The Rat Savior (Izbavitelj)

The Rat Saviour

lm sorry, gentlemen, very sorry.

But there are no vacancies.

Thats all, folks. Go home.

- Excuse me, I just... - M! Gajski, I keep telling you there's no news.

These are crisis times. Wait until things improve.

So for the thin! time we strongly request yet again that some action he taken

to enable this office to perform its normal duties.

- In some places the plumbing is... - Good day. - Can I help you?

It's about that manuscript I submitted a month ago...

A novel called 'The Epidemic".

It's about a disease, hut it's actually about bureaucracy.

Yes... Just a moment.

- There were we? - 'The plumbing is..."

...is so corroded that the leaking water and damp have made the premises so musty

that they are unsuitable o! work and occupation.

Please, can't you see the predicament we're in?

I'd like to know if you'll he publishing it.

Here below... that's it.

I'm sorry to return it but it's not for publication.

You promised! You said it was brilliant.

I don't know, maybe I did.

Maybe l liked it personally but there are other hoard members.

I don't think many of them liked how you described the epidemic.

Where were we?

"... Unsuitable for work and occupation."

The floors are rotten, white-ant infested,

and on the verge of collapsing.

They're a haven for rats, mice and other vermin.

But the novel is symbolic, sir... It's not meant to he real.

I'm sorry but I can't help you.

Even if the artistic elements were satis- factory the time is not right for a novel.

I'm sure you understand. Goodbye.

With respect to the above we request an urgent committee inspection.

No cash... no goods! Please, we're very busy.

- What's going on? - He wants credit again.

Here you are... You don't need to pay me.

- I think we're closing down anyway. - Thank you, Mr. Rllpcic.

- Tllat's all you! things, Mr. Writer. - Be patient. l'll pay you soon.

Be patient? You haven't paid me for 3 months!

lm a poo! widow. That's what I live from.

I'll pay you as soon as I get a job.

Sure.' You look for work but I pray you don't find it.

What work could you possibly do?

- Come on... I don't wanna see you anymore. - Let go of me.'

- I'm still a tenant. - Tenant?

Very well...

I won't he tenorised.'

- Good day. - Good day.

- So miss... how are you doing? - The same as you.

- No good. - That's how it is, I guess. Books are not popular right now.

I guess so.

- Do you have lots of hooks? - Shelves and shelves of them.

- Are they all yours? - No, my fathers too.

- And you? - No, these are all I have.

We shouldn't stand together. They are harder to sell if we hotll selling them.

- It's quite cold, isn't it? - Yes.

Here...

- Take it. - No, it's really too much.

Take it, I don't need it. I have lots of scarves.

- How can I repay you? - Don't worry.

You might he able to sell some of you! hooks too.

- I'll give you my telephone number. - Take this down, please.

- 30... 64- Whafs you! name? - Sonja.

- How much are these hooks? - Whatever you like.

Thank you.

Excuse me, do you know where that girl lives?

I know as much as you, son. But she's here quite often.

Because I'm you! mayor, the town's problems weigh heavy on my heart.

- You're the life basis and foundation of this town... - Sony, have to check.

...of its industry, commerce, economy and culture.

You are the lifeblood of this town. It's driving force.'

And while you're ensuring the existence of this town,

it's inacceptahle of providing you with the most basic means of survival.

That's why I've come here, lady and gentlemen citizens.

To try and do everything to improve your lives and to make them more bearable.

You must understand that we, as local administrators,

face a multitude of problems.

We're in major economic crisis which affects

not only our country but the whole of Europe.

Despite that, we've made great efforts to deal with what is most essential to you...

You! housing arrangements and you! jobs.

Therefore, my fellow citizens,

I call on you to support us

since we have you! welfare at heart.

But with all the struggle, we don't want to allow to cloud the look for the future.

And don't forget the age-old saying...

"Every cloud has a silver lining!"

I owe you. I owe you, dear friend.

Madame... Have you seen that girl? He! name was Sonia.

No, I haven't. You can stand here and wait. She might come again.

Excuse me, sir. I'm afraid sleeping here is strictly forbidden.

Do you think I like being here?

As park watchman, I must wam you.

ll' the police see you you'll he jailed for vagrancy.

