A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
[relentless upbeat music playing]
[straining]
- Keep pushing, come on. - Good job. I'm proud of you.
You're doing amazing.
You can do this.
During your contractions just rest.
- [Mehmet] Okay. All right? - Stop doing that! Stop it!
Come on. I'm here, baby.
- [doctor] Come on. - Push! Come on, we're almost there.
Just push.
- [doctor] Episiotomy scissors. - Come on, Zeynep, come on!
[Zeynep] Oh shit! [panting]
[screaming]
- [wavered breathing] - [Mehmet] Come on. Come on.
- There you go. There. There. - [straining]
- [wet squelching] - [doctor] Gauze sponge.
- [Mehmet] It's okay. It's all right. - [screaming]
[doctor] Rest now, while you don't have contractions.
- [Mehmet] Need to rest right, sweetie. - [doctor] Rest.
- [inhales sharply] - [doctor] Breathe. Breathe.
- [yells] - [Mehmet] it's all done now. There you go.
It's coming.
[unsteady breathing]
- Good job, sweetie. - There we go.
- [doctor] Here he is. - [Zeynep panting]
- [doctor] Tissues. There we go. - [Mehmet] All done.
[baby crying]
All right, the clamps now, please, if you would?
[crying stops]
[lock clicking]
[whispering] Gonna set him down.
[whispering] I'm gonna open it.
[baby cooing]
[exhales contently]
[chuckles softly]
[baby cries relentlessly]
[shushing]
[crying intensifies]
My God, man, seriously. I'm just gonna say it. I'm sorry.
[shushing]
[all crying]
[exhales]
[sighs]
[baby fussing]
[baby crying]
[sniffs, exhales]
[crying continues]
[exhales]
[crying continues]
[shushing]
- [whispering] Hey, what are you doing? - Hm?
- [baby fussing] - [Mehmet snoring]
[baby snoring loudly]
[whispering] Mehmet.
He's sleeping.
[excited panting]
- We did it. Look at us. - Come on. Let's get some sleep, Zeynep.
[Mehmet snoring]
[bird cawing]
- [ominous music box music playing] - [panicked breathing]
[panting]
[music fades]
Mehmet. Mehmet.
Yeah, um...
- What's up, honey? - The baby's gone. Isn't that something?
Yeah, yeah, come here.
[waiered breath in, out]
[gasps]
[exhales] Should we freak out?
No, honey. Come on. Don't you worry, it's fine.
Just a minute.
[sniffs, clears throat]
[birds tweeting]
[inaudible scream]
Yeah, I mean he's really gone.
All I know is he's not here.
- That's for sure. - [chuckles]
- I feel like freaking out. - Oh, no, no. [clicks tongue]
Let's give it a minute. Let's be level-headed.
Uh, let's retrace our steps.
Let's just think. What were we...
- Your parents could have an idea. - [laughs]
I'll call them, yeah. My parents. I'll call my mom right now.
Eh...
[dial tone ringing]
[Zeynep] Good morning, Mommy.
Morning, sweetheart. How's it going? Did you all get through the first night?
Wanted to ask about something.
[Mom] Go ahead, sweetie.
The baby, somehow, is missing.
I'm not sure if you might help us pinpoint what happened or where he could be?
Mm... What would I know, sweetie? I left you guys at the hospital yesterday.
And then, um, well, I haven't spoken to you since we left.
I know, I still thought you might know something,
but maybe see if Dad knows just in case.
What possible help could your father be at this moment?
He's here now having coffee. Just got up. Having breakfast in a second.
He insisted on having pişi,
so I was in the kitchen.
Wh... What's going on?
Says the baby's not there.
Tell them to look around. I just woke up.
Yeah, I told them that you just woke up.
You guys are eating pişi? What happened to dad's new diet, Mom?
Isn't he trying to lower his cholesterol right now?
You know how well he listens. I'm having to eat them too.
You always cook a bunch. It's never just a little.
- Huh? - The baby, honey, the baby.
