""This ring will be passed From the first to the last"" ""Pass it on, pass it on Let it never be at rest"" "THE GIRL FROM THE THIRD ROW" "We are forced into this life with blood and pain." "We live in torturous confusion." "One day, like a twisted number, be wiped off from the great blackboard of life." "For me, and every logical human being, there's an escape." "A backdoor out to the curved room of eternity." "And with a smile, I salute the bottomless nothingness of life." "And finish it." "He should have finished it earlier." "But there were only three acts." "That's exactly it." "His bottomless nothingness will cost us 50.000." "What did you think of your hero?" "Terrible." "Finally!" "I've waited ten years for those words." "I didn't understand, Daddy." "Me neither." "Poor Sture really believed in it." "He should stick to comedy." "You don't think life is that meaningless and terrible, do you?" "How could I?" "I've got you and the little one." "That's the worst thing I've ever seen." "You always say that if there's no ballet!" "If I didn't have that interest, you wouldn't exist!" "If only..." "HELL A morality tale in four acts" "KEEP OUT" "Come in." "Sorry to disturb, but it's nearly midnight, and everyone's gone." "Sorry, Lager." "I was just sitting here, thinking." "Just go." "I'll put the lights out and close up." "Mr Anker shouldn't sit here all by himself." "That won't make things better." "Nothing will be better than anything else." "Please go." "I'd rather be by myself." "Good night, then." "Don't forget the main door." "I won't." "And with a smile," "I salute the bottomless nothingness of life." "And for my failure." "Don't take it so seriously." "Who's there?" "It's only me." "Who?" "Where are you?" "Here on the railing." "What are you doing here?" "Smoking a cigarette." "That's not allowed." "You do it." "I'm the manager here." "I thought that was Fredrik." "Director Antonsson takes care of the finances." "Do you know him?" "In a way, but he doesn't know me." "But who are you?" "Me?" "I'm the girl from the third row." "Sounds like a play." "You can use it if you want." "What's your name?" "I've got so many names." "What do you want?" "Talk to you." "About the only thing that interests you." "Yourself." "How very witty." "How very true." "I've got no time for your rudeness." "Please get out at..." "Where did she go?" "You mean me?" "How did you get there?" "You still haven't got the time?" "You're strange." "We were going to talk about you." "How could you write this play?" "It's my best one so far." "Not according to the audience." "I don't care about them." "But you used to." "That's possible." "Sometimes you have to be honest and tell the audience the truth." "And the truth is that life is meaningless, and we must kill ourselves?" "You've understood." "But you haven't." "Life isn't that terrible nightmare you try to put across." "You don't believe it yourself." "Yes, I do." "Hell is just life here on earth." "You didn't come up with that yourself." "That's possible." "But it's the simple truth." "Is that so?" "I'd like to tell you a story." "Go ahead." "I'm waiting for the reviews anyway." "Is it amusing?" "That's up to you." "You might be able to learn something." "It's the story of a ring." "How interesting..." "Once upon a time, there was an old lady, who lived on the top floor." "She was very nice, but also very poor." "She had to rent out her only room, and live in the kitchen." "But even though she was poor, she didn't want to sell her ring." "And my story is about that ring." "What stones are these, Aunt Wilma?" "The white, sparkling ones are diamonds." "They come from coal." "From coleslaw?" "No, with coals from the stove." "Did you find them in the stove?" "It's not that easy." "You have to dig hundreds of metres below ground." "Why do they have the stoves lit so far down?" "So that their feet won't be cold." "The blue one is a sapphire." "Do you often have cold feet?" "From time to time." "You should tap-dance with them, like Mum and Dad." "I'm too old for that." "But did you know, that when Aunt Wilma was young, she danced at the Royal Opera?" "But it wasn't these modern dances, like tap-dancing." "Aunt Wilma did pirouettes, and stood on her toes." "Couldn't you reach?" "Yes, I did reach." "Hello!" "Hello, my little wild one." "But I wasn't good enough to be first dancer." "What have you been up to?" "Aunt Wilma says that they have stoves far below ground, so that she won't get cold feet." "Is that true?" "Did it go well?" "No." "No?" "They would hire us for one month, if we got new clothes." "That would cost the whole fee." "And they don't pay in advance." "Well, I never..." "Birgit's evening dress is so pretty." "I'll take that." "They have great pretensions at the theatre." "We've been mending it for four years now." "And I've never had a tuxedo." "But that's terrible!" "It'll work out." "We'll make do with performances in the parks next summer." "Come to Mummy." "Can I play in the parks?" "I'm afraid not, little Charlotta." "Is this Mr Holmberg?" "That's me." "I got this address from