"BETTER TIMES - a family saga by Stig Thorsboe" "Part Two" "Miss Nørregaard?" "I need to speak to you." " I hope that you will stick with it." " Yes, of course I will." "It's just that you've been absent a lot." "You leave early." "It's important to be there." "I have to sign you up for the exam." "That isn't easy when you skip classes." "I'll do something about it." "I promise." "Miss Nørregaard!" "Miss Nørregaard." "My brother said you had left." "Miss Nørregaard worked for Dad." "Did you find a new job?" " Yes." " I'm very glad to hear it." " Erik will be, too." " And how are you?" "We are celebrating that Søs got rid of her stupid boyfriend." "Why don't you sit down?" "I can always use another woman." " He has no manners." " But his father is rich." "Shut up!" "I'm talking to Miss Nørregaard." " Are you still doing that course?" " What course?" "Night school, you dummy." "I'm really impressed." " Have you decided yet?" " I really must go." " Do you work here?" " What did we agree in the end?" "Have you got piles, Hansen?" "Not if it's not on the menu, sir." " We don't have any glasses." " I know." " What do you want?" " My sister saw you in the restaurant." " You can't come in here." " What are you doing?" "My job, if only people would let me." " You really shouldn't be doing this." " I have to." "You'll have to leave." "I'll go." "I just want you to hear me out." "I'm an idiot." "I got so mad at my Dad." "I'm sorry that you were fired." " Forgive me." " I forgive you, but please leave now." " Is it all right if I call you Ida?" " Yes, if you'll just leave." " My mouth likes that name." " Then go and say it in the street." " Now what?" " You promised to come to the studios." "You promised." "I want you to see the television studio." "You and your television." "What about those glasses?" " What are you doing here?" " Talking to Miss Nørregaard." " Is he your fiancé?" " No." "He just delivered a message." "You've been to the restaurant a few times." "Mr. Nielsen, isn't it?" "Yes." "I thought I'd seen you somewhere before." "How are you?" "We'll talk about this later, Miss Nørregaard." " Is that all you've managed?" " No need to shout." " Be nice to miss Nørregaard." " Perhaps if you would let her work." " Take your glass and leave." " Put down that tray." " Here?" " Give it to me." " Will you make up your mind?" " Let go!" "Let go of it." "Let go of it... now!" "I'm really sorry." "What a jerk." "He shouldn't treat you like that." "You just keep out of this." "I've got enough problems as it is." "My Dad isn't speaking to me." "I'm about to be thrown out of school." "There you see." "You need a day job instead." "Why hasn't your father been speaking to you?" "Surely you can find a job in an office with your qualifications." "Do you know how many jobs I applied for last week?" "Five." "What do they ask, when I tell them that I have worked at Bella?" " I don't know." " No." "You've never had to find a job." "But if you think about it, you can probably figure it out." " The MD's son is busy." " He's had Ida fired again." " You're kidding." " No, I'm not." " I'm going to the trade association." " I'll be quick." "Here's the new model." "It's just a draft, of course." " Isn't it like the last one?" " No, I changed things around." "In this one, the tape recorder is hidden under the lid." " But you said it looked like..." " What's the attraction, Funder?" " But you said it looked like..." " What's the attraction, Funder?" "What's new, apart from changing stuff around?" " This hasn't been seen before." " Does it grab the buyers?" "I have the latest sales figures." "We only sold six of the last model." "But of course, tape recorders are still a novelty." " Perhaps you shouldn't hide it, then." " You might be right." "Dad, do you have a moment?" "There are seven months to the Radio Fair in the Forum." "We'll relaunch our slogan:" ""Ready for the Future"." " That's a really good idea." " We want it to cover everything." "The State Radio will soon launch a second station." " Our radios must be ready for that." " We'll start right away." " What's the big hurry?" " Miss Nørregaard." " She needs a reference." " Miss Nørregaard was fired." " I didn't know you were seeing her." " It was quite by chance." "You said yourself that you were pleased with her work." "She was the best secretary you ever had..." "I don't normally ask favours!" "I can't fire her and then give her a reference." "But there was no reason for firing her." "She couldn't find fault with my accounts so you threw her out." "Erik, I sometimes wonder if we live in the same