"CRISIS" "This town is so very small." "It dips its feet into the river and slumbers softly in the greenery." "There is no train station to disturb its meditative peace." "With no industry, no harbour to hasten the steady pace of the day or the still peace of the evening." "The event of the day is the arrival of the bus." "It brings newspapers, post and unfamiliar faces." "One can discern a trace of a dangerous, bustling life." "Today a wholly unfamiliar lady is stepping off the bus." "Everything about her is alien and slightly unsettling." "Dress, face, nails, hat and eyes - everything about her speaks of the big wide world." "Yet well-informed parties can easily guess what, and who, the lady has come about." "It is Mrs Jenny, who after 18 years has come for her daughter Nelly, who has grown up in the care of Miss Ingeborg Johnson." "Many agree with Uncle Edward, Ingeborg's family doctor, who says:" ""This is going to be a terrible blow to Ingeborg."" "Miss Ingeborg is a piano teacher and lets a room to a young veterinarian by the name of Ulf, but who she usually calls "Uffe"." "Let the play begin!" "I wouldn't call this a great or harrowing drama." "It is merely an everyday play." "Almost a comedy." "Let's raise the curtain." "You play with your fingers, not your elbows." "One, two, three, four..." "I say, Malin, do you call that beating cushions?" "Oh, it's not that important, is it?" "No, it isn't." "Kalle, you won't become a good piano player if your heart isn't in it." "God knows there is no heart in your playing," "Let's be happy Beethoven is deaf." " Malin, you're to polish the kettle." " Is that to be polished too?" "Never mind." "You work too hard before you come here." "It's because I'm so cheap." "Now, then!" "Small pay is still pay, my dear girl!" "Let's take a break." "Have a sweet." "You have one, too." "Wipe your fingers on your hanky, if you have one!" " Hello!" " Nelly..." "Are you home already?" "Oh, Mutti, I'm in a dreadful hurry." "I'm picking up a parcel and then I'm meeting Uffe." "He said he wanted to talk to me." " Are you looking forward to tonight?" " I'm so happy my stomach aches!" "Dearest child!" "There's Auntie Jessie, you'll have to play with her instead." " Hello, Auntie Jessie!" " Well, I never..." "Hello, dear Jessie!" " Ingeborg, I..." " Your hair looks beautiful." " What's so special about it?" " I don't know..." " The colour makes you look younger." " Doesn't it just!" " Do you want to borrow money?" " One can talk of other things." "You owe me a lot..." "73 kronor and 50 ore." " Any shoes that need polishing?" " Don't worry." "Then I'm done." " What do I owe you?" " 2.25." "I have no money today." "Can you lend me five kronor?" "I really need it." "You who have such a lovely purse..." "I've never seen a lovelier one." " I have two kronor in my hanky." " Five, Malin, five..." " My mother used to say..." " Let her rest in her grave." " What are you looking for?" " I only have 10." "I'll have that!" " Oh, Ingeborg..." " Jessie!" "You have to lend me 60 kronor." " Have you gone mad?" "For what?" " You can go now, Kalle." " Will you lend me the money or not?" " I can give you 30 kronor." " That's all I have." " Bless you!" "I counted on you halving it so I asked for double." "A lady wants to see you." "It's probably some pupil's mother." "Can you go to Anderson's and pick up a frock for me?" " Is it for Nelly?" " Yes, it's for Nelly." "Hurry!" " How do you do?" " Oh, it's you..." "Welcome." " What's in the parcel?" " A surprise." "A surprise..." "Can't you tell me what it is?" "Curiosity grows with age." "A surprise for you and Mutti." "Tell me where it's from." " The parcel." " From the bus, if you want to know." "Nosy..." "I say, Nelly..." "You're terribly keen on dancing." "The only thing on your mind is that old ball tonight." "I intend to be a success." "Nelly..." "Would you consider going there with me?" " What?" " Wouldn't you go with me?" "Dear, sweet Uffe!" "Do you think I want to go with an old man?" "Is that so inconceivable?" " Nelly..." " What?" " Don't you see?" " Are you going to propose again?" "Don't you see why I came back and took a room with Miss Ingeborg?" "Can I go now?" "All you can think of is that old ball." " I mean nothing to you." " Silly!" "I love my little Mutti, and I'm very fond of you, too, like I'm fond of the piano and the old chest of drawers, but that's all." "I can't stay here all my life." "I want to experience other things." " Do you really know what you want?" " One has to have dreams..." "You shouldn't be upset about that." "You're not upset, are you?" "Oh damn, I forgot to buy hairpins!" "Tell Mutti I'll be home soon!" "Bye, old boy..." "How do you do?" "The girl is mine, not yours." "You just turn up, claiming Nelly." "It's beyond me." "I don't know what to say." "Do you have a reason?" "I'm her