"(with some hesitation)" "'Put Our Märta First' or 'As Luck Will Have It' A biographical Drama (Prologue, epilogue and a number of tableaux)" "The action of the prologue and epilogue takes place in 2006AD" "The rest takes place in 1946." "The locations are the national capital and Lillköping and its surrounds." "On the road to Lillköping, 2006." "Oh my goodness!" "Everything here is just as it used to be!" "I feel just like child again!" " Yes I can see!" " What?" "!" "I can see that Great-grandpa is happy to be here again." "Who's the old biddy there, sitting and playing?" "That's not an old biddy..." "it's a lady!" "It's because of her that we're here..." "It's 60 years today since she passed away." "Märta Letterström 1910 - 1946 This memorial from the grateful citizens of Lillköping." "Is she a relative of your, Great-grandpa?" "You could say that." "A remarkable woman." "A very remarkable woman." "So what did she do?" "Sit down and I'll tell you her story." "You're just about my only relative, so I consider it my duty." "So I'll start at the beginning." "Maybe we'll have lunch first..." "as it's a long story..." "Here's some ham and eggs..." "No!" "That's the wrong one..." "I nearly gave you beef and onions." "There's the ham." "One early summer's day in Stockholm in 1946..." "It was before the Beautification Council had wrecked the Old Town" "There lived 2 young men in an attic." "One of them who wrote pop-songs was named Swenson they had names like that in those days." "The other one was really nice..." "rather handsome... that was me." "We'd been together since school .and we were a pair of very well-behaved boys..." "We lived a quiet peaceful life, full of hard work and study." "Every morning at 9, the alarm-clock rang." "Then we went back to sleep." "But one particular day, the doorbell rang as well." "After it had rung several times, Kurre Svenson said..." "Should we answer the door?" "No..." "You promised the landlady to pay the rent today." "I didn't promise..." "that was you!" "We don't have any money anyway." "It could also be that old milk-woman, that you promised." "The was YOU who promised!" "It makes no difference who promised..." "Go back to sleep." "It's OK to open the door, gentlemen..." "I'm here with money." "Sorry we kept you..." "we were asleep." " 415 kr in royalties... we're rich!" " It's ME who's rich!" "So we're not sharing now?" "It's me who sits up till 4 in the morning rhyming "heart" and "part"..." " There we are..." " Thanks a lot!" " Here's some ration coupons as well." " So long as I've got the money." "People got rich like this in the old days." "Kurre..." "I was the one who came up with "We met each other in Haparanda"." "I was the one who rhymed "jingle-jangle" and "dingle-dangle"." "So how do you use it?" ""I love your buttocks jingle-jangling... and your boobies dingle-dangling"!" "There are certain boundaries in pop lyrics." "I'd never noticed." "There's an ad here, wanting a cellist!" "There, you see..." "I told you..." "everything works out." "Damn... it has to be a woman..." "Enough to drive you crazy!" "Here's me out of work for 2 months finally something comes up..." "but they ask for a dame." "Why the hell wouldn't a guy do?" ""on account of illness..." "3 months engagement..."" ""Reply to 'Ladies 3'"" ""Ladies-Three"!" "What are you doing?" "Just a sec..." "What are you going to do?" "Be quiet!" "Hello... my name is Swenson..." "I was ringing about the advertisement I wondered about the terms..." "The applicant must be a lady." "Of course, I understand..." "but I'm actually calling on behalf of my fiancée..." "She's incredibly talented..." "She has an extensive repertoire and she's done nothing but play cello since childhood." "Banergatan 46... 3rd fl... 4 o'clock." "We'll be there... goodbye." "What is this all about?" "!" "Barbro... wake up..." "we've got hold of one." "A woman cellist..." "She's coming with her fiancé at 4." "She's played cello since she was a kid." "I tell you, I'm not doing it!" "Don't be so stupid!" "Think how nice it could be!" "Summer in a lovely little town, and only playing in the evenings." "It'd be wonderful!" "And I walk around in a dress all day?" "Not a soul 'd believe I'm a woman!" "Who played all the female roles in the uni revues?" "..." "You!" "That was on stage..." "It's different." "Besides... to get enough clothes would cost as much as I'd make." "I can get my mum to lend you the clothes..." " What about my hair?" " We'll get a wig!" "For the last time, I'm not doing it..." "I'm NOT doing it!" "You look really cute!" "Cute?" "I look ridiculous." "We'll see..." "Walk around a bit." "You want me to walk?" "Not like that..." "Walk like a lady!" "No, I can't do it!" "No... that was great..." "Just put your hat on." "Not like that..." "Down over your eyes." "That's too much." "You must be coquettish, but dainty." "Put the gloves on." "No way!" "I'd rather starve to death." "So, you don't dare?" "Scared of making a fool of yourself?" "It makes no difference if you call me a coward." "Think about the girls, though." "The one I spoke to was on the verge of tears at finding someone..." "She sounded