world." " What was all that about?" " Nothing." "You didn't talk television again, did you?" "Don't provoke him." "He takes it out on me, too." "When did he ever...." "take it out on you?" "Good evening." "Did you find a job today?" "I've been to three places, but..." "That's for Jens Otto Krag." "To let him know why I missed the meeting." " You should have sent a photo." " I've never been in a fight." " You didn't know you were so brave." " I was thinking of the young girl." "The young victim..." "It must have been horrible." " Palle!" "Where are you going?" " To mail a letter, and to university." "I've made you some food." "It's in the larder." "Okay." " How's he doing?" " Fine, when we don't talk about Mum." "It's as if he pretends that it never happened." "I think that he's lucky to have you." " Is that from your boyfriend?" " Emma, I don't have a boyfriend." "So, did you have any luck today?" "Too bad!" "Don't tell me that there's a letter from your Dad." " It's from her boyfriend." " You and your boyfriends." " Peel the potatoes." " I'll get some coal." "I didn't have my butter coupon, would you go down with it?" " From Bella?" " A reference." ""Miss Nørregaard is a very competent employee."" ""She has a keen mind and winning manners."" ""We give her our highest recommendation."" "The MD has really written against his own grain." " His son must have put a word in." " I should certainly hope so." "Shut up!" "I'm not going to use this." "I can get a job without it." "How many jobs have you applied for?" "Of course, you'll use it." " Do you study as well?" " Yes, in the evenings." "Well good, because I want you here during the day." "Where did you work before?" "I take it that you did have a job?" "I worked at Bella, the radio factory." "Why did you stop?" "Couldn't you fit it in with school?" " I don't see any letter from Bella." " No, it's not in there." "Why not?" "I've got it right here." "I just hadn't put it in yet." "Fancy hiding a thing like that." "You must really have impressed him." "Kaj Holger doesn't usually praise people like this." "This is the dress I'll be wearing in the Forum." " Very nice." " I know." " Your dad wants to speak to you." " What does he want?" " Did somebody die?" " Judge Cedergren called." "You're spreading rumours that his son has been nasty to you." "Nasty?" "Per tried to rape me, Dad." " That's not what the Cedergrens say." " Oh, so Per didn't tell them?" " You saw my clothes." " It was New Year's Eve." " You had been drinking." " And then I ripped my clothes?" "Per says that you were very drunk and very provocative." "He was drunk and wanted us to get engaged again..." "Per says just the opposite." "He tried to talk some sense into you." "I can't believe I'm hearing this." "I just can't." "Per is going into his father's business." "This could ruin his career." "His career?" "!" " Where are you going?" " I'm not staying in this house." "You're not going anywhere." "You're going to apologize to Per." "Apologize?" "Have you lost your mind?" "That's enough, now!" "Dad, somebody came and helped me." "Why don't you ask him." "You will apologize to Per Cedergren." "Good morning, Palle." "Good morning." "Ida...?" " That's her." " Are you sure?" " Quite sure." " Do you know who that is?" " It's the MD's daughter." " The MD's daughter?" "I saw her a few days ago." "She seemed to be doing fine." "You don't need to worry, then." "I've got to go." "See you." "Her name is Søs." " Miss Toft, what did you find out?" " You're not going to be pleased." "There are 1,995 dairies in Copenhagen." " How many did you do today?" " 14." " Did he work in a place like that?" " Yes, I saw his delivery bicycle." " What do you want him for?" " I lost my pearl necklace." " I think he found it." " I see." " You may be lucky tomorrow." " I can always hope." "Thank you." "There is just one small thing." "Your father asked me to find a sweet young girl for the Bella stand." "I understand that you're not going." "He didn't say why." "The MD is out at a meeting." "Emma, would you answer the door?" " It's your boyfriend." " It's Mr. Nielsen." " I suppose that's all right." " I'll tell him, you're busy." "No, wait." "Isn't that too impolite?" " Not at all." " He did help me, you know." "Help you with what?" " She's here." " Right, missy." "Off you go." " Congratulations on your new job." " Thanks for the reference." "That was nice of your dad." "I didn't think he'd do it." "He can be almost human at times." "What are you doing tonight?" " Oh, yes." "What time's school?" " 6.15." "I'm off." "Erik's dropping me off." "Could I have a