"BETTER TIMES - a family saga by Stig Thorsboe" "Part 6" " Shall I take him?" " No need." " You take care of our visitors." " What can I get you?" " Nothing." " A glass of sherry?" "Nor me." "Are you looking for someone to settle down with, Miss Nielsen?" "Goodness me, no." "I'm testing the waters." "We hadn't expected things to happen so quickly to Ida." " A husband and two children." " Yes, and her school certificate." "Well, how will it turn out?" "Will a woman succeed to the throne?" "I'd not like to decide." "A man would be most natural." "Why, mother?" "They'll soon have a female monarch in England." " You know about that, too?" " Shall we enjoy the coronation?" " In London?" " That'd be a bit much for you, Ida." "Erik will look after the children." "Won't you, Erik?" "I was telling your father that we'd seen the television in your house." " The signals will never reach us." " They will." " You don't make them?" " No, I leave that to Erik." " My father's the cautious type." " I prefer to have a market." "Isn't there one?" "Erik's sales are pretty good?" "He'd know best." "Demand has tailed off." " Yes, a bit." " But we're hoping for the best." "Time for dessert." " I've got news." " You worry me." "I think I've obtained an order for 100 sets for West Germany." "He wants to see our model first." "A wholesaler from Hamburg." " That's really fantastic!" " My father mustn't find out." "The order isn't final." "We don't want to upset him." "He's been telling your parents that we're going bankrupt." " What are you doing here?" " I'm on leave." "Go back to bed." "No, I'm awake now." "I'd no idea you were due home." " I'm meeting Krag." " You'd better be off, then." "It's not till 1 p.m. I need a kip first." "It was a rough voyage." "People were vomiting..." "No, you need a cup of coffee." "Pop down to the baker's..." "No thanks." "I'm still a bit sea-sick." "I'll borrow your room." "No, Palle, wait!" "Why didn't you write to let me know?" " It's Karen." " I reckon he can see that." "Hello, Palle." "How is Bornholm?" " Fine." " How nice!" "I'll go and see if Emma is awake." "I'll see you to the door." "How lovely!" "I'm sorry he burst in on us." "Well, he does live here!" " How long has it been going on?" " Since last night." "I can tell from the look on your face." "Maybe it is wrong of me." " Mum died three years ago now." " I never thought to do it again." "It's fine by me." " I'll have a lie down." " I'll have my coffee at Karen's." "You do that." "You haven't met some nice young girl on Bornholm?" "It'll come." "Not my hair!" "Can we have a moment's peace?" "It's like the central station!" " How did you find me?" " I phoned the theatre." "They told me you'd got a part in a film." "Congratulations." "I never thought Viggo Valentin would do popular literature." "I'm on now." "Nice of you to drop by." "Lovely surprise." "It's not the only one." "I am pregnant." "And you tell me just before my big scene?" "The showdown?" "Thanks a bunch!" "Sorry." "I should have made do with telling your wife." "I am sorry." "It was very selfish of me." "How awful!" "What are you going to do?" " I'm not having it." " Thank goodness for that!" "I daren't see our G.P. I phoned another doctor." " You didn't give your name?" " I only gave yours." "That's not funny." "What did he say?" "Didn't I realize it was illegal?" "And then he hung up." "Didn't I realize it was illegal?" "And then he hung up." "I phoned fifteen before I found one." "It'll cost 1000 kroner." " I've got 500." " 1000?" "It's outrageous!" "How should I know?" "I just want it removed." "Of course." "I know a chap who..." "A chap I know, who..." "Not personally..." "He'll do it for 500." "Have you got that much?" "Oh, yes, you said so." "Baby, these things happen, don't they?" "A good thing we can help each other." "Poul, could we run through the words?" "Jens Otto Krag?" " Well, well!" "The soldier!" " Hello, Mr Krag." "At last." "This is Palle From, who deserted us in favour of the army." "I had to get my national service out of the way." "It's only 12 months." "They're talking of 18 months now." "I thought there was a young lady..." "No, not at all." "Absolutely not." "No, no, not at all." "You certainly sound convincing." "Come