the child welfare authorities." "It's about the young girl." "Please come in." "My name is Mrs C:son Burén." "Holmberg." "Please come in." "I'll introduce you." "This is Mrs...my wife." "How do you do?" "Miss Andersson." "And this is..." "Mrs C:son Burén." "And this is little Charlotta, I assume?" "Aunt Wilma says there are stoves hundreds of metres underground." "I said no such thing." "Yes, you did." "Because of your cold feet." "Don't talk so much." "Go and play with Aunt Wilma." "But she did say that!" "Mrs D:son..." "Mrs C:son Burén." "Please have a seat." "Thank you." "I understand how embarrassing this is for you." "But since my husband and I have decided to adopt a child," "I would want to get, how should I put it, an impression of the parents as well." "Of course, we understand." "So it's for financial reasons that you're getting rid that you're leaving your little girl?" "My wife and I were members in a trio...a dance trio." "Here we are, all three of us." "We called ourselves "The 3 Jitterbugs"." "It says it here." "It was really nothing special, but we were doing all right." "But then I got pregnant." "Right." "And then Svenne Löfgren, the third member, and I..." "We went on ourselves as "The 2 Jokers"." "It was more humorous, as you can see from this photo." "But then Svenne got an offer from Copenhagen." "He was really the best of us." "We didn't want to stand in his way." "He's in a nightclub in Holland now." "He's a great success." "What's that?" "But this isn't about Svenne..." "No, you're right." "And then the missus recovered, and we went on as "Jack and Jill"." "It says so here, on the poster." "Maybe it's too far to read." ""Jack and Jill", it says here." "But it was never the same thing." "It can't be easy to be performers." "No, it's no walk in the park." "One day, it's up, the other, it's down." "At the moment, it's down." "You take it admirably well." "You have to, in this business." "Otherwise, it would be impossible." "But who knows?" "One day "Jack and Jill" may be in large, lit-up letters." "If that happens, won't you regret leaving your little girl?" "As you know, you can't get her back." "Yes, of course we would." "But those lit-up letters are just wishful thinking." "And we have to think about Charlotta's future and upbringing." "I think I've heard enough." "Thank you for this little talk, and good luck." "I'm going to talk to my husband, and if you are not regretting it," "I think we can consider this done." "I assure you that Charlotta will be in good hands." "You don't have to follow me to the door." "Birgit, you mustn't be so sad." "What else can I be?" "Don't you think this is hard on me as well?" "But you're not her mother." "That's different." "But we can't take care of her." "If only we could afford clothes." "Then we could take that job, and everything would be different." "I have a feeling that those 500 kronor would have meant so much." "Yes, when you don't have them..." "Maybe she won't be in good hands." "Yes, she will." "C:son Burén is one of Sweden's richest men." "Imagine the upbringing and education she'll get!" "She'll travel abroad, and meet lots of interesting people." "But not her parents..." "Who can't even support themselves..." "Birgit dear, we have no choice." "Try to get some sleep." "Good morning." "Good morning." "Excuse me." "Do you buy jewellery?" "That depends." "I've got a ring here." "It's the only valuable I have." "I got it from a young man from one of the city's finest families." "I never thought I'd sell it." "But the young ones are in such difficulties." "They're putting up their daughter for adoption." "I'm not long for this world, and I haven't got any relatives." "If they could only get some financial help," "I think everything would turn out well." "How much do you want for it?" "They need 500 kronor." "It's got two diamonds and one sapphire." "You'd be content with 500 kronor?" "That should be enough for them." "And if there's something for me as well, that would be welcome." "I'll give you 500." "I'm most grateful." "One, two, three, four, that's five hundred." "Thank you very much." "Good bye." "Bye-bye." "May I see the ring?" "By all means." "It's pretty." "You think so?" "I'm buying my wife a present for 500 for our five-year anniversary." "But since you paid 500, you don't want to sell it for that?" "No." "No, we all want our share." "I know that, being an insurance salesman." "I'll look for something else..." "You can have it for 50 kronor." "Pardon?" "You can have it for 50." "It's not real." "It's a well-made copy." "But you just paid 500 for it." "That's my choice." "Is it so hard to understand?" "The young people should learn how to get on by themselves." "That's what I had to do." "But the old lady is another matter." "She can come here for their sake with her last valuable." "Shouldn't then I, who's got shops all over the city, be able to help her in my way?" "500 kronor for a little old lady's last illusion." "That's a bargain." "That's not a story." "That's a fairy tale." "Call it want you want." "It's true." "Such angelic people