really cute and nice." " Did she really?" " Very much so." "I bet they're just old biddies." "You can always say no..." "At least come and take a look." "You're not to sneak off and leave me!" "How could I ever leave you, darling?" "!" "What if she's an old bat?" "The fiancé sounded young." "We should be thankful to get somebody." "They'll be here any minute." "Should we offer them a liqueur?" "Isn't that our disaster?" "It'll do for them." "There they are..." "Get some glasses out." "I'm Bergström." "I'm Swenson..." "We spoke on the phone." "You may have heard of me as "Jackie Brown"." " I'm a songwriter." " How about introducing ME?" "Yes, I'm sorry..." "this is Märta." "Otherwise, my fiancée Märta Letterström, northern Europe's top cellist." "Come on, Barbro..." "This is my little sister, Barbro." "Please come and sit down." "Will you have a coffee?" "Thanks, that'd be nice." " Would you like something with it?" " Cognac, thanks." "What's up?" "Just a little cartilage problem." "In her knee." "A small liqueur?" "Would you be able to travel in the morning?" "Or tonight, if necessary." "Where have you played before?" "I last played in Gothenberg..." "But the conductor and I fell in love with the same melody...." "She played it her way..." "And he wanted it played his way." "It was stupid, because it was so unartistic, so I packed and left." "I haven't been in Malmö since." "In Malmö?" " The conductor moved to Malmö." " Yes, that's what he did!" "Cheers, then!" "We made that ourselves!" "So it would seem." "Fetch Marianne's dress..." "if we alter it, it would be alright." "Marianne is our friend who fell ill." "We made 3 dresses to wear when we were playing." "You're sure to be able to wear hers." "There's not too much of a..." " Plunging neckline?" " No... it goes right up." "Why?" "My fiancé is a little bit..." "And it can get a bit chilly." "You can try it on in here, Miss Letterström." "Go on then Märta... in you go!" "Alright then Kurre!" "My fiancée gets very playful." "Can I help you with the dress?" "No, that's quite unnecessary." "Can I ask you how much Miss Letterström would be paid?" "500 kr and full board." "The trio gets a house of its own." "Your own house?" "That doesn't sound bad." "Can you come to Lillköping too, Mr Swenson?" "Well..." "But perhaps..." "Yes, of course you must!" "Well, since it's YOU who's asking..." "That wasn't very nice to say for your fiancée!" "Fiancée?" ""Fiancée" is just a sort of comradely thing between us." "Comradely?" "She does the tidying up at home." "Picks up and puts down..." " And what do you do?" " Not a great deal." "Could you come an help me for a minute." "They seem a bit strange..." "But he's a sweetie!" "Not a bit in love with her!" "Barbro..." "No more infatuations!" "I just don't want to hear again that you've found your great love!" "I've never said that!" "Only times last winter!" "Well, I did believe that then." "Well... this is how it looks." "Good Lord!" "It's a bit tight around the middle, but I can breathe carefully." "Isn't it a bit short as well?" "It won't be noticed when you sit." "In a little town like Lillköping you'll be great..." "Though it's not exactly what we might have expected." "Me neither, I can quite assure you." "GARDEN TERRACE MUSIC CAFE MENU" "Give this card to the girl playing the cello." "Cello?" "!" "Whatever that thing is called..." "And put a couple of glasses and some liqueur in my room... 8." "But what about Mrs Fallén...?" "Don't worry about her." "But I don't dare..." "I'll give you a big bottle of Eau de Cologne." "This card is from that gent over there..." "Which one?" "The little fat one on his own." ""I hope you can join me for a glass of liqueur in Room 8, later this evening"" " Miss Letterström?" "!" " I'm sorry!" "Listen, Fredriksson...!" "I won't have you fooling around with my girls!" "You sent a card over with Hilma." "It was just a tune I wanted to hear." "I'm just warning you, Fredriksson!" "Thanks for this evening..." "You were great." "We're going now." "Are you coming?" "You coming too?" "No..." "I'd like to talk to my fiancé." "Good night, Mr Swenson." "The shit has really hit the fan now!" "What's happened?" "How the hell did I ever get into this!" "So what's happened?" "We have 2 bedrooms." "I sleep in one..." "They sleep in the other." "What's wrong with that?" "Sound fine." "My room's behind theirs with no separate exit." " There's a window, isn't there?" " You're talking to an old man." "No... an old lady!" "I'm waiting... and yearning!" " Who was that?" " Just an admirer." "I must get back before they undress..." "I'll see you later." "Watch out for old Miss Fallén..." "the high priestess of morality." "I'll keep the window open." "What are you doing here?" "What are YOU doing here?" "But I'm here because I live here." "It IS you who lives here..." "Dear boy, do me a favour..." "I'm waiting for a big client." "I'll talk to the room clerk." "Here I am darling!" "I was worried you wouldn't come." "I only came to say that I couldn't come!" "Not so fast..." "Since you came through the window, you must know Miss Fallén very well!" " Don't run away..." " Let me go!" "I'll