"DR TV Drama presents" "BETTER TIMES - a Family Saga by Stig Thorsboe" "Part 15" "Erik!" "In his speech to the nation John F. Kennedy made it clear   that a nuclear attack was a possibility..." "Erik?" "Oh, you're up." "We're holding the meeting earlier." "I didn't think you'd come today." "Father doesn't stay home just because it's his birthday." "Not that wrinkled shirt, Erik." "I brought a clean one for you." "They called from Sweden." "If I don't get that contract " " I'll lose exclusive rights." "They didn't say it outright." "You'll get the contract, so don't worry." "You have to see what I bought for you." "With this on, they'll see that you're competent and determined." "Or else you can come along and tell them." " Father's reception is this afternoon." " Yes, I suppose it is." "It would be nice if you dropped by." "Or just sent him a little greeting." "You're both equally stubborn." "One of you has to break the ice." "I have to go now." "Thanks for the shirt and the tie." " Just a moment." " I don't have time, Mother." "You know what the doctor said." " Are you satisfied now?" " I'm always satisfied with you." "Hello." "It was good of you to come." "My name's Jessen." " Erik Nielsen." " Skovgaard." "You build beautiful homes." "They deserve the best oil heating." " Please sit down." " What's your turnover per year?" "Approximately 200." "We expect it to double next year." "Let's have a look at your oil burner." "As you know, we've asked for bids from 3 companies." "Pyrolux is one of the best on the market   but delivery deadlines must be met." "That's no problem." "By the way, I have something else to show you." "I'm absolutely positive that I brought it." "I'll send it as soon as I get back to the office." "How long have you been in this business?" " A little over a year." " What did you do before?" "Radio and television." "I've worked in America and at Bella." "I've also had my own business." " And now it's oil burners?" " I like starting something new." "When they said I could have exclusive rights for Pyrolux, I had to say yes." "I just remembered I put it in the front compartment so I wouldn't forget it." "If you say yes, they'll be tailor made to fit each of your house models." "I've looked at your drawings and have made 3 different proposals." "That's quite impressive." " How much more will this cost us?" " Cost you?" "It won't cost more." "I think that's enough for now." "We'll give it a closer look and you'll be hearing from us." "I know I'm late!" " Isn't that reception over at four?" " No, five o'clock." "We'll make it in time." "I couldn't get away." "It was chaos at work." " The director quit." " Quit?" "How?" "Yes, he left the production." "Resigned." "Quit." "In the middle of the technical rehearsal." "He got completely mixed up." "He cut to the wrong camera so Erik Mørk had his back to it." "Why do they always hire theatre directors who don't know television?" " Should I wear earrings?" " Yes, why not?" "Now they've created a position as technical producer." " That sounds like a good idea." " It couldn't be worse." " I'd really like to apply for that job!" " So do it." "I'd be away for six weeks when we do productions from the provinces." "I knew it." " You still don't trust me." " Of course I do." "We just have to figure out how to organize things." "I haven't said I was applying for the position." "But just because you aren't ambitious, doesn't mean I can't be." "Who says I'm not ambitious?" "Krag has been prime minister for a month   and you still haven't landed a position as minister." "God, we've got to go." "Daddy won't know what's happened to us." "Poor man." "He's probably fluttering about all by himself." "Ida said there were a lot of people." "She had been by with the boys." " God knows if Erik's going to come." " He's not." "We should invite him over sometime." "There needn't be hostility between us." "If the boys went, maybe Margrethe should come, too." "I've changed my mind." "We'll pick her up at Karen's along the way." "Yes, we got a telephone..." "Who do you think?" "Børge, of course." "We couldn't keep borrowing Ida's." "Take care of yourself, darling." "Yes, good-bye." "Emma says hello." "She was on duty and had to run." "She's in the gynecological ward." " What?" " It has to do with women, Børge." "Now it looks like Morten's going to move to Odense, as well." "Then he can help her study for her exam." "She was so glad." " I forgot to give her the number." " Where the hell is it?" " Where's what?" " That's so typical around this place." " What are you talking about?" " That leaflet." " The one that came