0:00:05 > 0:00:08This programme contains strong language.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16LOUD DRILLING
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Chinaski! Hey!
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Chinaski, come on out here!
0:00:38 > 0:00:40You've got a driver's licence, don't you?
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- Yeah.- I got a driver out sick today.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45We got some rush orders that we need to get out right away.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46I need you to make these deliveries.
0:01:09 > 0:01:09Hey! Chin...
0:02:40 > 0:02:41Feeling bad?
0:02:44 > 0:02:45I've felt better.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52I've probably slept longer than you've lived.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Chinaski, you're fired!
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Do you have a room?
0:05:00 > 0:05:03It's 150 a week.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- All right.- Are you employed?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Self employed.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11May I ask what you do?
0:05:11 > 0:05:17- I'm a writer. - Oh! Have you written books?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Well, I'm not ready for a novel yet.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25OK.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15COUGHING
0:06:24 > 0:06:29Now most guys think they know how to drive, but the fact is very few people know how to drive.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32They just steer.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37Every day I see two, three people simply run through red lights like they didn't exist.
0:06:37 > 0:06:43The lives people live are driving them crazy and their insanity comes out in the way they drive.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45I'm not here to tell you how to live.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48I'm here to teach you how to drive.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53Now, when is the only time a man could lose control of his cab and he won't be able to help it?
0:06:53 > 0:06:55When I get a hard on?
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Mendoza, if you can't drive with a hard on we can't use you.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03Some of our best men drive with hard ons all day long, all night, too.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Now, come on, what is the only time a man can lose control of his cab and he won't be able to help it?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- Umm.- Yes, Chinaski?
0:07:09 > 0:07:14Yeah, a man might lose control of his cab
0:07:14 > 0:07:16when he sneezed.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18That is correct.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22All right, when you sneeze, what do you do?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- Are you Henry Chinaski?- Yes, sir.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33Follow me.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39Sit down.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46We ran a check on you, Chinaski.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52You have 18 drunk and disorderly arrests and one for drunk driving.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- You lied to us.- Yeah, there were two for drunk driving.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01You falsified your application. You're disqualified.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13KNOCKING
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Could you call me a cab?
0:09:11 > 0:09:17As we live, we all get caught and torn by various traps.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Writing can trap you.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24Some writers tend to write what has pleased their readers in the past.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28They hear accolades and believe them.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33There's only one final judge of writing and that is the writer.
0:09:33 > 0:09:41When he is swayed by the critics, the editors, the publishers, the readers, then he's finished.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45And, of course, when he's swayed with his fame and his fortune,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48you can float him down the river with the turds.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- A writer, huh?- Yes.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Are you sure?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57No, I'm not.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Why do you want to work in a pickle factory?
0:10:00 > 0:10:03It reminds me of my grandmother.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05It does?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07She used to...
0:10:07 > 0:10:10serve me pickles whenever I visited her.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14What do you write?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Mostly short stories.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18I'm halfway through a novel.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20And what's it about?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Everything.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26You mean, for instance, it's about cancer?
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Yes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33How about my wife?
0:10:33 > 0:10:35She's in there, too.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04'I wrote three or four short stories a week and kept things in the mail.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08'I imagined how the editors of the New Yorker must be reacting.'
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Hey, here's another one of those things from that nut!
0:11:13 > 0:11:19'I sent most of them to John Martin whose magazine, Black Sparrow, I admired.'
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Chinaski!
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Want to step in here for a minute?
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Mr Gentry's a writer, too.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11I told him that you were a writer and he wanted to meet you.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14You don't mind, do you?
0:12:14 > 0:12:15I don't mind.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Mr Gentry's a friend of mine.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Do you mind if I leave?
0:12:54 > 0:12:56OK.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20'That scene in the office stayed with me.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23'Those cigars, the fine clothes.
0:13:23 > 0:13:31'I thought of good steaks, long rides up winding driveways that led to beautiful homes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35'Ease, trips to Europe,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37'fine women.'
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Chinaski, what are you doing?
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Get back to work.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50I'm going to get a drink.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- No, no, you can't get a drink.- What?
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Come on, get back to work.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- Over here.- All right, all right.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Whoa! Hey! Hey!
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Get off me!
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Hey! Ach! Urgh!
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- Are you OK?- I'm fine.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21I don't need him.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33'And then I met Jan.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41'I bought her a drink and she gave me her phone number.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44'Three days later, I moved into her apartment.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07'Jan had her 500 car.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12'The big trick with that car was how to turn on the headlights.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15'Of course, we had the advantage of broken springs.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46'Jan was an excellent fuck.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51'She had a tight pussy and she took it like it was a knife that was killing her.'
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Hey, I want to know what time it is.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57You said you'd fix the clock.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59All right, let's see.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18'I set the clock by the TV at midnight last night.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23'We know that it gains 35 minutes every hour.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29'It says 7.30pm right now, but we know that's not right because it's not dark enough yet. OK.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34'That's seven and a half hours.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37'Seven times 35 minutes.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42'That's 245 minutes.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45'One half of 35 is
0:16:47 > 0:16:51'17 and one half.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53'That gives us
0:16:53 > 0:16:59'252 and one half minutes.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02'OK, that's...