word?" "So you're on first name terms now." "All it takes is firing you." "He's just giving me a lift." "He wants to show me the studios." " I'm going to do it now." " I'll believe that when I see it." "Make up your mind." "It's either him or your school." "After a while he'll think that it's much more fun   when you spend time with him." ""School is a waste of time."" "Then your dad can say:" ""What did I tell you?"" "You make it sound as if I'm interested in him." "And you're not?" "You're so sweet." "Don't worry about it." "What about your dad?" "He'd rather I went to the School of Domestic Science." "Smart man." "I was only kidding." "He says that I can't handle it and that I'll get into trouble." "He might just be right there." "Of course you'll make it." "Hello?" "Come in." "They'll be here any minute." "How about that?" "Incredible, isn't it?" "Those are the cameras." "And in here..." "Sound mixers, picture mixers, and this is the monitor." "Stop right there." "Can you see anything?" " What's there to see?" " Look at the small set in there." "That's you!" " Wow, how strange!" " The picture goes to a transmitter." "Then to an antenna, so that people can watch it at home." "If they have a television set, that is." " Have you shown this to your dad?" " I can't get him in here." " Should I give up on him?" " Not after the reference he gave me." "Every word in it is true." "He read it out to me." "It was good of you to come." "I have to go now." "School starts in 20 minutes." " Hi, I'm Petersen." " Ida Nørregaard." "Petersen, our engineer, tried to save my set." "Not successfully though." "The line transformer died." " How's it going?" " It's been a confusing sort of day." "The State Radio wants to make a big campaign for television in the Forum." " Fantastic." " We'll make a studio over there." "We'll send 40 programmes." "We'll need more technicians." "I have to run." " Greetings from Meyer." " Meyer?" "Is he in Denmark?" "He applied for a job." "He's been working at a factory in England." " When was he here?" " He just left." "Goodbye." "I'll be back in a second." " How was London?" " It's a big place." "I found him in his old pub." " This is Meyer, the engineer." " Good evening." "Meyer was my dad's partner." "Isn't that great?" "It would be great if I could have my school bag." "Your classes...!" "Meyer, I have to take Ida to Nørrevold." " I can get there myself." " You'll only get wet." " When will I see you again?" " You won't." "I haven't got the time and I'm not likely to get any, either." "She seems like a nice girl." "I'm completely mad about her, but I don't stand a chance." "I don't know." "If she can get that angry..." " Not another word about television." " He worked with it in England." " Where does he live?" " In digs." " That's just awful." " He's found a place in Søborg." " That's just awful." " He's found a place in Søborg." " Will he stay in Denmark?" " Yes." " Did you hear that, Kaj Holger?" " What?" "Yes." " What, Vera?" " Shall I take some up to Søs?" "She can come down here if she wants any." "Why didn't Meyer come to us first?" "He tried." "In '4 5." "He sent me a letter and asked if there was any work." " You never told me that." " We weren't hiring then." " But it was Meyer." " Should I have kicked Funder out?" "Yes, you've complained enough about him." " When Meyer chose to leave..." " Jews didn't have a choice." "We reached an agreement." "He was bought out..." "This is unbearable!" "Less of the door slamming, if you don't mind." " Kaj Holger..." " What?" "When you've finished slamming doors, I really think   that you should arrange to meet Meyer." "May I be excused?" " From Vera." " Good old Vera." "Dad knows that he can't manage without Meyer." "Funder is a waste of space." "Did you say that he worked with television in England?" " And that it'll be on show in the Forum?" " I'll leave that to Meyer." "I've just made an idiot of myself in front of Ida again." " So it's "Ida" now, is it?" " She asked about you, by the way." " I said you were grounded." " Why did you say that?" "This is just so embarrassing." "I can't stand it much longer." "Dad knows how much it means to me to participate in the Forum." "Erik, can't you do something?" "Can't you talk to Mum?" " Ida and I spoke about New Year's Eve." " Did you also tell her..." "She heard it from a friend." "A young man who was punched on the nose." "That sounds like the guy you've been looking for." " What was his name?" " What was it now?" " I've gone blank!" " Where does he live?" "Right..." "I forget that, too." "You're not funny." "Who is it?" "Tell