this morning." " Oh, that." "You probably threw it out." "Here." " Who put it there?" " You did." ""If War Breaks Out"" " Hi, Father." " Hi, Palle." "Have you heard the radio?" " Kennedy's speech?" " Your dad thinks there'll be war." "16 Russian ships are on their way to Cuba with nuclear weapons." "It's our duty to take the necessary precautions." "We'll make an air raid shelter in the cellar." "It says that right here!" "As if that would save us against an atomic bomb." "We should do away with that nuclear insanity!" "Go on the next Easter March." "We'll see to the practical details." " Hide in the cellar?" "Bravo." " I came to pick up Margrethe." "To take her to her granddad's birthday." " She's over at Ida's." "I'll get her." " No, no." "We'll bring her back here later." " Hi, Palle." " Hi, Bo." "Is Margrethe in there?" " Yes." "We're playing Ludo." " Playing Ludo?" " Palle wants to play, too." " No, I'm just picking up Margrethe." " Why?" " To say happy birthday to Granddad." "Mum thinks Granddad would be sad if he didn't get to say hello to you." "My mum's strange." "First she says I'm not coming, and then she says I am." " What do you think about Cuba?" " There's not so much to say." "Kennedy gave them 36 hours." "I hope the Russians change their minds." " What are you talking about?" " It's hard to explain, Bo." " Didn't you say we were in a hurry?" " Yes." "Søs is waiting in the car." " See you this evening." " A globe!" "Finally, I would like to send a kind thought to our Companies Act   that prescribes a board of directors and a chairman." "Luckily, it doesn't say he must be competent." "It has given me the privilege of witnessing Bella's adventure." "Cheers, old friend, and thanks for the ride." "The same to you." "Thank you for the kind words." "Splendid." "That was splendid." "Oh, there's the managing director's son." " He's no longer at Bella, is he?" " No, he wanted to try something else." "It's useful to gain some experience before one takes over the business." " Happy birthday." " Thank you." " I hope you'll like it." " That was nice of you, Erik." " How did your meeting go?" " Fine, I think." "Erik has made contact with Jessen  Skovgaard." "The big tract house builder." "I'm sure I can hear more about it later." "Yes, now I've found my glasses." "Now I just have to find the speech." " Good to see you, Erik." " Hello, Mr Nielsen!" "What a surprise." " Won't you have a drink?" " No, thanks." "Now that you're here, you can at least toast him." "Here it is..." "It's the president of the manufacturers' association!" "Director Vang spoke so brilliantly about what a privilege it had been   to follow your career, Mr Nielsen." "So it has been for us, as well   even though it has been more from a distance." "If we, your colleagues, were in doubt about the direction things were taking   we used to say:" ""What's Mr Nielsen doing?" 143d 00:13:12,047 -- 00:13:16,677 There were occasions when we thought " " we were a bit ahead of you." "I remember, before the radio exhibition in the Forum in 1950   when we were setting up our stand   and you came by and ran your eyes over television." "Had Mr Nielsen finally been caught napping?" "But when the exhibition opened, you had, not only a television set   but also... and this I can only say with poorly concealed envy  without a doubt, the best set of the exhibition." "And that's how it's been ever since." "With tireless energy and..." "Erik, you're not leaving now." "Erik!" "... you've succeeded in functioning as a locomotive..." " Why does he come here drunk?" " He wasn't drunk." "He became ill." "The first time Iversen is at Bella, his speech is interrupted in the most..." "You must excuse me." "I can't find the proper words." "The taxi's arrived." "Erik became ill because he can't tolerate alcohol." " That much I understand." " It's because he's on antabus!" "I've made sure he's taken his pill every day for the past two months." "My son is on antabus?" "I'll have to explain this to Iversen." "It's definitely an extenuating circumstance." " Is this seat taken?" " Yes." " How's life at home?" " Magnificent." "Congratulations with your daddy." "Was it festive, or was the mood ruined by the missile crisis?" " Looks like Miss Pontoppidan's arrived." " I'm so very sorry!" "What women won't do to meet a man!" "You can't be speaking from personal experience." "Look at that cover!" "Just because a person quits her job as speaker girl." "We only get to borrow the pretty girls." "Søs applied for speaker girl, too." "I hear you're considering applying for the position of technical producer." "I did apply." "How