might exist, but I'm convinced they do everything for egotistical reasons." "They do their good deeds for personal satisfaction." "But their selfishness manifests itself in quite an appealing way." "Yes, but people like the old lady and the jeweller are rare." "The 500 kronor for them to buy new clothes doesn't give life meaning." "But I've only started my story." "The insurance salesman bought the ring for 50 kronor." "Sonja dear." "I'm almost done." "Let's go to the cinema." "Not tonight as well." "What should we do, then?" "Just enjoy each other's company." "By the way, I invited Kalle Nilsson up for a drink." "What's the use of that?" "One should be nice to neighbours." "He seems fun." "I don't see why you don't like him." "There, I'm done." "On the occasion of this day of great importance," "I hereby offer you this small gift." "What's that?" "Open it." "But Gusten..." "How pretty!" "It must have cost a fortune..." "Yes..." "I've sold a few insurances this month." "I haven't even remembered our anniversary." "No matter." "You can give me two ties for Christmas!" "The main thing is that you like it." "It's wonderful." "Kalle's here!" "Hello!" "Come in, come in." "Make yourself at home." "Glad you could stop by." "What's that?" "Good evening." "Hello." "There you are." "Something to hang on the wall." "You have to buy the frame." "You embarrass me!" "That's very good of you." "May I see it?" "Apples..." "Isn't it obvious?" "Nice apples, even though they're blue..." "I'll get us a couple of drinks." "I'll be right back!" "Was this really necessary?" "Not here!" "Say that you love me." "I love you." "Will you come over tomorrow?" "Yes." "Let me go, he's coming!" "You sold a lot at the exhibition?" "Yes, it went pretty well." "How much do you charge for one of those apple things?" "The galleries get around 300." "Are you crazy?" "300!" "That's 150 kronor an apple." "Outrageous..." "I know a pair of worn-out shoes that would cost 100.000." "They belonged to a Mr Van Gogh." "The madman who cut off an ear." "Imagine how much a name is worth." "Imagine having a pair of old shoes on the wall." "When you can get nice red chalets surrounded by birches." "That's right!" "I prefer the scent of birches to sweaty feet." "If you had painted four apples, it would have been worth 600." "Here's your drink." "Thanks a lot." "Cheers, you old fruit peddler." "Cheers!" "Kalle, what are your plans for the future?" "Saturday the 2 May at 21.15, Kalle is departing for Italy." "What?" "You lucky thing." "How long will you be away?" "A year, I hope." "A year?" "Doesn't she sound jealous?" "Two weeks at a pension in Furusund is not exactly the same." ""I don't do it because I love Kalle." "I've never loved you."" ""Forgive me"." "Raise your right arm a bit." "Take a break." "Hello, darling!" "Where are you going?" "Don't you see?" "I'm coming with you!" "What are you saying?" "I've got a ticket and everything." "But what about Gusten?" "I wrote him a letter and explained everything." "But where did you get the money?" "I took the money for the hoover." "Then there's your scholarship." "No, I'll be damned if you have!" "I won't spend anything of my grant to bring you." "I'm travelling to work!" "But you won't let me down?" "That's rich coming from you!" "Is it my fault that you start this without asking me?" "And it's not nice to Gusten." "But now it's done." "Maybe he's read the letter." "You won't get anything from me." "I'll get my own money." "How?" "For the ring, I'll get enough to last me a month." "Once there, it'll be fine." "Well, I can't stop you." "When does the pawnbroker close?" "Three o'clock, it's Saturday." "I'll make it." "Wait for me!" "Women..." "Of course, she had to come along..." "Thanks, miss." "That's all for today." "WINE AND SPIRITS" "PAWN SHOP" "CLOSED" "Hello?" "Yes, this 33 18 46." "What are you saying?" "Oh my God..." "Was that all she said?" "Is it very serious?" "I see." "I see." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Sonja, dear." "Are you at home?" "Come in." "Have you been home long?" "No." "You must go to the hospital." "Sonja's had an accident." "What?" "Hurry!" "What are you doing?" "Calling for a car." "Get one in the street." "There's never one there." "Taxi." "A car to Bagger Street 8." "Örjevall." "What happened?" "She was hit by a tram." "You must get me a car." "There's been an accident." "Is it serious?" "I don't know." "Thanks, Miss." "This'll do nicely..." "TO GUSTEN" "I'm sorry." "Yes, it's strange." "I can barely understand it." "Are you sure she didn't suffer?" "It did take a long time." "No, she didn't feel a thing." "If she only woke up for a moment." "I'd have thanked for her letter." "The last thing she did was to write me a letter." "Like she suspected that something would happen." "Do you want to hear it?" "Yes, please." "Of course, it's very personal..." "But you were the last one to..." "I want you to learn something about her." "This is what she writes:" ""Beloved." "I sit here alone, thinking of you."" ""I miss you, and to make contact with you, I'm writing these