WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.050 align:middle line:90% 00:00:01.050 --> 00:00:04.530 align:middle line:84% At last, the Robinsons panted up the cracked steps 00:00:04.530 --> 00:00:07.950 align:middle line:84% of a sagging mansion and down an unlit hall, 00:00:07.950 --> 00:00:13.170 align:middle line:84% where Olivia struck a match to read a name on the last door. 00:00:13.170 --> 00:00:16.290 align:middle line:84% Inside, the Komisija had many more desks 00:00:16.290 --> 00:00:17.820 align:middle line:90% than people. 00:00:17.820 --> 00:00:21.120 align:middle line:84% Dusky carpets, grandfatherly bicycles 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:23.970 align:middle line:90% resting against file cabinets. 00:00:23.970 --> 00:00:28.590 align:middle line:84% Joseph stared at monster adding machines, towering typewriters 00:00:28.590 --> 00:00:30.420 align:middle line:90% old and insect black. 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:34.290 align:middle line:90% Keypads perched on metal stalks. 00:00:34.290 --> 00:00:37.530 align:middle line:84% The Komesar himself, a secretary explained 00:00:37.530 --> 00:00:38.970 align:middle line:90% was abroad. 00:00:38.970 --> 00:00:42.720 align:middle line:84% It was therefore the director who would welcome them. 00:00:42.720 --> 00:00:46.650 align:middle line:84% He so far this morning was unfortunately not yet in. 00:00:46.650 --> 00:00:48.600 align:middle line:84% The Zamenik, however, was present 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:53.040 align:middle line:84% and desired to meet A.H. Robinson immediately. 00:00:53.040 --> 00:00:56.970 align:middle line:84% This was a huge young man who jumped up to seize their hands. 00:00:56.970 --> 00:00:58.590 align:middle line:90% Super, he said. 00:00:58.590 --> 00:01:01.740 align:middle line:84% It was he explained who would be helping them effectuate 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:05.190 align:middle line:84% their plans though the director himself a poet 00:01:05.190 --> 00:01:07.980 align:middle line:84% was eager to greet Doctor Robinson. 00:01:07.980 --> 00:01:11.790 align:middle line:84% He gave A.H. papers to sign then opened a safe 00:01:11.790 --> 00:01:15.540 align:middle line:84% and counted out stacks of worn bills. 00:01:15.540 --> 00:01:19.110 align:middle line:84% Next, as Joseph's parents peered at a map 00:01:19.110 --> 00:01:23.370 align:middle line:84% of Great Slavia much bigger than on Joseph's globe 00:01:23.370 --> 00:01:25.080 align:middle line:90% and the wrong color. 00:01:25.080 --> 00:01:28.470 align:middle line:84% The young man was on the phone to travel agents and hotels 00:01:28.470 --> 00:01:32.910 align:middle line:84% saying OK dokey, and super and super duper into the receiver 00:01:32.910 --> 00:01:37.350 align:middle line:84% and winking at Joseph, who stared helplessly 00:01:37.350 --> 00:01:44.160 align:middle line:84% at his massive milk white neck studded with caramel warts. 00:01:44.160 --> 00:01:47.490 align:middle line:84% Or was he winking at someone behind them? 00:01:47.490 --> 00:01:49.320 align:middle line:90% There was a horrible cough. 00:01:49.320 --> 00:01:52.605 align:middle line:84% A sound like ice being chipped from a driveway. 00:01:52.605 --> 00:01:55.890 align:middle line:84% Ah the director, the Robinsons turned 00:01:55.890 --> 00:01:59.430 align:middle line:84% to face a desperately long and wild black beard. 00:01:59.430 --> 00:02:02.310 align:middle line:84% Joseph thought the director looked like a madman. 00:02:02.310 --> 00:02:05.280 align:middle line:84% His eyes burned as though he'd just been slapped. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:09.789 align:middle line:84% At once, he took A.H. into an inner office. 00:02:09.789 --> 00:02:11.910 align:middle line:84% The Zamenik was talking again. 00:02:11.910 --> 00:02:13.830 align:middle line:90% Olivia was taking notes. 00:02:13.830 --> 00:02:18.120 align:middle line:84% Here and here, you can't go, he said, for reasons of safety. 