A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
What's up with you?
- I'm good, and you? - I'm okay considering all this.
I mean, I'm as good as you'd expect, I guess.
Considering what?
- Please stop. Don't do this. - Wait, uh, stop doing what?
You know I'm empty inside. It's like I'm off balance.
It's a restlessness.
I'm trying to be just a little vulnerable,
and you're here just pretending to behave like nothing happened,
and being normal. Don't do that.
You think you figured it all out?
Yeah, about what I'm doing, my opinions and things?
You pick me apart and I feel suffocated, I told you.
Honestly, it's already been so long since you and I ended things,
like, eight hours ago.
Please get over it already.
Plus, we both run in the same circles, so please don't do this.
Let's just move on with our lives.
So are we not getting back together?
Come on, Metin! We've been over this.
We haven't, Ahu.
You have.
You told me you were feeling weird, it'd probably help you to decompress,
that committing to something more serious was too frightening,
that I had nothing to do with it.
And I shouldn't take it personally.
See there, I said everything. What's the problem?
Exactly.
I don't deserve you, you left that one out.
Everything else you got. You hit me with every cliche ever written on this.
Threw them all right at me.
And then you just walked away.
[scoffs] I feel suffocated all over again.
The girls and I were feeling nostalgic,
so we got a jump rope and they're outside.
We also got hopscotch chalk for us.
Already the vibe is really coming together.
Everybody's playing in front of Alara's building.
So just say what you gotta say.
Don't be depressed.
Don't ruin what I'm doing. I'm vibing. Just don't do it.
- Okay. - Okay?
Okay, go. I'm not gonna coerce you to stay with me.
Did you say "coerce," Metin?
What are you saying now?
Always being sarcastic but to what end? I mean, come on now.
Are you making fun of me with all of your big words?
My God, just come on.
It was a really weird moment to say it, honestly.
What does the moment have to do with my words?
It's all in the moment.
Your choice of words is a reflection of your approach to life, Metin,
but you use words to suffocate.
Go outside now. Enjoy your life!
It's right out there, in front of Alara's building, you know?
We're jumping rope.
We looked up how to do hopscotch on YouTube.
Oh, and I think the boys found some old marbles laying around.
It's an eighties party. It's so cool. We're just going along with it.
I really am sorry about this,
I'm not someone who could ignore issues that matter
and then go acting like some kid from the past over here.
You know the past isn't some campy theme for a party, Ahu.
I mean, you don't face the past jumping over a rope
and then calling it progress.
It just does not serve anybody
to look at the entertaining things of the past
while dismissing the rest of it.
[groans] You are a major mood killer, you know?
I really think that you'll probably have a hard life.
If you're already depressed at this stage in life,
then you got a rough road ahead, dude.
You're gonna end up being lonely.
Well, I'm lonely now.
Everybody's lonely, Metin.
Come on, I'm telling you, everyone feels like this.
Everybody is alone sometimes.
I feel it. Everybody feels it.
And how about not being arrogant about the whole thing?
And we have eighties-themed jump-rope parties
instead of being depressed about everything?
It doesn't help you to wallow in self-pity everyday.
You know that, right?
We don't take ourselves as seriously as you do.
You said you don't want to coerce me?
[sighs] Such pedantic vocabulary.
- But you just said pedantic. - You taught me this stuff, Metin.
All these words and sarcasm. You really did teach me.
I'd never heard most of it. I was fine before we met.
And I learned a lot from our relationship.
I was changed 'cause of you.
I've had it. And I'm done, Metin.
It's simple, I am truly over everything. So just accept it, that's it.
[sighs]
I'll be riding a different school bus from now on.
Wanted to be the one who told you.
No, don't. I'll be okay to switch if you need it from me.
So don't trouble yourself.
Mm... Okay.
That boy you were with, who was he?
- I... I don't know what you're saying. - My mom saw you at Alara's birthday party.
Said you guys were getting pretty close.
Initially she said nothing,
she thought there must be a reasonable explanation,
and that's when she saw everything.
Saw what the boy did, how he was pulling your hair.
You were blushing that day.
Your face was beet red, that's what she said.
She followed you two until the end of the party,
just to be sure she was right.
She said the party ended, parents were getting their kids,
who were putting their jackets on.