lines."" ""You make me so happy." "I love you so much."" ""I don't know what to do without you."" ""Of course, I understand that you can do without me,"" ""but there are moments when I think I mean something to you."" ""Not just as a woman, but as a source of inspiration."" ""I just I heard your steps in the hall."" ""Maybe it's just my imagination."" ""I'll see you soon, my beloved." "I'm counting the seconds."" ""Your Sonja."" "How she must have loved you." "Yes." "More than I thought, actually." "I knew she cared for me, but not that it was so strong." "Why did she have to die?" "Why is life so meaningless?" "I understand that you're bitter, but think about the beautiful memories she leaves." "Yes." "Yes, that's true." "Those are memories to make you live on." "Good bye, and thank you for your kindness." "From us both." "I took care of this." "Thank you." "This ring is not genuine." "It would make me very happy if you would take it, as a keepsake." "I'd be delighted." "I hope it will bring you luck." "Good bye." "Good bye." "Well, was that also a fairy tale?" "Yes, a ghastly and cynical one." "Which only supports my thesis." "Life is hell, and people are selfish and cruel." "But the insurance agent was a kind man." "And the painter tried to make amends by switching the letters." "The insurance agent got the love he didn't have in his marriage." "You should have become a lawyer." "But you wouldn't be a good prosecutor." "I'm not accusing, merely stating facts." "You have to admit, the ending was bitter for the agent." "If it hadn't been for the tram, it would have been even more bitter." "He lived on with a beautiful lie, instead of an ugly truth." "But that's enough of them." "Let's go over to Nurse Maj." "It's a great shame." "A nice girl like you." "He's only using you." "What cheek!" "Dinners, sock-darning, foot baths.." "...and intercourse." "What language is this?" "Dear Mother, I'm a nurse and 30 years old!" "And still unmarried." "He will never marry you if you don't threaten to break up." "I won't do anything he doesn't want to do himself." "That's him." "Please say hello nicely." "Hello." "Hello, darling." "Good afternoon, Mrs Blomqvist." "Good afternoon, doctor." "Good bye, Mother dear." "Good bye." "Enjoy your meal." "I see..." "I don't think your mother really likes me." "What's for dinner?" "Lamb chops." "What's wrong with the lamp?" "It's just broken." "Where are the light bulbs?" "There aren't any." "We'll have soup as a starter." "What kind of soup?" "Tomato soup." "But it's quite light here." "Not in the corner." "Two things I can't eat - pig's trotters and tomato soup." "What bad luck." "I've told you a thousand times." "I thought it was spinach soup." "So that's why I never get that." "That's my favourite." "I sit here like a chimney sweep in a coal cellar, but that's OK." "Did you have a difficult day?" "It was normal." "Something strange happened this afternoon..." "Maj, I'm reading the paper." "Out of 24 hours, is it unreasonable to have 5 minutes for this?" "No, no." "No." "The soup's ready." "I'll grab a spoon and try it out." "What's that?" "A ring." "Who gave you that?" "Today, at the ward..." "Thanks, that's enough!" "It's like that." "What do you mean?" "Do you think I'm an idiot?" "Yes, you do." "That's how it starts." "What are you talking about?" "It's that nasty little man in ward four." "First a box of chocolates, then a ring." "He's fast!" "He's not nasty at all." "He's very good-looking." "Is he?" "You only say that to tease me." "Maybe it's the wire..." "Did he try to kiss you?" "I won't answer that." "Don't tell me that you did." "No." "But did you feel like it?" "Have you never felt like kissing a patient?" "The blonde with the broken leg?" "That's different, I'm a man!" "What a scoundrel!" "Hand the ring back." "I think it's beautiful." "And it's the only ring I've got..." "I'll give you another one." "And no knick-knack." "A simple, honest gold ring!" "We should formalise our relationship." "What are they saying at the hospital?" "No more gossip!" "Tomorrow, we'll have the banns published." "Give me the ring." "Do you really want to marry me?" "Won't you regret it?" "Yes, I do." "And I never regret anything!" "Now give me the ring." "In that case..." "Good." "How are things here?" "Fine, doctor." "Is it now?" "Nurse Maj sitting on my bed is the best medicine." "Does she sit on your bed?" "What's wrong with that?" "That's completely against hospital regulations!" "Relax, doctor." "I was speaking figuratively." "An unfortunately chosen figure!" "But pleasant." "Maybe I could leave soon?" "The sooner the better!" "Good, I've got rehearsals at the Savoy next week." "Prancing around?" "No, I'll try to be funny." "That'll prove difficult." "I'll never be as funny as you." "I'm not funny!" "But I think so." "I have never been funny!" "You can leave the hospital this afternoon." "And take your ring!" "So congratulations are in order?" "You don't seem pleased." "Maybe he's only that temperamental at work." "No, it's pretty constant." "But he's got good sides too." "A sense of humour helps