The Goldfish (Die Goldfische)

-Faster route. -You are already on the fast...

-Julius. -Nowotny and his crew are nearly here.

I'm stuck in the holiday traffic. Is Feldmann there?

-Not yet. -Tell them I'm nearly there.

-Weren't you stuck in traffic? -No. I flew in.

I think it's about to start.

We'll chat later. Step on it. Kiss, kiss.

Yeah, yeah. Right back at you.

MOM

Hey, Mom. I'm in the car. I can't talk now.

-I was about to text you. -I wanted to ask when you'll be here.

-I can't make it. I have to work. -But it's a holiday.

-Not for me. -Haven't you made enough money yet?

-Enough for what? -What?

-Nothing. -I made you a cheesecake.

I'll try to come by on Sunday. Think the cake will still be good then?

I said that I made you a cheesecake.

Yes, I got that. I asked if it'll still be good then.

I lost you for a moment there.

-I have to go now. Keep me some cake. -Yes, I...

Fuck!

-Hello? -Was it worth it, Cosima? Was it?

What happened?

There's nail polish on my glove compartment.

-Look. -What?

-Was it worth it? -You woke me up for that? Really?

-It won't come out. -Use nail polish remover.

No! That will just rub it all over the place!

-But the car still works, right? -This isn't funny.

I'll just use nail polish remover...

No! No nail polish remover!

Feldmann will be here in ten. Shall we start...

-No. No way. -How long do you need?

Ten minutes.

THE GOLDFISH

The doctor said it's best not to touch you.

He also said, a few vertebrae higher

and you wouldn't be able to move your arms.

So I guess you were lucky.

Oli, I'm going to Singapore.

With HSBC. They need people there.

You know I've always wanted to go there.

I feels like there's not much I can do to help here anyway, right?

I...

Did you say something?

-Turn... back... -You don't want me to go?

Turn...

off...

the lights.

Okay.

Take care, Oliver.

THREE MONTHS LATER

Most buses have electric ramps, or, at least, more and more do.

But not all of them. There are many different systems.

That's why communicating with the driver is vital.

That's what we'll practice now. I'll be the bus driver.

And... Oliver.

You need to indicate whether you want to get on the bus

or wait for the next one.

-Yep. Okay. -Okay.

I'm taking the next bus.

OK, in this case, can you pretend you want to get on this one?

I want to get on.

Think again.

I can't hear you.

The door's shut, it's noisy...

-Cells are ringing... -Yes, Julius?

Did you reach him?

I'll be online in a sec.

-Oliver... -Thanks. I'll get a taxi.

No, just talking to a guy here.

Oliver!

I don't understand. You just had your accident.

I'm fit enough to work, Mr. Feldmann. Trust me.

You should concentrate on your new life circumstances.

You should... How shall I put it? Process it.

What am I supposed to do?

Sit by the window and look sad?

I can and I want to work.

-If you need anything... -You've been away for three months.

Kowalczyk is too important to us to leave you in charge.

Julius will take care of your other portfolios too.

-Why? -Your contract ends soon...

Mr. Feldmann?

Hello? Hello, Mr. Feldmann?

Mr. Feldmann? Can you hear me?

-Ms. Cheche, we need to talk. -No, Oliver, we need to talk.

What are you doing?

The nasal spray needs to sink in. You left your course again.

-Ms. Cheche... -Zschetzsche.

-What? -It's "Zschetzsche".

Zetsche.

-Zschetzsche. -Zetsche.

-Zschetzsche! -Ms... The internet here is a disgrace!

-You've got a single room. -I've got important...

Important, important, important.

Your therapy's important. Focus on that, not your laptop.

You'll be out in seven weeks.

-Seven weeks without internet? -Go to your courses.

-Do you even know what my job is? -The Wi-Fi is the least of our problems

The main elevator is broken.

The cafeteria can only spend 2.10 euros per meal.

The last group trip was in 2016, when we visited the sewage treatment plant.

You've been paraplegic for three months and your main problem is the Wi-Fi?

I'm willing to pay more.

I see you're also mentally impaired. This isn't a hotel.

It's a rehab center. Time to eat.

-Cafeteria. -What's on the menu?

Fish cakes.

-We had fish yesterday. -You said we should use the leftovers.

May I sit here?

-Yes, of course. -It was a joke.

Oh, sorry.

Are you also disabled?

No. I started working here two weeks ago.

Oh, really? So, are you a doctor?

No, I'm a career at the group home.

-Oh, for the... -Yes, for the...

-What are you drawing? -These are for the group home.

The new pencils are too sharp. They might hurt themselves.

Do you need to train for such a job, or...

Yes, you can do a training, but I studied special education.

Now I want to see if all that theory works in practice.

What about long-term?

-What do you mean? -Well... What are your long-term plans?

What are your career goals?

I mean, making puzzles with the disabled can't be your dream job.

Actually, it is my dream job.

And you should say "people with disabilities".

How about you?

I only come here to have lunch.

They have the best fish cakes.

No, I'm over in rehab. I'm Oliver, by the way.

Laura.

There's meant to be a great yakitori place round the corner.

-Yaki... -Yes, yakitori.

Japanese skewered meat. There are also vegetarian options.

We could go there this weekend, if you fancy...

My treat. I'll pay.

The thing is... I can't this weekend, I'm afraid.

-I have... -It's okay. It's okay. I get it.

Well, it was nice to meet you.

-Okay. And good luck. -Thank you. Same to you.

The doctor said to take special care of the back of the knees.

-Mom, he's a nurse, not a doctor. -That's not the point.

-He meant... Can you do it? -Yes.

-There shouldn't be any pressure marks. -I know.

Great.

-Shall we go to the cafeteria? -No, let's go out.

I can't stand the coffee here anymore.

Hello. I'd like a black coffee.

And an espresso macchiato.

-I'll bring them over. -Thank you.

Is here okay?

Who designs this shit?

Oli, I brought you something.

Please, don't be mad, but I've gone and bought it now.

SEX IN A WHEELCHAIR

-Oh, no! Please, no! -It's not so bad.

Why do people think that's my biggest problem?

It says you're still in the denial stage.

And it also says you can still have children.

-Your coffees. -Why is it screwed to the floor?

-Oli. -I mean...

I ordered an espresso macchiato. That's a latte.

Oli... Are you okay?

Yes, Mom. I'm just great.

I need to get back to work. I've got a meeting.

Thanks for the coffee.

Mr. Feldmann said you were in an accident and that you...

No, there must have been a misunderstanding.

So, you weren't in an accident?

No... I mean, I was. But only a minor one. We can get started right away.

Very well then. We should start by...

Mr. Kowalczyk?

Can you hear me now? Mr. Kowalczyk, are you still on the line?

Yes. Is this better? No?

Mr. Kowalczyk?

You could also put the pendant on a different necklace.

That's not a problem.

You need a somewhat more delicate necklace.

Look at Miri and me. We're completely different types.

That's exactly why I'm standing next to her.

Because it doesn't matter whether you're wearing

something pink, blue, white or black.

Something that's anthracite or apricot-colored.

Hey, Franzi.

-Hey! Leave it on! -No, I won't.

We've got to get ready for Laura's weird session. You can thank her.

Rainman?

Are you coming to the Goldfish session?

Rainman?

-Getting cleany-clean. -No, Rainman. What are you doing there?

You don't clean things in there!

Look at the state of you!

-Are we good? -Rainman, that's a toilet.

-What's a toilet for? -Making cleany-clean.

-That's a... No. Let's wash your hands. -Cleany-clean. Yes.

Did you tell Magda?

Yes.