me." "Okay, I remember now." "Jens Otto Krag." "He's wild about Jens Otto Krag." "Not a lot of those about." "He should be easy to find, then." "Okay, I'll tell you." " You're looking good." " I've got to write an essay." "Would you kick Emma out so she won't be late?" "How was your trip?" "That Erik Nielsen is something else." "I don't want to talk about it." " So there wasn't anything...?" " There never was." "Well, men are too distracting anyway." " Good morning." " Good morning." "Thank you." "This is my last day." "I've got a job at the Ministry of Supply." " I start Monday." " Maybe you'll meet Krag." "Isn't the Ministry of Supply part of the Ministry of Trade?" "I've spoken to the delivery boy." "He says that his list is wrong." " And you believed that?" " Sounds just like our society." "Why don't you move to Russia?" "They know how to deliver papers." "I'm tired of reading that the Atlantic Pact will cost millions." "I don't mind if it does." "As long as it keeps the Russians out." " Here you are." " Thank you." "Your dad has recovered, hasn't he?" " Good morning." " Good morning." " How did it go?" " I'm back at Bella." " Congratulations." " It hasn't changed much." "Did you tell him there'll be television in the Forum?" "What did he say?" "It made an impression." "He doesn't want to have it on the stand." " No sets at the Forum, Dad?" " What shall I do with him?" "Meyer is back." "We'll be the only factory without television." "I've spoken to the trade association." " Nobody is selling television." " Then they're all idiots." "Perhaps they have enough to do, getting their radios ready." "Meyer, let's go over and get Funder to hurry up." "Here you are, Dad." "Dad, supper's ready." "Dad?" "What are you doing?" "I just thought I'd sort out your Mum's clothes." "I don't know what to do with them." "Let's eat." "We can do that later." "You don't understand how much I miss her, Palle." "It's awful." "I promised her that we'd move out of this flat." "20 years, Palle." "For 20 years I promised that we'd move out." "You did what you could, and Mum knew that." "Damned life!" "Why is it so short?" " You don't remember me, do you?" " Of course I do." "I mean, yes." " How is your head?" " My head?" "It's fine." "There's nothing at all." "I mean, there's nothing wrong." " I'm glad to hear it." " How are you?" "I'm fine." "But if you hadn't come..." "I'm sorry, would you like to come in?" " You were eating." "It's a bad time." " No, not at all." "Excuse me." " I've come at a bad time." " No, it's quite all right." " My father isn't well." " Is it serious?" " No, it's nothing." " I won't stay." "I just wanted to ask..." "This is really silly." "Do you think you could do me a fav... help me?" " He's on his way." " My husband is quite busy." "There's a big radio trade show this summer." "Yes, I read about that." "The State Radio Anniversary." "Yes, 25 years." "So, there you are." "This is Mr From." "I see... you're my daughter's young man from New Year's Eve." " I wouldn't say that." " Perhaps Mr From should explain?" "Yes, I'm interested to hear what Mr From has to say." "Thank you, Vera." "We'll be all right." "Well, you see." "I was on my way to the annual gathering in YSD." " In what?" " Young Social Democrats." "I heard..." "I thought it was a couple having a row." " Sounds reasonable enough." " But this was different." "The man had your daughter up against a wall and lifted up her dress." "I asked him to stop, but I had to physically stop him." " It was Per Cedergren." " Do you know my daughter well?" " I never saw her before that day." " So you are not a close friend?" " I'm not sure I understand?" " You knew Per Cedergren's name." " I know him from university." " I thought you delivered milk." "I study political science, and I don't deliver milk anymore." "Political science and delivering milk." "You're a man of many talents." " Somebody's got to do it." " Not the likes of Per Cedergren." " I don't know him that well." " He doesn't need to work." "That's enough to make one jealous." "I've been asked to tell what happened, and that's what I've done." "You were hurt too." "Why didn't you report that, then?" "Because I would have to answer a lot of stupid questions." "In our society they are more likely to believe the son of a judge." "The Social Democrats are going to change all that." "I'm just sorry that your daughter has to go through all this." "That's not what a young girl needs after an experience like that." "You handled that well, Kaj Holger." "I'm too busy for that kind of nonsense." "Perhaps you have time to call judge