along." "So did you move into the hall of residence as I suggested?" " No, I stayed at home." " With your father, I believe?" "My mother lives in Jutland." "It's hard for the elderly to live alone." "My father is still going strong." "Very strong indeed, lately." "It is wonderful when things go that way." " When will you be demobbed?" " February." "We need a party manifesto to present to our Congress." "The question is..." " Can I rely on you?" " Yes." "Oh, yes." "Yes... in that case we'll give you another go." "Thank you." "How about causing a bit of trouble in camp?" "If they promote you to sergeant you'll be away far too long." "I'll try to do my worst." " Bad news?" " For you, yes." "Roll your sleeves up." "We've got to send 100 sets to Germany." " You got the letter of credit?" " Letter of what?" "Our German wholesaler fell over backwards when he saw our set." "No other set receives weak signals like ours." "It's all thanks to your efforts." "And Meyer's brilliant tuner." "The letter of credit means we get paid if we deliver on time." "Which will be... a mistake... 15th of February." "What about the tuners?" "When do we get them?" "January 15th." "We have a month to assemble the bits." "Yes." "We'll be pushed." "But we like that." " We'll just move Lisberg." " Sure." "Nobody was talking to you." "January 15th will be pushing it." "But that's what we agreed." "But you told me January 15th before I left for Germany." "I'd rather sort this out now." "I came to your office." "You do remember that?" "Lisberg!" "Just a minute!" "Would you rather I talked to your boss?" "I told you January 15th was a provisional date." "We'd set the final date once payment was in place." "Another factory beat you to it." " Which factory?" " I can't tell you that." " Bella?" " No." "Let go of my door." "We'll have your tuners for you on February 15th." "Goodbye, Nielsen." " Why don't we open it a bit..." " It's a business do." "Most of them are over 50." "They'll need something to keep them awake, then." "What don't we do for the ruling classes!" "Take it off now." " Erik saw a dress costing 500." " 500!" "The German deal must have gone well." "It did." " But what?" " But nothing." "Nothing!" " Is it Erik again?" " We're all right." "But why spend 500 kroner on a dress?" "Hello, Karen." "I got your paper again." "The newspaper boy is improving." "At least I got a paper." "Gosh, you're beautiful!" "You've visitors?" "Golly, is that you, Ida?" " Hello, Børge." " I won't intrude, then." " I was only being friendly." " Very friendly, I'd say." "I fed him while he was laid up with his leg, that's all." "And then Emma wouldn't stop." "Whenever there was a spare meatball it just vanished." "So he's been having his supper with us while Palle's on Bornholm." "On Saturday he asked me in for supper." "It was pretty amazing." "And there was loads of beer and schnapps, and..." "So I stayed." "I spent the night." "You did what?" "You slept with him?" "Things like that happen." "Don't they?" " You and Børge From?" " Stop it!" "It won't happen again." "He's got Stauning on his wall." "And you've got Marx." "It doesn't show when the lights are out." "Mind your own business!" "So our little honey cake has had an accident?" "Yes." "A good thing you've got me, then." "Shall we..." "look at the money part of it?" "Do your parents know you're here?" "Of course not." "You never set foot here if anyone asks." "All right?" "Yes." "Please remove your underwear." "If you'd lie on the couch?" "And move down a bit." "That's right." "And place your cute little leggies in the stirrups." "There." "Yes." " Thank you." " Thank you." "Do you like your part here?" " Just a moment." " You owe me 500." " Could we keep it down?" " He tried to rape me." "Was that part of your deal?" "I don't want anyone else." " You're not thinking of..." " Having the baby?" " Think about it." " It'd ruin my career." "Where were we?" "Ah, yes." "My part..." "Must it be so loud?" "I've just got them off to sleep." " Your dress drives me mad." " You like it?" "I get this terrible urge to rip it off you." "I've found out who beat us to it." "Linnet  Laursen." "They'll be there tonight." "We'll get them to swap." "We'll go and sweep them off their