you overlook it." "There's a call on number four." "What does he want?" "What did Mr Anker want?" "Have you talked to Dr Burelius?" "Why do you ask?" "Is he really completely sane?" "How come?" "He rushed in here, more confused than usual." "The whole thing ended with him giving me this ring." "Oh dear..." "Exactly!" "What does he mean by that?" "I don't know." "What should I do with the ring?" "You can give it to a pretty girl." "That's a splendid idea." "There you are." "I couldn't possibly..." "Why not?" "For your loving care." "I really can't." "Don't you have a fiancé?" "No, I'm still going "unsteady"." "All of a sudden, it might be steady." "Save it for then." "I think it brings luck." "But that chap was me!" "I know." "But how do you know all this?" "That's my secret." "I was so young then." "And happy." "I didn't know how fortunate I was." "Then life wasn't unbearable?" "On the contrary." "But I hadn't seen much of it." "I shouldn't have given away that ring." "Or rather, I should have given it to someone else." "That's where you're wrong." "That's what you think." "But you don't know the rest of the story." "I tried to be funny at the Savoy variety that summer." "And that's where I fell in love for the first time." "In a way that's only possible when you're very young." "Hello." "Hello." "What's it going to be?" "Let's take it from the top." "Hello." "Hello." "One, two, three..." "Hello, Topsy." "Is it sold out?" "Every seat." "The grass widowers are all here." "You like pretty legs, too." "Only yours." "That's what they all say." "How do you know that?" "I read it in a book." "Never at a loss..." "Only for protection." "Come to me, I'll protect you." "For how long?" "Until the sun rises and the troll disappears, i.e. the grass widower." "For a true grass widower the sun never rises." "It only sets at the weekend spent with the family." "May I give you a small present?" "What's that?" "It's a magic ring." "With that, nothing evil can happen." "You're crazy, Sture." "Do you like it?" "How much was it?" "Never look a gift horse in the mouth." "You're wonderful." "Do you want to go out tonight?" "I'd love to." "Keep your fingers crossed." "A promoter from abroad is here." "Keep your legs steady." "Topsy?" "Oh, it's you, Madam." "Good evening, it's Sture." "May I speak with Topsy?" "That's too bad." "I'll call her tomorrow." "I hope she's feeling better then." "Good night." "Good night." "How wonderful!" "Is it genuine?" "I don't give away copies." "You're wonderful, Hjalmar." "A mere trifle..." "You go in." "I'll be right along." "Welcome." "Good evening." "Good evening and welcome." "Thank you." "Where's my table?" "The first sofa in the rotunda." "Good evening, Director." "I hope your wife liked the ring." "Yes, indeed." "Who was that?" "He bought a solitaire today." "Beautiful?" "It was OK." "So-so quality." "The old man bought it from a refugee." "What are you doing here?" "I'm asking myself the same thing." "Your mother said you were ill." "You seem fine to me." "Don't start, Sture." "I can explain everything." "You can?" "Maybe you can explain that ring as well?" "It's a present." "Which you will pay for." "Don't you understand?" "You speak from experience." "What do you mean?" "You gave me a ring as well." "And it wasn't even genuine." "I had it valued." "But my feelings were real." "And so are Director Haller's." "You know exactly what he wants." "Return it and come with me." "No, I won't." "But I'll return yours." "There you are." "Topsy, don't ruin everything." "It mustn't end like this." "I haven't given up." "But maybe it's better if it ends like this." "I've thought so for a long time." "We don't match." "I want real jewellery and you want real feelings." "No one can fulfil the other's needs." "Good night." "Can I have another brandy?" "You've had all you're allowed." "Can I have the bill, then?" "One moment." "There you are." "14.80..." "I'm not sure I've got that much." "I've only got 15 kronor." "You can take this ring as a tip." "I don't want it anyway." "Yes, that was the good luck that ring gave me." "You still think I shouldn't have given it to someone else?" "Disappointment in love is part of every young man's education." "If it hadn't been her, it would have been someone else." "Wasn't it a useful experience?" "Yes, if you mean that I've since avoided all serious relationships, with all that they entail." "I learnt never to trust anyone." "That so-called "true feelings" aren't worth a damn." "Yes, then there wasn't any meaning to it." "There isn't anything called "meaning"." "The sooner we realise that life is just meaningless, the better." "That way, we avoid disappointments and lost illusions." "That's not true, and it would be easy to prove you wrong." "But instead, I'll tell you how the story of the ring ended." "Sorry to disturb, but would you like to have a look at a ring?" "A guest left it instead of a tip." "It would be unfortunate if it proved to be valuable." "It will be a pleasure." "Thank you." "You don't have to worry." "It's fake." "Very well-made, but practically