The Beat That My Heart Skipped

You knew my dad, right?

He wasn't senile. More of a bossy go-getter.

Then he started to bug me, bigtime.

He bugged me as a whole, but this was new.

Before, he'd only pretend to consult me.

He'd say, 'Do this' - and I'd do it.

Now he starts asking my advice on everything,

what I'd do if I were him...

even what I think of him balling his female staff!

I hated it. It grossed me out.

He went on like we were buddies. It drove me nuts!

Then it clicked. This wasn't my dad, here.

He'd become like a kid that I was responsible for.

Like I was the dad, see?

See what happens?

You wake up one morning and things have switched places.

Gimme a light.

The bitch of it is, you're helpless.

You can scream and kick the walls, it's no goddamn use.

Time's moved on, your dad's an old man,

you're not immortal anymore.

Do you believe in God?

Times like that make you start to believe.

Finally, you learn to put up with it.

Then my dad fell sick and I...

I nursed him like a baby.

Wiped his ass, fed him, cleaned his mouth...

The worst thing was, I didn't want it to stop.

The year after that, I had my first kid.

THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED

I don't see why.

I really don't see why.

I told you about a house on Rue Carrel.

On the east side. You didn't mention the west side.

Whichever side, you knew it was my patch!

Why not the whole region?

You pulled a fast one on me, admit it.

Can't you kill the sound and your cigar?

- How much you want? - Dunno.

Don't know?

50-50?

50-50? I set up the deal and you take half for nothing?

Hot stuff!

Hang on! I can bring know-how and cash.

Sure! Takes a lot of know-how to make me swallow that.

What's your offer?

Nothing. Nada!

You're the one sweating it. I don't need you.

That's a new one!

Hear that, Sami?

I don't give a shit. Do your business.

Do your deal and stop crapping about it.

I'll give you 'I don't need you.'

In the last six months... Who found the warehouses?

Without me, you'd still be haggling with that old bag.

- And the tennis courts... - Tennis courts?

The acre along the highway.

If you don't remember that, what you need is a doctor!

So what's your offer?

I told you, 50-50.

OK, plus half of the Belgrand deal.

Like fuck! Belgrand's worth four times Massy!

Don't give me that!

If Massy's worth shit, why make such a big deal of it?

- This it? - On the left.

Cut it out!

You go that way.

Two floors up.

I can't see! Gimme a flashlight. You have a spare.

What's going on up there?

Asking me! Maybe a rat bit him.

The asshole scared me!

- What's up, Sami? - It ran up my leg and bit me!

Where? Let me see.

- Fuckin' bit me all over! - I can't see.

- What do you want? - My smokes.

OK, fuck you.

Fuck you!

I've thought it over. It's a deal.

- What's a deal? - What we said.

Massy and the Belgrand place, 50-50.

- When's the due date? - 22nd.

- How much under the table? - 500,000.

250,000 each. OK with you?

One thing I don't get about Beefy.

If he hates rats, why does he plant them?

- Why not plant something else? - What, snakes?

Or his mother?

- Feeling better? - And you?

Go away!

When will you be done?

This part tonight. The rest in two days, minimum.

Thursday?

I'm signing the deal at 11 AM. Get me the plans by 8.

- I can't. - Course you can!

What's the rush? We can beat him down.

He owes Martens 60,000. I'll tell Martens to collect.

Why would he?

I know him. He owes me one.

If he finds out, we'll find ourselves buying from him.

Don't be paranoid. He won't know.

You handle Martens, I'll fix the lawyer and City Hall.

You can't go in there! You're trespassing!

They broke the lock!

You're trespassing on private property!

Where are you going? Get out!

- What's your problem? - I own this place!

Clear out.

- You're crazy! - No, I'm the owner.

- No entry! - I live here.

No! No, you don't.

Where were you?

Stuck in traffic. I came quick...

Can't you ever do what you say?

I was stuck in traffic!

Bullshit! The watchman says you never came here once.

And now look!

Get this zoo out of here!

- Who are you? - Leave them alone.

Who are you?

Housing Rights group. You the owners?

Guess!

This is illegal.

The law's on our side.

They've been here 48 hours.

There's water, power. It's their home now.

You want your building back,

find a place to rehouse them.

We can get the cops.

The cops are right there. Go get them!

They're not squatters, they're families. That's the point.

They've only occupied the street side, not the back yet.

Get Lesrec and his guys here quick or we're stuck for six months.

How many apartments are there?

Won't be so easy now!

Halfass!

Hi.

Did you order?

I was waiting for you.

Boy, that looks... What is it?

Electro.

Try it.

- You dig this for real? - Oh yeah.

Seriously?

I listen to it!

What's this shit called again?

Why are you jumpy? Balls itch?

You wanted to talk.

What if I got married again?

Do I know her?

Not yet. I asked her to come meet you.

Wait till you see her. A beaut!

She's got tits...

legs up to her chin... and an ass!

That should do.

Am I making you awkward?

Do you have to marry her?

Have to?

No, why?

She's not pregnant.

That's not what I meant.

Tell me straight. You say no, I won't.

Do it, Dad. If that's what you want.

If it makes you happy, do it.

Sure! Do it.

One other thing.

There's a couscous joint owes me six months' rent.

Every time I ask for it, he whines,

'My wife's pregnant', 'my daughter's getting married, ' etc.

Guess what? The rat's buying tax-deductible real estate!

He's fleecing me and lining his nest with it!

Can you fix him?

Sure.

- It won't take you a minute. - I said sure.

I wrote it all down here.

Here comes Gorgeous!

My son Thomas, Chris.

I have a call to make. Sit there, I won't be long.

- Want a drink? - A kir.

- You? - I'm fine.

So you're Robert's son?

What do you do?

I model, for catalogs.

And commercials, if I can. I auditioned for one this morning.

Competition must be stiff.

All those East European girls.

Why East European?

It's just the way I heard it.

Thanks.

You're in real estate, like Robert?

Yeah.

- How's business? - Okay.

So what's Chris short for?

Yvonne?

Well, no. Christine.

Are you getting at me?

Did I offend you? Why are you getting at me?

Just kidding. Are you serious about Robert?

Yes, I think so.

We haven't known each other long.