feet." " Where the hell is she?" " It's only five past." " We mustn't be late." " We can't leave the kids." "All right." "You go." "You look like a bad night." "Viggo Valentin again?" "No." "You've got the most peculiar taste, my little sister." " Ida, we're off." " It's so kind of you." "If Henrik wakes up there's some gruel you can heat up." " Nothing's wrong, is it?" " No, I'm a just a bit tired." "I hope you'll get a bit of sleep, then." " You?" " Hello..." "Is Ida in?" "Come in." "Ida and Erik have gone to the manufacturers' dinner." " I'm baby-sitting." " Nobody's in, then?" " Shall I make you some coffee?" " No." "I have a present for Henrik." "A belated christening present." "I'll just leave it here." "I'll drop in another day." "How is Bornholm?" "If you like fried herring and mashed potato..." "I thought you'd phone when you were in Copenhagen." "But then I thought, "No, I expect Palle has got engaged"." ""Or he's still cross with me"." " Søs..." " Don't mind me." "I'm not cross with you." "Actually I've thought about you a great deal." "Hold me!" "Hold me!" "There, there..." " I'm sorry." " No, no, Palle!" "You're so sweet." "Come here." " Good morning, Mr Nielsen." " How was the dinner?" "Splendid." "My wife says thank you." "We were grateful you let us take your place." "I am sure you showed Bella in the best possible light." " A good turn out?" " All the radio manufacturers." "And one small television manufacturer." "I said hello... your son was onto Linnet the whole evening." "About a large order for components, it turned out." " So sales are picking up." " I thought you knew." "Your son has received an order for 100 sets from West Germany." " I beg your pardon?" " I thought you knew and approved." " He's dealing with Mr Weber." " Weber?" "Our wholesaler?" "Your son was unable to get Linnet to swap." "Your son was unable to get Linnet to swap." "So the question is whether Weber will postpone the delivery date." " Well, I don't know..." " Right!" "I'll never get Weber to give us as much as a single day." "Erik..." "let's see." "I fear the worst." "I do." "What's the worst?" "Sometimes it is a pertinent question." "What is the worst that can happen?" "That we'll have to close and leave this house, I guess." "But we'll still have each other and Bo and Henrik." "Won't we?" "Sometimes I feel I'm disappearing into a black hole." "I won't let you." "I'll catch you." " Hello." " It's Palle." "I phoned work." "They said you were ill." "A bit of a sore throat, that's all." "Sorry I was so peculiar." " You weren't." " I was." "Not myself." "It's just..." "I can't explain." "When are you coming back to Copenhagen?" " In a fortnight, I hope." " Let's meet, then." " Palle, I've got to run." " I can't wait to see you." "Me neither." "Bye." "Maybe we should send for Dr Jakobsen." " Why?" " It's moved to your throat now." "I thought it was your tummy." "I heard you vomiting this morning." " Do we need a little chat?" " About what?" "You've guessed." "So it's true." "Who is he?" " Nobody you know." " The chap who just phoned?" "Palle From?" "So it is." " When is it due?" " It's not going to be due." "I'm not having that baby, mummy." "I want to get rid of it." "Your behaviour has been hard to watch in the last year." " You want to punish your father..." " What are you talking about?" "Your father prevented you from destroying your future." "You should be grateful." "Yet you act like a child." "And it has ended in this." "You've never supported what I wanted to do." "Never." " We wanted what was best for you." " Yes." "To get married." " It's natural for a woman." " Not after seeing your marriage." "Is this what the little girl from that rich Swedish family dreamed about?" " You know nothing about that." " Your bitterness." "Don't you think we have all noticed?" " There's been coldness here." " I don't need your verdict." "I don't regret my decisions." "Not one of them." "But if blaming me helps you, so be it." "Mummy!" "I don't want that baby." "It's got to go." "Can't we have it adopted?" "Won't you talk to Daddy?" "Your mother has told me the good news." "It's a pretty pickle." "I know, Daddy." " You have something to say?" " Yes." "I'd like to apologise for the way I've