"MONOPOLY" "After 15 years of success, Mads Skjern doesn't understand   why his son Daniel would rather design clothes than sell them." "Mads misses his able daughter, now married to an industrialist's son   and living the high life in spite of the Occupation." "Misse Møhge is browbeaten by retired teacher Andersen   and yet she wants to get married." "Regitze has absconded from domestic science school   only to be elected Miss Spring at an event in Copenhagen." "The Chairman of the board of Korsbæk Bank is dead." "Skjold Hansen is eager to succeed him." "Unlike his wife, he is unrattled by the town kids' harrassment   because the Germans have rented Skjold Hansen's garage." "Skjold Hansen knows how to handle bike repairer's windowbreaking kids." "Dr. Hansen tells Agnes that Red is safe in Sweden." "Embittered, Agnes expands her business by buying old trays   and painting and selling them through Skjern's Stores." "She tells Mads she wants to buy the house she lives in from Katrine." "But Mads is willing to bet that Katrine won't sell." "THE ELEVENTH HOUR" "JANUARY-APRlL 1945" "public BATHS" "Don't wash it too hot or you'll get pink stripes." " Well, well ..." " Are they the new guards?" "Yes, they patrol the garden at night." " One of them is an old man." " And the other is a mere boy." " l thought I heard you." " Helle and I have been to the baths." " I hope the tub was clean." " The water was nice and hot." "Right?" " You could even go there." " I prefer tepid water from the stove." "Can't you smell it, Laura?" "A strange, sweet smell." "The chimney in the living room is discolored." "The painter is on his way." "He says it's the peat." "The last ones were nothing but mud." "It smells like we have dead bodies rotting beneath the floor." "If something is rotting under the floor, you'd best tell Mrs. Hansen." " That's not my department." " I didn't mean to offend you, Laura." " Everything's such a mess." " What else is wrong?" "I didn't get my "Good Housekeeping"." "The Nazi sympathizers have blown up the printing house." " Dear me." "Is nothing safe anymore?" " I bet "Modern Women" is next." "Thank God." "Maybe you can do something about that smell." " The chimney is in the living room." " Follow me, please." " Can I see if it's there?" " Yes." "Can I feed it?" " It's so cold." "Can't it eat in here?" " Your mother doesn't want it." "Take it outside." " Don't tell Frederik I came." "But ..." " But what, Misse?" "It's Danish, but you get used to it." "Frederik says you're a couple of bad boys." "Because that money business hasn't been arranged." "It will get arranged, Misse." "He'll get his memorial fund, and his nephew ..." " Yes, Oskar." "He's a teacher too." " Yes, he'll come into your fortune." "Yes, he'll be my family too, when Frederik and I get married." "It'll work out." "But there are so many stipulations in Aunt Møhge's will." "It's difficult to get seperate estates annulled." "Cheers!" "Frederik says it's taking so long because you'd normally be my heirs." " What a lot of nonsense." " That's what I told Frederik." " But why hasn't it been seen to?" " Because there's a war on, Misse." "The judicial system is falling apart." "There isn't any law and order." "If there isn't any law and order, why can't we change it ourselves?" "Because there'll be trouble later." "But do marry and it'll get sorted out." "It was going to be a wedding present for Frederik." "Why don't you give him the rug that was collected from the chain letters?" " lt didn't really materialize." " What about your four squares?" "I sent them to the names at the top of the list." "But I never received 128 squares, only seven came." "Somebody must have broken the chain." "Mrs. Holm only got 1 1 squares." "And that wasn't until long after the poor Consul had died." "If it's so important, then put off the wedding." " No." "Then I'll end like the others." " Who?" "Miss Friis was never married." "And Vicki Hachel ..." "Well, she got married, but she didn't want to be a widow." "And now she's ..." " Why is marrying so important?" " lt's a woman's destiny." "Mother was a married lady too, before she became a widow." "Just like Mrs. Holm is now." "If you look at it that way, then get married." "We'll have the reception." "In your rooms ..." "It'll be exactly as if Mother was there." "But about the money, Misse, do you need some yourself?" "No, I live rent-free and I get 100 kroner from the council." "And my fee from Mrs. Violet." "My fortune mustn't be touched." "Don't you get anything from Mr. Andersen for meals?" "An unmarried woman does not take money from a