#BringBackAlice

Ala!

An officer claims he saw Alicja a couple of miles away last night.

With that man.

The kid from the hospital?

Yes, his sister went missing the same day as Alicja.

He's convinced the two cases are connected.

They aren't, in my opinion.

Do you know that man?

No, I don't know him.

Maybe you just don't remember.

Is this an interrogation?

No. Alicja isn't suspected of anything.

She was here all night.

I understand she needs peace and time now,

but, in order to close the case, I must get a full report from Alicja.

Oh, I've got one more question.

A favor to ask, actually.

My eldest daughter won't forgive me if I leave without an autograph.

Would you be so kind?

Her name is Lena.

Thanks, I'll score some points.

-Goodbye. -Goodbye.

-Let Bielecki go. -Really?

We got no evidence on theft,

but we can nail him for possession of a stolen car.

If he knows anything, he's no use to us behind bars.

So you think she's lying.

I'm always hungry after a night in the slammer.

Hop on.

-How did you know where I was? -Your mom told me.

Were you at my place?

She's rather touchy-feely.

Like all drunks, they're rather touchy-feely.

She said that your sister's been sending postcards.

They're not from her.

-How can you be sure? -You don't believe me either?

I know my sister.

Wera on a pilgrimage? Writing postcards?

No way.

Alicja doesn't know her. I would've known that.

We all have our secrets.

Judging by her behavior last night, she's got more than most.

You saw Alicja?

Next time with mayo.

Happy birthday, Alicja.

The first day without our name in the headlines.

The media loves missing teenagers.

I got a tip from the attorney general that Maslak is our whistleblower.

-What did he dig up? -Our Lviv branch.

We face torture from the investigative committee.

-Holy shit. -What is it?

-I need to talk to you. -What is it, son?

Mikey's nervous about college, right?

You're kidding. Come here!

Oh, Mikey.

Why are you panicking?

Mikey, we have all the best admission strategy counselors.

-Hi, Paula. -You'll give me heart attack!

Why did I buy you a new phone? Where were you all night?

-Tripping balls and fucking randos. -Well, that's great to hear!

I don't make money screwing people like some in this household.

Impropriety is a hereditary trait, don't you think?

-Paula! -Leave it, Dad.

She's just trying to wind you up.

Mikey will talk to her.

Go. We have things to discuss.

I know you spy on cheerleaders in the locker-room, but your own sister?

Whether you like it or not, you're a part of this family.

Like I had a choice. You know what's ironic?

I'm the only one who's done nothing wrong.

YOU THERE?

I guess I should thank you.

What for?

You didn't tell the cops I kidnapped you.

-Why? -I have my reasons.

I think I know one of them.

Really?

I'm so handsome that no one can't resist me.

-I haven't noticed that. -Must be because of your PTSD.

I'm sorry about your sister.

Hello? You still there?

-Ala! -Alicja!

-We're running late! -I'm coming.

I can come in with you.

I'll be fine.

Funny...

You never think of your friends' parents as having lives.

They have.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2

in clinical and non-clinical diagnosis.

Sounds like a subject for the finals.

-Pity I won't take them this year. -Probably not.

Sit down, please.

Do you mind if I record our conversation?

Sometimes I need help remembering.

-What is it like to be Alicja Stec? -I don't know.

-She still feels so far away. -What do you mean by that?

Everyone wants me to be like I was before.

But I don't know myself now.

I'd kill for a cigarette right now.

Here you are.

My parents don't know I smoke.

Do you always do everything your parents want you to do?

And sometimes what my friends or followers want me to.

What would happen if you stopped doing that?

-Maybe I'd be myself again. -And who's that?

Now I feel like a victim.

I used to be strong...

distinctive.

I used to know myself.

Now I feel like a butterfly folding back into a pupa.

I'd just like to... I just want to be...

An 18-year-old woman who is in control of her life.

-Thank you. -What for?

That you asked how I feel, ma'am.

Call me Milena.

-Hey! -Hey.

I was analyzing Kavafis

for the mock final exam when I realized life's too short.

Finals are around the corner and I won't learn anything anyway.

-So why don't I call Michal to see... -I can't see you tonight.

Sure, USA versus Europe, a different league.

I'm seeing Alicja.

I don't want to lie to you.

And you didn't think to tell me?

It was you who said we should pretend it's like it used to be.

-Give her my love. Bye. -Mon?

ALA HAD THERAPY WITH MY MOM.

LET'S MEET

We're back!

-Oh, hi! -Hi.

Hi!

-How was college? -Fine...

Szurowski lectured me on how to run my course.

-Classic mansplaining? -Yes.

-Maybe he wanted to help. -No, thanks to such help.

-I love you, Mom. -I love you too.

Milena is really good.

Hi.

Good afternoon.

-Hi. -Hi.

You look beautiful.

-Hi, Michal. -Good afternoon.

I won't be late.

-Are you going out? -She is. I agreed.

-Well, sure. -Don't worry, Dad.

This time, I'll return.

Do you think it's too early?

I think you're right.

The sooner we get back to normal, the better.

ALICJA STEC

Let's throw a surprise birthday party with her friends.

Okay.

So? Dinner?

A walk? Maybe both?

I guess I'd love to see everyone.

-We're still friends, aren't we? -Are you really ready for this?

I am. You're not my dad, okay?

All right. New plan.

-I'm not posing. -Sure, you're not.

-Anyone got a smoke? I got nothing. -I got some.

No cigs, no weed...

Stop fixating on weed and think. What has she told Janek's mom?

Client confidentiality. She'd never tell me.

Dude, have you never stolen your mom's notes?

-Get to it. Make yourself useful. -It's not a joke.

Ala's been missing for a year. God knows what happened.

Everything fell apart. My life too.

Oh, really? I thought your love life improved.

This is serious.

We have to talk to Ala before it all fucking collapses...

-Holy fuck. -Ala!

How you've changed!

-Her head is still fucked up. -Stop it.

-Hey. -Hi.

She asked me to bring her here. I couldn't stop her.

Mon!

-I'm so glad you're here. -I'm happy too.

Hi, Janek.

-Is everything okay? -Janek.

What's going on, Janek? It's me. I'm back.

-I'm sorry... -For what?

No need to remind you what we do on such occasions.

Janek, let's go to the bar. Let's go, Mikey.

Janek gets teary watching Normal People , so...

-What the fuck was that? -Calm down.

Come here.

-Let's catch up on last year, right? -Our top ten!

Top Ten of last year of Batory High School.

-Number ten. -What can it be? At ten?

-The pregnancy epidemic. -G-G-G-Gorczynska!

Gorczynska among the five new moms. Gorczynska. Who else?

-Hoffmann! -Ziolko.

You okay, Ala?

Can I toast to happy returns?

-To re-returns! -Let's celebrate!

-Sorry. -Into the water?

Let's go!

Alicja! What's wrong?

-What's going on? -Nothing.