been behaving." "You were right about the theatre." "And you did it for my sake." "Thank you, Daddy." "Very well." "Let us look ahead." "This Palle From..." "Does he agree to your decision?" "So there'll be no trouble from him." "Splendid." "You'll stay at work till it is visible." "Then you'll go away." "We will find a suitable explanation." "A finishing school." "That wouldn't do any harm, actually." "That is all." "No, one more thing." "This will remain between the three of us." "Nobody else must ever know." "Nobody." " Not Erik, not Ida." " No, Daddy." ""Dear Palle, I'm sorry if you thought I regretted what happened." "I'll never do that." "But our relationship is hopeless." "Next time you come to Copenhagen I shall have gone away." "It's not because of you." "Please don't try to see me"." "So, 54." "Do you mean to spend the night here or what?" "The clutch." "I've told you a hundred times." " Let it out slowly, damn it!" " Sorry." "It's no good." "He refused to wait." "He needs the sets for the Frankfurt trade fair." " When did this come?" " This morning." " Why didn't you say so?" " I wanted to sort it out." " We'll have to use the Philips." " What?" "I've phoned all the suppliers." "Nobody can make our tuner in time." "You'll put a standard tuner into our sets?" " Or we'll miss the delivery date." " We can't do that!" " Or we'll miss the delivery date." " We can't do that!" " Weber can't tell the difference." " That's not the point." "We'll be supplying something we didn't sell and that's fraud." "And we don't do fraud." "Not while I'm part of this company." "Fine." "What do you suggest instead?" "Perhaps we should face the facts." "We've lost an order for 100 sets." "We need to pay the wages, the electricity bill, the rent." "We owe Radiometer..." " Why don't we just give up?" " Yes, why not?" "I don't want to hear it." "Give me another month or two." "Meyer... two more months." "I'll push sales up even if it means beating up every retailer in town." " There." "Right there." " What about my radios?" " Put them over there." " But what about the little train?" " I'll consider it." " Make sure the set is on." "So people can watch." "Put up a loudspeaker so everyone can hear." "You want me to come back three evenings a week and turn it on?" "But then I won't sell any!" "People will shiver away, wishing they could watch at home." "I'm shivering, that's for sure." "Merry Christmas." "How was your Christmas?" "You went to Ringkøbing, right?" "Yes." "The boys and I waited on the platform,   suitcases, presents, pushchair and all." "Erik was going to come straight from the factory, but he didn't turn up." "I didn't know whether to go or not." "A kind guard asked me if I'd like him to help us onto the train." "I told my parents that Erik was ill." "My mother said it was wrong of me to leave my husband on his own." "I couldn't tell them that Erik couldn't be bothered to come." "Erik has got to understand what he is doing to you." "You've got to talk to him." " What did the bank say?" " They gave me a cigar." "Horrid banker!" "To hell with him!" "There are other banks." " Where are the quarterly accounts?" " Why not ask your parents?" " About what?" " To keep us afloat." "You want me to beg?" "We don't need their help." "I'll phone Handelsbanken." "A man came round this morning and cut it off." "I can do without a phone." "But what I can't do without   is talking about this." "What will the next thing be?" "Will they cut off our electricity?" "Will the bailiff turn up?" "That this should happen in Denmark!" "The troops have mutinied at some of the bases." "A whole platoon in Sønderborg abandoned its posts." "Which other bases, dear?" "Bornholm as well?" "Yes, that one too." "200 men are behind bars   for trying to liberate the ringleaders." "Søs's young friend, Palle From, is serving there." "Thank God it never came to anything!" "A mutineer!" "It was bad enough his being a social democrat!" "Right, Vera." "Are you ready?" " We'll go for a drive." " Have you enough to wear?" "By the way..." "Look what I found for you." "You won't make the coronation..." " Daddy and I were thinking..." " It was meant to be a surprise." "The three of us will go to London when you come home." " Wouldn't