EXT. STREET MORNING
Newcomers are going out of their apartments and houses into individual research and action in Heaven. They walk through the town and look around. Street with no car traffic. Green everywhere. Children drive bicycles and skate carefree. The people sit on benches and talk pleasantly. Smile of adults and laughter of children is heard.
John walks fast straight to the mayor.
INT. OFFICE OF MAYOR’S SECRETARY DAY
A big office full of documentation. The secretary Anica sits beside the table and types something on the computer keyboard. She wears a simple outfit. The office is full of flowers. John enters through the open door.
JOHN
Hello, is the mayor here?
ANICA
Yes he is, but he is not
available right now.
JOHN
It’s important…
John does not pay attention to Anica any more and continues to walk towards the door with the sign Mayor Aleksandar…
ANICA
Excuse me! Please…
John knocks on the door and enters without waiting.
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE DAY
The office is large. Classical dark rustic furniture. Work table with a computer and big monitor. One lower table with four chairs for guests. The walls are arranged with pictures. The shelves are full of books. The big window opens a view of the sea.
The mayor wears a dark blue suit and tie. He reads electronic mail.
JOHN
Hello Aleksandar!
Aleksandar rises his eyes from the computer.
JOHN
I am John. I would like to
become mayor instead
of you.
ALEKSANDAR
(gives a surprised look)
Oh really…
JOHN
Yes. How can I do that?
Aleksandar stands up from his table. They shake hands.
ALEKSANDAR
Hello, please sit down….
(shows the chair)
They sit in chairs.
ALEKSANDAR
(continues)
The best way for you to
become a mayor is to make
an agreement with me.
JOHN
Let’s make an agreement.
ALEKSANDAR
First, you need to show me
your program and in it a
greater productivity than
I offer. If you make me
believe you are better I
will support you and
withdraw from here.
JOHN
That seems too complicated
for me. I was told that I
may become a mayor whenever
I want. Nobody mentioned
programs and agreements…
ALEKSANDAR
Yes, they told you well…
If you offer in a computer
center only one percent
larger productivity than I,
and if I would not be able
to follow it, the position
is automatically yours.
But that is risky because
it excludes an agreement.
JOHN
How do you measure
productivity?
ALEKSANDAR
We measure it by the
evaluations we receive for
our work from the people.
JOHN
That means I need to offer
a higher mark?
ALEKSANDAR
Yes.
JOHN
How?
ALEKSANDAR
If you offer 1% higher
evaluation and 1% larger
responsibility then me you
get the right to work
here…
JOHN
I will!
ALEKSANDAR
But it is not that simple
as it looks like because
our system calls for
responsibility rigidly.
The Mayor directly manages all
business in the commune and
he is responsible for the
realization of all
businesses. This chair is
very hot…
(shows his chair)
JOHN
OK! (says self-confidently)
ALEKSANDAR
If the people here gave you
lower evaluations for your
work than you proposed that
hat on your head (red) will
grow.
John does not pay attention to his warnings any more.
JOHN
Where is the computer
center?
ALEKSANDAR
Each computer you use here
is connected to the
computer center.
JOHN
Thanks…
(smiles and starts leaving
the room)
ALEKSANDAR
(with good intensions adds)
Our system awards good
work. If you achieve
offered production this hat
on your head will get
smaller. But I’m warning
you again. If you propose
a greater productivity than
you can accomplish your hat
will grow…
John confidently waves back to him and leaves the office.
INT. OFFICE OF MAYOR’S SECRETARY DAY
John passes Anica without a word. Anica looks at him very surprised.
INT. CITY ADMINISTRATION HALL DAY
John randomly enters into the next office in which he sees an officer at the desk and pulls back into the hall without a word. In another attempt he encounters an empty office and enters.
INT. OFFICE DAY
John sits at a computer. Types in the increase of productivity for the mayor position 1%. Thinks a little bit and adds one zero. Thinks a little bit more and adds one more zero and registers his offer by typing the enter key in the keyboard. So that greed has pushed John to offer 100% greater productivity for the mayor’s position. Then John opens the page that defines his responsibility and without thinking types rise of 1,000%. He made a typo. He makes a grimace but waves his hand carelessly and registers his offer.