promise to stay for a minute, if you aren't rough with me." "I so hate rough men!" "You are an enchanting woman!" "Will you have a liqueur?" "Yes thanks." "Or a toddy." "You're wonderful!" "That's what all the men say!" "You know men, do you?" "You could say that." "You're not the usual sort of woman." "No, I'm certainly not." "Fredriksson!" "Open the door immediately!" "Yes, I'm coming!" " Where can I hide?" " Get into the trunk." "I'm coming!" " What's up, Agnes?" " Whereabouts is she?" "Who do you mean?" "Don't give me that!" "..." "I saw that wanton hussy climbing in." "Where is she?" "My dear...." "Look for yourself..." "The first time she's here..." "The first time she sees you..." "It's disgusting!" "It's dreadful!" "Women today have no decency, no morals!" "What were you coughing for?" "I caught a cold in your garden." "Out of my way!" "Out of my way, I said!" "Please stand up, Miss Letterström!" "What are you doing in there?" "!" "I was thinking of buying a nightgown." "You expect me to believe that?" "No, it was all a mistake." "If there is any repetition of this behaviour, I'll have you out of here in an instant..." "Understand?" "Both you and the other girls!" "What would your fiancée say about this?" "He's the one I expected to find in this room." "That's an explanation, not an excuse!" "Having lady visitors is strictly forbidden in this establishment engaged to be married or not." "So get out of here instantly!" "And don't do it again." "Of course not!" "Good night!" "Give me that back!" "But the door's locked!" "Good heavens!" "What do you want?" "I'm here with your morning coffee." "Good morning!" "Goodness me..." "Have you gone and caught a cold?" " Caught cold sitting down." " Yes, it was cold last night." "It's a beautiful day!" "Is it?" "Say... to you always go around so lightly dressed?" "Don't you think it's... appropriate?" "No!" "... after all..." "Amongst us girls it doesn't matter!" "Barbro suggested we get some sun in the garden for a while." "Why don't you come too?" "There's a spot where you really don't need to have a stitch on!" "I really daren't take the risk think about my cold!" "Yes, you're probably right." "Lunch is at 12." "Next week it's your turn to keep house." ""We'll all row, each with his own oar..."" ""out into the ocean of love..."" ""Oar"... "door"... "raw"..." ""But the storm can..."" "What the heck is that?" "Don't ask me, it's your mum's." "Do you have any shaving stuff?" "Otherwise I'll be on as The Bearded Lady." "How are the girls?" "The girls are sunbathing naked, out in the garden." "Next week I'll be keeping house." "So I'll know where not to eat." "I've been a cook..." "I was even a cook in the goddamned army..." "That was heaven compared to here." "Who's there?" "It's Miss Fallén!" "May I come in...?" "I hope you've slept well." "Yes... very well." "Molly!" "Come here Molly!" "I've just come to complain about you switching rooms." "Mr Fredriksson is..." "WAS a good customer." "The idiot desk clerk didn't dare say no." "Has a nice view though." "Yes, it's very nice." "So, will you stay on in this room?" "Yes, of course." "The wallpaper's a bit shabby." "It's picturesque." "Yes, I'll have it repapered this summer." "Well, we'll just have to get a new bed." "There's nothing wrong with this one." "There's no spring in the springs..." "I know my springs!" "There'll be new guests soon..." "It needs a new bed." "I'll get the housekeeper to have it changed right away." "Please... please..." "I really don't want to have any other bed but this one." "Well... if you REALLY want it..." "Well, there wasn't anything else." "But where's Molly?" "I'm sure Molly never came in." "When I came in, Molly came in too." "Don't look under the bed!" "What are you doing there?" "I'm playing with little Molly." "Come out of there." "Come on... hurry up!" "I've had quite enough, Miss Letterström." "I shan't play with Molly any more." "If I catch you in a guest's room once more, you're dismissed." "Understood?" "!" "What's that on your face?" "I was nibbling a 'nigger-ball'." "Miss Letterström is a problem." "She's so mad about sweet things." "The way her face looked!" "Having lived together for 10 years..." "LIVED together?" "I thought you were engaged!" "We believe in free love..." "without the ties." "So that's it!" "We don't hold with that, here in Lillköping!" "Here we hold with the proper formalities!" "Yes..." "I've sort of noticed that." "My hat!" "Could you please catch my hat!" "Thank you so terribly much!" "Don't mention it!" "I haven't seen you before..." "Are you a tourist?" "No..." "I'm a cellist." "I'm with the Stads Hotel "Ladies 3" Trio." "Music is wonderful!" "Can you play that Nutcracker Suite?" "No, that's a bit too monumental for our little group." "I haven't introduced myself..." "I'm Mayoress Granlund née von Riddarsporre..." "from Hackesta!" "Miss Letterström..." "A cousin of mine was married to a Löwensköld." "Fancy that!" "Good I invite you to a cup of coffee?" "It's so nice to meet a new face in our town!" "And to meet someone of one's own class!" "Mayoress Granlund née Riddarsporre..." "You are just too kind!" "Hello!" "Am I