mother, isn't that enough?" "You've realised that now, after 18 years?" "My life hasn't exactly been easy." "She has probably had a more peaceful life with you." "But now I'm a bit better off." "Congratulations!" "Not many people can say that these days." "And is there a more peaceful place for a child than with her mother?" "A real mother, that is, not just one that's given birth!" "Do you really want us to be enemies," "Miss Johnson?" "How could we be enemies over Nelly's welfare?" "It would be best for Nelly to be with me." "I think she's best off here." "She gets everything she needs, and someone who cares for her." "She'd get better work, better pay, and she'd meet people her own age." "And she'd be with her mother," "Miss Johnson." "Who for 18 years has neglected her..." "I don't believe you can defend your position." "We have to let her choose." "She'll do as we tell her." "Let me tell you something... but you mustn't tell Nelly or anyone else..." "I am ill." "Nelly is everything to me." "I feel I've been of some worth, because she has needed me." "Couldn't you let me keep her a while longer, just until..." "Just until..." "Then you can take her." "You've got your whole life." "Couldn't you please go back and leave things be?" "So it's not for the girl's sake, but your own that you want to keep her." "Not only mine..." "Nelly is comfortable here, she's happy." "Don't take her, I couldn't bear it!" "Take her?" "So you don't think Nelly would want to stay?" "I'm sure you will bear it." "I have suffered, too." " And I got through." " This is just a whim to you." "Please choose your words more carefully!" "Well..." "We should let her decide." "We can talk tomorrow." "Forgive me if I have hurt your feelings." "Nelly and I are greatly indebted to you." "I do lose my temper easily." "Forgive me..." "Do you need a tablet?" "You look a little poorly." "No?" "Goodbye, then." "Come in!" "Come in!" "What the devil!" "Is that you, Jack?" "What on earth are you doing here?" "You're mad!" "What are you doing here?" "I was bored and followed you here to see you weren't cheating on me." "A ballgown." "Special clothes..." "Had your hair done..." "Ball at the town hall, is there?" " So I'm not disturbing you?" " Silly, I'm glad you're here." "Such a pretty boy, eh?" " Sweet." " Yes." "Jenny... get over here!" "Of course." "Of course, darling." "Now tell me what shady business you have in this hole." " Is Jack jealous, I wonder...?" " No." "Jack is angry because he was left alone in the city with no money." "Tell me everything, otherwise I'll cut your throat and put you in a trunk." "Well?" "What's it going to be?" "I have a daughter here, if you really want to know." "What, you old sinner?" "Have you got a daughter?" " Grown-up?" " Eighteen." "Jenny has an eighteen-year-old daughter..." "Jenny has a daughter who is eighteen." "For the first time in two years you interest me." "Interesting..." "Very interesting." "Nelly is going to a ball, to enjoy herself." "And you propose to her before she's had her fun... idiot!" " I'm going to have all her dances." " Keep her on a leash..." "Men are just not very clever..." "You were to win her tonight." "She'd see you next to the others." "How dashing and wonderful you are." "I've never been wonderful." "A man who proposes in the moonlight always is." "Never propose in daylight." " Isn't it lovely?" " Not bad." "Nelly, can you come here?" " We have a surprise for you!" " I'll be right there!" " Hold it up, Uffe." " I have a surprise too." "So that she'll see it straight away." "That's it..." "We fixed that, too." "The Lord and I always have a bright idea at the last moment." "What are you wearing, dearest child?" "Mutti..." "Did you buy me a dress, too?" "It's only a simple rag." "I did promise you one..." "It's so pretty." "Where did you get that one?" "Aunt Jenny sent it." "I wrote to her and told her I was going to a ball." "Isn't it lovely?" "Aunt Jenny is in town and wants to meet you." "Is Aunt Jenny coming?" " What does she want?" " We'll talk about that tomorrow." "Don't you think she's got things ready for her visit?" "Ladies and gentlemen!" "At a time so full of pain and suffering and famine we, with all our wealth, should make it our duty to help and relieve the suffering of others, wherever possible." "This evening's function, initiated by yours truly, forms part of this campaign." "I hereby declare the ball open and I hope that everyone will enjoy themselves, have a good time and be happy to the best of their ability." "And with that I bid the orchestra to strike up!" "The Blue Danube!" " I'm not very good at waltzing." " No..." " Did you say something?" " Me?" "Oh no, nothing." " I thought you said something." " No, nothing." "Why?" "I just thought you said something." "There!" "Is it the girl with the tall one?" "I bought the