" What's the deal with her?" " She's bipolar." "Teachers are obligated to report any lack of attendance." "Okay, I won't report you." "But I want you in school every day." " Tell me how you feel." " l get enough of that at home." "That's what you get, living with a softie like Rasmus." "Softies are fine as long as I'm not expected to be one." " l love you." " Right back at you." " Why can't you say it?" " Say what?" " Then there's Rasmus..." " Do you love him?" "Sure." "Every other day." "Isn't that what grownups do?" "Decide to make things work?" "Hi." " See you tomorrow" " Bye, Erik." " Have a nice evening." " We'll see." "Rita may like me today." " Rasmus pretends he's a girl." " Someone has to be one." "Uffe and I play that I'm a bear that's trapped him in its den." "Right..." "Bye." "Hey, how many times do I have to say it?" "You were not my second choice." "Say it until I believe you." "Rasmus..." "I'm telling you the truth." "You told Tom that you love me every other day." "That's not about you." "I'm crippled when it comes to relationships." "It's like criticising a girl in a wheelchair for not being a ballerina." "Funny, you hate it when people blame things on circumstances." "What do you want me to do?" "Feeling more doesn't automatically put you in the right." "What about the one who feels nothing?" "Why are we together, if I'm so cold?" " Good question." " Where are you going?" " l'll sleep here at school." " For God's sake..." " What are you, 12?" " See you tomorrow." "The Role Model" " Sorry!" " No. I'm the one who should apologise." " You're awfully early." " l've started coming in early." "After the divorce, I don't sleep well, so I come in early." " l'd better get dressed." " Sure, go ahead." "Can you spare me a few minutes?" "It's about Mads, one of Rita's 9th graders." "According to Social Services, they can't seem to get hold of his mum." "Make some coffee, all right?" "Good morning." " You live the closest, yet you're late." " l overslept." " Rasmus didn't wake you?" " He went in early." "Some of our students told me that the bullying is getting worse." " lt's so much better!" " We're talking about the kids." "Oh..." "Well, the way I see it, the kids are nicer to each other now." "Right." "Anyhow, I've initiated this anti-bullying programme that Rasmus has okayed." "Sounds great." "What's the plan?" "The kids will draw lots about who they sit with at lunch." "So they'll sit next to someone different every day and make new friends." " Good idea." " Sounds interesting." "Really?" " Hello." " Hello." " Good morning." " They love my anti-bullying programme." " lt's a great idea." "Right..." "Anything else on the agenda?" "Come on, guys." "Go in and take your seats." " Can you spare few minutes?" " l have class." "Please..." "Social Services got back to us about your 9th-grader, Mads." "His mother didn't show up for an appointment." "Notice anything about Mads?" "Poor attendance?" " Any other warning signs?" " No." "I've been checking his file." "Looks like he's had a lot of absence." "Not as much from your classes, but still." "What can I say, the kids love me." "I'm late for class." "Right." "Anyone know what this means?" ""Role model"." " lt's Orcs and all that, right?" " Orcs?" "Those action figures you use in role play." "So close, yet so far... lt's like being both an actor and a model, like Paris Hilton." "A role model is someone you'd like to be like." "A person you look up to." "Not necessarily a star, just someone with characteristics you admire." "Rich bitches with sex tapes plastered all over the internet don't qualify." "I want you all to think of a role model." "Write an essay and present it in class." "Orcs and Paris Hilton are fine as long as you can state your case." "Mads?" "Are you all right?" "is she going through another one of her spells?" "You've got to tell me!" "Why didn't you?" "What would you do about it?" " Does she get any help?" " lt usually passes in time." "Call me." "Mads?" "Call me if there's anything special." "If something serious happens and you don't ask for help..." "Then I can't cover for you anymore." "Okay?" "Hello..." "Well, did you talk to Helle about that boy..." "Mads?" " Yes, it's under control." " Good." " Should the school take action?" " No, that won't be necessary." "How long are you planning to "sleep on it"?" "Don't know." "How long are you planning on lying?" "I'm not lying to you." "You were expecting Tom's baby and wanted to be with