Hello.

Hello, Hector. Do you want something?

I'm just saying hi.

Thanks! Do you know if there's a good toy store in the city?

Marcus' birthday is coming up, and all they have at the general store are wooden toys.

He really wants a rocket!

I'm afraid we don't have any toy stores.

Oh well. I guess I'll go back to the general store and pick something else.

You know, Jacob, they say wooden toys are safe. They're made of all-natural materials and they don't contain allergens.

All-natural materials? Yeah, right. Last winter, a buddy of mine ran out of coal and started to get cold...

He had to use any fuel he could find, even furniture.

Despite their son's tears, they had to burn his wooden horse, too.

That horse burned for eight days! Can you imagine that?

Eight days instead of one? That sounds like a holiday miracle!

Huh! As a chemist, I assure you that sounds like a devilish concoction of paraffines!

I doubt it's healthy for kids.

But it sounds like those wooden horses could come in handy in the winter...

Perhaps you're right.

Jacob, we need to talk.

It's a touchy subject concerning your family.

I'm all ears.

Don't ask me how I know, but your daughter - the child the Ministry said died at birth...

She's alive...

What?! How is that possible?!

I don't know if the hospital made a mistake or someone did something underhanded, but it's true...

Your daughter is alive. And another family adopted her.

Go on…

In what can only be an incredible coincidence, she lives in our building. Her name is Zlata Schimmer.

Klaus Schimmer came to me, saying weird things… I thought he was drunk, but now I see, why he wasn't himself.

What should we do?!

I'm not much good in matters like these, but I believe you shouldn't act hastily.

If I were you, I'd take some time to think things over...

You're right. I need to digest this first...

I can't believe Zlata is our girl! That's why she always reminded me of Louisa when she was young...

My wife and I met as kids. We lived next door to each other, went to the same school...

I hope you're able to keep a level head about all of this, Jacob.

Don't worry! I'm not planning to make a scene or somehow traumatize the child.

She has parents and loves them... You're right: this is a very touchy matter.

Have you talked with your wife, Jacob? Why don't you want her to become a donor?

I did. But I'm sorry - I can't risk her life. I wish I could be a donor...

I just can't risk losing Louisa.

We both know what's going on in the hospitals nowadays. The risk of her not surviving the surgery is high.

Marcus wouldn't survive his mom's death! Neither would I...

Tell Klaus I'm sorry.

But you have the ability to save a life! Zlata is your daughter!

We buried her years ago and dedicated our lives to Marcus.

She was put into the hands of other people, and as good as they were, they couldn't keep her safe! And now they're trying to make us pay!

Still, Jacob, this is the life of a child! They have no other options.

Let it go! I won't let my wife donate - period.

Jacob! You're back?! What happened?

Yes, I'm back. It was just a silly mistake.

They locked me up without an explanation.

It looks like someone set me up.

Set you up?

I overheard them mention a report. So they arrested me until they checked it out.

It turned out to be a lie. I wish I knew who wrote the report! I got fired!

Jacob, I need to tell you something...

And there was no reason to fire me! They called it a preventative measure! Nobody gets reported for nothing! Bastards!

Jacob, I...

How am I supposed to put food on the table now?!

Jacob!!! Listen to me!!!

WHAT?!

You need to calm down. While you were away, Louisa... She went to the hospital... She didn't make it through the surgery, and neither did Zlata.

I'm sorry, but they're gone...

WHAT?! How could she have done that? I told her it was risky! Oh my God... This is a nightmare... Please, God, wake me up...

Louisa! My Louisa! I can't believe this...

...

And Marcus? Where's my son?! Answer me!!!

The Ministry took him to an orphanage..

Which orphanage? I'm still alive, and I'm not in prison! How dare they take him away! I must find him!

Comrade Hempf said you can't see him again because your loyalty index is zero.

I'm sorry, but they took away your custody rights...

NOOO!!! Damn you! Damn all of you freaking Ministry rats! Burn in hell!

Jacob, if there's anything...

You go to hell, too! I've lost everything! Absolutely everything! In one day!

Stay away from me, Hector. I mean it! Stay away!!!

Hector! Have you seen my wife and son? Why is our apartment empty? What happened? Talk to me!

Calm down, Jacob, I'll tell you.

Louisa left.

Left? Where did she go?

She's going to abduct your son from the orphanage. You and Louisa have lost custody...

Will she be back? What did she say?

I'm afraid not. She doesn't want you to look for her. I don't know where she's planning to go next...

What? Why?!

I think Louisa blames you for Zlata's death...

Damn it! I just wanted to do what was best for my family... What should I do now? Actually, what's the point of anything? My family - my whole life - is gone.

Hector! Have you seen my wife and son? Why is our apartment empty? What happened? Talk to me!

Calm down, Jacob, I'll tell you.

Louisa left.

What do you mean she left? Where did she go? And where's Marcus?

She took Marcus with her.

Will she be back? What did she say?

