The Plumber

...PLUMBER...

- I'm in the middle. - How's that?

Good.

- Who's the Negro? - I told you. Some kind of sorcerer.

Him?

When was that night?

- When you went to Bouganville. - Tell me.

He came into my tent.

He sat across the street, he started singing and screaming.

- Weren't you afraid? - Sure you were.

I was all alone, somewhere in the mountains of New Guinea.

But he was in a trance. I knew I couldn't move.

He was upset by the slightest movement.

- It lasted a few hours? - Until dawn.

Something incredible.

He was in a terrible frenzy; I had to do something.

I picked up a bowl of goat's milk, I held her over my head and...

...I punched it in his face.

- What about him? - It was terrible.

He cried like a child.

- Good! - Really?

Why didn't you write about it?

Could be a bestseller.

If Medavoy calls, first I went to the lab.

Brian?

You forgot your keys again?

A plumber.

- I think you've got the wrong apartment. - It's 15C.

We didn't call the plumber.

It's a routine check. I'm with the administration.

- From the university. - I understand.

- They didn't call? - No.

As usual! Excuse me, but we need to check all the pipes.

- Please come in. - Sure, baby.

- What broke down? - Bathroom.

- The bathroom is... ...behind the bedroom. I know this building.

I call him Titanic. The worst plumber on campus.

A real museum.

The pressure.

- It's impossible to do otherwise. - How long will it take?

About half an hour.

- What, did you want to take a shower? - No.

If you have to...

Sure you do.

I'd better get to it. When we're done. talk, I'll never finish the job.

I'll leave you to it.

Such a vitamin C deficiency is common in the mountains of New Guinea.

This is primarily the result a move away from traditional food

in favour of processed food.

We're trying to convince the locals shopkeepers to bring in

unprocessed food instead of industrial,

which we, Western civilizations, we impose on them.

It's from Geneva.

Will you replace me?

I'm going to go ahead Dr. Cowper's lecture.

Honey, it's me.

I'm sorry.

I got a telex from Geneva.

We'll have experts here tomorrow from the World Health Organization.

What?

Apparently, they got a command, to look at my research.

We have a plumber here. He's checking the pipes.

I didn't call anybody.

He's taking a shower.

A shower?!

I don't know for sure, but if?

Paranoia!

You know what? Turn on the cold water in the kitchen, it'll burn.

- How about that? - How about a plumber?

To visit! Dr. Japari is with them.

It's the best nutrition spec in the world.

We could go away for a few years to Geneva.

I gotta go.

But what about...

I wanted to ask you...

You have a problem. They should shoot of whoever wore these pipes.

It's a miracle you haven't been flooded yet.

- But what is it? - The pipes are fucked up.

Really?

You won't understand anyway. technical details.

The pipes are too narrow. This is the last floor.

Over your head you have almost 20,000 litres of water.

High pressure. Part of the system must be replaced.

- How long will this take? - Four or five hours.

I can't do it today. Can I do it tomorrow? You better get it over with as soon as possible.

Of course.

I didn't know something was wrong.

In hydraulics, this is important, that you can't see.

I am responsible for the installation in this building.

If something goes wrong, I'll get my ass kicked.

- What is it? - I'm doing a degree in anthropology.

Well, I'm responsible.

You come and go, but I don't.

I'll come first thing in the morning. Hi, Jilly.

- How did you get in? - The door was open.

- You scared me! - I apologized. You didn't hear...

- I think they brought you shopping. - Thank you, but my husband...

- They're heavy! - My husband will carry them.

Take it easy.

- You're nervous. - You scared me.

You're gonna be fine with me, too. I almost turned around!

I'm on my way.

- Don't you live here long? - Three months.

- From Melbourne? - Yes.

I hate Melbourne.

I don't like Adelaide.

It's okay. I was born in Melbourne.

Really?

What school did you graduate from?

Claremont.

France-elegance.

Thank you for shopping.

Okay, just a little bit. See you tomorrow.

And by the way, I'm Max.

What is it?

It was filmed a few years ago among the Fore tribe.

Oh, man.

Look at the symptoms. Cerebral seizure, spasticity and finally madness.

The disease is caused by a virus, present in the brains of the dead ancestors.

They ate the brains of the dead, to gain their knowledge.

But the hell it's gone.

Are you sure? Look.

That's not a whore!

I saw this movie at a conference in Manila.

Sanders illustrated his lecture with it.

I think he's a whore.

Ritual cannibalism no longer exists!

These are symptoms of vitamin deficiency. A coincidence.

I'll examine it. I asked for blood and tissue samples.

It's a waste of time.

You'll do me for tomorrow to increase the number of victims?

You know that Japari's doing it?

He had a publication about it:

"The effects of modern diets in the Central Mountains."

You better not mention it tomorrow.

It's just a hunch.

Really?

So what happens to the pipes?

They say we're in danger of being flooded. That sounded pretty serious.

- He didn't take a shower, did he? - I really don't know.

- You think I'm hysterical? - You're tense.

You would, too, if you'd sit at home with him.

You can take a job at Henry's.

I don't want to. After five years. I can finally stay home.

- I have things to do. I'm writing my thesis. - I'm not saying you're bored.

You said it yourself, that you're tired of marrying a scientist,

return to an empty apartment and eating canned sardines.

Upon arrival in Adelaide you said you wanted to have

a real house, maybe even children.

And now this Geneva!

You weren't upset by the plumber, just my phone.

You know what they say about Geneva.

No. What?

That he's testing his marriage.

It's up to us.

It's ready.

A lot of work?

I'm leaving you a surprise.

Wish me luck.

Don't be nervous. If they don't take you, it's their loss.

- What is it? - Bye.

I couldn't find the cuckoo clock.

Good morning.

Can you take this to the elevator?

I'll take it to the bathroom.

Is it a match?

- You need so much equipment? - There are a few things we can't do without.

Put it here?

- Birthday? - No.

May I?

It cost a little.

- What was that, you said, an opportunity? - I didn't.

Okay.

Can I make myself some tea?

I'll do you.

- I don't want to disturb you. - No problem.

- Coffee beans! You grind it yourself? - Sometimes.

I love fresh coffee.

Can it make it?

I don't mind.

The guy's bragging a little bit?

It's a symbol of fertility from the mountains of New Guinea.

Wonders like that cost a lot, No?

- We got most of it from the natives. - What were you doing there?

My husband took part in the UNICEF health programme.

He was on a scholarship?

Not exactly.

Nice of you to make me coffee.

- Okay, just a little bit. - No, it's not.

Some people treat a man like a bug.

Sometimes they have signs on the gate "Entrance for workers."

And what about of discrimination against blacks.

Still allowed to sell those plates in the shops.

Nobody thinks so anymore.

You'd be surprised.

I have to get back to work.

- I get it. - That's not what I meant.

I'll give it to you this time.

- I'm really sorry! - It must be just a scratch.

You're bleeding. I'll get you something.