can you believe that a woman has a chance?" "One can only find out by applying." "Even when your director has abandoned a production?" " So you think that's my fault?" " No, but it's part of their evaluation." "We've just succeeded in persuading Rickard Lindfors from Sweden   to take over the production." "We'll have to hope he isn't frightened off, too." "Why don't you apply for the job, yourself?" "As technical producer?" "Who says I won't?" "I've been here longer than certain other people." "That reminds me of a wonderful play by that Leif Panduro." "Will he be writing for the Television Theatre?" "Hopefully." "The play's about a work place where there's an open position." "Around here, it all depends on who's chairman of the employment committee." "You're completely right about that." "In this case, that person happens to be me." "Enjoy your lunch, ladies." " Yes...?" " Excuse me." "I know we used to let Mr Blomkvist handle queries   about previous employees." "Good idea." "But it's regarding your son." "It's a Mr Skovgaard   who'd like to hear about our experiences with Mr Nielsen." "I took the liberty of forwarding his call to you." "Thank you, Miss Toft." "Kaj Holger Nielsen." "Hello again, Nielsen." "I'm sorry you had to wait." "Jessen had to take another meeting." "Couldn't we just sit here?" "I won't try to pretend that we weren't impressed by your offer." "No doubt you have one of the best oil burners on the market." "Still, it's been a difficult decision." "All aspects must be considered." "Unfortunately I must tell you that we've chosen Heat'o'matic." "Heat'o'matic?" " You can't be serious." " We have to think about the price." "Then we'll have to talk price." "I'll knock off 5%%." "You deliver a quality product!" "Why compromise on the oil burner?" " 10%." " You misunderstand me." "We've made our decision." "Then I don't understand the point of this meeting." "I felt it was the proper thing to tell you in person." "Heat'o'matic had the same idea with the tailor-made models." "Just so you realize it's not something we've stolen from you." "What'll we do about the television, Jens Otto?" "That new series, "News from Parliament"." "It's not about Cuba." "It's about the new session of parliament." "What about Christian or Helge?" "Or what about Henning?" " Take Palle." " Do you mean that?" "Take Palle." "Jens Otto and I have just had an idea." "Do you have a moment?" " I have to pick up my daughter." " It'll be okay." "Just come with me." " Oh, there you are." " I have a class on Wednesdays." "Palle wants us to pick up Margrethe." "He's going to be on television." "The day after tomorrow." "It was Krag's own idea." "It doesn't get better than that." "You're mum's coming soon..." "Hello!" " You're supposed to peel potatoes." " We're going to pick up Margrethe." " What are those bikes doing there?" " They're making a bomb shelter." " Did you take over the cellar?" " It's the best place." " My bike's not staying up here." " Tell that to Krushchev." "His ships are still heading for Cuba." "They've got a lot of nerve, not dealing with you." "But they like stealing your idea." " We ought to sue them!" " It's hard to prove." "Call Heat'o'matic and ask if they really had the same idea." "They can't go stealing people's ideas!" "Weren't you supposed to call the Swedes by six o'clock?" "I'll call them." "You'll get your money!" "Take it easy, okay?" " Hi, Erik." "It's been a long time." " He's on the wagon." " How's it going?" " Couldn't be better." " Do you want a drink?" " Hey, that's for me to decide." " Shouldn't we go?" " I've just got to finish my drink." "See you later." "Some things have happened while you were gone." "So I see." " What time is it?" " Five minutes to six." "Give me the phone." "Give me a double schnapps." "And spare me that look." "You're almost worse than my mother." "I'd like an international line." "Gothenburg. 14 04 31." "Thanks." "Hello." "Erik Nielsen, Copenhagen." "Good morning." "Yes...?" "Good." "Yes, very good." "I know it's late." "I didn't wake you up, did I?" "May I come in a moment?" " How about the living room?" " It's twelve-thirty." "I've gone to bed." " Erik, what's happened?" " Nothing." "Aside from the fact that I no longer have a business." "The worst thing is that I've lost my keys." "Can I sleep here?" "Don't worry, I'll be gone before the kids wake up." "No." "Then I'll leave." "They ask about you." "They can't understand you don't want to see them." "They care so much for you." "We all do." "There's no chance of you considering marrying me again, is there?" "Erik, you're drunk." "How else do