disturbing you?" "Not at all..." "I'm in need of inspiration." "Could I give you any?" "Nobody could do it better than you." "What about your fiancée?" "Could we please drop the subject of my fiancée?" " Do you want to sit down?" " Should I?" "Why shouldn't you sit on a chair?" "I meant, why shouldn't I mention your fiancée?" "That's somewhat difficult to explain." "You mean you aren't in love with her?" "She's really more like an older sister to me." "How come you two got engaged?" "How did it happen...?" "You have to understand, that first and foremost, she was incredibly in love with me." "Our parents were old friends..." "They really wanted to see us as a couple." "I just couldn't bring myself to say no..." "when she proposed." "SHE proposed?" "!" "Sure... it was a still summer evening the moon shining..." "the smell of wild cherries and a bottle of brandy." "I really wasn't myself that evening." "So you and her drank all that brandy?" "... ...And then she proposed?" "Yes, I'm afraid so." "That's quite dreadful!" "It's not funny." "You poor thing!" "Would you like another piece of cake?" "Not for me, thanks..." "I really must watch my figure!" "A woman would be happy with your figure." "I don't think my figure would suit the average woman." "You're far too modest, Miss Letterström..." "Say... as I think I'm the eldest of us two..." "Yes, that's probable!" "...My name's Louise." "I'm Märta." "Märta, I'm so happy to have met you here in Lillköping." "There are just so few nice ladies here in our little town..." "But I really feel that..." "I can't take any more!" "Stina, can't you see I have a guest?" "I have to tell you..." "They spat out their food and said I was a cow!" "Stina DOES look like a cow." "We don't want to eat old meatballs..." "they're yucky!" "See what I mean!" "Shame on you children!" "I'll talk about it later, Stina." "We'll have a nice greeting for our guest..." "This is Thor..." "Bow nicely, now." "So where's your hammer, THOR?" "!" "That lady looks stupid." "You don't look so bright yourself, Thor." "Thor, we don't say things like that!" "Curtsy now, Freya." "The lady has a funny nose!" "What are you doing?" "Odin took my pea-shooter." "And he took lots of pellets!" "I think I know where Odin is!" "Off you go now, Freya!" "I want to play with her bag!" "Märta dear, let her have a play with it!" "Take it then, Freya, pet!" " Take care of it, dear!" " It's a crummy bag, anyway." "Are they your own children, Louise?" "Yes, and another 9..." "They're the youngest." "Little children are cute." "What is it Selma?" "I need to talk to you, ma'am." "Excuse me a moment." "It's me who's Odin." " Did it hurt?" " No, it was just amusing!" "I'm used to it." "Would you like a piece of cake, Odin?" "I just might." "Then I'll give you a really nice big piece." "Look what she did to me!" "Shut up!" "Get out you goddamned brat!" "Who are you?" "!" "Who are you I asked?" "!" "My name is Miss Letterström." "Where's my wife?" "What is it Tobias dear?" "I am goddamned furious!" "I've spent half an hour in this goddamned house looking for my cigar-cutter..." "It's not to be found..." "WHERE IS IT?" "!" " I think it's in..." " I'm to THINK... you're to KNOW!" "A man's wife should keep track of his things!" "... ...Not sit drinking coffee all day..." "and eating cake... with other women!" "It's impossible to live in this damned house!" "Look for my cigar-cutter, you old bag!" "Don't cry now..." "He was just in a bit of a bad mood." "I always get the blame, no matter how hard I try." "You can see it isn't easy to be married, Märta..." "You can be happy you're not married." "I'm sorry, but it's times like this I regret ever having tied the nooky nut." "It's "tied the nuptial knot", Louisa." "For 30 years, I've darned and mended and been abused by my husband." "I drudge and toil and when he comes home I'm not good enough for him." ""There's nothing hard about being a housewife" he says... it's nice and easy." "If they only knew how it is..." "Calm down, Louisa... don't cry." "Why do you have a razor in your bag?" "Give me my bag, you brat..." "and scram!" "I'm sorry..." "I'm being very foolish." "No...." "Louisa, you're just too nice." "LOUISE is my name." "If I start to complain, I'm told how ungrateful I am..." "And if I don't like it, I can take the children and disappear." "What could I ever do?" "No... watch out for marriage!" "But not all married men are like the mayor." "I know... but when you read in the paper about all the women doctors, and lawyers and authors, and see how THEY're so respected!" "It makes me so damned angry." "Say it... that's what you mean." "Weren't we woman brought into the world to be wives and mothers?" "Yes, of course!" "That's the way I feel." "Now I really must go." "Thanks for coffee." " I hope we'll meet again." " I hope so, too!" "There's a meeting at the Women's Society..." "Couldn't we go together?" "Come along... come with me!" "Alright then..." "I'll come." "Goodbye." "It doesn't matter..." "I'll pick it up." "Lillköping Women's and Animal Welfare Society" "Today we're meeting to discuss a matter that you're all well aware of." "We're coming up