"Can you see enough?" "I'm fine." "Should you let the boy drive in this weather, Jan?" "Paula, he drives better than me." "What if they pull us over?" "I love you, but can't you leave something to someone else for once?" "It's irresponsible." "You're just back from your honeymoon and you're arguing already." "Stay out of it, Vlimmen!" "Don't tell them you were driving." "He ran onto the road." "Bobby!" "Couldn't you be more careful?" "I didn't see him." "That's because it's raining cats and dogs." "Maartje!" "Maartje!" "He didn't break anything up to here." "I couldn't avoid him, Madam." "He suddenly ran in front of us." "Can't we take him inside?" "Yes." "Shouldn't we call a vet?" "I think he broke his leg." "Do you know about animals?" "Uncle's a vet... the best." "Doctor Vlimmen?" "The famous Doctor Vlimmen?" "Famous?" "Infamous more like it." "10 years earlier" "DR VLIMMEN VETERINARIAN" "Your receipt." "Cigar?" "Sure, I'd better take a few." "So I have some smokes for the week." "Bye." "Hello, Doctor." "Hello, darling." "Hi mum, I touched a tiger." "Really?" "Did he pay?" "He wanted to bargain." "Jan, the garage doors." "I forgot." "Or else mummy will get angry, uncle Jan." "I'll go right away then." "Come, darling." "Widow Hikkers hasn't given any milk since 2 days." "Mientje!" "Peer Van Kemenade has colic." "The Reverend Sisters in the Voorstraat have udder infection." "Christ." "Mien!" "You called, Sir?" "Why didn't Truus take the messages?" "She was in town, Sir." "Again?" "I thought you had just been to town." "You don't know all the things this household needs." "Besides, I bought a new dress." "How do you like it?" "I think it's beautiful." "When can you wear that in this hole?" "You're so old-fashioned, Sir." "I guess." "I'd like to go away for a couple of weeks." "On holiday?" "For instance." "Why not?" "I wonder if you'd cope without me." "For a couple of weeks." "Mientje for the housework and Dacka for some distraction." "We haven't seen Dacka for a couple of days." "Maybe he found work." "Speak of the devil..." "Hello, Dacka." "Truus." "We were afraid you were working." "Don't make fun of it." "Times are bad and aren't improving." "Have you read the paper?" "Only the headlines." "Do you know what it means?" "That it's going wrong." "Sit down." "Which means a legal aid counsel's stuffed." "It can't be that bad." "I'll be right back." "Can you wait a moment?" "I have plenty of time." "Yes." "What?" "Yes, who else could it be?" "What?" "Who's calving?" "I understand it's not you." "For the first time?" "Good night, Sir." "Don't touch the animal." "Don't touch it!" "Yes, I'm coming." "It's your choice." "It'll be bloody." "I'm starting to get used to it." "I had a boy from a caravan today." "Theft." "Three guilders from a register in a bar." "That's how I spend my days." "It needs to be done." "Yes... three guilders." "Anyway, I got him off the hook." "Where are we going?" "Don't you notice anything about Truus?" "Why?" "She's changed lately." "Because she wants to go on holiday?" "Did she talk to you about it too?" "Your sister keeps no secrets from me." "I can imagine she wants to have a break." "She can't keep mourning forever." "When did her husband die?" "Four years ago in November." "Four years!" "A man would do her good." "What if I came along on holiday?" "I wouldn't send my sister off with a miserable poor bastard." "A lazy good-for-nothing." "Truus needs a nice, hard working man." "Loyal and honest." "And no artistic stuff." "Someone like me." "A tower of strength." "That won't be easy." "Has she been in serious labour?" "She hasn't done much this past hour." "Hold her head well." "Yes." "If she gets up, we'll have an even bigger problem." "Has it been going on for long?" "For about four hours." "Understandable that she's got no more energy." "Since you bumpkins have been trying to pull her in half all that time." "Hold her tail." "There." "Let go of the tail." "Get the rope." "Pull this way." "Wait, don't pull." "Don't pull, easy." "Pull gently." "Pull." "Pull... stop." "Wait." "Now pull." "Backwards at an angle." "Pull." "Pull." "It won't make it." "It's been stuck for too long." "Your work wouldn't be my kind of thing." "All that stress." "I prefer my paperwork." "You love your work or you don't." "You know you can fail, like I did just now." "But when it does go wrong, it's still disappointing." "We all have our setbacks." "Some more than others." "You can say that again." "What we need now is a drink." "That's the best way to forget this evening." "Not a bad idea, Dacka, but the bars are closed." "Then we'll go to Antwerp." "I could use a break." "To your family, I bet." "We're lost!" "Thirsty!" "Champagne!" "Hello, darling." "What do you want to drink?" "Drinks for everybody." "And this gentleman's paying." "We have to talk about that, Vlimmen." "Vlimmen!" "It's been a long time." "You haven't stayed in touch." "I've been very busy." "Wouldn't