Fine! Al' least I get free accommo- dation. ls that you, Mr. Rllpcic?

- Mr. Gajski... - Why are you in uniform?

Well, l closed my shop because of debts and joined the public service.

It's much more secure. I know I'll get paid.

Yes, l guess it's tlle times. l won't get you into trouble. l'll find somewhere else.

Wait... I know a place. It's not too comfortable, but...

Who needs comfort?

Don't tell anyone about it. It's just for a night o! two.

- Otherwise l'll he in trouble. - Don't worry Mr. Rllpcic.

That's it. The deserted Central Bank Building.

260 empty rooms. It's all boarded up but I know a way in.

- Doesn't anyone come here? - Only the odd official. But never at this time of day.

Not there. This way...

lt's a little awkward hut it's tlle only way in.

Here below it goes in.

Give me a hand.

Follow me.

- It's easy when you know how. But don't tell anyone. - Don't worry.

I'd better go. You make yourself at home.

- But only for a night o! two. - Okay. Thank you Mr. Rllpcic.

Exchange. Can I help you?

I need a number but I'm not sure...

I'll put you through to Group A.

Group A. Numbers umle! surveillance. Hello... Can l help you?

I need a girl's number. He! name is Sonia. She lives with he! father.

- 3064. - Yes, that's if. Thank you.

3... 0... 6... 4.

Hello?

That's strange, dad. The phone is working now.

Who's calling, please?

ls that you, Sonia? We met at the market. The hook seller, remember?

l can't believe we're speaking. Where are you calling from?

From the abandoned Central Bank Building.

I'm amazed I got you! number. Where do you live?

97 Kestenova St.

Hello? Hello?

97 Kestenova St.

I haven't had something like this in a long time.

Hail the saviour!

Hail the saviour!

Ladies and gentlemen...

I'm happy to see...

...tilat our mission is becoming reality.

Those who are not with us are joining us.

Those who are against us are disappearing one by one.

The day is not fa! off when well he all there is.

And, otherwise, nobody more.

What's happening with Professor Boskovic?

He'll die tonight, Great Saviour.

He lives at 97 Kestenova St. with his daughter.

Then liqllidates him.

- There is a spy.' - Up there he is.'

- Up there he is.' - Do not let him escape!

It was right here, sir. I was upstairs.

There is no trace of anything, sir. Certainly not of a banquet.

It can't he. They were here. I saw them.

Come with me.

Let's go.

This is where they keep their food.

It was all there.

They might have killed Professor Boskovic. His home has been ransacked.

If he exists, I'm sure he'll prove to he quite okay.

It's most serious, sir. They're a threat to all of us.

It's late and I've been on my feet all day.

I have a long night ahead of me. Go and get some rest.

Thank you.

That's enough... That's enough! Stop it.'

I know what you're up to. But you never succeed.

He's an informer! He needs a good lesson.

Kill him!

- Don't let him go.' - Stop!

Let him go. I'll take care of him.

Come on. Let's go.

The dance goes on.

I'm Professor Martin Boskovic.

Prof. Boskovic has been liquidated.

Not yet.

I knew they'd come for me so I was ready to flee.

You! phone call was a signal that the time had come.

- Why didn't you call the police? - You saw how much they believed you.

Here we are. I'm at my friend's house. They've gone abroad.

Come.

Come in.

This is my daughter. I think you've met.

Hello, Father.

Hello. Come in.

What son' of work do you do, M! Gajski?

I studied philosophy. I write but without much success.

- Actually, I'm unemployed. - Philosophy.

Have you read En' Ertnls 'The Heritage of the King Rat"?

- No. - It was written 400 years ago in Germany.

Ertnls was hllmed to death in Bremen.

You're no great writer and I'm no great scientist.

People hnlsh me off o! laugh at what I'm doing here.

Maybe we can join forces. You an me, together.

- Science is not my forte. - It doesn't matter.

l'm offering you a post as my assistant. ll' you accept, you'll have to live here.

I'm honoured, but I won't he of much Ilse.

Please excuse me. Will you he my assistant?

- Yes, Professor. - We'll talk late! about what's ahead of lls

En' Ertnls. 'The Heritage of the King Rat."