0:17:02 > 0:17:06'four hours and 42 and one half minutes we owe them.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09'So, we set the clock back to 5.47.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11'That's it.'
0:17:11 > 0:17:14It's 5.47pm.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17It's dinner time and we don't have anything to eat.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Let's open another jug of wine.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Shall I make some pancakes?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I don't know if I could get another one of them down.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Oh, come on.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32OK, put the pancakes on.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38Oh, we're still out of butter.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Well, fry 'em dry again.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45They will be crisp, real crisp.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47That's OK, baby.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09RATTLING AND CLANKING
0:19:09 > 0:19:12What was that?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- Let's go! Everybody move it out to the hall.- What is that?
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Anyone in there?
0:19:49 > 0:19:51It's just the Fire Department.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Oh.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03SIREN WAILS
0:20:14 > 0:20:18'I finally got hired at a bicycle supply warehouse.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22'I had to demean myself to get to get that one.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27'I told them that I liked to think of my job as a second home.'
0:20:27 > 0:20:29You got the horses?
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Yeah.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- Mind if I look at your paper?- Sure.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51My Boy Bobby oughta take the eighth.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53I know. They don't even have him on top.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- All the better.- What do you think he'll pay at?- About 9 to 2.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05What time does the last race go out?
0:21:05 > 0:21:085.30.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- We get off at five. - We'll never make it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14We can try. The racetrack's not too far.
0:21:17 > 0:21:18You want to come along?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Sure.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Keep your eye on the clock. We'll cut out at five to five.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41See! Told you we'd make it!
0:21:56 > 0:21:57My Boy Bobby to win.
0:22:02 > 0:22:02Thank you.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Hey, My Boy Bobby's in the front!
0:22:12 > 0:22:14He's in the lead!
0:22:14 > 0:22:16We've hooked ourselves a winner.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Unless there's some big ass at the back of the pack.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Come on! Come on, Bobby! Come on!
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Come on! Run!
0:22:26 > 0:22:27Yes! Yes!
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- We should've bet another 200 on that horse.- Ah, you're right!
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Come on, let's go get a drink.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Excuse me.
0:22:41 > 0:22:47'The next day at work, some of the other employees asked us if we would place bets for them.'
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Hank, we have to take their bets.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Manny, those guys don't have any money.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58All they've got is the coffee and chewing gum money that their wives give them
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and we don't have time to waste at the two-dollar windows.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05We're not going to bet their money, we're going to keep their money.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- Suppose they win?- They won't win.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12They always pick the wrong horse.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16They have a way of always picking the wrong horse.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Suppose they bet our horse?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Then we know we got the wrong horse.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30She's going to do it! I think she's going to do it!
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Come on, Spitfire! Let's go! Go, Spitfire! Let's go!
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Yes! Way to go! Great.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11- You married, Manny?- No way. No.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- Women?- Sometimes.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- It never lasts.- What's the problem?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20A woman is like a full-time job.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22You have to choose your profession.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Yeah, I suppose there is an emotional drain.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26Physical, too.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29They wanna fuck night and day.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Well, get one you like to fuck.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Yeah, but if you drink or gamble they think it's a putdown of their love.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Well, get ones who likes to drink, gamble and fuck.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Who wants a woman like that?
0:24:50 > 0:24:54'I bought some expensive clothes and a good pair of shoes.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59'The owner of the bike supply warehouse didn't look so powerful any more.
0:24:59 > 0:25:06'Manny and I took a little longer with our lunches and came back smoking good cigars.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09'The new life didn't sit well with Jan.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14'She was used to her four fucks a day and also used to seeing me poor and humble.'
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Mr Horse Player.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Mr Big Horse Player.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36You know, when I first met you, I liked the way you walked across a room.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39You didn't just walk across a room, you walked like
0:25:39 > 0:25:41you were walking through walls, like you owned the place.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Like nothing mattered.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Oh, now you got a few bucks in your pocket, you're not the same any more.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50You act like you're a dental student or a plumber.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Don't give me any shit about plumbers, Jan.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58You haven't made love to me in two weeks.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Love takes many forms.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04- Mine has been more subtle.- OK, you haven't fucked me in two weeks.
0:26:04 > 0:26:10- Have some patience. In six months we'll be vacationing in Rome and Paris.- Look at you.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Pouring yourself that good whisky, letting me sit here drinking this rotgut wine.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18You're Mr Big Time Horse Player.
0:26:18 > 0:26:26I give you soul, I give you wisdom, I give you light and music and some laughter.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29By the way, I am the world's greatest horse player.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Horseshit!
0:26:31 > 0:26:34No, horse player.
0:26:37 > 0:26:44'I understood too well that great lovers were always men of leisure.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47'I fucked better as a bum than as a puncher of timeclocks.'
0:27:03 > 0:27:09You know, I tried to make a woman out of you, but you're nothing but a goddamn whore.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20If anybody here doesn't like what I just did, then say something!