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE DAY
At the same time the Mayor’s computer starts to flash and sound the alarm. Aleksandar is very surprised when he sees what productivity John offers. He silently picks up his things, and leaves the office rolling his eyes.
INT. CITY ADMINISTRATION HALL DAY
At the exit Aleksandar meets John, shakes hands with him and leaves without a word.
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE DAY
John sits in the mayor’s chair, puts his feet on the table, rubs his hands with glee, and smiles self-lovingly.
EXT. STREET DAY
Street full of small locals. Pleasant peace fills the air.
Kevin stops a passer-by Bogdan on the street. Bogdan is a middle-aged man, carelessly dressed, a little bit slow in comprehension. Phlegmatic.
KEVIN
Hello, excuse me please,
where is the closest police
station?
BOGDAN
(phlegmatically)
We do not have police
stations.
KEVIN
(surprised)
How can I find policemen?
BOGDAN
(phlegmatically)
We do not have policemen.
KEVIN
(surprised)
How come?
BOGDAN
Just like that…
(says like it is the most
natural thing)
KEVIN
(is more surprised)
So, who protects you from
crime?
BOGDAN
(phlegmatically)
We do not have crime.
KEVIN
Well, who enforces the
laws?
BOGDAN
(phlegmatically)
We do not have laws.
KEVIN
(is very surprised)
What?
BOGDAN
We do not have laws.
(repeats like it is the most
natural thing)
KEVIN
How come?
BOGDAN
How come? (thinks a little
bit)That’s how! At the
beginning we had laws but
we developed our
relationships so much that
nobody uses laws any more.
They become unnecessary.
KEVIN
(very surprised)
How can you exist without
laws?
BOGDAN
Exactly as you see… We
alone create, carry out,
and change the rules in
our relationships. Alone!
KEVIN
(is very surprised)
How?
BOGDAN
It is clear what is right
and what is wrong and we
observe to it. Sometimes
we listen to opinions of
experts and then we make
agreements about how
things need to be done.
At the end, the mutual
evaluations give power to
each of us…
KEVIN
Then I am in charge too?
BOGDAN
Yes. That is what assures
good relationships in
society.
KEVIN
(very surprised)
And it works just like
that?
BOGDAN
Yes, it works just like
that. (He thinks a little
bit and adds) It works
perfectly, much better then
where you have come from.
Brandon and Frances pass by across the street. They wave their hands to Kevin. Kevin relaxes a little bit when he sees them and waves back.
KEVIN
(shouts to them)
Where are you going?
BRANDON
(shouts to Kevin)
To the soccer stadium!
Kevin waves his hand again. Then he turns back to Bogdan, thinks a little bit and asks…
KEVIN
Are there any available
jobs in the army?
BOGDAN
(phlegmatically)
We do not have an army.
KEVIN
(is not surprised any more)
I should have thought so…
BOGDAN
(smiles on that and adds)
When we citizens of this
peaceful place decided to
stop supplying our army
with money that was its
end… We dismissed it and
destroyed the arms…
KEVIN
You do not have arms?
BOGDAN
No… Not that we do not
have baseball bats and
kitchen knives but nobody
gets the idea to use them
as arms.
KEVIN
So, what protects you?
BOGDAN
(phlegmatically)
Nothing attacks us.
KEVIN
?
BOGDAN
We have learned that the
worst danger comes from
great leaders, those to
whom their nation or
homeland is the most
important thing.
KEVIN
Why?
BOGDAN
Such people just use their
nations for their
megalomaniac goals and
nothing good can come from
that…
KEVIN
So how do you protect
yourself from them?
BOGDAN
Simply, we easily recognise
such people… then we give
them very negative
evaluations… That shuts
their mouths far before
they are able to produce
any evil.
KEVIN
(thinks a little bit and
asks)
So what will I do? I do not
know anything but police
work!
BOGDAN
(thinks deeply and says)
You do not need to do
anything that you do not
want to do. When you find
what you want to do, you
will do it because you will
like doing it.
KEVIN
?
BOGDAN
(continues)
Don’t worry. If you need
anything just ask for
Bogdan. I am always
here somewhere…
Bogdan waves to him and starts walking away.
KEVIN
(calls over)
Thank you.