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:20.850 align:middle line:90% But here is still fine. 00:02:20.850 --> 00:02:22.650 align:middle line:90% They leaned over the map. 00:02:22.650 --> 00:02:26.550 align:middle line:84% Her rear end sticking out so far that Joseph imagined himself 00:02:26.550 --> 00:02:27.690 align:middle line:90% kicking it. 00:02:27.690 --> 00:02:29.430 align:middle line:84% It would be what she deserved from making 00:02:29.430 --> 00:02:31.458 align:middle line:90% him come to Great Slavia. 00:02:31.458 --> 00:02:33.000 align:middle line:84% He watched the Zamenik's 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:35.820 align:middle line:84% long finger fly over lines of red, 00:02:35.820 --> 00:02:40.440 align:middle line:84% and green, and blue to tap bright yellow dots. 00:02:40.440 --> 00:02:44.400 align:middle line:84% The city's names were in convulsion hostile letters 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:45.480 align:middle line:90% hugging craz-- 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:46.665 align:middle line:90% crazily. 00:02:46.665 --> 00:02:49.283 align:middle line:90% Vranjska, Radimlje. 00:02:49.283 --> 00:02:50.700 align:middle line:84% Names that looked as though they'd 00:02:50.700 --> 00:02:53.820 align:middle line:90% been already destroyed by war. 00:02:53.820 --> 00:02:57.270 align:middle line:84% A secretary brought his mother a bitter smelling thumb 00:02:57.270 --> 00:02:58.050 align:middle line:90% of a cup. 00:02:58.050 --> 00:03:00.630 align:middle line:84% Then carried a tray with two more cups 00:03:00.630 --> 00:03:04.170 align:middle line:90% into the director's office. 00:03:04.170 --> 00:03:08.100 align:middle line:84% When A.H. came out, he was pale and moved 00:03:08.100 --> 00:03:13.050 align:middle line:84% slowly as though hesitant to test some injured part. 00:03:13.050 --> 00:03:17.230 align:middle line:84% The Robinsons started back toward their hotel. 00:03:17.230 --> 00:03:20.100 align:middle line:84% They don't know my work, he said. 00:03:20.100 --> 00:03:23.340 align:middle line:84% They didn't even read the books I sent. 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:25.800 align:middle line:84% Horns were blasting, and Olivia hurried them 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:27.480 align:middle line:90% across an intersection. 00:03:27.480 --> 00:03:31.180 align:middle line:84% As he walked, A.H. held his head with both hands. 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:34.950 align:middle line:84% He had explained to the director his wish to give readings, 00:03:34.950 --> 00:03:37.170 align:middle line:90% arrange translations. 00:03:37.170 --> 00:03:41.130 align:middle line:84% But as far as they're concerned, we're tourists. 00:03:41.130 --> 00:03:44.670 align:middle line:90% I expected better. 00:03:44.670 --> 00:03:47.100 align:middle line:90% Again, they entered the square. 00:03:47.100 --> 00:03:49.200 align:middle line:84% As though by some magician's trick, 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:52.740 align:middle line:90% the two tanks had become four. 00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:54.720 align:middle line:90% Their hatches were closed. 00:03:54.720 --> 00:03:58.480 align:middle line:84% Joseph thought of the soldiers packed inside. 00:03:58.480 --> 00:04:00.360 align:middle line:90% Don't be frightened said Olivia. 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:04.200 align:middle line:84% And A.H. actually picked Joseph up, something 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:07.440 align:middle line:84% he hadn't done in years, and carried him. 00:04:07.440 --> 00:04:11.100 align:middle line:84% In the middle of the square, a man waved flag on a stick 00:04:11.100 --> 00:04:15.120 align:middle line:84% as people around him chanted in heavy rhythm. 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:17.339 align:middle line:84% When he saw the store with the soccer 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:20.339 align:middle line:84% ball in the window, the one with the comet on it, 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:22.860 align:middle line:84% Joseph imagined clutching it to his chest 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:24.270 align:middle line:90% and getting out of there. 00:04:24.270 --> 00:04:27.840 align:middle line:90% 10, 9, 8, 7, a surge of power. 00:04:27.840 --> 00:04:31.220 align:middle line:90% 3, 2, 1. 00:04:31.220 --> 00:04:32.000 align:middle line:90%