[Zeynep] They don't know about it. Let's try your parents.
[Mehmet] I swear we checked every possible place. We looked everywhere.
We called every hospital and police station, but we got nothing.
- Well, maybe check the backseat? - Back seat, of course I checked there.
You checked under the seats and in between too?
Yep, looked everywhere.
[Dad] Don't half-ass it.
You gotta look everywhere, you never know, even the glove box too.
[mom] I'd be surprised if you didn't lose it.
Look at you, you're a grown man
and you're still calling us to ask where you put something.
Hey, Mom, come on. It's Zeynep's baby too. We lost it together for goodness sake.
[Dad] Just look under the seats more care...
Calm down. Why doesn't she search for that gold?
Three pieces are still missing from the wedding.
I've asked her about it several times since then,
but she keeps changing the subject and brushing me off.
I'm embarrassed to ask about it at this point.
We don't really do this type of thing in our family.
Well if she's doing this for a mere three pieces of gold,
you'll have your hands full.
[Mehmet] You're on speaker, Mom. Zeynep can hear you.
Check under the seats.
Hey, Asuman. How've you been? We miss you visiting us.
Oh, good morning, honey.
How have you been? Is motherhood going well, huh?
- [nervous chuckle] - To be honest, it's not going at all.
Having lost the baby on the first night,
uh, I feel like we haven't started yet.
Bless you guys. I'm sure it'll all work out.
Just have patience, that's all you need.
- Glove box. - Let's talk about the gold later, Asuman.
Just you and me.
I'm happy to explain what happened. There's details that I'll fill you in on.
[Mom] Oh, don't mind me, sweetie.
It's just three pieces of gold.
Don't stress over it. It's no big deal.
- [Zeynep] It's not me who's worried. - Oh no, I'm not worried.
You'll see.
You two will eventually understand what it's like, once you get to our age,
God willing.
We both just have different expectations now.
What we want out of life has changed.
Mm, really? Such as...
Such as spending time with our grandkids,
which you guys fucked up already.
- Lift the hood. - 'Kay, bye.
- Can't search when you're hungry. - We wouldn't have any energy.
Mm-hmm.
My maternal instincts have gone missing as well. Am I right?
- [chuckles] Mm-hmm. - [inhales]
I should be feeling something right now, I'm sure of it.
Shouldn't I know where my baby is by smelling him from miles away?
Don't be so hard on yourself, okay?
[Zeynep exhales]
It's just that I'm worried about it.
That's your right. It's okay to feel that.
I don't wanna overreact or anything here, but...
[inhales deeply]
It's just, I'm so close to screaming.
Oh no! No. There's no reason to freak out, hon.
Just got to backtrack.
We'll go back through and we'll find our boy.
Mehmet, it's just that we looked everywhere already.
Well, then we'll go forward instead.
Maybe he's all grown up and he's just out there on a smoke break.
[sighs] If we miss seeing that kid grow up then, I swear I'll resent him.
Let's just find him first. Could you pass the chili?
[clicks tongue]
Well, uh, I've got one last idea, but...
What?
About the baby.
There's one last place we haven't looked yet, but...
- Uh, you want it? - No, honey. Please eat it.
Oh, wait, no, that's okay.
I insist. It's yours. Plus, I'm full anyway.
I'll share it with you.
Don't be ridiculous, I was being greedy. You take it, I'm full.
- Okay, I'm taking it. - Yeah, yeah.
[Mehmet sniffs]
Yep.
[ominous music builds]
- [music halts] - So, uh...
What?
You just said that the... the baby could be somewhere.
Where is that, huh?
- Yep, he's here. - Ooh! That is such a big relief.
- Huh, Mehmet? - Oh thank you, doctor. God bless you!
- I hope it doesn't become a pattern. - I'll start wearing a lot of layers.
I'll just zip everything up before sleeping.
I can do that, like a jumpsuit over my pajamas.
I'll just cover myself up completely, yes.
We'll never have sex again.
Gotta keep the door open. If it's locked, I wouldn't hear him screaming.