However, "Ahu and that boy never turned away from each other that day."
That's unbelievable that your mother said all that.
Yeah, I told her she was being paranoid
and that Ahu wouldn't do something like that.
And then I really started thinking about it.
And all the pieces started suddenly falling into place.
Well, your mother never really liked me.
She made sure I knew it too.
But whatever. It's the past, it's over. I'm not angry, I'm okay.
And if we do see each other somewhere, I'll be sure to give her a smile.
I feel sorry for you, and unfortunately, there's nothing I can do.
And maybe I don't need to
since everything started falling into place for you anyway.
I'm sure you'll dive deep down into those precious thoughts of yours
and think of some kind of awful scenario,
and then that story will go on and on in your head,
and then you're gonna miss me, and then you'll judge me,
and your mind won't stop thinking on it.
I'm done, though. I'm gonna live my life and not worry about it.
Metin, how about this?
I think I can help you figure out the rest of it.
How about I give you the last piece of the puzzle,
for the sake of all the good times we've had?
Sure.
All right, let's return to this party in question.
The party in which I'm blushing and looking at someone
and I'm not looking away for one minute.
Where were you, I wonder?
Did you ever think about that?
I believe it would help if you did.
'Cause it shouldn't have been your mother who paid attention. You should've.
Ahu?
[Ahu] You shouldn't have let me out of your sight.
But you were always too busy indulging in your thoughts.
You've got all these thoughts and words.
They're beautiful words, I'll give you that.
Because you did get me with those words.
But your words suffocated me, Metin.
Those words of yours loved me, then suffocated me,
and now I'm punished by these little words.
Just keep all those words to yourself, locked away where I can't see them.
Just don't try to show me any of your poetry about this, I'm leave...
I promise, no poems.
Please, can I have one more chance here?
It's too late. My mom wants me home in half an hour anyway.
You were born, and then you went back. And then they took you out again.
You talked about apples and oranges and all?
But that bohemian stuff's not my thing.
I'm about living in the right now.
I wanna live, Metin.
I'm gonna jump rope if that's okay with you.
So please don't pout about it all.
Either go inside, or come hang out. It's really all up to you.
We're gonna be outside.
["Hüzün" by Ahmet Özhan playing]
[man singing emotional song in Turkish]
[song continues]
FIRST BREAKUP
[audience applauding]
[applause fades]
[inhales]
[sighs]
- [Mehmet] It doesn't bother you anymore. - Huh?
When I stare at you while you meditate.
It used to bother you.
Remember?
No.
You really don't remember that?
No, uh... It doesn't bother me. Why would it?
Oh God, enough is enough. Come on, I'm getting sick of all this.
What is going on?
Zeynep, there's something wrong
and I want to have a conversation about it.
- Please don't be like this. - Mehmet, what's going on?
[sighs]
[Mehmet] Zeynep, please!
Well, what do you wanna say?
I'm not okay, can you stop hiding it already?
Please, come on. Just tell me.
We're two adults. It's okay, I can take it, whatever it is.
I'll show you I'm mature enough to handle it. Come on, what is it? Please.
What?
I'm begging you, Zeynep.
Please, you always pretend that I'm over-reacting, that I'm crazy.
You always do the same things.
- What? I'm confused here. - You dodge the topic, Zeynep.
Is there something going on here?
Oh, Mehmet. Come on, please. Seriously? I know what this is about.
- You really can't still be stuck on that. - Go on, say it.
You mean that customer who sent those flowers to me?
[chuckles]
You know, when you do that, I swear to God, it drives me so crazy,
you constantly do the same thing over and over again. It's infuriating!
I'm begging you. Please stop doing that!
- Well, what do you want? - [exhales]
So what? Some idiot sent me flowers.
- Why should I even care? - Please stop doing that.
- Took guts. - Begging you not to change the subject.
Zeynep!
Oh, please can you not change the subject?
You always say the same things, like, why?
I'm sorry that you found flowers in the trash, but it means nothing at all.
I wasn't trying to hide something, I threw them away.
There is no reason to be mad.
The second I read the guy's name, I threw the flowers away.
[both] There may've been a card, but I'm not sure.
I put the flowers in the garbage so quick.