you always want to be spoiled like this?" "I can hear the herd in Dombergen bleat already." "In a hole like that, nothing's possible." "Living in the countryside sounds so romantic." "I've known someone who thought it would be fun with me." "Interesting work, the countryside..." "Your wife." "Have you ever heard from her?" "She's in Paris." "Has she never been back to Dombergen?" "You know I don't want that." "I'm happy to see you again." "We all have to live." "See you soon." "Is anybody there?" "Sir!" "Is it that late?" "I mean, that early?" "I had quite a night." "I can see that, Sir." "Shall I get you a strong coffee?" "That would be nice." "Sir..." "Sir..." "Mientje..." "You're very sweet." "Where's the director?" "Thank you." "Van Heusden performed an emergency Slaughter for Pietje Mulder." "If he didn't use a slaughtering mask again, I'll report him." "I could skin that man alive!" "He's a dirty rotten butcher." "The other day he slaughtered pigs." "They weren't even dead yet when he started pouring boiling water over them." "The farmers couldn't watch." "Know what that bastard said?" "I can't feel it, can you?" "I've warned him often enough." "Mr Van Der Kalck." "Doctor Vlimmen, isn't it?" "Nice to meet you." "How are you?" "I was just leaving." "As a constable or as a vet?" "Both if I have to." "Good morning, gentlemen." "Likeable man." "Is he always this high-spirited?" "Doctor Vlimmen's a very skilled professional." "And about that slaughter at Van Heusden's..." "Hasn't Van Heusden just been elected to the council?" "Vlimmen is passionate." "I wouldn't know what to do without him." "Why so much noise this early?" "12:15!" "Get dressed, I need you." "As a witness." "Yeah, yeah." "But what can I do for you, Alderman?" "I have been asked to find a candidate for the position of... assistant-manager of this slaughterhouse." "Someone who is capable to succeed you in due time." "What did you just say about Vlimmen?" "You, assistant-manager of the slaughterhouse?" "They must already have someone." "Someone of irreproachable conduct." "Am I not of irreproachable conduct?" "Your wife left you for another man." "You're thinking about getting a divorce." "For the people here, that's a scandal." "They'd never do that." "The council's more interested in capabilities than in gossip." "Have you ever seen a meeting by those village dictators?" "If they take two steps back, they're wearing their grandparents' clogs." "You can forget about becoming a manager." "Thanks, who needs friends like you?" "Yes, that's right." "Come here, damn it!" "Damn it!" "Who's been slaughtering here?" "And without a slaughtering mask." "Again!" "As you can see, doctor." "The butcher said it was nonsense." "What can a farmer do?" "And you let him do it." "It's hard to find someone." "The animal had to be slaughtered." "Were you present?" "Yes." "Me too." "That butcher's a bastard." "And he was drunk too." "Dacka, you've seen it." "Yes, I've seen it." "You're a witness." "Yes, yes." "Who was it?" "Van Heusden, right?" "Are we going to be in trouble with the police?" "This isn't about the police." "I'll go after Van Heusden." "What's worse is that I can't approve it." "Then I can't sell the meat." "You can't be serious." "I can't help it." "It's a mess and I can't approve it." "You have to have it destroyed." "That's half a year's worth of capital." "I can't do that." "Dacka, can we make Van Heusden pay for it?" "Maybe, but it would be difficult." "Don't worry, Pietje." "Let the animal hang here." "I'll send someone from the slaughterhouse." "I'm going to get Van Heusden." "That's a promise." "Good day." "What can you do about it?" "Little." "Look at that." "He's smelled blood." "Father's here for a nice piece of meat." "Have you been to see Mulder?" "It's a beautiful day, Father." "And who's that?" "Let me introduce." "Mr Dacka, a solicitor from Dombergen." "Nice to meet you, Father." "I only know people from Dombergen who go to church." "Is the meat alright?" "It looks tasty." "Then I won't hold you up any longer." "God be with you." "Are you crazy?" "Oh, hello, Doctor." "Hello." "I thought you were going right through." "I was just testing my brakes." "And do you like them?" "Excellent, right, Dop?" "Yes." "Doctor Treeborg has a nice car." "The gentlemen make lots of money." "Hello!" "Are your people also asking for lower rates because of the crisis?" "I haven't heard about it yet." "But I've reduced them myself." "You did?" "I've reduced them for elephants, tigers and zebras." "I see." "Good luck with that." "Hello." "Hello, Madam." "He's not here yet." "He won't be long." "Can I have a lemonade?" "He's snoring up a storm." "Hey, you can sleep at home." "She's leaving fast." "She hasn't even touched her drink." "Wasn't that Mrs Vlimmen?" "I don't know." "She comes here sometimes." "We can't go on like this." "We can't keep acting like young lovers." "We're adults." "You wanted to keep it quiet." "I