him..." "That was before you and me." "It doesn't mean anything." "Then why didn't you tell me?" "Because I don't talk about that kind of thing." " Any other guys I don't know about?" " No." " Anything else?" " No." " You told me to call..." " That's right." "What's up?" "Could you come over?" "I can't leave her all alone." "Okay, I'm on my way." " l've got to go" " Where?" "I'm just..." "It's nothing." "Nothing?" "Enjoy your evening, Rita..." " Who is it?" "Tell them to go away." " What's going on?" "I need to pick up her meds, but I don't dare leave her on her own." "Because she might harm herself?" "She runs around outside the flat." "Hello, Kirsten." " How long has this been going on?" " A week." "Go get those prescriptions filled, we'll talk later." " When will you be 15?" " A month from now." "You'll be out of junior school soon and you'll qualify for a resource family." "Hi, it's Mum..." "Are you staying over at David's place or coming home?" "I'll stay here tonight." "Rita?" "I included some pictures in my report." "This is his house." "This is his car." "Those are his guns." "That one's called "Snake"..." "and that one's "Copkiller"." " That's it..." " Good, Ahmed." "Why did you pick him?" "is that a trick question?" "She spent a lot of time in that attic." "This is what it looked like." "And she died." "She got a really rough deal." "Right..." "Could you tell us more about Anne Frank apart from her dying?" "No..." " Welcome to Medina, Medina..." " Stop." " Well, I guess that was everyone." " What about Mads?" "Mads will give his presentation tomorrow." " Hello!" " Hi." "Looks like somebody's has Nutella in their lunch box." "No, my anti-bullying programme, it's going so well." " Great." " The kids are very positive." "Yes, so that why..." " That's too quiet." " Here." "May I have your attention, please?" "Everybody... I'm sure you've all heard about my project." "All our students draw lots for who they sit with at lunch." "They get to know each other better and it broadens their horizons too." "I'm pleased to say that the results have exceeded our expectations." "Good work, Hjørdis." "I think we should set an example and do the same thing." " We're not children, you know." " Where I sit is up to me." "What if you prefer to eat alone?" "Could anyone actually force us to do this, Rasmus?" "Our breaks are our own time, it says so in our contracts." "Forget it, Hjørdis." "You've got to be crazy not to be intimidated by the teachers' lounge." "Hello." "How are you?" "I didn't come home last night." " Did you have a good time?" " No." " What did you do?" " l was at home..." "Sounds nice." "I've got work to do." "Rita, do you have a minute?" " Mads' mother's caseworker says..." " He's my responsibility." " He goes to this school, Rita." " For God's sake..." "Everything's fine." "Stop meddling!" " Crappy day?" " Yeah, times 100." " You look like you need to get drunk." " Thanks..." "I think." "Want to grab a beer after work?" " l bet Rasmus can spare you." " l'm sure he can." "Or do you have something better to do?" "No." "Eight o'clock?" "Okay." " l'm going home now." " Are you the last one?" " l'm on my way." " See you tomorrow." "Are you staying here?" " Are you okay, being here all alone?" " lt's better than the alternative." "That smells terrific." "You're welcome to join me, there's enough for two." "Well, I was going home..." "But why not?" "Cheers." " Still a crappy day?" " Yeah, but only times ten now." "Three more beers and we can start in with division." " lt's nice to have an ally at school." " Yeah." "At least, that's what you were at first." "What's that supposed to mean?" " What?" " Come on..." " You and Rasmus?" "Seriously..." " Maybe I really like him." "Why do something new when the old familiar is right there?" "What's that supposed to mean?" "You and me..." "We could have mind-blowing sex." " Did you really say that?" " Yes." "You've been flirting with me all year." " You know you've thought about it." " Maybe I have, but it wouldn't work." " Why not?" " Because we both have partners." "Says someone who was suspended for screwing the father of a student." "Tell me some more about who I am." "You want to love him." "Only the more you pretend, the worse it feels..." "That emptiness along with the guilt because you don't feel anything." " How come you know me so well?" " Because I'm the same." "Jonas... I'm going home to husband now." "Rasmus, you are not my second choice." "You are a