that be nice?" " Yes, Daddy." "Shall we go, ladies?" "Well, that's up to you, of course." "But I can't promise you'll get another chance." "Same to you." "Goodbye." "That was Fona." "Lovely people." "The hands want to know when they'll get their wages." "I'm doing what I can." "We can't keep putting them off." "There is no point in their showing up on Monday." "Who's going to tell them?" "You?" "OK." "I'll tell them." " Hello, Erik." " You're on your way home?" "I was, yes." "But do come in." "How are you getting along?" "Ida and the boys came over." " She told us you had a lot on." " You know what it's like." "Can you lend me 15,000?" "It's our sales." "They're a bit slack, thanks to your pals in parliament." "But that will change when we get a new government come autumn." "I'll pay you 20,000 in two months, if you lend me 15,000 now." "You want me to bet 15,000 on a social democratic victory?" " You still haven't seen one?" " A television set?" "No." "You've still got Meyer's set?" "Go up and watch it one evening." "I'm offering you a bargain." "Erik..." "I know your German deal fell through." " Who told you?" " Word gets round." "And you chose our own wholesaler, too." "And you chose our own wholesaler, too." "You've had to lay off your workers." "Two came here looking for jobs." "We had to turn them down." "Times are hard for all of us." "Your mother and I are so sorry for your predicament." "You must see that adding to your debts won't help you." " How much do you owe?" " I don't know." " You must have some idea." " 50,000." "Roughly." "How will you ever pay it off?" "." "I don't know." "What does Ida say?" "It's not what she dreamed of, that's for sure." "Here you are." "You'd rather be on the street?" "I'll take over what is left." "We can use your instruments." "Some of your materials, too." "And we'd better find you a job." "Thank you, father." "Do you know what time it is?" " About 8.30." " Not even two hours to go." "Hello." "So, Nielsen..." "You had your way." "A television set and speakers." "Let's hope it works tonight!" "You're welcome to watch." "The coronation." "The State Radio has hired a fighter from the air force." "The film will be flown home and shown at 10 p.m." "I'm going to watch here." "There's already a queue in Smalle Street." "Very good, my boy." "Just mind the window pane." "What is this I hear?" "You're at your father's again?" "She is in Switzerland." "Didn't you know?" "So that's why." "I've written but she never replies." " Do you have her address?" " No." "She's with friends." " Nice to see you." " We aren't late, are we?" " Thanks for asking us." " Hello, Daddy." "What a lovely home, Ida." "Isn't your husband in?" " Has Erik gone back to Bella?" " Yes." "I'll bring the coffee." " Where are the boys?" " Asleep." "Bo really wanted to see you but he nodded off." " Have you seen, Emma?" " Sit down." "Thanks." "Goodness!" "The front row of the stalls!" "How posh!" " There's room for you here." " I'm not watching." "A queen in England turning grown men and women into idiots!" "Do you know how much it cost?" "I expect Stalin's funeral probably cost a pretty penny." "If they'd shown that, your mum'd have sat next to you." "You're a real little family!" "Coronation Day." "The day the British Empire has been awaiting." "The coronation of the young queen, Elizabeth ll." "Eight dapple greys are pulling the old coronation carriage." "The crowds have been waiting for hours for a glimpse of the queen." "From Buckingham Palace the procession is applauded..." "Palle..." "Prince Charles is standing between the Queen Mother and the princess." " Karen, it's now!" " Nothing interests me less." "Come in, gentlemen!" "Did you watch television last night?" " The coronation?" "Not I." " Nor I." " Blown out of all proportion." " Not at all." "Most interesting." "Have you seen the papers?" "Breakthrough for television." "Erik?" " Father is ready for television now." " How do you know?" "Kjeldsen." "They're starting a production line." "You haven't heard the worst bit." "Tomorrow our sets will go out to the shops with Bella badges on." "Our sets, Meyer." "My father stole everything." "Parts, instruments, the lot!" "Two weeks ago he wouldn't lend us the