dress." "Isn't she beautiful?" "Can't they play something other than the waltz?" "The mayor loves to dance, but he only knows the waltz." "May I?" " I believe you are a little tipsy!" " I believe that's mutual, Mum!" "Everybody else is bored by the waltz, but we're having fun!" " Are we?" " Of course!" "You sound bitter all of a sudden." "Would you mind if I asked your daughter to dance?" "Not at all, you can do what you like." "May I?" "You're very beautiful." " You're the belle of the ball." " That's very kind of you." "Feminine beauty makes me sad." "I'm so happy to have met you." "I think we'll be seeing a lot more of each other." " You look so sad!" " Me?" "I'm not at all sad!" "Not like that." "You look sad deep in your eyes." "Perhaps your heart is sad." " You talk like a novel." " I was meant to become a priest." " Are you from town?" " I live here." " Lucky you." " Why?" "To live in peace, away from the noise and worry." " It can be a bit too peaceful." " That's what you say." " I'm Jack." "What's your name?" " Are we already on first name terms?" "Couldn't we be good friends, and tell each another everything?" "Look at that one..." "Hello, hello!" "Let's have a toast to good friends." "A glass, please!" "There you are..." "You too, my friend!" "One more glass, please." "Please, hold this for a moment." "You have to taste this, dear girl." "It's my own concoction." "I call it "Jack the Ripper's Evening Song, Part Two."" "It'll slip down easily." "I'm sure you'll like it!" "Ladies and gentlemen!" "In view of the lateness of the hour, we shall have some entertainment and rest our feet a while." "Jack the Ripper's Evening Song, the very last part!" "Amen!" "Stop it!" "Stop it, I said!" " Do you want to dance, Mayor?" " What the devil?" "Did she kiss my husband?" "Jack!" "Jack!" "What a bunch of crazy marionettes!" "And who got them going?" "I did!" "Come on!" "Where's Ulf?" "Did you see him, the tall one?" ""What love can do that dares love attempt." " "Thy kinsmen are no let to me!"" " He'd kill you!" ""There lies more peril in thine eye than twenty of their swords." ""Look thou but sweet, and I am proof against their enmity." ""My life were better ended by their hate" ""than Death prorogued wanting of Juliet's love."" "You're so funny." "You're different to everything else." "I'm not." "Can you hear the engine whirring?" "That's my clockwork." "You wind me up with a key." " Who winds you up?" " Wouldn't you like to know?" "Poor you." "Don't pity me!" "One day I'll leave the puppet theatre and enter the darkness." "The spring will break, everything fall apart, and people will say:" ""That Jack, whatever became of him?"" "Are you never truly happy?" " How do you mean?" " Happy." "You must know..." "I'm happy now, Nelly." "May I kiss you, Nelly?" "Once I lived under the stairs in an old ruined castle." "Opposite was a large, broken window." "Through it I could see the fields under the moon." "The sea and the woods..." "and two bone meal factories." "In those days I was happy." "I'm all right now, but not happy." "I'm being watched by a dragon." "It gives me everything I need in return for a few pounds of my body and a few ounces of my brain per week." "How strange you are..." "There'll be no more of that now." "May I kiss you again?" "This is just a moonlight life." "Not yet for you, but you'll soon discover it." "Unreal light, darkness and shadows and all sorts to be afraid of..." "Nelly!" "You little bastard!" "Leave me alone!" "Don't hit me!" " Don't..." "Ow!" " Don't, Ulf!" "What are you...?" "Leave me be!" "Why are you following me?" "Stop it!" "Why come out here?" "Murderer!" " This is a pretty mess!" " Don't hold me like that!" "And what a beau!" "I did this for Miss Ingeborg's sake." " You can't say that!" " Some kind of success you were!" " But let me explain!" " Why should I?" "Go to a ball and behave like a..." "Well, exactly!" "You don't understand!" "I was so happy about the ball." " This dress made me want to sing!" " You didn't suppress that desire." " I didn't sing much." " Drunks forget easily." "I didn't sing in the hall and I wasn't drunk!" "You were blind drunk!" "Ulf!" "Cry away, if you think it's any use!" "I don't mean to say it's your fault, but you always say "follow your heart's desire"." "Me and my big mouth..." " What else?" " Nothing else, really." "Oh yes..." "The mayor came rushing in." "And I put my arms around his neck..." "I didn't know..." " And Uffe only stood there gaping." " What should the poor boy do?" "Oh, Mutti!" "It's so good to be back with you again." "I feel as if I've been on a long journey." "So it's good you're back home again." "I want to always stay with you." "I never want to leave." "I won't let you go, my child, rest assured of that." "I won't let you go." "I only have you." "No one else means anything to me." "I'm so