Kevin leaves to another direction with a worry on his face. Some children pass by cheerful and smiling. Kevin absorbedly watches them and after a while he starts smiling too…
INT. MIKI’S OFFICE
Miki sits in his office and sets up some papers. There is a picture of his wife Mirjana on the table. The furniture is modern, the chairs are comfortable. Light curtains at the window let in light wind. Birds chirp outside.
Somebody knocks on the door.
MIKI
Come in!
Diane enters the room. Looks magically hot in her bright red dress.
DIANE
Please excuse me for
disturbing you. Do you
have time for me?
MIKI
Of course.
They shake hands.
MIKI
Please sit down.
Diane sits in a chair.
MIKI
(continues)
Drink?
DIANE
No thanks…
Miki sits too.
MIKI
What can I do for you?
DIANE
I am very confused here in
a new environment…
MIKI
I understand. I was
confused as well.
DIANE
I supposed you are an
influential man in a high
position here?
While asking the question she crosses her legs and shows her beautiful thighs.
MIKI
Yeah, something like that…
(responds half confused
half calculatingly)
DIANE
Can you advise me with
what I should work here?
MIKI
What did you work so far?
DIANE
Mainly I have helped
successful people…
(thinks little bit)
…is it getting hot in
here…
She unhooks upper button on her dress, shakes it, and shows the place where her beautiful breasts are joined. Blood rushes to Miki’s head but he restrains because he is married with Mirjana. He stands up, approaches the window, and opens it widely.
DIANE
(continues)
What have you worked
before?
MIKI
I was a party official,
something like a director.
DIANE
I thought something like
that… …I immediately
recognise a successful man.
MIKI
(tries to be modest)
It’s not just like that…
DIANE
Oh no, I do not make
mistakes here. (smiles) I
recognise a man in charge.
Miki smiles modestly and nods his head self-lovingly. Diane thinks a little bit and continues shyly.
DIANE
I always wanted to be an
actress. I participated
in part of an acting course
with Mr. Blabinger.
I was supposed to take
an exam but I couldn’t
because I was very busy.
You know, we travel…
Mr. Blabinger had a lot
of respect in my skills.
He offered me a role in
a theatre performance.
It was not supposed to be
a big role but he told me
it would be a very
noticeable and memorable
role.
MIKI
What role would that be?
DIANE
I was supposed to be a
striptease dancer…
But, as I said I was very
busy… Now I have more
time so I can accept a
more significant movie
role. Can you help me?
Tension rises…
MIKI
(says calculatingly)
I’ll look for something…
DIANE
Oh, thank you very much…
MIKI
(smiles)
Nothing, nothing…
DIANE
You would never understand
how much it means to me.
This is my greatest wish.
If you help me I will
forever be in your debt.
Just tell me how to pay
back the favour and I’ll
do it.
Diane stands up seductively from the chair to hug Miki in the “friendly” manner. Miki is surprised a little bit. He stands up from his chair as well and spontaneously embraces her waist. She kisses his cheeks.
Tension culminates…
She notices that he is very sensitive to her closeness, hesitates what to do, thinks a little bit and then slowly moves her head towards Miki and kisses his lips. He moves his head a little bit away. She slowly kisses his lips again. He moves away his head a little bit again. When she kisses his lips third time, he does not move his head away any more…
EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF THE LAZAR’S HOME DAN
Rock paved street. Two rows of stone houses. Each balcony is full of flowers. Doors, windows, shutters are freshly coloured.
Al tries hard to decrease the size of his red hat. He is a trash remover. He has a trash collector’s uniform and tricycle with a garbage box. Right now he is cleaning the street in front of the Lazar’s house with a broom. Lazar is coming. He has sympathized Al from his childhood. Lazar is a former communist leader and a criminal. In Heaven Lazar is almost an exemplary husband and worker. He wears something similar to a military uniform and a hat “titovka” with a red star.
Lazar is very pleasantly surprised to meet Al. He widens his arms…
LAZAR
Al!
Al looks at him half interested.
LAZAR
You are an idol of my
youth!
Al does not change his face. Lazar tries to imitate Al. A smile emerges on his face because he is not a skilled actor. He puts his forefinger on his chest and asks…
LAZAR
Are you talking to me?