money." "Now he's starting up." "It comes as no surprise." "Last night people were crowded in front of the radio shops." "Last night people were crowded in front of the radio shops." "By the thousand." "Right out into the road." "One boy went through the window because of the crush." " That's what I call a breakthrough." " Why don't we start again?" "The hands will come back." "We can keep these premises." "The ball is rolling." "We still have the best sets." "No, we haven't." "Your father has." " He got them for nothing." " He got us out of bankruptcy." "He's no children's charity." "If I know Kaj Holger he'll make a fortune." "And you couldn't care less." "There is nothing I can do about it." " I'm going away, Erik." " Away?" "I'm selling up." "I'm going to Israel." "They say there'll be peace there now." "I need it." "Being part of a majority would be nice for a change." "Erik, we did our best." "We were just too quick off the mark." "You are 24." "You've already started your first company." "You did well." "There'll be other opportunities." " Mr From?" " Sorry to intrude." "I'd like to talk to Søs if she is back." "She isn't." " May I have her address?" " Why don't you come in?" "Well, Mr From." "You are quite a celebrity." "You have served your sentence?" "Four months for mutiny?" "It was a collective sanction." "The king pardoned us a month later." "How very grand of His Majesty!" " You wish to see my daughter?" " I'd like to talk to her, yes." "It comes as a surprise to me." "You had agreed not to interfere." "What are you talking about?" "The unfortunate predicament in which you have placed my daughter." "You're surely not telling me that Søs is pregnant?" "Are you playing the innocent?" " Is this news to you?" " It's the first I've heard of it." " I apologize for being indiscreet." " Where is Søs now?" "If my daughter didn't tell you she was pregnant   she can hardly wish to see you." "I'm afraid I can't help you." " I'll find her." " You'll have a job." "She is abroad." "There are quite a few places to choose among." " If it isn't the mutineer!" " Hello, Mr Krag." "We're celebrating our new constitution and crown princess!" "The ladies are sure Margrethe will make a splendid queen." " We didn't see much of you." " I'm afraid not." "You were meant to make a bit of trouble." "I didn't mention prison." "It wasn't quite what I'd planned." "May I have a word in private?" "Gosh, that does sound serious." "I'll drop my ballast." " I'm sorry." " The young lady again?" " Yes." "She is pregnant." " You surely don't blame me?" " No, of course not." " What a relief!" "What's the problem?" "She mustn't do anything she might regret." "I believe she's in Tibirke." "I wondered if I might borrow your car?" "You what?" "You're the only person I know who's got one." "I've been scrimping and saving for 6 months to pay the import duty." "I won't damage it." "If only you could transplant your persistence into politics!" "It's really kind of you." "Thank you." "Palle From!" "If you scratch it, I'll have you expelled from the party." "Golly!" "Was that you in the car?" "You're moving up in the world." " It's Jens Otto Krag's." " How nice!" "Now the entire royal Danish social democratic party knows!" " Who told you where I was?" " Your father wouldn't tell me." "This was the only place I could think of." " How are you?" " It's dreadfully hot." "Would you like a drink?" "You'll have to get it yourself, though." "I don't need anything." "If you're building up to a moral lecture, forget it." " You won't keep the baby?" " Thanks and goodbye." "Working class girls sometimes have to give up their babies, yes." " And it'd be a hindrance to you." " Please leave." "Surely I have a right?" "The baby is mine, too!" "That's what I told my parents." "Palle, the baby isn't yours." "But with my exciting life there are so many other possibilities." "I don't care if it's mine or not." "Let me finish!" "I'll have my master's degree next year and can get a job." "I'll have enough to provide for you and the baby." "If you do as you intend, you are a fool!" "Because I love you and have done so since the first time I saw you." "This is a proposal." "You do get that much, don't you?" "Subtitles:" "Jonathan Sydenham"