happy now." "You have no idea how happy you've made me." "The town awoke on Sunday morning to sensational news." "Kettles were boiling in the little houses." "Something awful had happened at the ball." "There'd been strangers." "A wild, licentious dance." "And something had happened to Miss Johnson's Nelly." "Something shocking and inexplicable..." "It certainly wouldn't be very nice for Nelly if she stayed in town after such a scandal." " What was it you had heard, Malin?" " Well!" "Miss Nelly played the trumpet at the ball!" "Isn't that clever when you've never learnt it?" " I never heard her play the trumpet." " It wasn't the trumpet." "Was it the organ?" "Hello..." "Hello!" " Didn't you know I was coming?" " Yes." "I waited until Miss Johnson left, because I wanted to see you alone." "Mutti is playing at a funeral, and..." "You seem so anxious, dear child." "You're a big girl, Nelly." "Have you nothing to say to me?" "It feels so strange." "You may not believe it, but I often think of you." "I have thought of you too, Aunt." "Aunt..." "Could you consider calling me "Mother"?" "Perhaps, I..." "Oh well, let's settle for Aunt for the time being." "I wasn't much older than you are now when I had you." "I know you've been through a lot for my sake." "We all have our crosses to bear..." "I own a beauty salon, and it's very interesting work." "Would you like to come and learn it?" "Surely you don't mean to stay here forever?" "Nelly, perhaps you're engaged?" "It wouldn't be so strange at your age, my dear girl." "You'll get good wages so you can buy nice clothes." "And you'll get away from this place." "You can come and see Mutti on your holidays, and she can come to us." "Pardon me." " I'd love to come with you." " So we're agreed." " As soon as possible." " We could leave tonight." "I want to leave tonight, if it's possible." "Nelly has decided to come with me." "I hope you'll let her go without harsh words." "I don't use harsh words without reason." "We should be able to meet on good terms." "I think you should go now." "We'll talk of good terms another time." " Auntie has promised me a holiday..." " You have to earn it first." " When are you leaving?" " Tonight, if it's possible." " Are you going, Mutti?" " I have to see to your clothes." " Hello, are you on this train?" " Funny, isn't it?" " You could say that." " Allow me to introduce you." "Jack, my half brother's son, my daughter Nelly." " There's no need to be formal." " I'm part of the family." "I've been like a mother to him since his parents died." "Did they...?" "Oh, right, typhoid fever, in London." "They came with a banana boat from Antananarivo." "Haven't we met?" " Have you?" "How nice." " The girl's face is familiar." " You look a bit creased." " I've been soaking overnight." "That can easily lead to creasing!" "Rather a long tunnel, this!" "The sensational and embarrassing incident was eventually forgotten." "Summer went by." "Miss Ingeborg Johnson looked the same as she walked to the chapel and her piano lessons." "Perhaps a little older, a little more lonely." "Ulf gave up his room and left town." "Malin, the poor maid, suddenly added a pair of healthy twins to the town's population." "The father had disappeared with her savings." "She herself was very happy." "The man got the money and the fun." "Malin, the kids and the disgrace." "That's what happens if you're mean." " Remember that." " I'd rather not, thank you." "Give me a fiver for wool." "I'm knitting for the twins." "I don't want to!" "I have enough money owed to me as it is." " You will get your 20 kronor." " 25!" "Make it 25." "I was only testing your memory." "If only I could make you out." "I was engaged to your brother." "I've known you nearly my whole life." "Lucky Harald to die young." "Ingeborg!" "I worry for you, so why can't you take me seriously?" "You look so pale and thin." "Any news from Nelly?" "Yes." "I received a glorious letter this morning." "Quite long... six pages." "They've expanded the salon again." " Is she still getting out and about?" " Oh, yes!" "She was going to a dinner party on Tuesday night." "Yes, Tuesday..." "They have such a large circle of friends." "She likes her work, and meets a lot of people..." "She should have left a long time ago." "I should have..." " What's wrong?" " I feel a bit under the weather." "Ingeborg, what's wrong?" "Edward, we are both level-headed people." "What is going to happen to me?" "Sit down and stop being so awkward." "We go back a long time, can't we be candid?" " Yes, of course." " So?" "This thing could be operated on and a recovery should ensue." "Are you sure an operation would help?" "I'll be perfectly honest with you..." "This is a serious matter." "It's a complicated surgical operation which may only delay things a few years longer." " And without the operation?" " It will be