worthless." "What a relief." "Thank you for your help." "I hope everything has been satisfactory." "It always is." "We never go anywhere else." "You are indeed one of our most faithful patrons." "A good man, but terrible cuff links." "The thinnest sort." "62.50, engraving included." "Phone for Mr Antonsson." "For me?" "Who could that be at this hour?" "It must be the old man." "Don't say hello from me." "I won't..." "If you come back to me, I'll show you the new addition." "Rembrandt or Rubens?" "No, the kid." "A lovely girl." "She's not housetrained yet, but it'll come." "That would be lovely!" "Since when did you like children?" "But I love children." "As long as I don't have to give birth." "Weren't her real parents variety artists?" "No, this is a country girl." "A good thing, too." "I was always against the others." "Theatre people are always strange." "Rabble will remain so." "But I want to play roulette." "I've never understood the charm of wet nappies." "You're terrible, Otto!" "We're too few." "That can be fixed." "Is it OK if I ask some people?" "That's fine by me." "Just make sure they can afford to lose." "Connie dear, please call and ask one of the servants to stay up." "Don't be silly." "Why should Connie call?" "Well, was it he?" "Yes." "What nerve." "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind." "Calling and disturbing like that..." "Does he think people have no private life?" "If you had any guts, you'd quit tomorrow and open up your own shop." "That's what I will need to do." "What do you mean?" "He wants to talk to me at once." "That's going too far!" "Are you going to accept that?" "He's been checking my accounting." "Weren't the profits high enough?" "Hello." "Do you want to go back to C:son Burén's for roulette?" "Dry champagne and high stakes." "I'm afraid I have to go." "No, you don't." "We'll come." "Great." "We'll meet in the foyer." "You must listen to me..." "I won't accept that Lilja bullies you like that." "He can talk to you tomorrow." "Dagmar, I've embezzled 100.000 kronor." "What?" "What are you saying?" "That's the case." "I was speculating." "It was idiotic, but I got a sure- fire tip from a customer." "And bought shares for money you didn't have." "Right." "You get three days' credit." "And then the share price fell." "Yes..." "And you started removing sales." "No." "I'm doing the accounting." "I just adjusted the revenues." "From time to time..." "Downwards..." "And now it's 100.000 kronor." "99.465 to be precise." "What do you think he'll do?" "I don't know." "Make sure that he gets it back." "How?" "I will have to work for it." "100.000 kronor?" "99.465..." "Now I have to go." "Please forgive me." "You know you can trust me." "Wait a minute..." "Take these." "Offer him these as a first instalment." "Dagmar, I'm so ashamed." "Go now." "I'll see you at home." "It'll be all right." "C:son Burén's company is leaving now." "Please tell them that unfortunately, we can't..." "Do you still have that ring?" "Yes, of course." "May I buy it?" "Buy it?" "It's yours." "I insist on paying." "May we not make this gesture?" "I always pay my way." "I understand." "It's two kronor." "Isn't it worth more?" "That's what I paid the waitress." "There you are." "I'll keep this as a lucky penny." "I hope the ring brings you luck." "So do I." "I'll need it." "I understand your views, but money has a strange power." "And I've had bad luck." "There's no such thing!" ""Bad luck" is invented by lazy and characterless people to excuse their self-inflicted failures." "Neither God nor other people are responsible for us." "We shape our own destiny." "It's not that simple." "Yes, it is." "There's neither heaven nor hell, neither God nor Devil." "There's no one to help us, and no one to be afraid of." "We'll get the rewards of our actions here on earth." "Yes, you've had yours." "That's quite true." "My old father was an honest artisan and taught me two important things." "Firstly, he taught me to work, and secondly, he taught me not to live above my means." "I've followed his advice." "I started with two empty hands, and now I have 14 jeweller's shops around the country." "And I still live in my humble abode." "And what did you get out of life apart from work and money?" "Nothing." "That's enough for me." "I feel sorry for you." "Feel sorry?" "It's I who should feel sorry for you." "No." "Even if I'm sent to prison, I wouldn't trade lives with you." "You won't be so cocky when the police come to get you tomorrow, if you don't pay the money back by noon." "No..." "But you must understand that I won't be able to do that." "Give me a reprieve." "Let me work it off." "Work it off?" "Take this." "No." "I want 99.465 kronor, and I want them by noon." "Otherwise, I'll call the police." "Don't be so hard." "Show some mercy." "Why should I?" "No one ever showed me any mercy." "But think about my wife." "Your wife?" "She hates me!" "You know that as well as I. She'll be all right." "There's only one option left..." "What?" "You're far too cowardly for that." "Please go now." "I have to sleep now, I'm tired." "Good