gentleman." " What wicked thoughts you have." " That's the way I am." "Mother always said you were a bad boy." " Plaice skin ..." "It's incredible." " Yes, they're skillfully made." " And how are things with you?" " I get by." "But we've soon cut the last bit of peat." "Then I hope you have time to do some business for me." " But it must be between you and me." " Do you doubt my discretion?" "No, but it must include the other party too." " It has to do with Sea View Farm." " Yes, near the new pleasure ground." " Yes, by the new road to the sound." " Oh yes, you helped pay for it." "With other citizens, so Korsbæk could have a pleasure ground." "Yes, and so it wouldn't be on the Strip, I suppose?" "Perhaps." "But now the road is there." "And now Antonsen will sell the farm." " And you're going to buy it." " Me?" "And then you'll sell it to me with a certain profit in addition to your fee." "Antonsen wants 60,000 in cash." "If that's the price I feel like keeping the farm myself." "That's not the price." "The rest is being settled in another way." " And Antonsen has agreed to that?" " Yes." "Am I to understand that you've got some money you want to get rid off?" "And that Antonsen's also up to something here at the 1 1th hour?" "lnterpret it as you wish." "Antonsen and I don't know each other's motives." "But your profit will be 10,000." " In addition to my fee?" " Yes." "Mrs. Jeppesen, Mrs. Nielsen ..." "Mrs. Rumm ..." "If you stayed a bit longer you could earn more." " It's my husband ..." " Yes, they want to be waited on." "If I could go home and come back a few hours later, " " I could do some more buttons and belts." " All right, if there isn't a curfew ..." " Can't you just stay a bit longer?" "No, I have to go home first and then come back, but thanks." " Where does she live?" " With Mrs. Violet Vinter." " Didn't she live in a boarding house?" " She couldn't afford it." " Heavens, I'm tired." " Did you settle with the tray ladies?" "Yes, and I delivered the trays to Mr. Skjern." "I'll collect the boys from their dancing lesson and then dinner's on me." " Two beers." " Beer is sold out." "We have coffee, tea and sodawater." "Coffees and cake." " And you'd like?" " Two pots of tea, the usual kind." " They have fried bacon." " And one fried bacon." "Two coffees, and one today's special." "That'll be Marie." "Hang on. lt's your wife." "What's for dinner?" "Well, goodbye then." " One more bacon." " Is missus working overtime?" "No, she's having dinner at the Post House." "One today's special." "What would you like?" "Chicken?" "Two chickens and one to share." " Do you have any beer?" " Yes, they're reserved for diners." "Two beers and two lemonades, please." " Some people can afford it!" " You could too, if you wanted to." "Mother taught me never to waste money on eating out." "But I have to get home and cook for Frederik." "When you get married, I suppose you'll stop playing?" "I had planned to, but Frederik thinks I should keep up my piano playing." "Thank you ..." "He'll be waiting." "You haven't asked for my advice, but I wouldn't do it." "As a banker, you must know that as soon as the war is over   they'll start hunting money." "Not the money that has been declared and taxed." "With so much money in circulation nobody's declared everything." "Yes, I have." "And your father-in-law?" "He's moved large sums to his wife's estate." "He's a customer of Korsbæk Bank." "They also say he's given Iben large advancements ..." " That's not my concern either." " Is she hardly your wife anymore?" " Why do you want Sea View Farm?" " To develop it." "The sound will be the next place people will want to build houses." " I thought we were having dinner." " I've been tidying up. lt was a mess." "Yes, Arnold came for lunch and brought Hansi along." " You've no idea how well he talks!" " I can see what a mess he makes." "You've never liked children." "Is dinner ready?" "The potatoes aren't cooked yet." "It always gets late on Fridays." "Here's your money." "You must be able to tell you're saving money by living here." "... victories achieved by the Danish Resistance against the Germans." "Danish patriots have carried out attacks on railway lines,   delaying all trains to Germany   either due to direct attacks or as a result of subsequent re-routing." "These actions are a valuable contribution to military operations   on both the Eastern and Western Front." " Something terrible has happened." " I want to hear this." "... the mines of a new construction that can't be broken." "This is London." "We're bringing a special message that runs:" "Best