to the election for our member of parliament." "Year after year there are complaints about the low number of women in parliament." "But is anything done about it?" "No... not at all!" "Out of 230 Lower House seats, only 12 are held by women." "Is that right and reasonable?" "Again I say no... not at all!" "Of our country's 6,684,987 inhabitants 3,436,918 are women." "Is that any sort of proportion?" "120 women should be sitting in parliament." "So why aren't they?" "Are we less talented?" "No!" "Are we less eloquent?" "No!" "Would we do an inferior job of minding the nation's interests?" "No!" "This cannot continue!" "Male dominance has to finish!" "We women of Lillköping shall be at the forefront of the collapse of male domination." "For this heroic quest, we shall put up a woman as our candidate." "Unfortunately I can't offer myself as candidate but I ask myself Which of you ladies would take this proud and responsible task?" "Please stand." "I'm sorry... that was a mistake!" "No!" "No!" "You're new in town, and in new to our Society..." "But your friendship to the mayoress and your courageous initiative show you to be a women in whom we can absolutely place our trust." "Shall we accept Miss Letterström as our candidate?" "Photographer" " Brides a specialty" "There, there, Miss Letterström..." "Big smile!" "Maybe that's not appropriate for a member of parliament." "You may be right..." "We'll have a different pose..." "Lean down there." "We'll have your hand up like that..." "No, that's no good!" "Like that, then?" "This is all a total mistake!" "No..." "It was meant to happen!" "That's why my hat blew off..." "so that we'd meet... and go to the meeting..." "Just smile now!" "No, a bigger smile than that!" "Put Our Märta first" "No... this is like a nightmare!" "You'll have to act really badly so people won't support you." "That'd be a big disappointment for Louise." "The girls would be kicked out." " Can you see me as a female parliamentarian?" " Absolutely!" "Believe in Tobias" "Let all of us sing out as one..." "Cast your vote for Märta!" "We shall strike a powerful blow..." "Cast your vote for Märta!" "Young and old, strong and weak..." "Cast your vote for Märta!" "She shall write our nation's laws..." "That's our Märta!" "She's our Märta..." "She's our Märta..." "She's our parliamentary candidate!" "Märta... our own spokeswoman." "Tobias is our man..." "Tobias is the right one!" "Tobias, he is true..." "Tobias he's a hero." "Trust in Tobias..." "Tobias is your friend..." "Trust in Tobias..." "Tobias is the future!" "Trust in Tobias..." "Tobias is your friend..." "Trust in Tobias..." "Tobias is the future!" "Every woman sings as one..." "Cast your vote for Märta!" "Join us now in our song..." "Cast your vote for Märta!" "Let our voices all ring clear Cast your vote for Märta!" "We no longer want a man..." "Cast your vote for Märta!" "She's our Märta..." "She's our Märta..." "She's our parliamentary candidate!" "And we sing out for our Märta..." "Believe in Tobias..." " Citizens of Lillköping..." " Down with Tobias!" "Citizens of Lillköping..." "You stand today before a choice between me and Miss Letterström." "Between your own mayor and a musician, who's a woman into the bargain." "I shan't delve into Miss Letterström's merits or those of her jitterbugging fiancé of questionable character." "But I cannot avoid questioning her suitability as your member of parliament." "For hundreds of years we've known that people feel best being led by a man." "That is all I have to say." "I leave it to your good judgment." "Now it's your turn!" "Citizens of Lillköping..." "I find the mayor's words very annoying..." "You men believe that you're much better than we are..." "I say you're all stupid idiots!" "He says people have been better off in a man's world..." "Allow me to laugh at that!" "Because of men's self-righteousness and lust for power humanity has endured terrible suffering." "If women had more say in the matter, things would have been different." "How about YOU?" "!" "That was really good!" "On behalf of the women of Lillköping..." "Thank you!" "That goddamned Tobias..." "Trying to put us women down!" "You're not a woman." "Hell..." "I'm not sure what I am." "Yes..." "MP!" "I hope Letterström wins..." "I'm sick and tired of Tobias." "It's from the Town Hall..." "How's it going?" "Yes, this is the Lillköping Old People's Home." "Märta is 200 votes behind..." "Come right away... all of you!" "I don't care..." "Come by ambulance if necessary!" "Have you voted?" "We know zilch about politics!" "I'll pay you an extra 10kr a month!" "We want 20." "Alright!" "But hurry..." "It closes soon." "We'll drink our coffee first." "Give me the hospital..." "Urgently!" "It's a matter of life and death!" "Come on girls..." "Märta is 3 votes behind." "Ladies and gentlemen..." "here's the result of today's vote..." "The winner, with 905 votes against 904 Miss Letterström!" "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm lost for words..." "I can only say as Ingrid Bergman said when she became an American citizen..." ""This is the happiest day of my life!"" "Please Miss Fallén..." "May I be