Olga Scheinpflugová

Čintamani & podvodník

Two short stories by Karel Čintamani a ptáci An avid collector of carpets, MUDr. Vitásek discovers a unique piece in Mrs. Severýnová's junk shop - a Persian carpet with a pattern of birds. As a connoisseur, he knows that there are only three of these carpets in existence and they are all owned by different monarchs. Severyn has no idea how rare it is, but the carpet is not for sale. It was saved by the wealthy widow Zanelli, who travels all over the world and rarely visits Prague. Vitásek confides in his lawyer friend Bimbal and with his help tries to retrieve the rare piece. Tales of a marriage fraudster The police headquarters is on high alert as marriage frauds proliferate. The hallmark of the culprit is violin playing and gold teeth. Inspector Pigeon of the train service eventually apprehends the fraudster, Vincent Plichta. The serious criminal doesn't resist arrest, he just bills the costs and goes to serve his sentence. After a while, marriage fraud is reported again.

The Fifth Horseman Is Fear

In Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, a doctor-turned-warehouse employee reluctantly agrees to treat a gravely wounded political fugitive, putting himself and everyone living in his building complex in danger.

The End of August at the Hotel Ozone

A troupe of young women on post-apocalyptic earth are lead around by a mistress born before the war, eventually stumbling into the company of a lonely old man.

Courage for Every Day

A passionate communist worker is discouraged by the changing political climate and the failure of his peers to live up to his ideals.

The Gold Key

Young Matula has succumbed to gambling and he steals money from his parents to finance his passion. His father catches him red-handed and throws him out of the house. Matula roams the world and meets Vávra, also a tramp, who accepts a job as a road-sweeper but he soon dies in a car accident. On his lone wanderings Matula finds a miraculous little key which opens all locks. With its help he acquires a great fortune. He breaks into a bank and steals more money. He then meets the daughter of the cashier who was wrongly accused under suspicion of theft and when he sees her despair, he realises his wrong-doings. Finally he wakes up - it had all been a dream. (According to the censor's certificate).

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