I can't believe he made it back in there, can you?
Overcoming all those obstacles to get back inside. Crazy, isn't it?
That boy needs to be in sports ASAP.
Definitely. Could you please get him out soon?
Nurse, could you please get the room ready?
[Zeynep breathes excitedly]
I don't wanna overstep, but I wanna say something.
Uh...
I don't know if I should say this, but...
I mean,
you said it yourself, the kid overcame obstacles to get back in there.
He made a decision and followed through,
put in a lot of effort and made it happen.
For an itty-bitty baby?
It's an achievement that'll be talked about for a long time.
Absolutely.
And nobody's applauded him yet.
I mean, my goodness, he deserves a round of applause for this, right?
And whatever our little friend here has gone through
we'll never fully understand.
Not that we need to either, and...
and we don't have to analyze it.
Respect his freedom to determine his own life.
Just think, this guy made a decision of his own free will.
Quite impressive.
- A person now. - Definitely.
He very masterfully made his own decision.
He wanted to go back, so he went back.
So are we gonna drag this free individual back out then?
And maybe I've already been too vocal
'cause times are always changing, so...
be prepared.
Well, look, I'm not one to be difficult. I get it, I do.
But it's a good, um... it's a wonderful point you made, thanks.
But we... we can't.
I don't want you to get the wrong impression.
It's not like I'm a capitalist weirdo trying to own a baby,
Um, but he's my kid, hmm?
- Maybe I just... - Oh, but the times.
I'm sorry, but it's not my job to worry about the changing times.
No way. Look, you mean well, I know, and you're being respectful here, okay?
- But... - It's not my place to butt in here, but...
[Mehmet] Yeah, I understand all that.
What you're saying here is valuable. It really is.
It's a very contemporary perspective,
but... [inhales sharply] ...what would... my parents say?
Yeah, my parents too.
They're calling the moment that he pops out again.
[cell phone ringing]
Uh, it's you.
Huh?
Why would you be calling now?
Oh my God. Did you lose the baby and your phone?
Maybe it's inside.
See, that wasn't funny.
From a reputable professor of medicine too.
An associate.
Answer it. What if I have to say something very important? Come on.
Hello?
[Mehmet] Honey, I think the nurse might have a point.
Mehmet?
[inhales, exhales]
She made a really good point and I'm thinking it over here.
- You should've said something. - Huh?
[Mehmet] I don't know.
I couldn't look you in the eye and say it. I figured it'd be easier over the phone.
Am I there with you right now?
Uh-huh.
Could you get away so that I'm not eavesdropping?
- [whispering] I'll be right back. - What's going on?
What did I say? Psst, Zeynep.
[indistinct PA announcements]
- Did you step out? - I'm listening.
Our baby's amazing, huh?
The willpower. I mean, like, it's amazing ambition.
- And such a physical performance. - I almost said the same thing.
I feel like if we do make the poor kid leave the womb again,
then aren't we disregarding the effort he made
and disrespecting his first decision as a free thinking individual?
Whoa. She made a real impression on you, didn't she, honey?
Is this really what you were thinking? How come you kept quiet?
Honey, I'm never gonna do something as risky
as reveal anything that I may be feeling.
Would I ever do something like that, huh?
[Zeynep] Yeah, you wouldn't.
And how are you?
[emotional music playing]
[inhales sharply]
Well, Mehmet, I've got something I've gotta tell you,
so since we're both here.
[Mehmet] Go ahead, honey.
I've been scared from the beginning of this.
I've been so miserable since he went missing.
[sobs]
[Mehmet] But you didn't show it one bit.
'Cause I made a promise to myself!
[sobbing continues]
[Mehmet] What'd you promise?
I set a goal that I would be a calmer person after becoming a mother.
Our baby, though, was gone.
Maybe being calm wouldn't be too helpful of a reaction
to this very specific type of problem.
[Zeynep] By the way, I don't think I'm in love with you.
[Mehmet] What?
- I've been doing my meditations. - Yeah?