Are you talking to me?
Are you talking to me?
But he hit Robert de Niro in the movie Taxi driver.
AL
(responds melancholically)
It wasn’t me…
LAZAR
Doesn’t matter…
(he waves with his hand
happily)
Let God give you good
health and a long life!
Al looks at Lazar a little bit better…
AL
Do I know you?
LAZAR
We cooperated a little bit.
Do you remember cocaine
from Colombia?
AL
(convincingly)
I have never done cocaine
in my life!
LAZAR
C’mon, I am not your judge.
Besides that we transported
firearms to Iraq…
AL
(now Al recognises Lazar)
Oh, I remember you now…
… you are a communist
from Yugoslavia…
…Lazar?
LAZAR
(says proudly)
That’s me!
They shake hands friendly.
AL
So how are you doin’?
LAZAR
Not bad…
AL
Do you know something about
my relatives?
LAZAR
Your father is good.. He is
not far away from here….
I don’t know about
others… Ask him.
Al is satisfied with the answer and continues…
AL
You communists have always
impressed me strongly.
The way you arranged your
underground we were not
even able to dream about.
Nobody was able to
interfere with your
business…Nobody!
LAZAR
Those were good times.
And you have remained in my
memory as a very moral man.
You have always helped
friends and killed enemies.
AL
Those were good times, but
it is not recognised as
good here.
(shows up his long hat)
LAZAR
(complains)
No, one cannot kill a man
like a man here! They
immediately send you right
to Hell! Yes, they do…
Al thinks a little bit…
AL
If I were in power here,
I would return good old
values back. In the first
place a hierarchy.
Authorities would have an
unconditional power.
I would establish order and
discipline. One would know
what anyone is supposed to
do and allowed to do.
Everything would bloom.
Flowers would grow
everywhere, birds would
chirp like in the old days.
(his eyes start to sparkle
for a moment)
LAZAR
Do it for God’s sake. I
would support you strongly.
Anica, Lazar’s wife, interrupts them from the balcony of their house.
ANICA
Lazar you haven’t done the
dishes…
LAZAR
(responds unwillingly)
Just a moment…
ANICA
Do it now, it will start
to smell bad!
LAZAR
(says silently so that her
wife cannot hear him)
Godfather, let’s continue
this conversation later.
Al agrees and continues to broom the street.
EXT. STREET DAY
Large building with a board “Auto Salon”. Through the glass of window one can see displayed models.
Danny stands on the street in front of the auto salon. In the glass of the store window he sees himself with a big red hat. He is unsatisfied. Thinks a little bit and takes the hat off, rolls the edge of the hat so that it looks smaller and puts it back on his head. Now he is satisfied. He enters the auto salon full of new cars.
INT. AUTO SALON
A contemporarily arranged place. Rade works there. He is the chief of the salon, an elegant gentleman in a suit and tie.
DANNY
Hello.
RADE
Hello. Can I help you
please?
DANNY
I need ten Mercedes.
RADE
Ten Mercedes?
DANNY
Yes…
RADE
Why do you need ten
Mercedes?
DANNY
I need.
RADE
You are supposed to order
cars you need. These are
exhibition models.
DANNY
No problem, I’ll take them.
RADE
I can’t help you.
DANNY
Uh…
RADE
But if you need one
immediately I can give it
to you from reserves.
DANNY
I need ten Mercedes
urgently.
RADE
Sorry, I cannot help you.
Danny sees on the Rade’s coat a tag with the name Rade. He pulls the chief of the salon into a corner.
DANNY
(says confidentially)
Rade, I’ll give you one
Benjamin Franklin if you
try to help me. (he shows the
bill of 100 dollars)
RADE
Ha ha ha ha ha… (smiles)
Money is worth nothing
here!
Danny is embarrassed because of the wrong estimation of the situation and tries to escape…
DANNY
I did not offer money but
the artistic picture of
Benjamin Franklin.
RADE
(now seriously)
You cannot buy me. Besides,
your orientation is pretty
unhealthy here. If you
continue like this your hat
(red) will grow.
Danny wants to finish the conversation.
DANNY
OK, give me then a
beautiful new model, but
a big one please!