night." "Sleep well...if you can." "I always sleep well." "Has everyone made their bets?" "Yes, let's go!" "Doesn't Mrs Antonsson want to bet?" "I don't have any cash." "But I may have some for this ring?" "May I see it?" "It's pretty." "The quality must be good, it's from a jeweller's wife." "Hurry up, you old pawnbroker!" "Now, now..." "I always get security for my loans." "Like you at the bank." "Here's 1000 kronor." "Is that enough?" "I hope so." "One, five, nine, fourteen, eighteen..." "Mrs Antonsson bets on numbers." "That's a risky system." "It amuses me." "I hope the joy is not short-lived." "The odds are only one in four." "36 times the money justifies it." "Black, 11." "Sorry, Mrs Antonsson." "It's coming." "There you are." "There you are." "Make your bets." "Put these on 11." "Then we start." "Wait!" "Connie, could you answer the phone?" "Let's hope you have better luck..." "Hello?" "Yes, she's here." "One moment, I'll get her." "Mrs Antonsson, it's your husband." "Maybe it's quieter in the library." "Thank you." "It's me, Fredrik." "Seven, red." "It's Mrs Antonsson's number." "3.600 kronor!" "3.600 kronor." "I'll take it to her." "Leave it!" "She'll probably want to leave it there." "But that's terrible!" "Did he really threaten with the police?" "Yes, he was incredibly stubborn." "What if I talked to him?" "That wouldn't do any good." "He knows you don't like him." "He told me." "Didn't he want my jewellery?" "Seven again!" "That makes 129.600 kronor!" "Maybe you should write out a cheque." "Mrs Antonsson!" "Please leave me alone." "But Mrs Antonsson..." "Please leave." "I see." "Then I won't disturb you." "Bet this..." "What did she say?" "She wasn't interested." "Will this do?" "Yes." "I know it's covered." "Leave it there." "She would have taken it." "If she prefers to talk on the phone, that's her choice." "But there must be a way." "Yes, there must." "That's right, Fredrik." "Don't lose hope." "No, I won't be a coward." "That's good." "I'll be home in a moment, I'll just call for a taxi." "Taxi?" "Can I have a car to Park Street 9?" "Antonsson." "Thank you very much." "Let's see..." "I'm afraid I have to go." "You've had a good streak during your call." "You've won 129.600 kronor." "Here's the cheque." "What are you saying?" "Your seven came up twice." "Is it true?" "Thank you very much." "Hands off." "The wheel is spinning." "You must understand that I wouldn't bet 129.600 kronor on a number." "You must understand." "You have to follow the game." "I tried to tell you, but you just told me to leave." "Please, Consul-general." "This money would mean so much." "Rules are rules, Mrs Antonsson." "Good night." "Seven again!" "Four million!" "Mrs Antonsson, you won!" "You won again!" "They say it's over four million!" "Aren't you happy?" "May I have a glass of water?" "Yes, of course." "Help!" "Grab hold of this." "This is a mistake." "How do you mean?" "I'm going down, not up." "Well, so am I, I suppose." "Is that so?" "I should introduce myself." "Antonsson." "Embezzlement." "Anker." "Unlucky in love." "None of those are any fun." "Not at all." "I suppose we should let go now." "I suppose so." "It was a pleasure meeting you." "Likewise." "I hope it wasn't the last time." "Actually, I think it will be." "Oh yes, I forgot!" "Goodbye, then." "Goodbye." "Excuse me!" "You don't happen to have 100.000 to lend me?" "I'm afraid I'm broke." "I thought I should at least ask." "I'm sorry I can't be of help." "That's quite all right." "Better luck next time." "You mean in heaven?" "How silly of me!" "I keep forgetting." "Bless you!" "Thank you." "Do you have a cold?" "Yes." "Be careful, that can be dangerous." "Aren't you using long underpants?" "No, as a matter of principle." "You should." "What you need is a brandy." "Bless you." "Thank you." "You could need one, too." "Yes, I feel a bit cold." "Listen." "I live just nearby." "We could go to my place and have a drink." "Then we could put on some dry clothes." "Then we can come back here." "That's a splendid idea." "What's the point of freezing just because you're committing suicide?" "Here's 500 ball-bearing and 500 Grängesberg shares." "Let's see how much that is." "Sorry, but it's not my fault that I couldn't stop at 129.600." "Can't you settle for that now?" "No, rules are rules." "You have to take the consequences." "How much is that?" "With the cheque, 4.632.400." "We still need 33.200 kronor." "You still have shares in the bank." "Those are for my companies." "I'll keep those." "You could take some paintings." "What?" "No, thank you." "Such a small sum isn't anything to quibble about." "Let's call it a discount." "You're far too generous!" "Don't mention it." "I'll send the suitcase back tomorrow." "Good morning, gentlemen." "Thank you for the evening." "Do you want another small one?" "Just a small one." "It's strange how quickly you can drink a whole bottle." "But we were very, very cold." "That we were!" "But now we're much warmer." "I feel tremendously warm." "Then I'll just nip back down." "Wait!" "You can't go out like that." "Look at yourself!" "No, I