a few years." "Perhaps longer, perhaps shorter." "It's hard to say." "Now you know how matters stand." "I'm very grateful." "Tell me something else..." "What will I be like, can I be up?" "Absolutely." "You'll be moving freely up until a couple of months before..." " And the fits?" " You'll get medicine for that." "Things are really as they should be." "It serves me right!" "Mutti..." "Mutti!" "My God, it's you... you scared me!" "Jessie..." "Jessie, should I go and see Nelly?" "What's happened to you?" "You've never asked my advice." "You need your friends sometimes." "Aren't you my friend?" " You know I am." " Well, should I go and see her?" " You should do what you want." " I can't go." " Why not?" " I have no money." " I'll lend you the money." " You're so kind, so kind." "And when I come back we'll sit and knit in the evenings." "We'll light a fire in the cold autumn." "Ingeborg, my dear!" "I can't bear it any longer!" "Thank you, dear Jessie." "Will you help me?" "I'm leaving today." "He ran around with his hat back, dyed hair and his coat open in midwinter, trying to look 20." "I thought he was 38." "Later, when we got closer, I realised he was 60." "To quote Catherine the Great:" ""When you've had 100 men," ""you realise there's no real difference between them."" "Can I help?" "Do you have an appointment?" "Nelly, come here!" "Miss Johnson!" "Welcome!" "What a pleasant surprise." "Nelly will be so happy." " I hope it's not inconvenient." " Not at all." "I just got it into my head that I wanted to come." "How sensible." "Nelly isn't home, but she'll be here any minute." "She'll be so happy to see you." " Would you like to see her room?" " Yes." "Nelly seems to like it here." "She's often out enjoying herself." "She has a lot of friends, everyone likes her." "That's nice..." "She has written, hasn't she?" "I often tell her to write to you." "That's very kind of you." "But maybe she can't find the time to do it." " So what do you think of her room?" " It's very nice." "And here is her wardrobe." "I've had some new things made up for her." "Look at this..." "A dress fit for a princess." "Feel the silk!" "A dress fit for a princess..." "And look at her little shoes..." "She has such tiny feet." "And she's got new underwear, too." "It's so nice to give her beautiful things." "They become her, and it makes her so happy." "Shall we sit down?" "Here's her diary." " Do you read her diary?" " Oh, I just leaf through it." "It's so amusing." "Listen to this, for example:" ""I was with Mother when she dressed this morning, she looks so young." ""Her skin looks younger than mine, which is greyish."" " Isn't that cute?" " I don't want to hear any more." "No?" "I won't go on reading, then." "I often saw her write in her diary, but I have never read it." "That's you, Miss Johnson." "But then you are so righteous." " How are you really?" "You look pale." " Thank you, I'm fine." " Any news from the provinces?" " Oh yes, I bought a geranium." "How lovely!" "How very lovely!" "My dear little girl, my dearest little girl." "I've missed you so much." "You're older, and more beautiful." " Much more beautiful." " You're embarrassing me." "And your hair." "Back home you had no hairstyle at all, really." "I had a feeling you were coming." "Did you leave this morning?" "Did Aunt Jessie see you off?" "How is she?" "Does she have the same hair colour?" "Nothing new happens there, we're the same as always." " You should tell me about things." " My job is lots of fun." "I'm always meeting fun people..." "and some odd ones." "Some are so very odd." "You know, Mutti..." "Jenny is so nice to me, always giving me things... spoiling me." "I think she was very lonely before..." "Before the salon was so busy." " Have you seen Ulf?" " No." "Is he here in town?" "I didn't know." " Good old Uffe." " He moved out when you left." "Did he?" "I see..." "I'm sorry to hear that." "Who are you letting the room to now?" "The room is waiting for him to return." "Mutti!" "What are you trying to tell me?" "Is it so difficult to say?" "What it is?" "Nothing." "What would that be?" "Can't you see that I'm happy?" " That everything is fine." " You're not telling me the truth." "You must tell me what it is!" "Nothing's the matter, Mutti dearest." "Dinner is served." "Little Nelly." " I don't understand where Jack is." " He's never on time." "My half brother's son, he's often here." "He's an actor." "But he hasn't worked for a long while." "He was to appear on the radio last week." "And he's getting a film part." " What happened to the radio job?" " It was cancelled." "A film role would be nice." "But it could be one of his inventions." "Why do you say that?" "You said yourself he's a great talent." "Are you sure it wasn't he who said that?" "You shouldn't talk about Jack in front of Mutti." "Why so heated, Nelly?" "I believe