don't know how to tell Jan. He's so old-fashioned in many things." "You can't be the mourning widow forever." "You'll have to make a decision soon." "Why is that?" "I've applied for a job in Canada." "If I get it, I'll have to live there." "Canada's so far away." "Who knows what you'll find there." "Canada's a big country with lots of possibilities." "Look around you here." "It's brewing everywhere." "If this continues, it'll go wrong." "It won't be all that bad." "The dog's in very bad shape." "My husband said he'll recover on his own." "Don't say anything to him." "Who called?" "I did." "He didn't want to." "Busy, Van Heusden?" "Why has that dog been neglected?" "It gets plenty of food." "Food's not enough." "It suffers badly from rickets." "If that dog doesn't do its duty anymore, I'll drown it." "We'll straighten the dog out." "Not that you care." "For you, the value of an animal is how many sausages you get out of it." "That's all." "I don't like your interference with how I slaughter." "If I'm appointed at the slaughterhouse, you'll be history." "The council will decide that!" "And I'm part of it." "If you know what I mean." "Hello, Madam." "Hello, Baron." "Easy, buddy." "Good dog." "Please, come in." "I've called your father." "He'll be here soon." "Be sensible, Mientje." "There's no way around it." "When the child's born, will you say the stork brought it?" "You don't have to tell me what happened, I understand." "It's also none of my business who the boy is, but..." "Come." "Are your parents against the boy?" "They'll change their mind now." "You're not a child anymore." "You can work here until it's time." "That must be your father." "Keep those tears for at home." "Who's the bastard that did this to you?" "Shall I leave you alone?" "No, Madam." "Tell me who the pig is or I'll beat it out of you." "We're going home." "Right away!" "What's going on here?" "Van Bemmel!" "When we're home, you'll tell me who did this to you." "Don't fight, Van Bemmel." "I don't know." "If you don't, I do!" "Take it easy, man!" "Stay out of it!" "And stop crying, Jesus, where's your brain?" "That this had to happen to my daughter!" "Of all people!" "What did Mientje do?" "I don't understand." "You know her." "Always hanging out with boys." "You mean..." "She's pregnant." "Six months and no one noticed." "That could become quite a riot." "Who's the lucky father?" "She doesn't want to say." "I hope she remembers." "Jan!" "Hurry, get in!" "I can imagine it's making him feel bad." "It's a big boil." "Yes, Doctor." "If you hold his head, he won't move." "Have you got him?" "Yes, Doctor." "There we go." "Be a good dog." "Pus bonum et laudabile." "Truus, Truus!" "Come here, dog!" "Jesus!" "Truus!" "Get that dog!" "Who's the vet here, you or me?" "I'll look after the man." "And help me, damn it." "Do it yourself, idiot!" "You could have done that earlier." "Just look after that man." "Give him a drink." "Cognac." "Yes, nice." "And someone answer that door." "Good evening, are you the doctor?" "Yes, what's wrong?" "Our vet in Knarsel isn't home." "His wife told me to go to you." "I never fill in for Van Zeveren." "But he said to go to you." "The animal's sweating terribly." "It's jumping through the stable." "It's a beautiful horse." "I wouldn't want to lose it." "Colic, probably." "Yes, that's it!" "Irresponsible to wait a night." "That's what I thought." "But if I go to Knarsel for you..." "What would that cost?" "At least ten guilders." "That's alright, agreed." "When I'm done with the dog, I'll come with you." "I can wait a moment." "I've asked around." "We can arrange the divorce." "Which divorce?" "Which divorce..." "I don't feel like talking about it now." "You've been saying that for months." "One day, it'll have to happen." "Or do you think she'll come back to you?" "I wouldn't let her in." "What do you want then?" "You can't stay in limbo for years." "Why not?" "It's going fine." "What if your sister finds someone?" "Truus?" "You don't know her." "You can't keep living in an imitation family." "Stop with the nonsense now." "Fool yourself if you have to, but..." "I'm going to throw you out of the car." "But you're also fooling Truus." "I blame you for that." "Stop it, Dacka." "You let everybody use you." "Out!" "You're everybody's tool." "You can walk!" "Come on, Vlimmen." "Out!" "I'm not going anywhere with you." "You can drop me of at the intersection." "Don't bother." "That's right, isn't it?" "Goodnight." "What do you mean?" "If you want to know..." "I came from Antwerp and I missed the last bus." "If I don't come home at night, there will be flies on the lamp." "Do you understand?" "My wife's so jealous." "But what about the horse?" "I made that up so you'd drive me." "Goodnight and thanks." "Who do you think you're talking to?" "Who do you think you are?" "If you weren't drunk, I'd beat you up." "Didn't I pay you?" "Is that you, Lowieke?" "Yes, I'm coming." "Have you cooled