you think I'd get up the nerve to ask?" "If you can't find your keys, go to a hotel." "That's a great idea   but unfortunately I've also lost my money." "Here's money for a cab." "Go home to your mother." "My mother?" "Do you think I'd set my foot in his house?" "Your father's in Hannover." "He won't be home for a week." "Be nice, now." "Go home to her." "She's worried about you." "She's asked if I've heard from you." "How is it, working for my father, after all he's done to us?" "What's he done to us, Erik?" "Then it's just what he's done to me." "That makes it much easier for you." "You're wrong about your father." "You think it's all just something I imagine." "Do you know what really frightens me?" "If I should happen to agree with you one day." "Say hello to your boys." " It's me." " Don't worry, there's plenty of time." " Are you going camping?" " No, it's for the bomb shelter." "I've been all over town." "There's enough for two people for a week." "It'll have to be a short war." "As the world awaits the outcome of the Cuban missile crisis   life goes on in the Danish parliament." "We've met some new members of parliament   and tonight we'll be meeting possibly the youngest member." "Palle From, are you the youngest member?" "Yes, among the Social Democrats, at least." "You've been in parliament for two years." "As a young politician, one starts out full of idealism." "Have politics turned out to be different from what you expected?" "Not all my ideas get accepted   but that doesn't mean I give up on them." " So you haven't given up on yours?" " No." "I have here a statement from a May Day rally in 1956   in which you criticize your own government for intervening in a strike." "In those days you spoke for the unions." "Are you more of a politician now?" "You can't compare the two." "In 1956 the workers had their pay raise deferred." "What I said was   it was the government's duty to accept the workers' legal demands." "Which is what the next Social Democratic governments did." "Last year alone we've had a 12% wage increase." " That's my son." " God, I had no idea." "In his opening speech the prime minister appealed for restraint." "In the end, it's up to the employers and employees to decide." "It's been said that Krag has got the labour movement   to agree to no new wage increases." ""It's been said"?" "By whom?" "I haven't heard of that agreement." " There are always rumors." " Which aren't always wise to listen to." "They say it was Krag's condition for taking over as prime minister." " But you don't know about this, either?" " No, I don't." "It's not because you're the youngest member of parliament?" "Definitely not." "It's against the social democratic tradition   which is based on the worker's right to negotiate wages." "I'd even say it's the foundation of our political party." "So we've settled that matter." " Well, that went pretty well." " It's hard to say." "Did it?" "You bet it did." " Maybe a bit old-fashioned at the end." " What do you mean?" "Did you have to wave the socialist banner?" "I had to refute the rumor that Krag is holding back the labour movement." "It was more the part about the foundation of the party." "It sounded more like an ode to Joe Hill." "Tell me it's not true." "Did Krag really make that condition?" "We can't just stand by while negotiations get out of control   and afterwards try to repair things with indirect taxes." " We have to look at the whole picture." " It goes against all we stand for." "If we stop the workers from negotiating their wages   we drop the principle of redistribution of wealth." "You mean the class struggle?" "Isn't that a little outdated?" "Enjoy yourself." "And say hello to your wife." "Hello..." "Hi, Børge..." "You bet." "He's just come in the door." "Here he is." "The proud father." "Yes, hi, Father." "That's good." "Yes, I think they were satisfied." "I just have to say goodnight to Margrethe." "No..." "No, I haven't spoken to Krag." "Yes..." "Yes, and thanks for calling." "Say hello to Karen." "Good-bye." " It may be Krag." " I don't feel like talking to him." "Yes, Søs speaking." "Hi, Lisbet." "No, no, it doesn't matter." "Has something happened?" "I see..." "I really don't want to get involved." "Lisbet, listen..." "No!" "Because I don't think my doing it would help." "When Erik's like that, there's no way you can..." "Okay, where is it?" "Yes." "Yes, I think so." "Yes, that's fine." "Good-bye." " What was that about Erik?" " Jesus, I'm so tired of him!" "My colleague was just about to call the cops, but I know how Nielsen gets." " Erik..." " Nielsen, time to go home." "What