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Sit down, Chinaski.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42You knew we were going to let you go.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Yeah, bosses are never hard to fathom.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48You haven't been pulling your weight around here for over a month and you know it.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51You know, a guy busts his damn ass and you don't even appreciate it.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54You haven't been busting your ass, Chinaski.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58I've given you my time, which is all I've got to give,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01all any man has, for a pitiful six bucks an hour.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03You remember you begged for this job.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05You said your job was your second home.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08I give you my time so you can live in your big house.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12If anybody's lost anything on this deal, on this arrangement, I've been the loser.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- You understand?- All right, Chinaski.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17- All right?- Yeah, just go.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Now listen, Mantz, I don't want any trouble about my unemployment payments.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25You guys are always trying to cheat the working man out of his rights.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27So, don't give me any trouble or I'll be back to see you.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30You'll get your unemployment. Now get the hell out of here.
0:28:34 > 0:28:40'I didn't see Manny again and I missed the trips to the track with him,
0:28:40 > 0:28:46'but I had my winnings and the bookie money. I just sat around and Jan liked that.
0:28:46 > 0:28:53'After two weeks I was on unemployment, and we relaxed and fucked and toured the bars.
0:28:53 > 0:29:00'And every week I'd go down to the unemployment, stand in line and get my nice little check.'
0:29:03 > 0:29:04Hank?
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Love you.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38A 10 try on the four with one and two.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47'The racetrack crowd is the world brought down to size.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51'Life grinding against death and losing.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53'Nobody wins, finally.
0:29:53 > 0:29:58'We're only seeking a reprieve, a moment out of the glare.'
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- Sir, you're in our seats. - These seats aren't reserved.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07There are no reserved seats in this section.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12I know there are no reserved seats in this section, but it's a common courtesy.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14You see, some people
0:30:14 > 0:30:17get here early, poor people like you and me,
0:30:17 > 0:30:24who can't afford reserved seats and they lay down newspapers to indicate that these seats are saved,
0:30:24 > 0:30:29because if the poor aren't going to be decent with one another, nobody else
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- is going to be.- I'm not poor.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34If you can't be a gentleman,
0:30:34 > 0:30:36at least don't be a hog.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Jan, sit down.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42I'll stand.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Come on. Let's get a drink.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35That man in our seats, he's got a nerve.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38I don't like the guy.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40He sure got your goat.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43He was just a little guy. What was I supposed to do with him?
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Oh, bullshit. If he'd been big you wouldn't have done anything either.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07What you do for a living?
0:32:07 > 0:32:08Real estate.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13I make 500,000 a year.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Well, why don't you get yourself a reserved seat?
0:32:17 > 0:32:20That's my prerogative.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22You know, you have the nicest blue eyes.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Uh-huh.
0:32:24 > 0:32:25You got a cigarette?
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Pardon me, sir, but you're in my seat.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Yeah, what are you going to do about it?
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Pardon me.
0:33:04 > 0:33:05Come on, baby.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40RETCHES
0:33:43 > 0:33:45VOMITS LOUDLY
0:33:57 > 0:33:59TOILET FLUSHES
0:34:36 > 0:34:39VOMITS
0:34:53 > 0:34:56TOILET FLUSHES
0:35:28 > 0:35:31How do you feel?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33I feel bad.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36I want to be alone.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43You don't have enough love. It's warped you.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47People don't need love.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52What they need is success of some form or another.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57It can be love, but it doesn't have to be.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04The Bible says "Love thy neighbour".
0:36:07 > 0:36:10It could also mean leave them alone.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48My half is yours.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52It's another woman, isn't it?
0:36:53 > 0:36:55No.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58You don't love me any more?
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Stop that shit, would you?
0:37:02 > 0:37:06You're tired of fucking me, aren't you?
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Hank, stay with me.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35OK, fine. Here, take it.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51You'll manage.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01Hank.
0:38:35 > 0:38:41'Even at my lowest times, I can feel the words bubbling inside of me,
0:38:42 > 0:38:47'and I had to get the words down or be overcome by something worse than death.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51'Words not as precious things, but as necessary things.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56'Yet when I begin to doubt my ability to work the word,
0:38:57 > 0:39:03'I simply read another writer and then I know I have nothing to worry about.
0:39:05 > 0:39:13'My contest is only with myself, to do it right with power and force and delight and gamble.'
0:39:25 > 0:39:29RHYTHM AND BLUES MUSIC
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Yes, I'll have a Scotch, please.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18Bartender, I'll have another one.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21And get the little lady whatever she's having.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38That drink was my last.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40I'm broke.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Are you serious?
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Do you have a place to stay?
0:40:51 > 0:40:53No.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57And you haven't got any money or anything to drink?
0:41:00 > 0:41:01No.
0:41:02 > 0:41:08Two Evan Williams, six pack of beer, two packs of cigarettes,
0:41:08 > 0:41:12some chips, some mixed nuts,
0:41:12 > 0:41:14some Alka-Seltzer.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17And a good cigar.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- Cash or credit card? - Charge it to Pierre.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23I'll have to phone.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Where are we going?