RADE
Please fill the
application.
DANNY
(grumbles)
Ah, this bureaucracy!
Danny fills the application and Rade brings keys…
RADE
Here are the keys. Your car
is there…
(he points to it with his
finger)
Danny takes a Mercedes cabriolet and leaves whispering..
EXT. SOCCER STADIUM DAY
A big stadium. The amphitheatre may hold about 35,000 people. It is covered with a metal grid structure. One can say that it looks like somebody put two slippers with ends inside each other.
Brandon wants to play soccer in Heaven as well.
INT. DRESSING ROOM DAY
Brandon enters the club’s dressing room. Big room. Lockers, benches, hooks… On one door is a sign that says massage, on second sauna, third showers…
Here Brandon meets Srđan a soccer player.
BRANDON
Hi, I am Brandon.
Brandon gives a hand to Srđan to shake.
SRĐAN
Srđan, nice to meet you…
They shake hands.
BRANDON
May I play soccer here?
SRĐAN
You can if you are good.
Have you already played
somewhere?
BRANDON
Of course! I played for
Manchester United, for
Barcelona and for Zaprešić.
SRĐAN
Excuse me?
BRANDON
(confidently)
Really!
SRĐAN
Have you played with
Ronaldinho?
BRANDON
Yes.
SRĐAN
In what position?
BRANDON
Right winger.
SRĐAN
(very satisfied)
You are accepted. Here is
the uniform. The game is
about to start!
EXT. SOCCER STADIUM DAY
Only one person is in the public. This is Frances who has come to support Brandon because she is in love with him.
BRANDON
(asks a team-mate)
Where is the public?
SRĐAN
There is no public.
BRANDON
I see but why?
SRĐAN
People come very rarely to
watch us. They live here
actively…
BRANDON
What does that mean?
SRĐAN
They like playing soccer
themselves or doing
something else rather than
watching us play.
BRANDON
(makes a face)
So why do you need such
a big stadium?
Srđan feels that Brandon is naïve so he starts pulling his leg.
SRĐAN
It stayed here since ever.
I offered to carry it down
to your place, but was
refused…
BRANDON
What?
SRĐAN
(smiles strangely)
I was told it is too heavy
for me…
BRANDON
(understands the joke and
smiles)
I know you are joking me.
SRĐAN
I used to be a devil, but I
improved myself and now I
am good…
(he makes a devil face)
Ha ha ha ha…
Brandon makes a surprised face. Srđan calms down and continues seriously.
SRĐAN
The stadium should be
removed but no one knows
if it would be needed one
day. (shrugs shoulders)
The play starts. Brandon gets a beautiful goal. Team mates congratulate him by slapping his shoulders. Frances applauds from the amphitheatre.
SRĐAN
(is surprised)
You have a fan! I haven’t
seen one in a long time.
BRANDON
That’s Frances. She is my
girlfriend.
(thinks a little bit)
No fans here?
SRĐAN
No. People are
self-confident here and do
not need idols.
Brandon shrugs his shoulders. He turns to Frances and waves to her. She responds the same. Now he is very happy she is there.
BRANDON
(says to himself)
Brandon is good, Frances
is the best.
EXT. PARK DAY
After the game Brandon and Frances walk through the park. Old pine trees. Sea is close by. Brandon looks Frances in the eyes.
BRANDON
I love you more than ever.
Frances smiles but her face shows she worries about something.
BRANDON
What’s wrong?
FRANCES
(worries)
If I do not get back to
work on Monday I’ll lose
my job…
BRANDON
It’s not that bad?
FRANCES
It’s even worse. The
company is in a crisis.
They just wait for an
excuse to fire workers…
BRANDON
You will find a better
job…
FRANCES
There are no good jobs on
the market. They cannot
even provide enough income
to pay the rent…
BRANDON
Uh…
FRANCES
I will need to find a
roommate like a student…
BRANDON
Brandon earns a lot. He
will find a solution…
FRANCES
You are a sweetheart but
I cannot accept it.
BRANDON
We will find a solution.
First we need to find an
escape from here. (he is
absorbed in thoughts)
But it doesn’t seem bad
here at all…
They leave absorbed in thoughts.
Go to Heaven Part IIII