excused?" "Just a little while!" "You girls continue playing." " I've been elected." " So I saw." "There's no way I'll set foot in Parliament House." "You don't need to..." "By the time parliament is convened, we'll be long gone from here." " Do you know what I am?" " A member of parliament." "Are you in love?" "Who with?" "Inga of course..." "She's wonderful." "Yes, she's cute..." "but I prefer Barbro." "Think what it must be like..." "being in love with a lovely girl... as Märta." "It's no better for me being in love..." "when I'm supposed to be your fiancé." "No... it's terrible." " It's horrible... it's awful..." " Dreadful." "I've got an idea..." "Tomorrow I'll come home to you..." "and we'll start arguing." " What do you think of my new dress?" " Is it new?" "No point my doing anything to please you." "Don't start with that..." "I never asked you!" "That outfit is totally wrong for you..." "It's quite childish." "I'm too old for you, am I?" "Is that what you mean?" "I didn't say that." "But you meant it, didn't you?" "Can't you wait until we're alone to have this conversation it's very unpleasant for others." "Start crying now." "You and I need to have this out..." "and it's best we have witnesses." "I always get taunted about my age..." "Why didn't I find someone else?" "!" "It's still not too late!" "Here's your ring!" "Don't show yourself again!" "Kurre... you should be ashamed!" "Yes!" "You really should!" "Märta... you mustn't cry!" "I sacrificed myself for him!" "Just leave us alone, Barbro." "Well!" "..." "Sorry!" "Are you feeling better now?" "It's been a long time since I felt this good!" "Kurre's awfully stupid!" "I don't think it was right to have given him all that brandy before you proposed to him." "Brandy?" "And I proposed?" "Who said that?" "That's what Kurre told Barbro." "DID he then?" "!" "..." "Well..." "How CAN you be so nasty to Märta?" "She so nice." "You must understand..." "We're not made for each other." "We'd never be really happy." "But you did get engaged to her." "But she's broken it off now!" "We had a little chat..." "and Märta forgives Kurre this time." "Forgives me?" "But my dear girl..." "We'll just put this whole silly episode behind us." "We'll pretend nothing happened." "Come down, Märta." "But please..." "I don't want to be forgiven!" "Then I won't speak to you again!" "I forgive you and I'd very much like to have the ring back." "You don't look happy..." "It's all OK now!" "Kiss and make up!" "No... we'd like to be alone." "We want to see that everything's good again." "So kiss each other now." "On the mouth!" "No... we'd rather do that in the bedroom." "Märta... isn't breakfast ready yet?" "The toast is a bit burnt." "That doesn't really matter." "What happened to your chin?" "I cut it with the breadknife." "Wowee...!" "No... nothing." "Do you want to come, Märta?" "I'd rather stay home." "I'm a very poor swimmer..." "and I don't have a costume." "I've a spare one." "Are you lovely ladies ready?" "Soon... is it far to the bay?" "Half an hour by bike." "And the picnic basket?" "It's in the kitchen." "I think it's quite sad leaving you alone all day." "I'll manage very well." "Goodbye then." "Don't be home too late." "Goodbye then, old girl!" "At last... a day to myself!" " Isn't this lovely?" "!" " Wonderful!" "Where did you put the suntan lotion?" "Suntan lotion?" "Didn't YOU bring it?" "Your so careless..." "There's no sugar, either!" "Märta was looking after the food." "You are such a twit!" " Kurre... you wouldn't like to..." " Yes, what?" "No... don't you worry..." "I'll go myself." "You weren't very helpful." "I just didn't want to leave you alone." "Who are you?" "My name's Sture Letterström." "I came to visit my sister Märta and took the liberty of waiting here." "Is there something wrong with the way I look?" "No... but you're so incredibly alike." "That's not so strange..." "We're twin brothers..." "I mean sisters..." "No... we're single-egg children." "It's odd that Märta has never mentioned you." "Not so odd... single-egg children aren't things you talk about it's family business." "She and I don't get on." "And she's so easy-going!" "I quite disapproved of her engagement with Kurre." "So why did you come here?" "Well... nobody realises how sad it is to be at loggerheads with someone." "It's strange... if Märta gets a lump of wax in her ear... so do I!" "Why don't you sit down..." "I'm sure Märta will be here soon." "I'll keep you company until she comes." ""You can't live without it" 6 letters beginning with K." " Kurre?" " Don't be silly... and it's only 5." "I know... "love". [kärlek]" "And you can't live without it!" "Not me, anyway." "Barbro..." "I'm just so in love with you!" "Just help me with the crossword." "Never mind the crossword..." "I'm in love with you!" "You have to think about Märta!" "I'm tired of Märta." "I'll tell you the truth." "Märta is not Märta!" " Märta is not a woman!" " You're not to criticize her!" "She's not what she seems to be." "But Märta is also at the same time my best friend!" "Sometimes friendship is more important than love." "Not in this case!" "Märta is not what you think she is!" "Say