wishes to Finn, Wilhelm, Paul, Rudolph, Stig, Kapron, Stella   Bruno, Ulla, Kurt, Kelvin, Laura, Verona, Tekla ..." "You don't need to hear that." " What's so important, Maude?" " We've got tarry soot!" "It's everywhere these days." "It's the peat." " We can't put up with that!" " If that were all ..." " No, thanks." "Is there something else?" " Misse's getting married on April 2." " I promised we'd have the reception." " Can't you convince her not to?" "No, she's raving mad." " That's that." " Won't you stay for dinner?" "No thanks, I've got to ..." "We finished that business, didn't we?" " What business?" " Sea View Farm." " What's the matter?" " There's a car full of Germans here." " How many are there?" " Two, I think." "He's asking for Ellen Skjern." "He speaks Danish." "Show him in." " Yes?" " I'm Bent Godtfredsen." " I'm looking for Ellen Skjern." " Our daughter doesn't live here." " Do you know where l can find her?" " Not at the moment." "Why?" "It's on behalf of my comrades." "A sad affair." " What's happened?" " Your daughter's father has fallen." "Shouldn't you inform Holger Jørgensen's family?" "They've been informed by the regular channels." "This is a friendly turn." "We promised Holger that if he fell, his daughter would get this." "Yes." "We'll see that she gets it." "I've known Holger since the Party was founded." "He was so proud of her." "As far as I know it's an icon he got in Russia." "A comrade brought it back." "Here it is, along with the letter." "Thank you." "At first we thought he was missing, but it turned out that he stayed there." " You know that for certain?" " He fell on the field of honor." " Goodbye." " Yes, it's always the best that die." " Burn it." " Mads ..." "Ellen must never know about this." " We won't hear of Holger anymore." " No, poor soul." "And what happened to Kristen?" " Perhaps he's at home." " I'll try calling him." "What is all this?" " What did they want?" " I never found out." "Yes, but they usually surround the houses." "Maybe they were lost." "They run in and out of our homes as they please." "But you mustn't risk anything." "Give me your key to the church." "Thanks." " What can I do?" " Call Louis." "And tidy up here." "Don't you know when Dr. Hansen's coming?" "Have him call me right away." "He must have forgotten we were going to play this eveing." " Who is it?" " It's Iben Skjern." " You?" " That's burglar proof, for some." " If Kristen's here, he can come out." " He isn't." "Why'd you think so?" "Because he ran away from his brother's house an hour ago." " How do you know?" "Were you there?" " Ingeborg called." " It was a false alarm." " Thank heavens." "So he has been here!" "You can tell me the truth." " What?" " I hate them." " The Germans, I mean." " And you don't hate me?" "No, why should I?" "Can I sit down?" "I ran all the way." " Yes, please do." "Sorry." " You've got a nice apartment." " You were the wisest of us." " What do you mean?" " You can live without all that bother." " We all have our bothers." " Would you like a cup of tea?" " Have you got something stronger?" "There's a drop left." " You know I don't live at home?" " Then where do you live?" "At Jenny's, the driving instructor's wife. I'm only at home now and then." "It was lucky you were there now." " It's funny ..." " What is?" "Me sitting here." "The first year I was married, I could've torn your hair out." "Dear me." "I thought it was because he'd rather have had you that things went bad." "But it was just as much my own fault." "We should never have gotten married." " But I guess he's told you." " No, we never discussed that." " Then what do you talk about?" " Many things." "Music, books ..." "And now the war." "It's strange." "Kristen and I never talk." "We think the same about the war,   and I know what he's doing, but either we argue or we shut up." "Or else we tell jokes." "Where is he?" "You're not hiding him in the closet?" "No, don't worry, he's miles away." "Are you sorry I can't tell you where?" " No, that's what I'm trying to say." " What?" "You can keep him." "Thanks for the drink." "Do answer it, I'll show myself out." "Yes?" "Oh, at last." "No, it was a false alarm." "But you'd better come all the same." "Do I sound funny?" "It's because I've just been given a large present." " Where's Boldt?" " They've knocked him out." "The cash box ..." " It's empty." " The other one ..." "The one with the stamps?" "It's empty, too." "Give me a hand, will you?" "He's been assaulted." "Let's get him on the couch." "Has there been a fight?" " We should call the police." " You'd have to call