Shine

I did. I did. I...I thought I was a cat.

Well, kind of, kind of. I identified with cats.

Well, I kind of did. I wonder why that was?

They're never sure when you try to stroke them, is that right?

So maybe I was a sad cat. Was I a sad cat? Because I wonder...Yeah, yeah, yeah, I wonder about cats.

Truly, I did. I did. I did. 'Cause I was a fuddy-duddy. Fuddy-duddy.

I kissed them all. Kissed them. I will always kiss cats.

If a cat would let me kiss it, I'd kiss it. You know, if I see a cat on the fence, I'll kiss it. Always.

Always. I would, didn't I?

Life's a perpetual risk, isn't it?

That's right. I think it is.

Because, the point is, I was different in those days.

I was. I was.

And I've...I've got to be different again.

So, can the leopard change its spots?

I mean, who knows?

It's a blood sport. I think it's a blood sport.

It's true. It seems to be true.

Or is it a blank?

Bit of a Scrabble.

You've got to put all the pieces together,

see if you can make a word.

That's funny. That's funny. That's funny.

It's a mystery. It's a mystery.

Bye!

Take care.

Bye-bye.

We're closed!

What's the problem, mate?

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, mate. I'm the problem.

I think I'm the problem. Such a problem! And wet! But it's not an ideal world.

Is it an ideal world? We just have to make the most of it.

This is the way we find it, isn't it? Yeah, yeah. It's more ideal than it was, because, I mean,

You know, I mean, we're privileged. We're privileged, aren't we? Because not long ago,

people would be burnt to a steak, wouldn't they, Moby? Moby, yeah!

No, no. It's Tony. Tony, Tony, Tony.

Who am I, Tony? Who knows, Tony? I don't know. So, ah!

I'm David. I'm David, Tony. How does it sound?

Hi, David. How can Sylvia help? Sylvia. Is it Sylvia? Sylvia! Hi, Sylvia!

Pleased to meet you, Sylvia! Oh! Schubert. Schubert, wasn't it?

He said, "Who is Sylvia? What is she?" What...what can we do for you, David?

Do for me? Do for me? What? Oh, l...oh, l... I got to stop talking. It's a problem, isn't it?

No, no, no. It's all right. Just tell Sylvia why you're here.

Oh, well, uh, it's a mystery... Are you lost? Am I lost?

Perhaps that's it. Perhaps I'm lost. How does that sound? How does that sound?

Is that your piano, Sylvia? Beautiful Sylvia. lsn't Sylvia beautiful, Toby?

Not Toby. Tony. Tony. Tony. You're beautiful, too, Tony.

Perhaps I could play it. Could I play it? Could I play it? You say. You say.

Like hell, baby. Go on. Shut up, Sam.

Hell, baby. Whoa, whoa! The devil. Diablerie. Whoa, Sam...

David...Get out of here! Go on! Sylvia, Sylvia, Sylvia, Sylvia...

You just tell us who you are and where you live. Could l...could I play? Live...live...live, Sylvia.

Live and let live. That's very important, isn't it? Molto, molto.

But then again, it's a lifelong struggle, isn't it, Sylvia?

Tony, Tony, Tony. Sylvia. To...to survive.

To live. To survive. To survive undamaged... and not to destroy any living, breathing creature.

I mean, the point is, if you do something wrong, you're going to be punished for the rest of your life.

So I think it's a lifelong struggle. Is it a lifelong struggle? Yeah.

Whatever you do, I think it's a struggle, a struggle, a struggle to keep your head above water and not get it chopped off.

I'm not disappointing you, am I, Sylvia? Tony? Tony, Sylvia, Sam, yes, Sam! Hello, Sam!

Get off!

Helfgott. What a name!

Sorry, Sylvia. I sound like a donkey. Helfgott. "With the help of God."

That's what it means. You see, Daddy's daddy was religious. Very religious.

Ve-very strict. And a bit of a meanie. But he got exterminated, didn't he?

So God didn't help him. That's not very funny. It's very sad really.

I'm callous, Daddy said. Callous. And a bit of a meanie.

Sorry, Sylvia, I'm not damaging you. I mustn't damage Sylvia.

The point is, the point is, perhaps I haven't got a soul.

What makes you say that? Daddy said there's no such thing as a soul.

Oh, that's ridiculous. Ridiculous. You're right. I am ridiculous.

And callous, Daddy said. Callous. Callous. Ridiculous and callous.

Because it was a tragedy. A tragedy. A ri-ridiculous tragedy.

I'm going to win. I'm going to win.

I'm going to win!

I'm going to win!

David's going to play the piano for us.

Aren't you, David?

Yes.

What are you going to play?

What are you going to play?

Excuse me.

Chopin. The Polonaise.

This is crazy.

It's the piano...

the piano.

It's a disgrace.

This kid's good.

He's great.

He is my son.

My son.

Here they come.

Did he win or lose?

Margaret!

He lost.

Now we'll cop it.

It's your turn.

It's your turn, Daddy.

Let me see.

Let me see.

Let, uh, let me see.

You're losing.

You're losing. You're losing.

David, always win.

Always...

win.

You know, when l...

when I was a boy your age,

I bought a violin, a beautiful violin.

And I saved for this violin.

And you know what happened to it?

Yes... he smashed it.

Yeah...

he smashed it.

David, you're a very lucky boy.

My father never let me have music.

I know.

A very lucky boy.

Say it.

I'm a very lucky boy.

Very...lucky.

Now shall I play for you?

No. Pick up those pieces.

Bet I could have won.

You'd have been too scared.

Listen. Have a listen.

Margaret!

I told you, tell your friends not to come.

Hello.

Daddy, there's somebody to see you!

Hello.

I hope I'm not interrupting.

Uh, Ben Rosen. I was one of the judges.

Yes?

You left before all the prizes were announced.

You were very good this afternoon, David.

Thank you.

He can play better.

Well, maybe he was a little too good.

Some people don't like that.

We, uh, we gave him a special prize for his courage.

Difficult piece you chose, David.

Daddy chose it.

Well, even great pianists think twice...

before tackling the Polonaise.

A prize for losing.

I wouldn't call him a loser.

They all...

they all play.

Well, I'm quite sure...

David could win lots of competitions...

with the right tuition.

My card.

I teach him.

Yeah. You've obviously done very well.

Yeah. No one taught me.

No music teachers, Mr. Rosen.

No, of course. It's just, uh...

it's just a few bad habits...

can sometimes mean the difference between winning...

or losing.

Well, perhaps you'd, uh, you'd like to think about it, hmm?

It's Rachmaninoff.

It's beautiful.

Yeah.

You taught yourself?

From the record.

Ah, yeah.

It's...it's very difficult.

It's very difficult.

It's...

it's the hardest piece in the world, you know?

Will you teach me?

You know...

one day you will play it.

You will make me very proud...

very proud, won't you, David?

Yes.

And, uh...

next time...

What are we going to do?

We're going to win?

We're going to win, yes.

So...

good night.

Good night, Daddy.

Come. Come, come, come.

Don't touch. Don't touch.

Yes?

Mr. Rosen, I have decided I would like...

you teach David...

this.

Rachmaninoff? Don't be ridiculous.

But he can play it already.

He's just a boy.

How can he express that sort of passion?

You are a passionate man, Mr. Rosen.

You will teach him, no?

No.

I will teach him what I think is best.