She doesn't want you to look for her. I don't know where she's planning to go next...

What? Why?!

I think Louisa blames you for Zlata's death...

Damn it! I just wanted to do what was best for my family... What should I do now? Actually, what's the point of anything? My family - my whole life - is gone.

Jacob! You're back?! What happened?

Yes, I'm back. It was just a silly mistake.

They locked me up without an explanation.

It looks like someone set me up.

Set you up?

I overheard them mention a report. So they arrested me until they checked it out.

It turned out to be a lie. I wish I knew who wrote the report! I got fired!

Jacob, I need to tell you something...

And there was no reason to fire me! They called it a preventative measure! Nobody gets reported for nothing! Bastards!

Jacob, I...

How am I supposed to put food on the table now?!

Jacob!!! Listen to me!!!

WHAT?!

Calm down! While you were away, Louisa went to the hospital for the surgery...

Damn it! Is she OK?

Yes, the surgery went well. Louisa and Zlata both made it. But I'm afraid I have some bad news...

Louisa left.

Left? To go where? When will she be back? And where's Marcus?

She took both kids. And she doesn't want you to look for her.

She took our kids? That's called kidnapping!

She can't forgive you for refusing to help Zlata. She said, "He refused to save his own child. I can't stay with him."

That's what she said, verbatim. I'm sorry, Jacob.

What? Why?!

Damn it! I just wanted to do what was best for my family... What should I do now? Actually, what's the point of anything? My family - my whole life - is gone.

What do you think about the weather?

What weather, Hector? Look outside! It's nasty and gray, like it always is...

That goddamn smoke from the factory won't let any sunlight through. The coal dust doesn't help, either.

Have you heard of the Blissful Sleep?

Yes. Don't tell anyone, but I think it's pure madness.

Do you think it's...painful?

It should be! Just imagine: a man spends his life slaving away for his people and state.

And instead of well-deserved respect and retirement, he gets shot up with poison!

Besides, given how they deal with things, I doubt they have any decent medications left.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that instead of a fast and painless procedure, it takes old people hours to die in agony!

...

Oh, my, Hector! I'm sorry! I heard about your birthday, but it didn't compute...

All the news on the TV seems to be about things that are happening far away - things that don't concern us or our loved ones...

I wish I could help you, but how...

It's OK, Jacob. I'll deal with it.

Jacob! You're back!

Yes, I am. What happened, Hector? Where are Marcus and Louisa?!

While you were away, they had to find a way to escape the police. It's all because of the blood transfusion stations.

Oh, no! Did they have to take blood tests?

As far as I know, you forbid them to do that.

Exactly! I took our samples myself and secretly checked them in a biolab where a friend works...

I found the Traitor's Gene in Louisa and Marcus' samples. They wouldn't pass the tests and would be sent to the labor camp for traitors.

What jerk decided to measure patriotism on a genetic level? That's not science, it's bigotry!

All I know is a phone number: 379-974.

I think the people who hid your family would ask for something in return.

They can have whatever they want! Thank God they're safe! I need to do call them now. Thanks, Hector!

Did you find out where your wife and son hid?

Yes, but it didn't make my life any easier. They were captured, Hector!

Those rascals are holding them hostage!

My God! What do they want?

I don't know... I was told to sit still and wait for a call.

I can't call the police because the first thing they'll do is check Marcus and Louisa for the Traitor's Gene.

So, I'm hog-tied. All I can do is wait for the call and hope those people have a whit of mercy.

I'm so sorry, Jacob.

Do you have any news about your family?

I can't and won't discuss that with you...

You're back, Jacob!

Hector! How did my wife and son come to be arrested?

They didn't go to the station for the blood test, so they were arrested for failure to report.

My God! They should not have done that!

I took our samples myself and secretly checked them in a biolab where a friend works...

I found the Traitor's Gene in Louisa and Marcus' blood. Now they'll be checked and sent to the labor camp for traitors!

What jerk decided to measure patriotism on a genetic level? That's not science, it's bigotry!

My poor Louisa... My poor Marcus... They won't be able to withstand the rigors of those camps! They're as good as dead...

I'm so sorry, Jacob!

Go to hell, Ministry rat! You're as heartless a servant as any of those bastards!

I bet there's a special spot in Hell for you!

Any news about your family?

Go to hell, Hector! And stay out of my way... If you interfere again, Louisa and Marcus could die!

Any news about your family?

I don't know which one would be worse. And I... I have to do horrible things to keep my wife and son alive.

I have to make drugs for those bastards, which they're going to distribute around the country.

That's not why I learned chemistry! But I can't stop! If I do, Louisa and Marcus will die.

But that's how things turned out, Hector! So I'm asking you to do one thing - stay out of my way...

I'm terribly sorry, Jacob...

How are you, Jacob?

Go to hell, Ministry rat! You're as heartless a servant as any of those bastards!

I know you had something to do with that tragedy.

I bet there's a special spot in Hell for you!