different choice and the right choice." "Rita!" "Rita, wait!" "Wait!" "Where were you last night?" "You weren't at home." "It's tremendously satisfying to say this:" "That's none of your business!" " What's going on?" " Nothing." "Where's Rasmus?" "I think he..." " There are certain things that..." " What?" " We'll work things out." " Why can't you be normal?" "Then maybe somebody might stick around!" "Hello, Birthe..." " Good morning." " Don't be sad." " About what?" "That the teachers didn't want to go with the programme." "It's so important to talk, instead of avoiding each other." "Good morning, Helle." "It's almost ready." "Good morning." " ls the coffee ready?" " Soon." " Oh, you're all here." " Yeah, the coffee's almost ready." "What?" " Did I say something wrong?" " No." "Isn't that bloody typical!" "Helle speaking." "Yes, this is Helle Uggerby." "I see... I'll look into it." "Yes?" "Hello." " About yesterday..." " l feel the exact same way." "It happened..." "We can't do anything about that." "We'll make sure it doesn't happen again and jeopardise our working relationship." "Right..." "Good!" " Have you talked to Rita?" " l have nothing to say to her." "Yes you do, about Mads." "Item five:" "is your role model a source of inspiration, someone you would like to resemble?" "If so, in what way?" "Let's take a look at that..." "Mads, are you ready?" "Good, let's go." "Do you have a written report for me?" "Please go ahead." "Rita Madsen, report to the headmaster." "I'll be right back." " You wanted to see me." " Yes, come in." "Social workers have been to Mads' home." "His mother is mentally ill and she can't make it through the day without him." " Were you aware of this?" " No." "According to her, you've been going to see them regularly for months." "You help them, provide support." " l don't know anything about this." " Be quiet!" "You know very well that it's your duty to report matters like this." "By not doing your duty you have obstructed matters." "Keeping Mads from care." "He shouldn't have to take care of his Mum." "Right, foster care centres are a great place to be a kid!" "Cut off from your parents, surrounded by criminals and addicts." "Now isn't that the greatest?" "Talk about freedom!" "I just want to know if you for reasons that make no sense to me, took this matter in your own hands?" "No." "So his mother is lying?" " Why would she?" " Because she's desperate." "According to a colleague, you claimed to be in control of this situation." "What "colleague" said that?" "Did she tell you that before or after you fucked?" "Or while you were at it?" "I bet Helle got off on that." "Was it good?" "What happened yesterday is irrelevant here!" "It's not irrelevant that the headmaster screwed the person accusing me." " l have to report this." " Like hell you do!" " They send him into care." " lt's the best thing for him." "How can you be so damn sure?" "Yesterday, you didn't even know who he was." "What's wrong?" "The authorities went to see your mother." "So, will they take me away?" "Can't you tell them you're helping us?" "Can't you do that?" "If I do, I'll lose my job." "And then I can't help you at all." "Come on..." "Will the authorities be taking me away now?" "Yes." "But you promised to help us." " You promised to help me." " What do you expect me to do?" "!" "Mads..." "Mads!" "Hang on..." "My Role Model" "I can depend on her." "...trust promise happy again..." "My role model is Rita." "If 500 kids can behave themselves, so can 30 adults." "Pick a chip and whoever gets one like it will be your lunch buddy." "is that clear?" "is that clear?" "!" "Yes." "Good." "Here you go." "Look at the animal and go:" ""l have the lion!"" "Just speak up." "A dolphin." "Jonas..." "As soon as you see what animal it is, just go ahead." " Who has a whale?" " l do." "It's like a game." "A pig..." "The pig is here." "Oh, I forgot..." "Rasmus, there are two left." " Giraffe?" " Here, Rita." " Anyone have a giraffe?" " l do..." " Ruined any lives lately?" " Broken any rules?" "There are limits to what a teacher can do." "Why do you think I'm in a relationship with you?" "I don't know." "Am I the type who would stay in a relationship I didn't want?" "We could find our way back to each other." "I would really like that, Rasmus." "More than anything else and more than ever I love you." "And I believe that you want to love me." "But you don't." "What do you mean?" "We can't be together." "I'll see you around, Rita."