I'm not really meditating when I'm there. I'm just on the floor thinking.
I think, am I in love, Mehmet, or...
is there some kind of deep bond between us?
Or possibly we just made a baby just to keep from getting divorced.
[Mehmet] Really?
Yeah.
And I'm just there watching and bothering you.
I've told you to stop it too, every time.
Hey, sweetie, if you keep meditating that way
you won't experience the benefits of doing it.
There's zero benefit that way. You'll always be in your head.
- Glad you called. - Me too. Me too.
But you're never gonna hear this, will you?
Nope, and don't ever tell me.
Oh no.
It feels so good having this conversation with you like this.
Thank you.
[heartfelt music playing]
Thank you, honey.
It is a little shocking, but...
it's nice having heard it.
So, thank you,
for not saying it to me.
Ah...
[exhales] I'm gonna hang up the phone now.
All right, then. I should go too. I don't wanna keep you waiting.
[Mehmet] Let's quit therapy, Zeynep.
I mean, we're basically getting robbed. We keep spending a ton of money on it.
The solution shouldn't be this expensive.
Us getting along shouldn't cost so much.
It's just ridiculous. How about I call you more often?
Let's keep the convo going.
I'd love that.
[Mehmet] Let's still bottle everything up. I'll try calling you every now and then.
That'd be great.
I wish you had called sooner.
During my pregnancy, for instance.
[Mehmet] You wouldn't have picked up, Zeynep.
You'd have sulked and said, "Answer it," while handing the phone to me.
I wouldn't have listened to me.
I'd be going to the gym if I had.
Called grandma more when she was still alive.
I would have learned more languages,
and an instrument.
And when I'd notice your clothes are see through,
I'd stop telling you about it.
[Zeynep] I wish you wouldn't do that when we're already out.
Yeah? Well, I wouldn't. If I would've listened to me.
[inhales] I'd say to myself, "What's the point?"
"She's just gonna be uncomfortable," you know?
So what, a boob is kinda visible? Hmm? Then, well...
I never listen.
Wish I did.
You're doing excellent, so don't stop now, hon.
[Mehmet] I wouldn't brush off my white lies thinking they were trivial.
I would know that the half truths are the biggest lies of all.
And definitely no more nervous blabbering by me whenever we're out with people.
[Zeynep] I really don't want to hang up.
I know, sweetie.
It's time though.
I'm waiting for you.
I gotta go, my lahmacun is here.
You can bring the check.
[sobbing]
I knew it. You weren't full!
[sniffs]
[exhales]
[sniffs]
[exhales]
- What'd you say? What was I saying? - All right. Let's go.
Doctor, let's get that baby outta me.
I'm pretty sure I don't remember before I was three years old, right?
- What about you two? - It's a blur.
Even if he's earlier,
I'm gonna assume he's not gonna have any recollection of being born.
- Wouldn't you? - You'll never be forgiven.
There's no way he'll remember any of it.
So therefore, he'll have nothing to forgive me for.
Not the kid. The times. The times will never forgive you.
Yeah? Well, that doesn't matter.
I won't let the times dictate what I do.
Let's get my kid out, Doctor, please?
What are... What? Um...
Yeah, if everybody could stop just for a minute
to give Zeynep a round of applause, she deserves it.
{an8}RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT
She feels it, she does.
- [audience applause, cheering] - Oh, I'm sure she feels it, yep.
Just let me say, if it weren't for her, we'd still be freaking out at the house.
And you questioned your maternal instincts, didn't you?
- My instincts were spot-on, turns out. - Mothers always know.
- Oh, my heart's about to burst. - I'm sure it is, huh, sweetie?
- [chuckles] I never lose my stuff anyway. - Ah... She's amazing, huh?
What's amazing is she thought it'd be in there.
You are so right.
Now me? I'd never in a million years thought to look there. God as my wit...
["Shirin" by Shahram Nazeri playing]
[upbeat orchestral string music playing]
[group singing in Turkish]
[man singing in Turkish]
[music stops]