This guy doesn't mean anything.
See, Zeynep? I memorized every word of it.
Don't do this, come on. You do this every time.
You change the subject. Don't do that.
Mehmet, enough!
That's what you say when you've got nothing else to say.
- [both] I've had enough. Stop. - The next part goes...
[both] Mehmet, all right! I got it!
And then, end of discussion.
[both] We might need the curtain guy to come in.
See, I've memorized every word, so stop hiding.
Would you just please look me here, face to face, and stop hiding?
- I'm not hiding. - You were talking, what'd you say?
- Talking with who? - With me!
With me!
On that day, you left and I was with the doctor.
We talked on the phone for a while.
Remember the day our son went back in your belly
and I was left in the room like a moron, do you remember?
Don't pretend not to remember it! That's just so frustrating!
I ask you time and time again and you never answer me!
The kid's five. It's been five years of me asking nicely.
You know I'm right. I also tried begging you.
- And nothing seemed to work at all. - Haven't we been over this.
There was nothing to it. It was just small talk.
- Yeah, right, I'm not that dumb. - You're out of control.
Something changed for you forever on the phone, Zeynep.
And I'm left out,
devoted husband, the one who's loved you for so many goddamn years.
That call changed you somehow, Zeynep.
Before that you were someone different, much warmer and since the call,
I don't know, you've transformed.
I wanna get a divorce from you.
You what?
[doorbell rings]
[doorbell rings rapidly]
Metin. Hey, sweetie.
[door closes]
[exhales]
What's the deal with him?
Mehmet.
Mehmet, dear.
Mehmet.
[sighs] Whatever, I'm sure he's fine. How are you?
I'm doing fine, sweetie.
What have you been doing? Tell me everything.
I heard some kids playing outside.
Were you hanging out with those kids down there?
No, I had some things to tend to.
Oh. But I thought you were playing with them, sweetheart.
The kids even came here for chalk and I wondered why they needed it.
Please tell me you didn't give the chalk away.
I did. We had some, apparently. I don't know where it came from.
Maybe you got it as a gift, but yep, I gave it to them.
And you're telling me this with a smile on your face? This is all 'cause of you.
You caused this!
Uh, no, uh... What happened? What's because of me?
What happened? Tell me, hon.
The chalk was for me,
not for them to jump up and down over lines on the sidewalk.
I heard it gives you a fever.
I wanted to chew some up so I can get a fever if I wanted.
In case I wanted to be sick.
Then you went off and gave my damn chalk away.
What? My... Are you completely insane or what?
I'm totally out of my mind, Dad!
[footsteps retreat quickly]
[glass shatters]
[gasps] Oh no, honey! Oh no. Oh no.
Oh, sweetie. It's okay, sweetie. It's all right. You're okay.
It didn't cut you or anything, did it, sweetie?
- I wish it had! - Mommy's here. What happened, sweetheart?
Can you show me? Oh, my sweet bunny, it's okay, sweetie.
Are you hurt, son?
[Zeynep] Don't step on it! There's glass! Don't come over here!
Just stay put where you are!
Why are you yelling?
Just please go somewhere else!
All right, I'm going, but you don't have to yell.
[Zeynep] Don't make me yell, then.
Come on, Zeynep...
Ixnay in front of the idkay, hmm?
Go away. Not now!
This is bad arentingpay, Zeynep. This is all... It's horse business.
- And it's elfishsay. - You're elfishsay. Go away!
- Fuck you, Zeynep. - In your dreams.
Just go. We've got this.
[Mehmet breathes heavily]
How about we make some hot chocolate, sweetie?
Want some hot chocolate, sweetie?
Hot chocolate? For me?
[Zeynep] Mm-hmm. Would you like Mommy to make you some?
That sounds brilliant.
Yeah?
I feel like having a hot chocolate party. What do you think?
Oh, a party. Yep.
Yeah, we'll paint the walls with hot chocolate, then lick it up.
Uh, lick it up?
Who needs stupid eighties parties, huh?
I'm talking about the craziest damn party that's ever happened.
I wanna see hot chocolate on the ceilings and doors.
I wanna swim around in hot chocolate and cover myself.
- Uh, sweetie, um... - Leave me alone, Mom!