down, solicitor?" "Cured the horse already, doctor?" "Yes, it only needed a shot." "Shall we drive on?" "Get in." "When I'm thrown out of a car, it's final." "You can't walk all the way." "I can when it's a matter of principle." "Since when do you have principles?" "Since my best friend let me down." "Don't be childish and get in." "If you absolutely insist..." "I don't want it that badly." "See you!" "Hey, Vlimmen!" "Bloody asshole!" "Jesus!" "Truus!" "I'm going to the slaughterhouse." "Can you take messages?" "I wanted to go to town today." "Again?" "Why this time?" "To buy something for Dop's birthday." "Could Dacka answer the phone today?" "I don't think he's available." "Never mind, I'll be back soon!" "Bye!" "Bye!" "COUNTY COURT" "SECRETARY GUARDIANSHIP BOARD" "Sir, I have a surprise for you!" "What is it about?" "Alimony for my grandchild." "The thing is..." "Name." "Cornelis Van Bemmel." "Five or six months ago..." "Place of residence?" "What does that have to do with it?" "I'm not the father." "My daughter Mina..." "So you're the grandfather." "You'll never believe who the father is." "Birth certificate?" "Pardon?" "A copy of your grandchild's birth certificate." "I left that at home." "Then you should have stayed home too." "We can't do anything without it." "Don't you have to describe exactly what happened?" "Were you there when it happened?" "No, but Mina..." "Are you prepared to act as a special representative of your grandchild?" "Pardon?" "Yes or no." "If not, we'll find someone else." "It's not important." "It's alright, I'll do that." "Your name will be on the documents, that's all." "For the rest, we'll need your daughter." "She'll be heard during the next meeting of the Guardianship Board." "But I don't want that..." "Who's the probable father?" "Probable?" "He did it for sure!" "I'm asking who's the probable father." "Vlimmen!" "Vlimmen who?" "Doctor Vlimmen, the vet!" "What are the names?" "Alright, you can go." "I came all the way to..." "I know enough, good day." "Don't forget your cap." "It's been a long time since you were here." "I didn't tell Jan I was going to see you." "Why not?" "Because of this." "I hid it from him." "Jan doesn't know about it." "Should I read it then?" "How is it possible?" "That Vlimmen!" "All lies!" "Yes, of course." "That's quite something." "Let me get my bible." "Article 249." "Oh dear." "Sexual abuse by parents, guardians, managers or founders..." "A maximum of six years of imprisonment." "Wait..." "It doesn't apply to your maid." "But then there's article 248." "That's about minors and abuse of authority." "A maximum of two years." "It's getting better." "If the police get involved, he's history." "A scandal would ruin his practice." "You know what the people are like here." "If he settles, the legal procedure won't take place." "That's like admitting guilt." "Well..." "You're sure he didn't do it?" "Are you crazy?" "Well, she might have..." "No." "I thought..." "I've seen..." "I know what you're all like, don't get me wrong." "But Jan with Mientje?" "Impossible." "I'm not stupid." "We'll have to wait for the meeting of the Guardianship Board." "We'll see what stories she'll tell and whether they'll believe her." "Does Jan have to go there too?" "No, he doesn't." "Good, you know what he's like." "Yes, I do, short-tempered." "Maybe you can talk to him." "Can't you drop by during dinner tonight?" "Just like that?" "I hope he'll appreciate my company." "Why wouldn't he?" "I'll tell you later." "I still have blisters on my feet." "Has Dop gone to bed already?" "He was tired." "That looks good." "I'm hungry." "Enjoy." "I saw Dacka this afternoon." "Dacka..." "Don't you find that strange?" "Why?" "Because I never go to see him." "Yes, it's strange." "I'll have another sausage." "I had something serious to discuss with him." "I see." "Jan!" "What was so serious?" "Oh, it must be serious indeed." "What on earth is going on?" "We got a letter this morning." "We?" "Who, we?" "Me... well, you." "What did it say?" "That Mientje had a baby." "What does that have to do with us?" "We're not responsible." "We can't check up on her all day long." "Just because she was our maid, doesn't mean we could have prevented it." "Her parents should have informed her better." "Besides, who's the father?" "Why are you acting so strange?" "Mientje says that..." "Doctor Vlimmen's the father." "Doctor Vlimmen!" "Well, why not?" "Ridiculous!" "That's a lie." "It's not true." "Dacka, tell those people it's not true." "No bullshit." "You know it's not true, don't you?" "If she says so..." "And she should know?" "Jan!" "If you don't stop..." "Don't be stupid." "You know it's not true." "This is just what I needed." "I would like to make the appointment of the assistant-manager of the... slaughterhouse a procedural matter." "That means that the recommendation by the slaughterhouse board... will be automatically approved by the city council." "Veterinarian