Cedergren." "He can count himself lucky that we don't take this any further." "Mr From!" " I'm really sorry." " I lost my head." "You were great." "There aren't many who dare to talk to my dad like that." "This is the second time you've saved me." "What can I do for you?" "Don't worry about that." "I'm only glad to be able to help." "Today there are two new names in the marriage register:" "The Minister of Trade, Mr. Krag and his new wife." "Jens Otto Krag and Birgit Tengroth were married in the Mayor's flat." "The wedding was performed just after 9 am." "The Minister was on his way to Parliament for negotiations." "That's probably why you haven't heard from him." "The Social Democrat Minister celebrated his wedding..." "I didn't think you had time." "Aren't you studying for your exams?" "Yes, but Karen had a meeting." " I see you brought your Dad." " Hush!" "It's their wedding day, and they always used to go to the cinema." " Would you kiss Poul Reichhardt?" " No, I don't think so." " Would it upset your boyfriend?" " I don't have one." "Nor do I want one." "I simply don't have the time." "It's been such a long time since we saw him last." "Mr. From is a bit sad because his wife is dead." " What was it like at the Nielsens?" " It was nothing special." "A lousy little villa with 10-15 rooms." " They must do a lot of cleaning." " They've got servants for that." " What's his mother like?" " She's Swedish." "She's probably the most sensible of them all." " Have you heard from Miss Nielsen?" " No." "Her father sent me 500 kroners in a letter." " That's what I make in a month." " I returned it." "To them, it's always about money." "Deep down I really hate them." "Perhaps I don't." "But they haven't the faintest idea about how ordinary people live." "The change comes from the bottom of society." " But you like the daughter, don't you?" " Not at all." "Let's go home and have a cup of coffee." "Come in." " So, did you have a nice time?" " Yes, it went fine." " Hi." " This is Anton from the Party." " Hi." " This is Anton from the Party." "Can Emma sleep in here tonight?" "We didn't finish our meeting." " Yes, of course she can." " Thanks." "Good night." "So, Miss Nørregaard, tomorrow is the big day." "The final essay." "A good exam result is the best start to your last year." "You'll do fine, I'm sure." "You're back to your old self again." "Make sure that you eat well and get a good, long sleep." " That's important." "Good luck." " Thank you, sir." "Do you need a lift?" " How's school?" " Written exams start tomorrow." "Don't forget double space." "It makes it look longer." " Shouldn't we have turned here?" " I just have to show you something." " I must get some sleep." " I'll take you home afterwards." "You'll like it." "Is it here?" "No, I really don't want to." "I used to work here." "I was fired." "I can't just..." "Of course you can." "Come on." " What if somebody comes?" " Nobody's going to come." " It's just Meyer." "Good evening." " Good evening." "Hello again, Miss Nørregaard." "So he dragged you in here, did he." " I got it." " And it's all right, is it?" " I checked." " Let's get it up." "Ida can give me a hand." "Of course she can." "That's exactly what she can do." "Well, I'll just go home and get some sleep, then." " Good night, Miss." " Good night." "Careful now." "Don't let them see the light." " Come." " Why all this secrecy?" " Erik, please take me home." " I will." "Come." "We're going in here." "It's a picture tube." "I just picked it up at the harbour." "It's from Philips in Holland." "It goes right... here." "A few more bits and, of course, a wooden cabinet around it." "Isn't that amazing." "Meyer and I are building a set." " Have you persuaded your dad?" " Are you mad?" "I won't show it to him until it's ready." " What?" " I've missed you." "Have you missed me?" " No." " Just a little?" "Of course I haven't." "You came with me." "Because you promised to take me home." "From the moment I saw you..." " No!" " What do you mean, no?" "Let's leave now." "I have exams in the morning." "We're only leaving if you tell me that you've never thought of me." "What was that?" "It's my dad and somebody from his lodge." "Surely there's still some life in your Swedish wife?" " It's my boss!" " Do you work for Vang?" " How old is she?" " 22." " Good Lord." " Yes, I'm a lucky man." " Everything is nice and firm." " Do you dare leave her on her own?" " No, I can't say that I do." " This is what I was talking about." "We're launching it in the Forum." "Meyer made it." " That's right." "Meyer's back." " I couldn't do it without