the hell..." "My baby sister." "Another round, Gunnar." "No, Nielsen." "Erik!" "You're coming home with me now, dammit!" "Hit me..." "Hit me!" " Take his other arm." " Erik..." "Let's go home now." "It's something to relax him." "And about the other matter, I'll see that it happens quickly." "It'll be all right." "It usually gives very good results." " Good-bye, Mrs Nielsen." " Thank you for coming, Dr Jacobsen." " Shall I take up the tray?" " I'll do it." " Don't you need a rest?" " No, thanks, I'm fine." "Oh, you're awake." "Yes, all your things are still here." "We've often discussed putting it all in the basement." " When's Father coming home?" " Not until Tuesday." "You can just relax." "Erik..." "What happened?" " I thought your meeting went so well." " I couldn't fool them." "They noticed it." "What are you talking about?" "That "failure" is written all over my face." "What kind of nonsense is that?" "Father's right." "I can't do anything." "I've never been able to." "Everything I touch falls apart." "Erik..." "Dr Jacobsen is going to see to it that you're hospitalized." "We really have to do something about it this time." "Yes, sleep a while longer." "I'll leave the tray here." "Here you go." "This is where we have our guest apartment." "It looks very nice." "I hope it's no problem that I came a day earlier." "Not at all." "Damn it." "I need cigarettes." "I'll be back right away." "You just go ahead." "Let me take your suitcase." "You'll find the flat on the 3rd floor." "Oh, no!" "Sorry to interrupt, but there's a Swedish director who needs the flat." "It's not what you think." "Not at all." "This has nothing to do with my applying for the job as technical producer." "Mr Friis and I happen to be attracted to each other." "As far as the technical side, I have just as much  experience as you have." "That's the wardrobe, Miss Pontoppidan." "Aside from that, I don't see that I owe you any explanation at all!" " You're not jealous, are you?" " That would turn you on." "The fact that Rickard Lindfors is here should really turn you on." "He's not coming until tomorrow." "He decided to come today because he was given a ticket to "Teenage Love"." " Was that the front door I heard?" " This isn't happening!" " He's looking forward to meeting you." " Stop him, Søs!" "Where are my pants?" "Hello!" "There you are." "I was afraid this was the wrong apartment." "They're just cleaning the flat." "How about a cup of coffee in the meantime?" "That's nice of you, but I'm tired after the trip." "I need to lie down awhile." " Mr Friis will be sorry to hear that." " Why?" "He's asked me to invite you to lunch at Hotel d'Angleterre." "At Hotel d'Angleterre?" "Not bad!" "The Danish Radio knows how to do things right." "Actually, Mr Friis wants to pay himself." "He was keen on you having the very best." "Do you like caviar?" "Thank you, Vera." "Did you have a nice sleep?" "Come and sit down awhile." " Shall I make some coffee instead?" " No thanks, Vera." " Shall I make you a sandwich?" " I don't feel like eating." "Dr Jacobsen just phoned." "There's already a room on Monday." " Where?" " Glostrup." " The mental hospital?" " Yes, that's where it takes place." "Dr Jacobsen says that's completely normal." " I'm going to take a little walk." " Where?" "You needn't worry, Mamma." "I just need some fresh air." " Listen, shouldn't I come with you?" " No, you've just poured your tea." "I'll be back in a little while." "Hi, Palle." "Have you dropped off Margrethe?" "Oh, my eggs..." "Come in." "Have you heard the news?" "The Russian ships turned around." " Yes, I heard." " That's a great relief, isn't it?" "Won't you have some lunch?" "If I can get the boys up here, that is." " I've called for them twice, but..." " Wait a minute." "Can we talk for a moment before they come up?" "Shall we sit down?" "Palle, what is it?" "Erik's been staying at home with his mother the last couple of days." "Karin was up in his room this morning and found him in his bed." "What is it you're saying?" "Unfortunately it was too late to do anything." "What do you mean?" ""Too late to do anything"?" "Ida, I'm so sorry, but Erik's dead." "He went for a walk yesterday." "Apparently he was very low." "He came home late and went straight to his room." " Did he...?" " Yes, it appears so." "Poor Karin, having to experience that." "She went to his room early this morning." "She could see he'd been drinking." "She had a hard time waking him up, so she let him be and left again." "The second time she went up, she noticed the pill bottle." "It was too late." "How am I supposed to be able to tell this to the