0:41:26 > 0:41:28My place.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36- It's OK.- Thank you.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40GOES THROUGH DIFFERENT RADIO STATIONS
0:41:40 > 0:41:43CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS
0:42:08 > 0:42:10- You like this kind of music?- Yes.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16Swell.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25What?
0:42:25 > 0:42:30You're great. You think you're hot shit.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32- No.- Yes.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35I can tell by the way you act.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36I like you, though.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40I liked you right away.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Hike up your skirt.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48You like legs?
0:42:48 > 0:42:49Yes.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Hey, you're not some kind of maniac, are you?
0:42:55 > 0:42:56A guy's been picking up girls -
0:42:56 > 0:43:00cuts crossword puzzles into their bodies with a penknife.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04Well...
0:43:04 > 0:43:06I write...
0:43:07 > 0:43:09..but I'm not him.
0:43:14 > 0:43:19And there are guys who fuck you and chop you into little pieces.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23They find your ass in a drainpipe in the ocean...
0:43:24 > 0:43:26A trashcan downtown.
0:43:26 > 0:43:30I stopped doing that years ago.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16DOORBELL RINGS
0:44:18 > 0:44:22Stay back from the door. He's got a camera that lets him see who's at the door.
0:44:22 > 0:44:26Let him just see me and when the buzzer sounds, you follow me in.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29BUZZER
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Sweetie! It's so good to see you.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38Oh, Pierre! Hi!
0:44:41 > 0:44:43How are you?
0:44:46 > 0:44:50- Who's that guy?- Oh, I want you to meet a friend of mine.
0:44:50 > 0:44:54- Hi.- Pierre, this is Henry Chinaski.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57Good to know you, Pierre.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59Come on in.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01Thank you. You're so good, Pierre.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03So good!
0:45:06 > 0:45:11Hi, girls. Hey, this is Henry Chinaski.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13- Henry, this is Grace and this is Jerry.- Hi, there.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15- How are you doing?- Hello.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21Help yourself.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30So, what do you do?
0:45:30 > 0:45:35- He's a writer.- Oh, I need somebody to do a libretto
0:45:35 > 0:45:37for an opera I wrote.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40It's called the Emperor of San Francisco.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45Did you know there was a guy who claimed
0:45:45 > 0:45:47he was the Emperor of San Francisco?
0:45:47 > 0:45:49No, I didn't.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53It's a real story. It's very interesting.
0:45:53 > 0:45:57You look like you've been around.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00You look like you've got class.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07Would you like to hear some music from my opera?
0:46:10 > 0:46:14Yes, I'd like that very much.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16If it's OK with you.
0:46:18 > 0:46:19Great.
0:46:47 > 0:46:48- Yea!- Bravo.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51Marvellous.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19He's a tight son of a bitch.
0:47:20 > 0:47:25He likes to take care of the girls in the bars who've no place to sleep,
0:47:25 > 0:47:28but all he gives them is food and a bed.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31Never any money.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34And they only have the drinks when he's drinking.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40Jerry got to him one night, though.
0:47:40 > 0:47:41He was horny...
0:47:42 > 0:47:46and he was chasing her around the table.
0:47:46 > 0:47:51She said, "No, not unless you give me a thousand bucks a month for life."
0:47:56 > 0:47:59He signed a piece of paper.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01He gave her a thousand bucks a month.
0:48:02 > 0:48:06Even after he dies, his family will have to pay her.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12Jerry's his main girl, though.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20What about you?
0:48:22 > 0:48:24Not for a long time.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30I like you.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36- You do?- Yeah.
0:48:39 > 0:48:40Watch, watch, watch...
0:48:40 > 0:48:45Tomorrow, when he comes out with that sailor's cap on,
0:48:45 > 0:48:48- with that captain's cap...- Uh huh?
0:48:48 > 0:48:50It means we're going on his yacht.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Doctors made him get a yacht.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58Is it a long one?
0:48:58 > 0:49:00Sure.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13We're going out on the yacht.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02MUSIC PLAYS
0:50:43 > 0:50:44We're going back.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47What for?
0:50:47 > 0:50:49Grace is having one of those moments.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51She won't speak to me.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54She just stands there staring at the water.
0:50:54 > 0:50:59- I'm afraid she'll jump off the boat. She can't swim.- Give her 50 bucks.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02No, we're going back.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09This happens every time we try to go out.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14Grace goes into one of her moods,
0:51:14 > 0:51:19stands there staring at the ocean. She's never going to jump overboard.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22She hates water!
0:51:27 > 0:51:30'Pierre died shortly after that.
0:51:30 > 0:51:35'Laura and I split up and I never saw any of them again.'
0:51:52 > 0:51:54- Hi, mom.- Is that you?
0:51:55 > 0:51:56Yeah.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59I just need a place to sleep for a couple of days.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04Your bedroom is always waiting.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07Your father's home.
0:52:14 > 0:52:15Thanks, Ma.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21Hey, Dad.
0:52:43 > 0:52:44Thanks.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54You got a job?