Vlimmen is a candidate." "We know him as an honest doctor." "His heart's in his work and he has the capabilities." "I move that the council appoint Dr Vlimmen." "We don't always approve of the way Doctor Vlimmen behaves." "That's why we suggest recommending someone of irreproachable conduct." "The law does not say anything about the lifestyle of the candidates." "But the church does!" "That scoundrel acts like a heathen!" "Vlimmen sets a bad example!" "Do you know what's going on in Vlimmen's house?" "Well said." "I have often been told that his wife's his sister and that... his son's his nephew." "And have you ever wondered where his wife is now?" "No, I wouldn't know that." "In Paris!" "She left him for another man!" "To Paris!" "Quiet, quiet!" "We can't have the audience interfering with the discussion." "Alderman Van Der Kalck, please go ahead." "I disagree with the argumentation of Mr Van Heusden's Catholic Party." "His arguments are not businesslike." "I just want to warn you that my faction and the majority of Dombergen... won't accept this appointment." "If you're not quiet, I'll have this room cleared." "Silence!" "Since this is such a sensitive matter, I suggest postponing the decision... to the next meeting." "Anybody against?" "Nobody?" "Any other comments?" "No?" "Then I'm closing the board meeting." "How are you, Doctor Treeborg?" "What can I do for you?" "I'd like to talk to you in confidence." "About that last topic." "Ah, the slaughterhouse." "I have a big problem." "You know I care about public health." "It leaves a lot to be desired in this region." "That's why I think meat monitoring should be performed by an authorised... medical practitioner." "What would a veterinarian know about..." "As long as the law requires it, we'll have to use a veterinarian." "But not Vlimmen!" "What do you all hold against him?" "I don't understand." "Have you received the documents of the next meeting of the Guardianship Board?" "I haven't read them yet." "Those documents mention a very painful matter." "The case of Doctor Vlimmen's maid." "You mean that she's had a baby?" "And this child..." "Exactly." "I didn't know about that." "But it doesn't change my mind." "But it suits you all just fine, doesn't it?" "Vlimmen!" "Such noise on the day of the Lord." "Get dressed, I need you." "Come on, hurry!" "You were right about that appointment." "I'm always right, but no one listens to me." "I've thought about it and I won't let them corner me." "I want to make it a legal matter." "The appointment?" "No, the thing with Mientje." "I refuse to go to the board meeting." "I want a court case." "Not until after the meeting." "I don't care." "I won't let them destroy me." "Better get a very good lawyer." "I want you to do it for me." "A good lawyer costs a fortune." "I don't care." "As long as he wins the case." "And he better." "Indeed." "There they go." "They've made sure God's on their side again this week." "I'd light a candle too if I were you." "It can't hurt, judging by their content faces." "Look, our good friend Van Heusden." "And sober too." "And Doctor Treeborg." "Hello, Doctor." "And last but not least..." "Your charming across the street neighbours." "Fathered by vinegar." "Vlimmen wrote a letter." "He declines the honour." ""Only in front of a judge..." Good, we can work with this." "He's quite right." "Good day, gentlemen, I wanted to ask..." "We don't want you." "Doesn't she want to come?" "Yes, but the father wants to come too." "He acts as if he gave birth himself." "Tell him he can choose." "Send his daughter in or take her home again." "In both cases, he stays outside." "You can't do that!" "I'm the special representative..." "He says he's the special representative of the child." "Bloody hell." "I'll give him something special." "I'm the special representative..." "You're Wilhelmina Johanna Van Bemmel?" "Yes." "Have a seat." "How long did your relationship with Doctor Vlimmen last?" "You did have a relationship with him?" "Or wasn't it like that?" "Did it happen often?" "Answer." "Once." "Not more often?" "It happened once." "That was a lucky shot then." "Gentlemen..." "On which day did it happen?" "Can't you talk?" "Sure I can." "Did it happen on a Sunday?" "Do you at least know where it happened?" "Yes." "Well, where did it happen then?" "In the house." "Finally." "Was it morning, afternoon, evening?" "You should know that, girl." "Morning." "In bed?" "In the parlour." "The parlour!" "In the morning, in the parlour." "God Almighty!" "We don't have all day, girl." "Are you prepared to tell us how it is possible that your employer... did this to you during the day and in the parlour?" "Before we make Mr Vlimmen pay, we have to be convinced that he's the father." "When Mr Vlimmen came home that day, he was drunk." "He was lying on the couch and told me to come to him." "And then he pulled me onto him." "It can't be true!" "What a heathen!" "I'm not surprised at