Stormy with You
A love story, one city, one real estate agency, one woman, and two men – all in a relatively conventional setting. Humor alternates with sentiment, and exaggeration meets the everyday. Everyone has their own problem, and everyone wants to solve it in the best way possible, ideally in accordance with their own conscience. Is love still in fashion, or is it now just about sex? And speaking of sex, does the spark always have to fly between people of the opposite sex? And even though it's not Romeo and Juliet, when love is involved, it's impossible to leave out death...
A powerful theme, a strong story that, despite its distinctiveness, evokes the feeling that it could unfold behind any door in the heart of Prague.
ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH
There are still very few people walking on the streets. Patrick, with his eyes on his phone, is looking for the way. He has already found his destination: St. Patrick’s Church.
He enters, looks around. In a side chapel, he sees a statue of his patron saint.
The image is given a frame and a caption:
Patrick is praying to his patron saint.
As Patrick approaches the statue, lights a candle, kneels, and bows his head, we hear his prayer. He continues even as the priest begins the morning mass. It’s heard even when Patrick, along with others, receives the communion wafer. It also accompanies the final hymn…
Patrick (inner voice): Thank you for taking care of me and watching over my words and actions, thank you for bringing me to this beautiful city, and for sending Mr. Rubeš to teach me how to shave, since you decided I should grow a beard—please be kind and make sure Mr. Rubeš will continue to satisfy his girlfriend in the future, so his wife won’t get jealous and make him feel impotent. I’m really grateful you helped me find a job with such a kind person and that you softened him to accept me, even though it goes against his principles. Please help me not disappoint him and not act like a fool at work. Oh, and don’t be mad that I turned your picture to face the wall last night—I didn’t want you to see me do... well, you know what... I know you see and understand everything, but sometimes it’s still a bit embarrassing... Protect both my parents, make sure Dad’s car keeps running, and that Mom has enough business, also protect the chef who looks after that dog without a collar, protect my soul, and please send me someone I could really love, and who would love me back—I'm not talking about sex, well, not primarily, just please don’t let me fall in love with someone who is a jerk and would only make me suffer—like what happened to cousin Miluška, though she has a lot to blame for that herself.
Patrick finishes his prayer and heads for the exit. There, he turns around one last time, looking his patron saint in the face. It is bathed in the first rays of sunlight coming through the church window.
Patrick (moved): You’re so beautiful…
ARNOŠT’S APARTMENT
In the hallway of Arnošt’s apartment, there is a dog. It’s the one we know from the waterfront. The dog looks at Arnošt as if apologizing for its presence.
Arnošt: (totally bewildered): Whose dog is this?
Patrick: Yours.
Arnošt walks around the room, while Patrick sits on the floor next to the dog. Livia’s picture from the bookshelf is gone.
Patrick: It’s a gift.
Arnošt: Patrick, I just... what about the dog? A dog... that’s a commitment.
Patrick: Are you afraid of commitments?
Arnošt: I’m afraid of unnecessary commitments.
Patrick: How do you know what’s an unnecessary commitment and what isn’t?
Arnošt: (squats down opposite Patrick) Patrick... (wants to be tender) Why are you making this even more complicated?
Patrick (resisting his tenderness): Sorry, I didn’t know you saw your situation as complicated.
Arnošt: Oh my God! Try to put yourself in my shoes: I’m a solid businessman, I have a serious relationship, planning parenthood. One day, I hire a B-team member, and I fall in love with him. I have to admit it to myself and those around me. I go to Kroměříž, practically to ask his parents for his hand. I move him in with me, and to make sure no one doubts, when we walk down the street together, we hold hands. All this happens in a short time! Tell me, what more can I do!?
(Arnošt waits, Patrick stares at the floor. Finally, he looks up. His eyes have a plea.)
Patrick: Take my gift...