can't." "What if I met someone I knew?" "How they would laugh!" "Yes, they would laugh like..." "Do you know old man Lilja?" "What about him?" "What?" "What about him, I asked." "Who?" "Old man Lilja." "What about him?" "I don't know." "It's bad form to remind me of old man Lilja, when we had such a good time." "I'm very disappointed, Ture." "Sture." "Pardon?" "My name is Sture." "Much obliged." "Fredrik." "Hello." "Hello." "I wonder how this will turn out." "You tell me." "You tell me..." "Difficult to say." "What's difficult to say?" ""Clams crammed in clean cans."" "It's very difficult." "Just try it." "Are you hungry?" "I would love a bite to eat." "That's impossible." "No food at home?" "It's dangerous to throw yourself in the water when you've eaten." "You're quite right." "That would have been disastrous." "It would have been terrible." "That's dangerous." "Someone's coming." "That's my wife." "Oh dear." "I suspect that she doesn't want me to drown myself with you." "Welcome home, Dagmar dear." "Been travelling?" "What have you been up to?" "This is good old Sture!" "How do you do?" "So I see." "Have you been away long?" "I haven't been travelling, I've been at C:son Burén's." "I've got a little surprise for you." "What is it?" "4.5 million kronor in shares." "You should never make jokes about money." "It's not a joke." "See for yourself." "Come in." "The consul-general called." "So I did." "Give me a strong coffee." "Do you want anything with it?" "In that case I would have said so." "Thank you." "Look at the one that landed in the lamp." "Was it an Oxelösund share?" "No, I'm sticking to ball-bearings." "Now it's only one hour left until I get to see old man Lilja's face." "What if he has a stroke?" "He's too tough." "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't see him again." "That's true." "Who?" "Old man Lilja." "It's thanks to you that I sit here." "If you hadn't turned up..." "No, Fredrik." "Down." "I was turning down." "That's right." "Then I wouldn't be a millionaire." "I'll give you anything you want." "If I give you a million, I'm sure she'll come back." "No, thank you." "I'm finished with her." "I have only one interest - the theatre." "Do you want a theatre?" "You're crazy, Fredrik." "I just mean that I'm an actor." "Then you should have a theatre." "That's impossible." "I'm far too young and don't know a thing about finances." "But I do!" "Now, that's settled." "I'm not staying with old man Lilja anyway." "I have to do something with my money." "Our money." "Our money." "I want something to do." "You should have." "Dagmar dear, isn't that a good idea?" "The three of us will buy a theatre and manage it together." "On one condition." "What's that?" "Tell us." "Let's hear it, Dagmar." "That you won't do the bookkeeping." "Right..." "Come in." "What is it?" "I've come to say goodbye." "You just started yesterday." "I'm done here." "What the hell are you saying?" "I've no reason to stay." "What cheek!" "I'll report you." "What's you name?" "I've got many names." "Take good care of the ring." "Damn floozy..." "The ring..." "Where the hell did I put that?" "And I've had it ever since." "And that's the end of the story." "Who are you?" "I've already told you." "I'm the girl from the third row." "If I weren't in the story myself, I'd think it was made-up." "I'm sure." "In any case, you haven't persuaded me that life has a meaning." "No?" "It's a coincidence that I should make a call when she came in." "And that I didn't have enough money to leave a tip." "And that Lilja didn't discover the embezzlement two hours earlier." "No, that can only be coincidences." "You can call it that, if you want." "May I see it?" "There you are." "Imagine that a worthless trinket can cause so much." "To have such an importance for so many people." "At times, sudden death." "Other times, money and happiness." "Isn't it...?" "Where are you?" "Hello!" "Who are you calling after?" "A young girl." "Did you see her?" "I haven't seen anyone." "Strange..." "What time is it?" "A quarter past seven." "Already?" "Have you read the reviews?" "Yes, unfortunately." "A flop?" "I've read lots of reviews, but these were the worst." "Well, I never!" "What is it?" "But that's my old ring that you have in your hand." "What are you saying?" "That I sold ten years ago." "I got 500 kronor for it." "Have you ever been a ballerina?" "Yes, at the Royal Opera." "But how did you know that?" "There you are, Miss Andersson." "It's yours." "Are you giving it to me?" "Of course." "Are you sure?" "Oh yes." "That was fortunate." "Why?" "I got it from a young man from one of the finer families." "But a ballerina wasn't good enough, so his parents sent him abroad." "But yesterday, I got a letter from him." "He's returned and wants to meet me." "He'll come over today at two o'clock." "I haven't slept a wink, thinking about how I should explain that I haven't got his ring." "And now I have it!" "God can be very kind." "Yes." "But what a coincidence that you would be here at this hour." "I'm not sure "coincidence" is the right word." "Good morning."