another word and I'll leave." "I'm going now!" " Another cup of coffee?" " Yes, thank you." "It's a shame Märta's taking so long." "It doesn't matter..." "This is very pleasant." "But we have to play in half an hour." "Is that the time?" "I really must run." "I have to be in Stockholm this evening." "Thanks for a lovely day." "Who was that?" "Couldn't you tell?" "I thought I recognised him." "It was Märta." "Who?" "!" "Märta." "That's what Kurre was trying to explain to me!" "I'm so in love with him!" "And I've already had time to fall in love with Sture." "You can't believe how nice he was!" "But the cheek of him!" "We've been with a man all summer." "But we won't let on that we know." "We'll let them suffer for a bit." "Here he comes!" "Was it cold in the water?" " Have been home, Märta?" " Yes, I've been resting." "You'll never guess who's been here." "Who?" "Your brother..." "Sture." "That oaf!" "We're not friends, you see." "Did HE say that?" "Yes, he intimated that." "So what did you think of him?" "Rather insignificant." "Insignificant?" "And conceited, like all men." "I wouldn't say that." "If it wasn't for Kurre, he'd be delightful." "Pleasant... and very amusing..." "How he's made me laugh!" "He must have had a bad day." "Yes he must have..." "He usually seems really nice." "I haven't offended you have I, Märta?" "But as you don't like him at all, I wasn't concerned." "We ARE brother and sister." "I may have been unfair to him." "I'll write him and beg forgiveness." "Shall I give him your regards?" "No... there's no reason at all to do that." "No?" "I'm sure he's really appreciate it." "That's of no interest to me whatsoever." "Märta... have you heard the news?" "News?" "What news?" "Parliament has been called for next week!" "It was on the radio news." "Won't that be exciting?" "!" "It sure will be!" "Fetch some water, quickly!" "Märta... were you too excited?" "!" " No..." "I'm not going." " There's nothing to be afraid of!" "What if I have to speak?" "Say no..." "It's called moving a motion." "Are you playing games?" "Isn't that nice!" "What motion are you going to move?" "I'm not going to move anything." "Move some little thing..." "that goes down well!" "Just a little thing." "That would be too pushy on my first day." "What do you think?" "No... just the opposite!" "I know what you can move, Märta!" "The train's starting!" "Just let me say what to move!" "Shouldn't Märta move something?" "It doesn't matter if he... if she doesn't do it." "I have such a good idea!" "Well you can't tell her now." "Don't say that!" "I realise you're new here." "Yes, I am." " Take snuff?" " No thanks." "It gets goddamned boring here.." "Do you play bus-chess?" "'Noughts and crosses' with 5 in a row?" "Last year there was an old guy sitting here who didn't play..." "THAT was the most boring session of parliament in 23 years!" "He just sat listening to other people's speeches..." "That was not a good time!" "Have you ever moved a motion Mr Johansson?" "Too much trouble!" "You should avoid it!" "It's great that you can play..." "I bought a pad for the purpose." " Could you start?" " Yes, sure." "That'll do it!" " Are you tuning the piano?" " I'm composing!" "Can't you tell?" "!" " Tell me... if someone moves a motion..." " You're too old for that!" "I mean in parliament..." "Can you write to the speaker?" "Or do you have to call out?" "Of course you can!" "Why do you ask?" "I was just wondering." "Wondering!" "Crazy women!" "To:" "The Speaker National Parliament" "There... what does that make it?" "You won again." "You've won 612 and I've won 474." "Pull yourself together..." "It's nearly over." "That guy's been going on for 2 hours." "His voice is getting to me!" "Have a pinch of snuff." "...this disparity..." "and that a committee be formulated in order to scrutinize the scrutinizing-committee's scrutiny of the 1927 committee's investigation." "The next motion will be moved by Miss Letterström, Lillköping..." "A proposal for a bill named "The Housewife Act"" "Miss Letterström has the floor." "I win again!" "Miss Letterström has the floor!" "613-474" " It's your turn!" " What for?" "Miss Letterström!" "Do you hear?" "It's your turn!" " Did you move a motion?" " Not that I'm aware." "It concerns something you called "The Housewife Act"." "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Speaker..." "Where would modern society be without laws?" "We have big laws and small laws..." "long laws and short laws..." "It's hard to imagine life without laws." "Firstly there is the Law of Gravity..." "And we all know how important that is!" "Without it we'd all float away and disappear." "I'm sorry!" "We have reason to be thankful to the law of gravity!" "So we have the voice of our conscience..." "That's not a bad law to follow, if you can." "Then we have the Lent fasting laws... teaching us to eat in moderation, which is a good thing." "After Lent comes Easter and Whitsun..." "two festivals which..." "What does this have to do with the Housewife Act?" "!" "Exactly Mr Speaker!" "What does it have to do with The Housewife Act?" "!" "Nothing!" "Ladies and gentlemen..." "Absolutely nothing!" "The