here and the knife there,
everything looks much more nicer.
I am sorry.
Inta, forgive me!
I’ll make a lunch and dinner for you.
No side jobs today, all right?
Boys!
Congratulations! – Thank you.
Janka, Valdis!
Valdis, Janka, come here! Quick!
Some thing really nice will happen.
What will happen? – You'll see.
Today mum has her name-day. – A name-day?
Quick! Let's sing it all together!
Live safe and sound!
Here's two of my flowers! – Thanks.
Now let's go to the town. – To the town?
Let's eat ice-cream and ride a merry-go-round.
First of all we'll wash the faces. – No way!
Wash the faces! – Nope!
This is mum. – Grandma has arrived on Zhiguli!
Hello there. – Hello there.
What is it?
Let's go. – Where to? – The client's waiting.
I cannot. It's my wife's name-day.
Then bring us a drink. – Stop it!
Can't you do without me? – What'd boss say?
Hello! – Hi!
Well...
Should we find someone else?
Wait, wait.
Merry-go-round, ice-cream!
Who was it? – A side job, you see.
I promised. – What do you mean?
I'll be back in a couple of hours.
Valdis, Janka!
When the small hand is here and the big hand is there...
I'll be back, alright?
No, no, no, no!
What about the merry-go-round?
Ladies and gentlemen!
Get lost, swine!
I wanted to greet the sun...
Get lost from here!
Half-wit! What are you doing?
In a sacred place!
Inta!
Good evening!
Good evening.
Inta!
Where is Inta?
Well... Yeah...
Where is Inta?
She left.
With her things, with the little ones.
To her mum.
That's it.
Why are you yelling? – Come down!
No. The boys just fell asleep. Don't you disturb them.
Stop kidding! Take the boys and let's go to sleep at home.
Inta!
What is this yelling about?
You've made a mess and now you're yelling.
Come on in and talk to her quietly.
I'll wait here.
Come on, talk to her. Come on.
Have you spent the whole night here? – Yes.
She didn't let you in? – It's alright.
Come, have some breakfast. And then off to work.
Working and earning is all fine
but you have to find time for your wife, she's still young.
Come to breakfast, dear son-in-law.
Hey you, mother-in-law!
Who is the master of my life, you or me?
Arvids, don't you shout at my mum!
Don't you shout at my mum!
Inta, let me in!
Don't shout. – Let me see the boys!
Don't you play a comedy!
Arvids!
Don't worry!
Those quick loving hearts!
Bush!
Krogis!
Come on!
What are you standing stock-still?
The pipes are damaged.
Krogis!
It's alright. Ciekurs told us to pack them up.
An idiot! – Why are you wasting time? Come on!
Ciekurs, come here! That trick won’t work here.
The pipes are damaged.
The factory doesn't need your philosophy. It needs hot water!
If you are going to waste time like this we won't finish by the 25th.
And then we'll see neither hot water nor premiums!
Do what you're told!
Ciekurs, come here!
Ah, you won't?
Now you'll come.
Look.
What's wrong with you? Have you cracked up?
Do you know that you can be sued for this?
What's wrong, foreman?
Ask them to replace the pipes. – Well, I'll show you!
My dear Arvids...
You'll pay for this.
I will, Uncle Edgars.
And you will be responsible for your slapdash work
and ask them to replace the pipes.
An you will replace them, even if in a kilometer of length.
Enough of this potboiling.
Look, comrade Jekabsons! We're pampering and pampering...
Comrade Jekabsons, I told you!
I warned you that this guy would mean trouble.
Why did you do it? – The pipes would burst anyway.
You can smash also new ones!
Who asked you to do this? – No one.
Leave the heating main!
This main is as much his as yours.
I don't understand you. – I don't understand you either.
These pipes are rusted.
These pipes would last for a long time at a certain fixed load.
Then the winter would come... – Then, then...
We would replace them!
The factory has to work after all!
We have to do everything we can to carry out the state procurement.
Comrade Jekabsons, I'll say frankly to you as a young chief executive:
no one will ask you quality.
They'll ask you to complete the work in time,
even better – before time.
Then you'll receive honour and merits.
The factory has to work! – That's right!
Comrade Jekabsons, do you know how much money
one day of standstill costs to our state?
Yes. And you can calculate how much money a week would cost
if we make thorough renovation in winter!
Now you're the good guys, but we'll be responsible in winter.
Who'd be responsible if it breaks down in winter? You?!
Me and my comrades gave a promise. And promises must be kept!
Here are our signatures.
Don't worry, comrade Ciekurs.
I dismiss your from your promise and from the position of the foreman.
You'll be sorry for that.
Comrade Jekabsons, this conversation isn't over!
They want to intimidate me! – Shush, kids have just fallen asleep.
Let them hear what their daddy has done!
He was born as a fool and he will die as a fool!
Quiet, really! You're such a child. You come home and...
I quit the job today –
resigned on my own volition.
Dear me! – The hell with them!
Ones like me...
the ones will never be lost in life.
I’ll work in house management at night, I've always wanted to do that.
I'll put up the second greenhouse... – Can you tell me what happened?
Don't eat like this, just a second. – Cucumbers, tomatoes...
Where's my watch? – Here, here.
Wait, I'll fry it.
I'll get a new car, a pickup instead of Zhiguli.
Go and sell it in Leningrad, Riga, Minsk...
You'll bring home 62 rubles 50 kopecks from your accounting.
But that son-in-law of yours... – Wait, Edgars.
He was born a pauper, he'll die a pauper. – Let's eat, let's thing it over...
You should also quit your accounting job.
You'll find a part-time job somewhere,
so that nobody could reproach you and the length of service was not interrupted.
There's enough work at home. – That's not right, Edgars...
They wanted to make a granny out of me, and you need a maid.
I cannot live like that.
I'll go to my daughter, I am ashamed.
You're not even thinking of registering our marriage.
Don't, I'll go to my daughter and sleep there.
Mirdza, honey!
We can register our marriage tomorrow.
Don't you believe in me?
I do. I want to believe but...
Why are you torturing yourself with thoughts like that?
I'd do anything for you.
Had anyone else tolerated this?
The boys are making everything dirty, breaking everything...
See what's happening here?
The piano, my expensive shaver...
Now everything is broken.
Have I ever said a word about it?
You are a good man, Edgars,
but I won't leave my job.
It's alright, it's alright. I'm just saying...
Just don't leave me, honey.
Up!
Enough.
Arvids, someone's looking for you. – Who? – Superiors.
What kind of superiors? – Give me your helmet.
Go!
Down!
Go, go!
I brought you some supper.
I don't need anything from Ciekurs' table. – Arvids!
I bought it myself.
For your mother's money?
Wait!
From now on we won't be taking anything from them.
And the boys are at home.
Madame Andersone promise to mind them.
Let's have it.
A happy end