all." "Vlimmen would do something like that." "What did he say to convince you?" ""Mientje, you're sweet."" "But what did you say?" "I said: "Stop, you can't do that."" "He grabbed you and there was nothing you could do, right?" "Right." "Did he close the door?" "No." "Then the lady mustn't have been home." "She was asleep upstairs." "Did he close the curtains?" "No." "What did he do then?" "Tell us." "We can see the result in the cradle." "She's embarrassed, Mr Chairman." "You knew you might have a child." "It all went so fast." "Why didn't you say no?" "She was afraid." "He was her boss." "She was taken by surprise by that villain." "Mr Chairman, it's clear to me what happened." "It's not clear to me." "Let's postpone this discussion." "We know enough, girl." "Last question." "Have you, from September until December, done with other men what you did... with Doctor Vlimmen?" "No, never." "You've often been seen with other boys." "But they don't do these things." "Any other questions?" "Then you can go, girl." "That bastard's lucky that he walked into such a silly goose." "The girl was too shy to talk about it." "And that man denies everything?" "That's what he writes." "Mr Chairman, the father insists on coming in." "Bloody hell!" "Let go of me." "One thing, gentlemen." "I count on it that justice will be done!" "Get rid of that man!" "Or I'll make sure it will be done!" "Problems, Pietje?" "The bastard should do as I say." "I'm the boss here." "Hello, Keeke." "You're doing well." "A real Mulder." "Pietje only wants boys, that can work on the land." "But this time it's a girl." "This one's for Maria." "Yeah, right, she'll be working!" "Our cow isn't eating anymore." "And she's skinny." "Since when?" "This is the eighth day." "Is Marie dying?" "I hope not." "She moans like she's in pain." "Hold that." "Hold her head up." "The cow's not doing well, Piet." "She's got hardware disease." "Hardware?" "We always have such bad luck." "You're having a hard time, I understand." "I'm sorry." "We're both affected by nature's whims." "Do we have to slaughter her?" "Don't you know what she's swallowed?" "She must have eaten something sharp." "A nail, maybe." "Darn." "I didn't expect this from her." "Isn't the cow insured?" "No, we can't afford that." "Don't have her slaughtered yet." "I'll see what we can do." "Yes, but..." "We'll come back tomorrow morning." "Make sure the cow doesn't move a lot." "And leave her in peace." "What will you do?" "I think I'll have to operate on her." "Operate, here?" "It's the only way, Pietje." "But it's impossible here." "If you make sure we'll have some help, we may be able to pull it off." "And Doctor Vlimmen's dog It pissed in the sand" "It made the sand fly up And the girl needed a hand" "Mummy, why are they singing that about uncle Jan?" "Go back to your bed." "They do it to hurt us." "Don't be silly, go to bed." "If they'll do it again tomorrow, I'll get them." "You won't get anybody." "To bed, come on." "No, I have other things on my mind." "Of course I love you." "Darling, I have to hang up." "I just heard Jan's car." "No, I can't keep coming up with excuses to go out." "Yes, I'll call you tomorrow." "Bye darling." "I hope it's not for me." "I already parked the car in the garage." "No, someone was looking for the humane society." "They had the wrong number then." "That's what I told them." "Can I do anything for you?" "I have to prepare tomorrow's operation." "I've never done it before." "Are you sure you should do it?" "I promised." "Shall I get you a drink?" "No, thanks." "Can I help, Hannes?" "What the hell?" "Take it easy, man." "Van Bemmel, we'll teach your future son-in-law a lesson." "Go as fast as you can, Dacka." "It's becoming serious." "Yes, indeed." "Take it easy, Marie." "Just what we needed." "Father." "What's going on here?" "A dangerous operation." "Very dangerous, the cow has hardware disease." "Are we performing a dangerous operation or are we going to church today?" "To pray that the cow will get better." "I wouldn't be surprised if he has to open up the entire animal." "Six years ago..." "Please be quiet!" "And don't make me nervous." "Easy, Marie, easy." "Tinus, give me a hand." "Saw through this." "That?" "Yes, that rib." "But carefully." "Yes." "Long strokes." "Start." "Long strokes, Tinus." "Keep it tight." "Keep going." "Careful." "Evenly." "Dangerous operation." "Hardware disease." "They're opening the entire stomach." "Stop it, Marie." "Damn, she needs another shot." "Hold her." "Come to give us a hand, butcher?" "I can't wait." "I hope it'll go well, doctor." "If the beast won't make it, I'll hang myself." "Couldn't Doctor Vlimmen have caught it earlier?" "You should have gotten her slaughtered right away." "I wouldn't have gotten much for her." "She's so skinny." "Tinus, hold this." "Here, make soup of it." "That's unbelievable." "Soup from a living cow." "I think I can feel something." "A little knife." "I've looked so