you are blushing." "Jack is a nice boy, if a bit fanciful sometimes." "He's an artist, but you don't understand that." "If he gets that part he could start paying for himself." "You didn't accept his money before." "Because I knew he had none." "It was a lie... his artistic imagination, if you like." "Shall we rise?" "I must be getting along." "I have to get to the railway station." "It's a pity I can't see you off." "Will you be back soon?" "It may be a while." "Thank you, I can manage." "Then I'll have to come to you." "You're always welcome, you know that." "Forgive me, but aren't you Miss Ingeborg?" "I'm Jack." "I live at Jenny's..." "from time to time." " Have you called on them?" " Yes." "But I'm catching the night train back." " Shall I see you off?" " Don't put yourself out." "No trouble at all." "Let's go!" "Here's your ticket, and one for the sleeping car, and some sweets." "And a magazine." "Thank you so much for all your help." "Not at all." "But you shouldn't stay here any longer." "The longer it takes the better." "Don't you want to go to that party with Nelly?" " It's not that..." " No?" "It wouldn't be indiscreet for you to ask." "What should I ask?" ""Is that Jenny also going to the party?"" "And I'll say "no, she's not"." "And everything is one great big muddle." "Up until I met your little girl..." "I say "your", because she is, even if Jenny happened to give birth to her." "Well, since then," "I'm no longer a moonlight creature in a moonlight life." " Do you understand?" " Not really." "It's not easy to understand." " What I want to say is..." " Are you in love with Nelly?" "That's not it." "That's not it at all..." "I can't fall in love..." "I only love myself." "But Nelly... is somehow real, if you know what I mean." "I know." "She is so real that I become even more unreal and start wondering why I live my ghost life at all." "Maybe I understand." "I could do with her as my anchor in reality." "For my own benefit, that is." "It's a purely egotistical point of view." " There's a price to pay for that." " Oh, yes." "If you only take without giving, the penalty is extremely severe." "Could I have a cigarette?" "Your words are a little upsetting." " With pleasure." "Here you go." " Thank you." " I have to say I admire you." " Me?" "You've given and given without a thought for yourself." "I have?" "Nelly always talks of you." "She loves you." "She'll come back to you one day, then you'll have your reward." "Jenny and I will have to pay then." "Jenny..." "lives off me." "And I live off Nelly." "It's all rather infernal." "We have to be content we've had her on loan." "And I'll tell you something else." "Tonight I'm going to take off this striped suit make a parcel of it and send it to Jenny." "Ask me what I'll do after that." "I'll put on my old rags." "I'll leave Jenny and all that." "I'll live under some stairs where the moon will shine in." "I'll be looking out over a field, a bay... and two bone meal factories." "Well, we'd better be off, if you don't want to miss your train." " Thank you for keeping me company." " It was nothing." "Take good care of the girl." "She looks to you..." "I don't know if she's in love with you." "I'm so worried." "Something is going to happen, but I don't know what." "Attention!" "Passengers on the night express, please take your seats." "Please close the doors." "I'm going to sleep now." "Very tired..." "I've been to see my grandchildren." "You see, I'm not your real mother." "The other children told me that a long time ago." "I didn't want to tell you, it would only make you sad." "Is that so?" "I remember her confirmation." "I sold my books so she could get a dress." " You and I have always loved her." " I only love myself." "I could do with her as my anchor in reality." "For my own benefit." "It's not for the girl's sake, but your own, that you want to keep her..." "Dear Lord, why should this happen to me?" "I'm an old woman." "I always thought I loved the girl for her own sake." "Why else have I existed?" "Dear Lord, take these thoughts from me!" "I don't want to have them, I can't bear them!" "Help!" "I don't want to be dead!" "I don't want to be dead!" "Please, help me!" "I can't bear it!" "Calm down!" "It's probably something you've eaten." "I always dream a big black man is biting my toes off when that happens." "Whatever that could mean." "There we are, have some water." "Have another sip." "There we are..." "Oh, dear me!" "Keep the light on and you'll be able to sleep." "Hello, Uffe!" " Welcome back." " You wrote that the room was free." " Will you stay?" " Yes, I suppose I will." "How did you like it in the big city?" "Not very much." "And as I only walked around missing Nelly," "I thought I might as well do it here." " Has Nelly written to you?" " No..." "Yes..." "I received a postcard." "You've been