him." " I'll take it." " I'll have it sent to your home." "Not to my wife." "To the office." "I haven't thanked you for little Miss Nørregaard." " Is she with you now?" " She had good references." " What, from school?" " That as well, but..." "Dad!" "I thought that was you." " What are you doing here?" " Looking for the big model." "I think it's in your office." "I'll look at it in the morning." " Hi, Vang." " What a hard working son you have." "Like father like son." "He's got to join the lodge soon." "We'll see." "Come on." " I'll see you at home." " I was hoping to go with you." " Where's your car?" " I came with Vang." "I'm sorry." "I had to take him home." "And I had no key for the other door." "I had to wait until he was asleep before I could get the key." "Someday we'll look back at this and laugh." " It can only get better now." " Why did you go out?" " I was afraid they'd come in." " They were on their way out." " I was afraid they'd come in." " They were on their way out." "I can still get four hours sleep before I have to get up for work   and then I have to do a five hour written exam." "I don't want to see you or your television ever again!" " Hello, Vera." " Good evening, Mr. Nielsen." " Is my wife in?" " Yes, sir." "So you are home, my friend?" "How are things in the Forum?" "Will you be ready for tomorrow?" " Yes." "Along with the others." " Is something wrong?" "As far as I can see, we'll do all right with our radios." "They've got television sets." "Bang Olufsen,LinnetLaursen,TO-R " " Ruhe, Elektra, Hede Nielsen, Bravour." "Every single one." " Not a word from you, Erik!" " I didn't say a thing." "It's just a fad and it'll pass when people see the price." "Unity never was a strong point in our trade organisation." "Kaj Holger." " Erik has something to tell you." " I've got something to show you." " Why wasn't I told about this?" " Because you would have said no." " We've just had some fun." " Are you thinking of exhibiting that?" " Absolutely." " I was talking to Meyer!" "We won't do so badly." "We had some problems with the picture." "The blocking-oscillator couldn't handle the synchronization." " He's a genius." " I used a transitron generator." " You'll be astounded, Dad." " There's one important thing missing." "There." "This year it's television that gets all the attention." "The visitors have been watching the different programmes all day." "They have been produced in the studio at Studio Square." "And everybody is very interested in the various television sets." "Many of them have had problems with rolling pictures." "It's a standing joke, that you have to wear roller skates to watch television." "But that's not the case with the beautiful set from Bella." "I'm here with MD Kaj Holger Nielsen." "The visitors all seem to agree that your set is the best." "Yes, I'm very pleased." "But I have to pass any praise on to Mr. Meyer." "I think you're being modest now." "Your motto is "Ready for the Future"." " Do you mean television?" " Yes, of course." "But if you are thinking of getting a new radio, then..." "I think people are more interested in television sets today." "Yes, there is still quite a crowd here at the Bella stand." "And Jens Otto Krag has just arrived." "The Minister of Trade is a member of the Praesidium of the exhibition." "Perhaps we'll be lucky enough to hear from him." "It's difficult to get through." "The Minister is talking to the young lady from the Bella stand." "Søs Nielsen will show him the rest of the exhibition." "The Minister certainly seems to be in good company here." "I heard it on the radio." " Did you?" " Congratulations." "You're too late." "They stopped transmitting from the studio." " Did you hear my poor dad?" " Why "poor"?" " I think I really hurt him." " But he should be happy." "You don't know my dad." " How did your exams go?" " Quite well." "Perhaps I'll come and lock you up some other time." " Have you been forgiven at home?" " Yes, my Mum was relieved." "My dad still pretends to be mad." "I don't have to prove myself to him." "That's Viggo Valentin." "The actor." "He's probably rehearsing for the programme tomorrow." "Come." "Am I in the picture?" "People may say, that Jeppe is a drunkard." "But nobody asks why." "The picture is really good." "Could I have a glass of water?" "My throat is very dry." "I'm so glad you came." "Thanks." "I appreciate it." "You don't have to leave straight away, do you?" "No, it's my summer holidays." "My!" "What is all this?" "What is all this opulence?" "How did I get here?" "Am I dreaming?" "Or am I awake?" "Subtitles:" "Dansk Video Tekst"