Buchenwald." "is it bad, Boldt?" "There, put your legs up." " I almost envy Mrs. Svendsen." " You can always get your job back." "I'd do it just to see the bridal couple!" " It's no laughing matter. lt's tragic." " She chose him herself." " What would her mother have said!" " I'd have liked to hear that too." "Remember how she protected her daughter's virtue!" "She slapped the Colonel because she thought he was groping her daughter." "You mustn't speak ill of the dead." "They can all slap and grope wherever they are." " We may all end there before long." " lt's all over soon." " When they've licked the Germans." " Then you'll get Lauritz home." "Lauritz?" "I'll believe it when I see him." "I'm off to the country." " Have you got time for that?" " It's business, what'd you think?" "Will he have to go to hospital?" "No, it's just a flesh wound and a sprain." "So if Maren will nurse him ..." " He looked nasty." " It's really too bad." "Private show-downs with black marketeers are quite the sport now." "It wouldn't have happened in Sofus's time." "He went underground when they arrested the police in Copenhagen." "You can make yourself a pot of "tea" if you bend under the counter." " No thanks. I'm at a wedding." " Oh yes, that's right." "My best wishes to the chaste bride!" "Excuse me." " There you are." " What's this I hear?" "You're on first names with Miss Friis." "We felt it was time." " Well, congratulations!" " What for?" "That means that you'll be ..." "just like Frederik and I." "Unfortunately it will never come to that, Miss Misse." "Mrs ..." " Andersen!" " Mrs. Møhge Andersen." "That's what I think I'll call myself." "Don't you think, Frederik?" "By all means." "My name's Oscar." "My wife's name is Mrs. Margrethe Oscar Andersen." "Kurt is Kurt Oscar Andersen and the youngest is Robert Oscar Andersen." " It's a widespread custom now." " Is that a fact?" " Have you finished moving?" " Yes. lt was hard to fit everything in." "You haven't taken everything with you?" " Oscar got the dining room furniture." " We're very grateful for it, Uncle." "Your aunt served so many good meals at that table." "Yes, Margrethe will have something to live up to." "But Frederik brought his bedroom furniture. lt's in my old room." "I've slept in Mother's bed, in her bedroom ..." "Ever since ..." " It's lucky the flat's so spacious." " Yes, or there wouldn't be room." "Frederik brought such a lot, and Mother's things mustn't be moved." "You should try the tongue, Oscar." " So you got the day off from school?" " We've got head lice." " Yes, at school." "They've closed it." " How awful." "Margrethe's combed them thoroughly." " I've had the itch!" " We don't talk about things like that." "But it's true." "Well, Misse ..." "It takes something to open and in particular to heat the dining room." "But of course this day is a very special one." "You're starting a completely new life." "And you've chosen this date because it was your mother's wedding day." "I'm sure she chose this date because it was the Battle of Copenhagen." "That's the way she was." "A powerful woman   who had a sense of national pride and who defended herself to the last." "That's how Mother was." "Yes ..." "But even though Aunt Møhge also taught you to resist,   your heart has surrendered at last." "All by yourself you've found the man with whom you'll now, as they say,   share the same table and bed." "Shame on you, Hans Christian!" "Think if Aunt Møhge could hear you." "Let me speak to the bridegroom now." "We've known Misse for many years." "We've seen Aunt Møhge protect Misse from the dark sides of life ..." "How true!" "And we hope and expect that you, Frederik Andersen, will do the same." "You'll always be welcome here and in the homes of Misse's other friends." "You needn't worry, I'll certainly come." "I think it's time we drink to the health of the bridal couple." "Two people who dare marry at such a mature age and in such evil times." "No doubt it's because they share our hope that Denmark will soon be free." "Long live the bride and groom!" "Even though nothing will come of that you must taste my tea." " What is it?" " Apples, and some leaves I pick." "It sure is good." "You could manufacture it." "You and your manufacturing." "I've got enough to do in the house." "I never have time for that myself." "You must have plenty to do, since you can buy a house." "But there are other houses than mine." "Not the same." "Almost in the center of town." "I could do so much with it." "The attic's unused." "I've had a toilet put in." "But I never expected anything to come of it." " Why did you