long for it!" "He's such a good doctor." "Our time will come." "They don't have the guts anymore." "Let's hope so." "Piet, she can go inside." "I can't believe you knew where to find the potato peeler." "And that the cow didn't feel it." "It's like one of those miracles in Lourdes." "It was really good of you to do that for Pietje." "We still have to see whether the cow decides to live." "I'm getting fed up." "I've worked way too hard." "And what's the result?" "Ingratitude." "Exactly." "All because of that little liar." "And her father." "I'm glad I've got a good lawyer." "It's going to be a court case." "Yes, I know and I wanted to talk about that." "What do you mean?" "The court has appointed me as the legal counsel of the Van Bemmel family." "But you're my lawyer." "I had no good reason to refuse." "That's just great." "Anyway, those bastards won't be able to fool you." "From now on, I have to believe everything they tell me." "I can't do anything for you." "The court's not stupid." "They don't allow any bias." "And neither do I." "Maybe we should have another fight." "Am I fighting?" "I'm not saying a word." "You will when I tell the judges you grabbed innocent Mientje." "And that you're the father of the child." "And you're not a saint, are you?" "What is it you do in Antwerp?" "The information I get about that, is quite something." "That'll be a lost case for me then." "And a little success for you." "I'm afraid of that too." "Baron." "Hello, Doctor." "Dacka." "Baron Van Neerwetten." "Nice to meet you, Baron." "She doesn't want to do it." "Again." "Last year it ended well." "It'll end well this time too." "Otherwise we'll help her a bit." "I think she's too narrow." "Maybe she doesn't want the young man." "That's not up to her." "We'll make her more willing." "Man proposes, Doctor Vlimmen disposes." "That's right." "But you can help me." "No, thanks, I'll wait until the miracle has happened." "Beautiful girl, beautiful animal." "Let him go." "Bring the mare over." "Bring her over here." "Let her go." "I heard something." "It's nothing." "No, I don't want that." "Not two at a time." "One by one." "Go on." "Easy, easy, keep going." "Well done, boy." "Be careful that the same thing doesn't happen to you as to Mientje." "Mientje, who's that?" "Ask Vlimmen." "He's done, take him off." "Come, come." "If you see that vet, don't forget to thank him." "I'll give him your regards." "Thank him for what?" "Damn it." "I don't know." "That must be them." "Have a seat." "I don't need to sit." "There can be no deal." "My daughter told the truth." "Don't tell me that..." "No, I didn't lie." "I've told them everything." "What did you tell them?" "That Vlimmen has nothing to do with the child." "He's admitted everything, Mr Van Bemmel." "But I want a court case." "I don't think so." "Don't you understand that he's the father?" "It would be best if you solved this amongst each other." "I want to know one thing." "Why did you say I was the father?" "Can I go?" "We know all we need to know." "Are you coming?" "Yes." "There will be a wedding soon." "Knowing Van Bemmel..." "I wonder if we'll be invited." "Probably." "Yes, Alderman Van Der Kalck is here." "What does he want?" "Yes, what would I want?" "Good day." "You have a fascinating profession." "Depends how you look at it." "I heard you performed a big operation for Pietje Mulder." "A resection of the eleventh rib, isn't that what it's called?" "You're well informed." "I'm interested." "But what can I do for you?" "First of all, congratulations on the Van Bemmel affair." "I don't think Dacka ever made someone confess this quickly before." "You were lucky, Jan. Can I say Jan?" "You were no push-over." "My compliments." "If we hadn't walked into those guys, I would have been dead meat." "That's for sure." "What I'm really here for is... the official decision to appoint you to assistant-manager of the slaughterhouse." "That's a surprise." "It's going very fast." "I have to go." "Let's have a drink later." "Bye, Vlimmen." "And?" "You're getting the job at the slaughterhouse?" "I think so." "That's great!" "I'm so happy." "I also have news." "What news?" "Don't tell me you haven't noticed anything." "Noticed what?" "That I'm a bit in love." "That I've met someone." "In love?" "Do I know him?" "I don't think so." "His name's Wessel Brenner." "Doesn't ring a bell." "What does he do?" "He's an engineer." "A good catch." "He's looking for work." "He might even have to go abroad for it." "You can't do much here at the moment." "All good news." "Go get Dacka." "We'll celebrate." "The slaughterhouse wil be reorganised." "We can leave that up to you." "There are lots of people who can ruin things." "Most farmers are happy with your appointment." "They were afraid you'd leave too." "Why?" "Since your sister's going to Canada." "Everyone thought you were going too." "Animals are the same everywhere." "And people too." "We're slaughtering." "Would