0:52:54 > 0:52:56No.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00Any man who wants work can find work.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04I suppose you're right.
0:53:06 > 0:53:08I can hardly believe you're my son.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13You don't have any ambition, you don't have any get up and go.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16How the hell are you going to make it in this world?
0:53:23 > 0:53:25Still think you're a writer?
0:53:27 > 0:53:28I'm still writing.
0:53:36 > 0:53:39You stay here, we'll charge you room and board plus laundry.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41When you get a job
0:53:41 > 0:53:45what you owe us we'll take out of your wages till you're paid up.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52- You're drunk!- Yes.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56Where do you get the money to drink? You don't have any money!
0:53:56 > 0:53:58- I'll get a job.- How?
0:53:58 > 0:54:01You know, you act as if I've murdered somebody.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03It's just as bad.
0:54:09 > 0:54:10Are you finished?
0:54:13 > 0:54:16Thanks for the food, ma.
0:54:16 > 0:54:17- You're not hungry?- No.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20No, I'm good, thank you.
0:54:42 > 0:54:45Hey, Robert, what do you say you and I go out
0:54:45 > 0:54:47and have a few cocktails?
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Go drinking in the middle of the week without a job?
0:54:51 > 0:54:55Well, that's when you need a drink the most.
0:54:56 > 0:54:57I'm warning you.
0:54:58 > 0:55:00I also need a piece of ass.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02What's he saying?
0:55:04 > 0:55:05I said,
0:55:05 > 0:55:08I also need a piece of ass.
0:55:08 > 0:55:09Robert!
0:55:38 > 0:55:43Now, you see the cartons? We have three different types, each one printed differently.
0:55:43 > 0:55:45This is for our Super Durable Brake Shoe,
0:55:45 > 0:55:49this is for our Super Brake Shoe, those are for our Standard Brake Shoe.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52You run out, there's more here. And these are the brake shoes.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55They all look the same. How do I tell them apart?
0:55:55 > 0:55:58You don't, they're all the same. Just divide them into thirds.
0:55:58 > 0:56:03When you're finished, come downstairs and we'll find something else for you. OK?
0:56:03 > 0:56:05All right, when do I start?
0:56:05 > 0:56:06You start now.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14And absolutely no smoking.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17Not up here. You have to smoke, you come downstairs, OK?
0:56:17 > 0:56:19Gotcha.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27DOOR CLOSES, ELEVATOR DESCENDS
0:56:53 > 0:56:56'A poem is a city filled with streets and sewers.
0:56:56 > 0:57:01'Filled with saints, heroes, beggars, madmen.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04'Filled with banality and booze.
0:57:04 > 0:57:09'Filled with rain and thunder and periods of drought.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11'A poem is a city at war.
0:57:11 > 0:57:15'It's a barber shop filled with cynical drunks.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17'A poem is a city.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19A poem is a nation.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22'A poem is the world.'
0:57:25 > 0:57:28I decided to look for Jan.
0:57:28 > 0:57:32I toured the bars in our old neighbourhood looking for her.
0:57:32 > 0:57:36Whitey Jackson, the bartender at the Pink Mule, told me
0:57:36 > 0:57:39that she was working as a chambermaid in a downtown hotel.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01Hey!
0:58:04 > 0:58:09- Jan.- Jesus! I thought I'd never see you again.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11Well, here I am.
0:58:16 > 0:58:18Well, come on, let me look at you.
0:58:20 > 0:58:24- You're thin, you've lost weight. - Well...
0:58:24 > 0:58:27You're looking good. Are you alone?
0:58:27 > 0:58:29Yeah.
0:58:29 > 0:58:33- There's no-one else?- Nobody. You know I can't stand people!
0:58:38 > 0:58:42Well, it's good to see you working.
0:58:44 > 0:58:46Come on.
0:58:59 > 0:59:02I'm embarrassed.
0:59:04 > 0:59:06I love you, you idiot.
0:59:06 > 0:59:08We fucked 800 times, so relax.
0:59:11 > 0:59:13Do you like my legs?
0:59:13 > 0:59:16Hell, yes.
0:59:16 > 0:59:19Are you finished with your work?
0:59:19 > 0:59:24- All but Mr Clarke's room. Mr Clarke doesn't care, he leaves me tips.- Oh.
0:59:24 > 0:59:30I'm not doing anything, he just leaves me tips.
0:59:33 > 0:59:35- Jan?- Yeah?
0:59:40 > 0:59:45- I love you, baby.- Bastard.
0:59:45 > 0:59:48When I came home one night, she had moved in with me.
1:00:05 > 1:00:08I decided to clean up the apartment.
1:00:08 > 1:00:11I thought, "I must be turning into a fag."
1:00:32 > 1:00:37Where is she? Where is the bitch who cleaned the place, huh?
1:00:48 > 1:00:51If I find her, I'm going to kill her, I swear.
1:00:55 > 1:00:58You're going to pay for this, Chinaski!
1:01:00 > 1:01:02OK?
1:01:14 > 1:01:19'She was continually using our arguments to justify herself.