come then?" " To try." "Though your son-in-law said it wasn't worth bothering." " Did Mads say that?" " Yes, he even made a bet." "I didn't think Mads did that sort of thing." "I guess it was only because he was dead certain." " But he didn't bet very much, did he?" " Yes." " He said he knew you inside out." " Does he now ..?" "Otherwise he wouldn't have bet 200 kroner, would he?" "Thanks for the tea." "I'd like to have my safe opened." "Mads, just a moment ..." "Here are the papers." "The manager will be here in a moment." "What's this I hear?" "That we're going to hear wedding bells soon." " Yes, but after the war." " It won't last much longer." " I hear you're looking for a flat." " Yes, but it's not easy to find one." "Would you be interested in a council flat at Millfield?" " Yes, but the waiting lists are long." " I could put in a word for you." " Really?" "Could you?" " I know the mayor." "He's chairman of the housing association." "You have no idea how happy that'd make us." "Thank you so much!" " Well, how about that!" " It's almost too good to be true." " But you're going out tonight, right?" " Yes." " I knew it when I saw that guy." " It'll only be a few more weeks." "It'll be quite strange being together every evening." "And every night ..." "Sandwiches, anyone?" " We have to go now." " So soon?" " Frederik and I will stay." " Yes." "Oscar ..." "The tongue is on the table again." "Come here, my boy." "May I?" " Did it go as planned?" " Yes, everything was picked up." "Thanks." " When this is all over, then what?" " lt'll be just like in the fairy tales." "Everyone will get married and live happily ever after." "It sounds almost too good to be true." " Somebody's shooting!" " It isn't on our street." " We're keeping to our gas ration." " Because you use two hay boxes." " Where did you get that?" " At your brother's exchange central." "Fancy parting with Brahms's Piano Trio. I'd rather part with my last suit." "Yes, then you'd have to lie in bed till the war is over, listening to Brahms." "The trio will start on that one when we have time." " It's difficult." "Do you think we can?" " We'll be able to do anything then!" "Yes?" "It's Louis." "Yes?" "They've shot Paul." "is he ..?" " Yes, Martin thought so." " But you said the pick-up went well." "They were waiting for him when he got home. lt must be an informer." "Louis and I will go underground now." "You'll clear up here." " Nobody suspects me." " Move to your sister's house." "If there's just the slightest thing, you know what to do." " You mustn't come to any harm." " l'll be fine." " Will you tell Mads?" " Yes." "I can't say it comes as a surprise to me." "I've warned my brother many times, but he does as he pleases." "But the other business ... it's terrible." "He was getting married to ..." "I know to whom." "That doesn't make it any less terrible." " I'll go over to the bank." " Is there anything I can do?" "Did Kristen tell you where his wife is?" " No, Iben told me herself." " Have you spoken to her?" "Occasionally." "She's living with a girl friend." "What a mess this is!" "Sorry." "I have a mania about tidiness." "Maybe it's easier with business than with people." "It was kind of you to come." " The board is coming at 1 1 o'clock." " And the manager ..?" "He had to go away for a few days." "But the work must be done." "Even without ..." "Yes, it was a shock." "Her turning up this morning, too." "I'd like to talk to her." "Why shouldn't I come?" "The work has to be done." "And now we're short of ..." " You should've stayed at home." " It'd only have made it worse." "Paul was shot right outside the boarding house. I knew it was him." " Isn't there anyone there you know?" " Yes, but they were shocked too." "Right after, when there was shouting in the street and the ambulance came." "It was awful." "I'm sorry." "And there was a madman shouting for peace and quiet   somewhere on a balcony opposite." "Later, when we were trying to get some sleep, he went on shouting." "But you live in a quiet district." "It sounded as if it came from Miss Møhge's house." "It was so uncanny." " Like a curse." " You mustn't say that." "If you believe in God, you must know that everything has a meaning." " And it's never a curse." " Yes." "Things always go wrong for me." "We'll have three rooms and a shower." " Here?" "Where?" " No, in the flat below." "The old lady's moved into a home and the house is mine now." "The business stays up here." "And I'll build on here where the hen coop is." " But it's nice to have hens." " Not if you have to look after them." " What about the sailor's