[Zeynep gasps]
What is it you need?
You're just like them, you know?
Everything you're ashamed of you try to hide it away and just have a party.
I'm sick of all this, just leave me alone.
Metin, honey.
I didn't mean to get you so worked up.
I just asked if you wanted some hot chocolate, that's all.
You brought up the party thing. I never mentioned having a party.
You're always correcting everything I say.
You know everything about everything. You always have to say the right thing.
Not at all.
Leave me alone, please.
Leave me alone, and leave that poor guy alone too.
You're in the wrong here. The way you treat him is wrong.
I'm warning you, you're headed down the wrong path.
He just wanted to help and comfort his son.
And you didn't let him. You tried to kick him out of his own home.
You didn't even let him show some love to his own child.
Don't you go there.
You made him leave saying, "We got this," which then made me think
that we were teammates on the same side here.
That's on you.
There doesn't always have to be sides. Are you crazy, mother?
Stop trying to polarize everyone.
You just want to push us apart. Is that it?
Whole countries have collapsed, currencies withered due to division.
It's the reason war exists.
And what good is it to us?
I'm not gonna be choosing anyone's stupid side.
I have the right to remain neutral.
- [whispering] Oh. - You know you're your mother's best friend
in the world, Metin, sweetums?
You teach me so many things. You know that?
You've already become such a level-headed, well-spoken, eloquent person
who always knows what he's talking about.
You've matured.
Stop it, Mom. You always go to the compliments.
It's too much, this pandering, Mom.
I'm begging you, please stop it with the flattery.
"Oh, you're so wise for your age." "So mature and special."
"Oh, my little genius."
Just stop this.
Honey, I just... I just want to help you build your confidence...
For Christ's sake, this is your plan? Build my confidence?
If this is the way you build my confidence, then I don't need it.
I don't wanna live through any of this.
You wanna help me build my confidence?
Then show me that two people can get along.
Stop fighting in front of me everyday! My God!
And what's with the speaking in code?
Do you think that I don't know what you're saying
because of your little Pig Latin words?
Come on, it's absurd.
Like the F word, I understand the basics.
The "fuck yous", the "fuck offs", all the "fucks."
I understand the letters and syllables.
You said it yourself.
I'm good with words after all.
[sighs]
Just do the hot chocolate or whatever.
I'm tired of sitting on the floor. Let's go.
Something else, that kid, right?
I mean, how's this possible, Zeynep?
It's because of us.
Oh, he's way ahead of us.
- It's depression. - He's gonna be rich.
He's got great ideas, he should run for office.
He's depressed because we always argue.
No more fighting in front of him, Mehmet. Can we just stop it please?
Yeah, I've been saying that.
We've gotta stop having arguments in front of the kid. It's not good.
I'm sure we can figure something out.
We gotta stop him seeing us fight.
He's getting wiser with everything he sees.
It's too early.
He understands what polarization is? I mean, his pace is really scaring me.
Yeah, but being all together here is difficult, Zeynep.
Because of how thin these walls are,
you can hear every little argument we have even if we're trying to be super quiet.
But it's what we've got.
- I mean... - [Zeynep] Let's figure something out.
We could have a moratorium,
on our fighting.
That's crazy.
What about getting another place?
We're not getting him his own place. Come on now, please, just...
I mean, yeah, he's intelligent... Can't reach a light switch.
Not for Metin.
For you, I mean.
What's that?
I mean it about getting divorced.
[gasps]
Metin?
Did he earhay?
Huh?
Zeynep?
Is he isteninglay?
Did he hear the D word? He looks like he did.
Just stop saying anything.
[in Icelandic] On the banks of the beautiful river
[in English] What?
[in Icelandic] In a blue dream
[in English] Are you okay? What's wrong?
[in Icelandic] She alone
With frolic playing
[in English] Metin?
Holy shit.
[in Icelandic] On strings and rapids
[melancholy music playing]
And the splash, splashes
On gray stone
You can travel slowly in silence
Slowly in silence
With a Hevrian charm
Down the river
Ever reborn
And wondrous
She performs
The most beautiful art
From ancient fire
A sound base is made
I hear
The echo
In my heart
I hear the echo in my heart
[melancholy music continues]
[music fades]