1:01:19 > 1:01:23'It was just a cover for her own guilt.
1:01:23 > 1:01:26'She'd go off with anyone she met in a bar
1:01:26 > 1:01:30'and the lower and the dirtier he was, the better she liked it.
1:01:34 > 1:01:38'She left and I got drunk for three days and three nights.
1:01:38 > 1:01:42'When I sobered up, I knew my job was gone.'
1:01:49 > 1:01:51Hello.
1:01:51 > 1:01:54I was told you might be looking for reporters.
1:01:54 > 1:01:55Please fill this out.
1:02:28 > 1:02:30Bastard.
1:02:37 > 1:02:42Apply this ointment to the invaded parts and wait 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off.
1:02:42 > 1:02:47Under no circumstances leave it on longer than 30 minutes.
1:02:47 > 1:02:49Thank you.
1:03:12 > 1:03:15'Hell, 30 minutes?
1:03:15 > 1:03:18'I'll leave it on all night and kill every one of these fuckers.'
1:03:28 > 1:03:29Oh!
1:03:31 > 1:03:32Oh!
1:03:38 > 1:03:41Ah. Agh!
1:03:41 > 1:03:46Oh. Oh! Shit!
1:03:49 > 1:03:51Hank?
1:03:51 > 1:03:53- You fucking whore!- What!
1:03:53 > 1:03:56Look at what you've done to me.
1:03:56 > 1:03:57God, what is it?
1:03:57 > 1:04:00Oh, don't you know? Don't you know?
1:04:00 > 1:04:02I haven't fucked anybody else.
1:04:02 > 1:04:04I got it from you. You're a carrier.
1:04:04 > 1:04:07- A disease ridden slut.- What?
1:04:07 > 1:04:10Crabs, baby. You gave me the crabs.
1:04:10 > 1:04:13- I don't have crabs. Geraldine must have them.- What?
1:04:13 > 1:04:16I was staying at Geraldine's, sitting on a toilet.
1:04:16 > 1:04:19Oh, don't give me that shit. You got it off a toilet seat?
1:04:20 > 1:04:22- Get me a goddamn drink.- OK.
1:04:24 > 1:04:26PHONE RINGS
1:04:27 > 1:04:31Yes, what do you want?
1:04:31 > 1:04:33Yes...
1:04:34 > 1:04:35Yes...
1:04:36 > 1:04:38As a reporter?
1:04:40 > 1:04:43Not as a reporter.
1:04:43 > 1:04:44What, today?
1:04:46 > 1:04:48OK, thanks.
1:04:51 > 1:04:54- Who was that?- I got a job.
1:04:54 > 1:04:56I'll fix you up.
1:04:58 > 1:05:01I can't wear pants.
1:05:04 > 1:05:08- I'll wrap you up in gauze. - Do you think that's going to work? - Mm-hmm, I do.
1:05:10 > 1:05:13- All right. Easy does it. - Mm-hmm.
1:05:13 > 1:05:16OK. I'll put it right around.
1:05:16 > 1:05:19Easy!
1:05:22 > 1:05:24- Anybody ever tell you how funny you are?- No.
1:05:26 > 1:05:30That's understandable. Now for a little tape.
1:05:30 > 1:05:32OK?
1:05:34 > 1:05:36Now, put your other leg up, lover.
1:05:36 > 1:05:40- Never mind the romance. - OK, around your big fat thighs.
1:05:45 > 1:05:50- Not as big as your big fat ass. - Now, now. Be nice, now.
1:05:50 > 1:05:54Now for the balls,
1:05:54 > 1:05:56your little red balls. Just in time for Christmas.
1:05:56 > 1:05:59Wait a minute, what are you going to do to my balls?
1:05:59 > 1:06:03- I'm gonna wrap them. - Isn't that dangerous? It could affect my tap dancing.
1:06:03 > 1:06:09Oh, yeah, I'm going to wrap that around like that and tie it. I'm going to wrap them real nice.
1:06:09 > 1:06:13- They're going to slip out. - No, they're in a cocoon. Real nice.
1:06:13 > 1:06:15See? Now they're feeling better.
1:06:15 > 1:06:20One more little bit of tape.
1:06:20 > 1:06:23Hey, don't tape my balls to my asshole.
1:06:23 > 1:06:27- That's the best place for them, baby.- Yeah.
1:06:27 > 1:06:31You're as good as new.
1:06:31 > 1:06:34Now, get up, walk around.
1:06:49 > 1:06:51This is all right.
1:06:54 > 1:06:57I feel like a eunuch...
1:06:58 > 1:06:59..but this is all right.
1:07:00 > 1:07:02Want some soft boiled eggs?
1:07:02 > 1:07:04Sure, baby.
1:07:10 > 1:07:12Call for help if you need to move the lift.
1:07:12 > 1:07:18Remember, we're very proud of this guy. It's called Vision Of Peace.
1:07:46 > 1:07:48'Why was I chosen to do this?
1:07:50 > 1:07:56'Why couldn't I be inside, writing editorials about municipal corruption,
1:07:56 > 1:07:59'give the readers my Vision Of Peace?