boys?" "Karin asks that we call it a heart attack." "Hi, Palle." "What is it, Mum?" "Mr Nielsen's telephone." "No, he's not in." "No, we're not expecting him later." "I really don't know." "Monday at the earliest." "You're welcome." "Good-bye." "We'll see you back at our home." " I'd rather go home, Mum." " We won't stay long." " Look, that's Dad's car." " I think Erik owed him some money." " Will you come with us?" " Yes, we'd like to." "Come on then, let's go." "Bo?" "Bo!" ""This will be a quiet ceremony." I'll say." "That was the driest wake I've ever seen." " Ida had to go home and look for Bo." " Yes, I know." "Take your coat off, sweetheart, okay?" "Yes, you can hang it up in the hall." " You got the job." " Yeah, that's typical." "It's only because I caught him in the act." " Who?" " It doesn't matter." "No one." "Shouldn't we call Ida and hear if she's found Bo?" "They haven't found him yet." "But he'd been there." "His jacket's there." "I don't understand why the minister had to be so direct." "I'd asked him to be discreet." "Wasn't he?" "He said it was tragic that a young man would make a decision like that." "Yes, it seems he did." "If I had known things could go this far..." "So here you are." "We didn't know where you were." "Won't you come up to the rest of us?" "It's so dark down here." "Shouldn't we let in some light, now that the war's over?" "It's actually a very nice room." "How about putting some bikes down here?" "Are you just going to sit here?" "Why'd he do it?" "I don't know, Bo." "Maybe he felt very alone." "What did you say?" "But we were there." "Yeah." "Palle's mother, Rosemarie..." "You never met her." "She died before you were born." "But I still think about her." "Do you know what?" "Sometimes I talk with her." "She can't say much, but I talk with her, anyway." "I don't want to talk with my dad." "You can't do what he did, when you have children." "No, Bo, one can't." " Why'd you turn it off, Mum?" " I'll just turn it on again." " You just sleep." "I'll sit here." " You don't have to." "Excuse me, if I'm disturbing you..." "I'd like to speak with you, if it's not inconvenient." "It's not." "Come in." "We didn't really get a chance to talk at the funeral." "I've been thinking about you a lot..." "and your boys." " I just want to offer my condolences." " Thank you." " And the same to you." " I knew Erik such a short time." "If I ever knew him at all." "It was you he thought about all the time." "I thought you should know." "No, it's wrong of me to come like this." "You must excuse me." "Come." "Sit down for a moment." "We hadn't had any contact with Erik for a long time." "He came to see me a couple of days before..." "I wasn't very receptive." "That makes me feel really terrible now." "It wasn't your fault." "We should have taken better care of him." "Erik went down with his business for the second time." "It made him give up." "He was close to making it a success." "He was just about to get a big contract with a tract house developer." " He would have, too, if..." " If what?" "I shouldn't tell you this." "It'll only upset you." "I'd like to know." "I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting." "I thought you were with the prime minister." "It doesn't matter." "Krag just wanted to chat." "He wants me to be chairman of the excise tax committee." " How's it going with your boys?" " They're back in school." " You're cold." "Let's walk a bit." " Lisbet visited me yesterday." "She told me something." "Erik was close to landing a big contract with Jessen  Skovgaard." "He said he'd worked at Bella, so they called Bella up." "It was just routine." "They just wanted to check up a little first." "They spoke with Kaj Holger, who told them Erik was his son." "That was enough of a recommendation in itself, they said." " Kaj Holger wouldn't let it go at that." " What do you mean?" "He told them his son was an alcoholic and had been hospitalized." " How does Lisbet know this?" " From an associate of Skovgaard's." " She must have misunderstood." " That's what I was hoping, too." "I called Skovgaard this morning." "He was sorry to hear about Erik   but they were afraid to give him the contract after what Kaj Holger had said." "Erik always said that his father didn't want him to be a success." "I always told him he was imagining things." "But he wasn't." "You have to promise me not to say anything to Søs." "The boys must never find out, either." "They've just lost their father." "They shouldn't lose their grandfather, too." "I'm just not working at Bella anymore." "Come..." "Subtitles:" "Steve Schein Dansk Video Tekst"