Housewife Act..." "What is The Housewife Act?" "What does it hope to achieve?" "Someone must know..." "I reiterate yet again..." "What does it hope to achieve?" "Get to the point!" "What does it hope to achieve?" "What does it?" "..." "I know!" "Mr Speaker!" "..." "Is there any occupational group more important than housewives?" "No!" "Is there any group worse off?" "No!" "All other occupations have their regulations." "Do housewives?" " No!" " You're right, Johansson!" "Are there many housewives not busy all day long with their daily chores from dawn till dusk with dusting, dish-washing, scrubbing, sweeping, toiling and tidying and a 1001 other things in what we call home!" "But does her husband regard that as work?" "No!" "That's right, Mr Speaker!" "Be seated!" ""Her at home has peace and quiet." "She has it easy!" says hubby!" "Dammit, she has a terrible time!" "But that's going to come to an end!" "The husband will sign a contract under which the wife will be paid!" "In addition, the wife will have 2 evenings free per week, as well as every other Sunday!" "The contract will be taken as breached if the husband breaches any section." "The status of women is a stain on our society!" "Shall we resign ourselves to this?" "No!" "This stain must be washed away!" "Yes!" "The committee emphasises the need for The Housewife Act and the importance of an unprejudiced treatment of the question." "Parliament will request that His Majesty the king might allow execution of the report on the implementation of the provisions thereof." "Let us now all sing today..." "Welcome home, our Märta!" "You have just been in a fight, our nation's and our Märta!" "You are fine and you are good..." "For wives you give your heart!" "Our problems you were quick to grasp..." "and all our pain as well!" "Oh, our Märta, oh our Märta..." "thanks to you the fight is over now..." "Oh, our Märta, oh our Märta..." "You were our saviour through and through!" "Hard it was for many years, but then along came Märta..." "The battle though was short but hard..." "The winner was our Märta." "Now have housewives got their rights..." "Thanks to our dear Märta..." "She's now woman number one..." "in every heart of ours." "Oh, our Märta, oh our Märta..." "you're 1st Lady of this town..." "We pay homage to you..." "Oh, our Märta, oh our Märta she is the woman of the day!" "Tell me you love me..." "over and over again!" "I love you over and over!" "Now you're making fun of me." "Just wait!" "..." "I'll pay you back when the marriage contract comes." "Where did Inga and Märta..." "Sture go?" "They went home to have a chat." "And he doesn't know that she knows that she is he!" "He finally made it." "No... it's been such a long time since..." "Are you asleep, Märta?" "Can I come in for a while..." "I want to talk to you about something." "Just a moment." "You can come in now." "I have an important decision to make and I'd like your advise." "Concerning what?" "I've gone and fallen in love." "While I was away?" "Who is it then?" "He's really very nice." "Guys are not to be trusted, believe me!" "They're false and untrustworthy." "Is he in love with you?" "Yes, I think so." " Has he proposed?" " No." "Well, flirting and fooling around is OK, but not marriage." "Responsibilities are a serious matter." "To tell the truth..." "He hasn't had an opportunity to ask." "He should make an opportunity..." "Sounds pretty weak to me." "No backbone." "Does he have any income?" "No, nothing steady." "But he's very gifted." "Then he should have a steady income." "Märta... advise me about marriage." "With him?" "Definitely!" " Thanks for the advice." " Don't mention it." "Märta..." "You look a lot better without your wig." "Märta Letterström dead." "Tragedy at swimming bay." "Lillköping mourns." "I just can't believe it." "Märta was such a poor swimmer." "What was she doing there?" "Maybe it's for the best." "She'd had the chance to make her contribution." "And what a contribution!" "We'll never forget her, here." "But wasn't it YOUR idea for the Housewife Act?" "No... all honour is due to our Märta." "You're a wonderful woman..." "and you meant so much to my sister." "My train's nearly due..." "goodbye and thank you." "Goodbye Mr Letterström." "I'll be late home, so you'll have to wait up to make me supper." "This is my free day today, and there's no more overtime available for the month." "But dear sweet Louise..." "couldn't it be possible..." "Alright, I'll think about it..." "But it'll be 1.75 an hour." "And Saturday free..." "I'll go to Stockholm..." "I need to have some fun." "Have you seen my needlework?" "Don't you think..." "Think?" "You're supposed to know!" "Go and look for it." "But I've no idea which room..." "Stop standing there talking rubbish..." "Just find it!" "So we got married and lived happily ever after..." "And as we're not dead, we're still alive." "I don't believe one word of it." "That statue knows I was tellin the truth." "I believe you had a sister called Märta." "Great grandma says you never tell the truth." "Get off there." "Goodbye, Märta..." "and thanks for an unforgettable time." "Subtitles by FatPlank for KG"