there?" "Yes." " How was she?" " I'm not sure, Uffe." " I don't think she's happy." " Can I do anything?" " No." " Why not?" "It's something everyone has to go through on their own." "No one can help you." " What about after that?" " After?" "Then it'll be good we're here." "Please don't smoke in here, Jenny doesn't like it." " It's a fantastic place, this." " Why?" "All these severed heads, I mean." " What's that music?" " It's from the theatre next door." "I'd like to come here when it's full of women." "I'd look into their eyes:" ""Now tell Jack everything."" " Why don't you ask Jenny?" " Don't talk about Jenny!" "What's with you?" "You're not your usual self?" "I asked you not to smoke!" "Sure..." "Not my usual self, you say?" "You're not your usual self, either." "You're not happy, Jack." "What's wrong?" "Has something happened?" "Something to do with Jenny?" "There's one person I love, and that's her." " Why don't you leave her?" " I tried to stay away for a while." " I hadn't the strength for it." " Why?" "Don't ask me when I don't want to answer, or I'll leave again." "Don't touch me!" "I've stayed away so far, and I'll go on doing so!" "Why do you badger me like this?" "We don't love each other." "I don't know." "You've changed everything for me, so it's your own fault." "Poor Jack." "I've said that to myself too often." "It can't go on!" "I can't bear another day of grinning." "I'll kill myself!" "But that's just acting." "Although I'm always carrying a revolver in my pocket." "But I don't know anymore if it's to impress myself or to scare a young thing like you." "Or if I'm actually serious about it all." "I really don't know." "Poor Jack." "Sure... sure." "But you shouldn't feel sorry for me." "You get what you want in life." "And you get to pay the price." "That doesn't stop your pity being sweet music to my ears." "I wish I could help you." " You can help me, Nelly." " How?" "You shall lead me by the hand, take me to the police and say:" ""This boy wants to report himself for murder."" "The police officer will say:" ""Murder?"" ""Yes," you say." ""He murdered a girl he was living with." ""She was pregnant."" ""He turned on the gas tap" ""and made it look like an accident."" ""It was very cleverly done... very!"" "Don't you regret it at all?" "I couldn't help it, Nelly." "I'll come with you to the police, I promise." " Tomorrow?" " Yes... tomorrow." " You're so kind to me, Nelly." " No..." "Can I kiss you?" "Scared?" " I love you, Nelly!" " Don't say that, you don't mean it." "Yes, I love you!" "Did you like that?" "Get dressed, Nelly." "Let me help you." "Don't be afraid, my dear, I just want to help." "Just calm down and everything will be all right." " How long has this been going on?" " Don't answer her!" " Go away!" " No, I think I'll stay." "Is that so?" "Well, then stay." "Forgive me, Nelly!" "Do you feel a little better now?" "You shouldn't listen to Jack." "I was a fool to think I could have him in the house." " He is a sick man." " Don't listen to her!" "Has he told you about murdering a girl he lived with?" "She had two children." "He gassed them all and made it look like an accident." "Has he asked you to go with him to the police?" "To help him report his crime." "Did he show you his gun, saying he must end his moonlight life?" "Jenny, that's enough!" "Perhaps he said you were his anchor in reality." "He can't go on grinning." "He has to either die or go to the police." "Did he say that?" "How many people has he said that to?" "How many heads has he turned with his moonlight fantasies?" "Until I found him and sent him to a doctor." "You're not telling the truth, Jenny!" "You bought me as a lover." "You were getting too old, no one wanted you." "You were afraid of being alone and I'd be your escape." "And for precisely the same reason you brought Nelly." "But there'll be no more of this damn cheating!" "You've never been any good." "I only let you stay out of charity." "I could have thrown you out any day." "Like you would with Nelly." "If she'd have wanted to go her own way and not yours." " I'm leaving." " Are you?" "Goodbye." "Right..." "I suppose you're going to shoot yourself?" "I hope your little cap gun is properly loaded." "Do you know where your head is, so you don't hit something else?" "You're quite right, dear Jenny." "I probably won't shoot myself." "People like me don't kill themselves." "It wouldn't be our style." "Goodbye, Nelly." "Goodbye, Jenny." "Thanks for everything." "If I could pay back what you've spent on me, I wouldn't!" "Silly women like you have only themselves to blame!" " Will he hurt himself?" " No, you little fool." " I'll go, too." " Right..." "Just go... and leave me here all alone." "Believe me, I'm tough." "I've been alone before and been fine, maybe even better." "When I saw Ingeborg so old and ugly and worn out, then