flat?" " We'll keep the machines there." "If he doesn't come, I'll knock his walls down and it'll all be in one." "That's not allowed." "It has to be let again as a flat." "We'll think of something." "Will you get hold of a builder and a carpenter?" " Right now." "If Lauritz comes home." " He's in for a surprise." " That's the idea." " You'd better put away the deed." "No, I've got someone to show it to." "Hello." "Have you seen those clodhoppers over at Varnæs'?" " Yes, they look miserable." " There's 50 hemstitched collars." " Good." "The others are sold out." " I'm just going to see the boss." "It's a private appointment." "Come in." "I told Gudrun that we have an appointment." "It's true." " What did I say?" "The house is mine." " Well, I'll be ..." " You very nearly swore!" " Has Katrine sold her house?" " She bought land with the money." " That sounds likely." "Well, I never ..." " So you remembered?" " Of course." "You'd never forget money matters." "It's not the only thing I remember." "Please sit down." " We can celebrate it." " Not if you've only got cigars." "It's here for the day the war ends." "At my place we're having coffee and pastries." " How many employees do you have?" " There's just room for six of us." " Plus all those who work at home." " Painting trays." "Thanks for the ones you got us." "Some of them sew collars, too." "Ukos, Mr. Skjern." ""Ukos"?" "I've never heard that before." "Up with the King Out with the Scum." " ls that what they say now?" " Your father-in-law taught me." "That doesn't surprise me." "Ukos, then." "... we hate brutality and the fact that might makes right,   so we will not let ourselves be taken in by Goebbels's efforts   to cash in on the poor bombed homeless, innocent Germans." "Just as the Germans were loathsome as victors, they are poor losers." "Now the hordes of refugees speak for themselves." "Things are moving so fast now that we can hardly keep up." " What are you going to do now?" " I don't know. I won't get that flat." " You can have Arnold's room." " Miss Jørgensen lives there." " That can be changed." " What about her?" "She's lived in a boarding house before." " She doesn't earn very much." " She doesn't appreciate living here." " She helps a lot." " When?" "They work around the clock at Agnes Jensen's." "And she doesn't like Hansi." "I'd counted on him sleeping in her room when he visits." " She has to get her sleep too." " I don't think you're getting yours." "You're neglecting yourself." "I mean well, Ulla." "It's all right to mourn." "Mourning can be beautiful, if you do it properly." " Properly?" " Yes, with your head held high." "Do you remember when I lost Arnold's father?" "Everybody said how beautifully I took it." "Mother said you fought like cat and dog." "I'll go home and get some sleep." "Since you say it's so important." "Think about moving in here." "Sleep on it." "Ulla ..." " I heard about it." "I'm terribly sorry." " Thank you." " Is there anything I can do for you?" " Yes, leave me alone." "I'd like to help, if ..." "Help?" "How?" "It's wonderful to have you living in the house again." " lt won't last for ever." " You fill up the house nicely." " Do you mean I eat too much?" " You know what I mean." "It's so empty here otherwise." "We hardly ever see Ulrik and Regitze." "The trains from Copenhagen aren't exactly regular at the moment." "Helle says the school's closed." "Are they cramming refugees into the private schools now?" "No, it's because Hitler's dead." "Miss Mikkelsen says so." " Fancy us hearing that from you." " She deserves a cake." " Have you heard?" " Yes, from Helle." "Flags have to be at half mast, by decree." " But we can say cheers at lunchtime." " As long as the Germans don't hear." " One's old and deaf anyway." " And the other is a mere boy." "Not even Miss Hollenberg could fall for any of them." " Don't remind me of her." " Well, if it isn't Misse!" "We haven't seen you since the wedding." "Do sit down." "This is a surprise." "Take a seat." " Well, he's dead now." " At last." "What a relief." " Stay here and celebrate it with us." " Do you look at it that way?" "Think of what Aunt Møhge would've said." "Mother might not have liked him." "I did think that myself afterwards." "But still ..." "Helle told us." "The school's closed." "But Frederik didn't teach anymore." "So why ..?" " Yes, where is he, your Frederik?" " He's at home." "He got a bad cold after the wedding." " Is he ill?" " No." "I just told you." "He's dead." " Dead?" " Poor Misse." "Yes, you weren't married for long." "But I lived to be a widow, Just like dear mother."