1:08:01 > 1:08:05'Questions like these demand a deeper consideration.'
1:08:34 > 1:08:38Superintendent Barnes,
1:08:38 > 1:08:39buy you a beer?
1:08:40 > 1:08:43You are fired, Mr Chinaski.
1:08:43 > 1:08:49- Please return your uniform and clean out your locker.- Yes, sir.
1:08:52 > 1:08:54DOOR OPENS
1:08:56 > 1:08:58- Is that you, Hank?- Yeah, baby.
1:09:08 > 1:09:10I got canned.
1:09:12 > 1:09:15They caught me drinking on the job.
1:09:15 > 1:09:16What about your cheque?
1:09:19 > 1:09:22Funny, they didn't mention it.
1:09:22 > 1:09:24You worked almost a full day.
1:09:24 > 1:09:27They owe you wages.
1:09:27 > 1:09:30Yes, they do.
1:09:30 > 1:09:31Well, go get it.
1:09:31 > 1:09:34As soon as the office opens.
1:09:34 > 1:09:36OK.
1:09:56 > 1:10:00Let's hit the market for some stew meat and vegetables
1:10:00 > 1:10:03and then let's get a couple of bottles of really good French wine.
1:10:03 > 1:10:08- Jan, they told me the cheque wasn't ready yet.- What?!
1:10:08 > 1:10:10They can't... It's the law.
1:10:10 > 1:10:13I don't know. They said it'd be ready tomorrow.
1:10:13 > 1:10:16Oh, Christ! I've walked all this way in high heels...
1:10:16 > 1:10:18- You look great, baby.- Yeah.
1:10:33 > 1:10:35I'm not walkin'. No.
1:11:21 > 1:11:24It pays to be a tough son of a bitch.
1:11:24 > 1:11:27The world belongs to people with balls.
1:11:27 > 1:11:28Just get the cheque, Daddy.
1:11:39 > 1:11:41I'm Henry Chinaski.
1:11:42 > 1:11:46- Yes?- Yes, I was here yesterday.
1:11:46 > 1:11:52- Yes.- Right. And you told me my cheque would be ready today.
1:11:53 > 1:11:55Oh.
1:11:55 > 1:11:56That's right.
1:12:03 > 1:12:07I'm sorry, Mr Chinaski, your cheque isn't here yet.
1:12:07 > 1:12:08But you said it would be.
1:12:10 > 1:12:15I'm sorry, sir, sometimes it takes a little longer for a payroll cheque to process.
1:12:15 > 1:12:16Look, I want my cheque.
1:12:19 > 1:12:21I'm sorry, sir.
1:12:23 > 1:12:25You're not sorry.
1:12:25 > 1:12:28You don't know what sorrow is. I do.
1:12:30 > 1:12:33Now, I want to talk to your boss's boss now.
1:12:41 > 1:12:44Mr Handler? A Mr Chinaski would like to see you
1:12:44 > 1:12:47about a termination payroll cheque.
1:12:49 > 1:12:51Right.
1:12:57 > 1:12:59Room 309.
1:12:59 > 1:13:02Thank you.
1:13:02 > 1:13:06Me and my old lady have walked down here now two days running
1:13:06 > 1:13:09just to be told that you don't have my cheque.
1:13:10 > 1:13:13Now, you and I know that's pure crap.
1:13:17 > 1:13:20Now, all I want to do is get my cheque and get drunk.
1:13:21 > 1:13:29Now, that might not sound...noble, but it's my choice.
1:13:32 > 1:13:33You got a smoke?
1:13:51 > 1:13:52Thank you.
1:14:02 > 1:14:05Miss Simms?
1:14:05 > 1:14:09There's a cheque due - a Mr Henry Chinaski.
1:14:09 > 1:14:12Yes, Henry Chinaski.
1:14:12 > 1:14:15I want it down in five minutes.
1:14:16 > 1:14:19Thank you.
1:14:21 > 1:14:26Listen, John, I've got two years of journalism school
1:14:26 > 1:14:29at Los Angeles City College.
1:14:29 > 1:14:31You couldn't use a reporter, could you?
1:14:31 > 1:14:37- Sorry, we're overstaffed now.- I see.
1:14:37 > 1:14:39Your cheque will be downstairs.
1:14:43 > 1:14:44Thank you.
1:15:05 > 1:15:07You might as well not have any goddamn ears,
1:15:07 > 1:15:09you never listen to me any more.
1:15:09 > 1:15:14Well...that's because you keep saying the same damn thing over and over again.
1:15:14 > 1:15:17OK, let's have a drink and talk about it.
1:15:20 > 1:15:24You've had your ass up in the air ever since we got back together.
1:16:00 > 1:16:02Shit.
1:16:04 > 1:16:08Come on, let's face the obvious.
1:16:08 > 1:16:10I don't need you.
1:16:13 > 1:16:14You don't need me.
1:16:20 > 1:16:23Yeah, I know.
1:16:49 > 1:16:54'A week later, Jan moved out of my place and shacked up with some rich guy.