I thought:" ""I'm as old as her myself."" "You can't tell on the outside, but underneath this face..." "My God!" "People have always run away from me." "Why is that?" "I've never understood why." "Your father was the worst, because I loved him." "After him everyone has left." "And now you, and Jack..." "Why don't you go?" "Go with Jack!" "I can tell you that somewhere, deep inside, he's a sweet boy." "He didn't like me, though I liked him." "Do you have money for your journey home?" "Home!" "Journey home..." "Did I hear gunshots?" "Gunshots?" "I heard two shots!" "Jack!" "No, no, let me go!" "Let me go!" "He was reading the theatre hoarding." "All of a sudden he pulled out a gun and shot himself in the face." "It was damned nasty." "I put that newspaper over his head." "It's good to be back." " Why on earth did you move away?" " I must have been out of my mind." "Though it's very quiet here nowadays." "Yes, it is." "Oh, how idyllic!" " I don't want to disturb you..." " Not at all, we're used to it." "Ulf had a calving and we've had some tea." "Help yourself if you want some." "Thanks for the tea, it was very nice." "Enjoy!" "Ulf is such a handsome boy!" "Well, why don't you make a pass at him?" "He needs someone to look after him." "A steady, older woman like yourself." "Ingeborg!" " Have you had any news from Nelly?" " Oh, yes." " Is she all right?" " Yes." " Does she have any particular news?" " Nothing of interest to you." "Ingeborg..." "I've been wondering terribly about one thing." "Will there ever be anything between Nelly and Ulf?" "He's so very keen on her." "Listen, Jessie..." "Nelly is fine." "She's happy, and she's not longing to come back." "I don't know anything about her and Ulf." "Were you expected home today?" "Nelly?" "I would appreciate it if you went up to your flat, Jessie." "I'll be down later!" "There, there..." "I'm not ill." "I'll take your coat." "You're just in time for tea." "What a surprise!" "Everything is the same as ever here." "Everything in its place." "The piano, the armchair..." " Is Uffe still here too?" " Yes." "He left for a while, but had enough and came back." " Can I say hello to him?" " Of course you can." " I'll prepare some food meanwhile." " I don't want anything." "No, of course not." "But once it's on the table, I think you'll eat." "What?" "Are you home?" "Yes..." "I got some time off unexpectedly." "You've changed." "But you're the same to me." " Don't say any more!" " I must!" " I have so much to tell you." " How could you, Ulf?" "You've been through a lot, but I can tell you're here to stay." "I've waited since you were a girl, and while you were away." " Haven't I waited long enough?" " We are good friends." "But I don't want us to be only friends, don't you see that?" "I've barely arrived, and you're already proposing!" "Don't you see I'm not the same Nelly who left?" "I'm completely different!" "Take me, if you dare!" "You love me so much!" "Don't you dare?" " Nelly, you're not well." " No, I'm not well, I'm not myself!" "That frightened you a bit, didn't it?" "No, I'm not afraid of you." "But I'm afraid to think of what you've been through." "Why didn't you take me then?" "Why did you let me go?" " Was it my fault?" " No." "That I was part of everyday life, an old man?" " I know I'm unfair to you." " Nelly..." "Leave me be." "Is there someone else?" "You're so naive." "Do you have to ask so much?" " Can't you understand anything?" " Forgive me." "I don't want to hurt you." "I'll go for a walk." "I've missed you so much." "Am I allowed to say that at least?" "It was all so dreadful." "Does she know you're here?" " I told the maid I was going home." " Then we can safely unpack." "I don't know if I can ever get over it." "Two things come back constantly..." "Auntie's face above that mannequin and Jack lying in the street, a newspaper over his face." "Over and over..." "What should I do?" "Do you remember the days when we had no money?" "What was it I would say?" "Maybe something nice will happen tomorrow." "We have to go on living." "We mustn't lose our heads when things get difficult." "And Uffe?" "You frightened the life out of him!" "Yes, I think I did." "Let's have some tea now." "I'm off to the chapel in a while." "I'll be doing a lot of playing there." "Little Mutti..." "Ingeborg!" "So you're out on this lovely evening." "Yes, I have things to attend to." " And you have Nelly back." " Yes, I have her on loan..." " And how are you?" " Very well." "I'm not afraid anymore." "This is such a good shortcut." " See you!" " Yes, see you." "We can leave Miss Ingeborg here, standing in the sun." "She is watching two young people walking down the street." "Walking a little apart, but together all the same." "Nelly and Ulf." "The stillness of the Saturday night places its gentle hands over this little town, which is so small."