you like a piece of meat?" "Please." "Alright." "That's looking good." "Finally someone who knows what he's doing." "Not a bungler like Van Heusden." "I'm his help." "That Van Heusden, he was good at his job!" "When he was done, you couldn't see if it had been a sheep or a pig." "And if you said something, he'd tell you off." "Just because he was in the city council." "Good that they kicked him out." "And I'm happy he's not allowed to slaughter anymore." "Stop that bad-mouthing!" "You don't scare me anymore." "Or else I'll bring up that ambush." "In court." "We're going to make him shut up." "When are we going, dad?" "In a bit." "Will you write to me when you've arrived?" "Yes, I'm learning to." "Good." "Shall I get you some candy?" "I've already got some." "Shall we then?" "If anything's wrong, write to me." "Because he won't." "I promise." "If he won't be alright, I'll come back." "Don't you find Canada far?" "Will you look after yourself well?" "I intend to." "I'll come back for a holiday soon." "You haven't even left yet." "All the best." "First, we'll eat mussels and then..." "I feel like some fun." "As if I don't." "Two beers." "One minute, Sir." "No, make it four beers." "Vlimmen!" "Leonieke, that's been a long time." "Will you sit down?" "No." "Yes, come with us." "We were going to drop by anyway." "I can't." "I got out of that life." "I'm married to a widower now." "He has three children, a good guy." "Shall I get him?" "Come say hello." "That's how it goes, Vlimmen." "You look away for a moment and..." "Yes, shut up." "Sir." "Good day, gentlemen." "I hear you're from Holland." "Yes." "I'll be right back." "I need some fresh air." "What's wrong with him?" "We had a bit too much to drink." "Look out!" "I told you?" "Don't tell them you were driving." "He just ran onto the road." "10 years later" "Bobby!" "Couldn't you be more careful?" "I didn't see him." "That's because it's raining cats and dogs." "Maartje!" "Maartje!" "He didn't break anything up to here." "He's all better, isn't he uncle?" "Will he recover completely?" "I think so." "Young animals can cope with a lot." "And he's been lucky." "There you go, Bobby." "Don't let him walk too much." "Thank you." "What are you waiting for?" "The animal's fine." "I don't know how to thank you." "Mind if we come along, uncle?" "What's this?" "I've told her so much about your work that she wants to see it for herself." "Alright then." "My mother sent me back to the Netherlands." "Because I want to be a vet, like uncle." "When I'm finished, I'll take over his practice." "That's news to me." "That's what mother said." "Then it must be true." "She hasn't changed a bit." "Still controlling everything." "Hello, Keeke." "There are so many I can't count them." "Ten, I think, from one sow." "The more, the better, right?" "Where can I get changed?" "Follow me." "Isn't Piet home?" "He's gone to the market with the boys." "Right." "And this is the last one." "I only count nine." "Yes, there are only nine." "There were at least ten." "Christ Almighty!" "Get that shovel." "Hurry!" "If only we could smash its head in." "That would solve the problem." "Yuck, no!" "Clean water and a towel!" "Damn!" "Didn't you want to become a vet?" "Next time, I'll do it." "I'll remember that, mate." "Will you come in for a cup of coffee?" "Yes, uncle, we can say hello to Tilly." "I have no time for that." "Doctor Vlimmen!" "Nice to see you again." "Yes, bye." "Ask Doctor Vlimmen now, mum." "Ask what?" "I'm throwing a party." "Would you like to come?" "I'm sorry, I'm very busy." "I don't think I can make it." "Uncle..." "Sunday evening." "I can't make it then." "I already have an appointment." "Next time." "Goodbye." "It would be perfect for him." "He's living in a mess now." "There we go again, Paula." "I'm serious." "It would be a great household for Tilly." "The second whore-hopper needs to find a spot too." "You're always so tactful." "And she really wants it." "Why else did she invite him?" "Yes, but I know Vlimmen." "I'm certain he won't show up." "One moment." "How nice that you were able to find the time." "Yes, it wasn't easy." "Do you want a drink?" "I won't stay long." "I came to pick up Dop." "Oh, won't you like a drink anyway?" "Something small." "Hey, Vlimmen, did you come after all?" "Just for a moment." "You're wearing your good suit." "It's been a long time since I saw you wear it." "Shall we dance?" "Yes, of course." "Would you like to dance too?" "I'd like to, but I can't." "Help!" "Help!" "That's Pietje Mulder's kid." "What's wrong?" "The cows, the cows!" "What?" "Father!" "Father's in the water." "What about him?" "Help, damn it!" "Hey, good morning!" "First I have to get into the shit for you and now this." "Don't do that too often." "Hey, Piet!" "Nice party." "It's something different." "I thought something terrible had happened." "It's not that bad." "We've solved it." "Where's Vlimmen?" "I knew it would happen." "But not when."