1:16:56 > 1:16:58'After that, I couldn't pay the rent.'
1:17:10 > 1:17:14- The landlord threw you out? - Yeah.
1:17:16 > 1:17:20- Did you get the job? - No, they didn't want me.
1:17:20 > 1:17:26- How come? - Well, I don't have an address.
1:17:29 > 1:17:33Hank, I hate it when he fucks me.
1:17:34 > 1:17:38Sure, babe. Take care.
1:17:40 > 1:17:42This is for you. Got too small for him.
1:17:46 > 1:17:49See you around, Hank.
1:17:58 > 1:18:00You'll manage.
1:18:28 > 1:18:32'Amazing how grimly we hold on to our misery.
1:18:32 > 1:18:35'The energy we burn fuelling our anger.
1:18:39 > 1:18:43'Amazing, how one moment we can be snarling like a beast,
1:18:43 > 1:18:47'then, a few moments later, forgetting what or why.
1:18:47 > 1:18:53'Not hours of this, or days, or months or years of this,
1:18:53 > 1:18:56'but decades, lifetimes completely used up,
1:18:56 > 1:19:00'given over to the pettiest rancour and hatred.
1:19:00 > 1:19:06'Finally, there is nothing here for death to take away.'
1:19:36 > 1:19:39All right, sit down and we'll see if anything comes in.
1:19:52 > 1:19:55You look a little down in the mouth.
1:19:55 > 1:19:57You all right?
1:19:57 > 1:19:59I lost a woman.
1:20:01 > 1:20:03Yeah, well, you'll have others.
1:20:03 > 1:20:05You'll lose them, too.
1:20:06 > 1:20:08Where do they go?
1:20:10 > 1:20:13Try this.
1:20:13 > 1:20:16- Ain't no women on Skid Row.- Thanks.
1:20:18 > 1:20:21Don't let him see us drinking. That's the one thing he don't like.
1:20:23 > 1:20:25Slow!
1:20:34 > 1:20:36Wine gnats.
1:20:36 > 1:20:38The sons of bitches are hooked.
1:20:38 > 1:20:40They know what's good.
1:20:42 > 1:20:45They drink to forget their woman.
1:20:45 > 1:20:47Nah, they just drink.
1:20:49 > 1:20:51- Oh, shit.- Aw, here he comes.
1:20:51 > 1:20:54All right, all right, get out!
1:20:54 > 1:20:56Get out! Get the hell out of here, you fucking winos!
1:20:56 > 1:20:59Get outta here before I call the cops, both of you.
1:20:59 > 1:21:01Buddy...
1:21:01 > 1:21:05Let's go, both of you, outta here right now. Keep moving.
1:21:05 > 1:21:09Get out of here. I'll call the cops, you goddamn degenerates.
1:21:09 > 1:21:11Don't come back!
1:21:14 > 1:21:16What?
1:21:16 > 1:21:17This isn't a bar.
1:21:21 > 1:21:23Sun's up.
1:21:24 > 1:21:27Yeah.
1:21:27 > 1:21:29Sun's up good.
1:21:38 > 1:21:40Well...
1:21:42 > 1:21:44I gotta get going.
1:21:52 > 1:21:53See you.
1:22:15 > 1:22:18So, what do I do with Chinaski's mail?
1:22:18 > 1:22:21Oh, he's gone. Just give it to me.
1:22:21 > 1:22:23- Have a nice day.- Hmm.
1:23:01 > 1:23:06'Dear Mr Chinaski, we are returning these four stories, but we are keeping
1:23:06 > 1:23:10My Beerdrunk Soul Is Sadder Than All The Dead Christmas Trees Of The World.
1:23:10 > 1:23:16We've been watching you work for a long time and we are most happy to accept this story.
1:23:16 > 1:23:19Sincerely, John Martin, Black Sparrow Press.
1:23:19 > 1:23:21Hmm.
1:23:44 > 1:23:48If you're going to try, go all the way.
1:23:49 > 1:23:52Otherwise, don't even start.
1:23:52 > 1:23:58This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs
1:23:58 > 1:24:00and maybe your mind.
1:24:00 > 1:24:04It could mean not eating for three or four days.
1:24:04 > 1:24:06It could mean freezing on a park bench.
1:24:06 > 1:24:08It could mean jail.
1:24:08 > 1:24:10It could mean derision.
1:24:10 > 1:24:12It could mean mockery. Isolation.
1:24:15 > 1:24:18Isolation is the gift.
1:24:18 > 1:24:20All the others are a test of your endurance,
1:24:20 > 1:24:23of how much you really want to do it.
1:24:23 > 1:24:28And you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds
1:24:28 > 1:24:31and it will be better than anything else you can imagine.
1:24:35 > 1:24:38If you're going to try, go all the way.
1:24:39 > 1:24:41There is no other feeling like that.
1:24:41 > 1:24:47You will be alone with the gods and the nights will flame with fire.
1:24:47 > 1:24:51You will ride life straight to perfect laughter.
1:24:52 > 1:24:55It's the only good fight there is.
1:25:52 > 1:25:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd