" Good evening, Count von Bathwyhl." " Good evening, Andersson." "Thank you." "Many people here tonight?" " Full house, as usual." " Yes, of course." " Is Mr. Balzar here too?" " Yes, and lieutenant Brenner as well." " Brenner." "Are you certain?" " Absolutely." "He's been here for hours." "Excuse me a moment." "Hello." "The Royal Yacht Club foyer." "Yes, it is." "No." "Lieutenant Brenner is not here tonight." "That's all right." "You're welcome." "You just said Lieutenant Brenner was here." "The Lieutenant expressly said he didn't wish to be disturbed." " Do you know who it was who phoned?" " Yes, a lady." "Mrs. Brenner, I think." "Thank you." "Your Lieutenant promised not to go to the club." "And he isn't there." " Why do you always distrust him?" " You find that so strange?" "You know how often Louis has broken his word." "I know." "But if you could only try not to get so upset." "Don't you think I try?" "I try so hard it aches in my chest." "But as soon as I try to be happy, something happens." "Then I can't be happy any longer." "But nothing will happen now." "Try to look a little happy." "Right, there." "Come, let's go in to Julia again." " If only Julia wouldn't tease me." " She means nothing by it." "Come on." " He was there, I assume." " No, you see, he wasn't." "Louis has kept his promise this time." "I was certain of it, in fact." "Louis wasn't at the club." "So relatives and friends can sleep calmly tonight." " What do you mean?" " One less gambling debt." "Don't be nasty, Julia." "Kindly hold this." " Katja, for God sake!" " Don't worry, dear sister-in-law." "He won't cost you a penny." "He'll never gamble again." " I must turn the chair." " What do you mean?" " Perhaps my luck will turn." " Oh, I see." " Go on, Mr. Walker." "Go on." " Will you really...?" " I won't give in." "Go on." " Well..." "As you like it, Mr. Brenner." "Louis..." " I beg your pardon - Stop now, Louis." "This is madness." "Stop?" "I've lost over 50,000." "You're mad!" "I'm going to come back." "Beg your pardon, Mr. Walker." "How much?" "This idyllic Swedish family life was shaken by the letter from America." " Did you know you had relatives there?" " Vaguely." "But we thought the old lady had financial problems." "Julia actually wanted me to send her a little money a while back." "Wonderful!" "And she turned out to be a millionaire." "And coming here with a million dollars for me to invest for her in Sweden." " Don't be stingy with the drinks." " Tell her to invest in Sveaverken." "Oh no." "Sveaverken is a solid deal." "I'd rather avoid the speculative investments of old ladies." "Now she plans to come here and go skiing in Lappland." "No, but she's arranged to meet us on "the biggest mountain in Sweden"." "I figured I'd send Julia to keep her company." "I don't have the time." "Hi, everybody." " Kurt." "Can I talk to you a minute?" "Of course." " What is it?" " Louis is here." "You can handle him." " Who's he playing?" " An Argentinian." "World Poker champion." " Lord, what a mess!" " Yes." "I'll go talk to him." "Excuse me, gentlemen." "I must leave." "Unfortunately, a matter...well." "Thank you, gentlemen." "See you." "Balzar is the smartest businessman we have in this country." "And such a charming wife!" "Have you seen Julia play Pygmalion?" "Yet it is said he loves his company Sveaverken more than his wife." "They say his charming wife loves her brother-in-law more than her husband." "Her brother-in-law?" "That poker fiend?" "Louis, Sussi is ill." "Pay and leave." " It's not true!" " Come on, I said." " Beg your pardon, I must go." " I understand." " Will you take a check?" " Sure I will, Mr. Brenner." "May I cover the amount within three days?" "If necessary, sure." "Thanks." "Good night, Mr. Brenner." "Good night, Mr. Devil!" "Or whatever the hell you're called!" "It's rather moving the way those two stick together." " They're related and childhood friends." " And flirt with each other's wives." "Is that so clever?" " Good night, Andersson." " Kurt, you lied about Sussi, right?" " She's not ill." " Of course I lied." "Sussi and Katja are at our house." "You can pick her up there." "Come now." " Give Lieutenant Brenner his hat." " Thank you." " Come on." "If it amuses you to criticize Louis, it amuses me to defend him." "I don't think he's morally ruined, but he has weak character." "You should be ashamed!" "Louis is easily led and mixes in bad company." "Shame on you." "He's mostly in the company of Ludvig and my husband." "Other than that, he's mostly with you, dear Julia." "I love Louis Brenner, and I know he loves me." "I forbid you to talk that way about my husband." "You're disgusting!" "I'm not surprised Kurt prefers Katja to you!" "What are you saying!" "Does he really?" "This little milksop." "Yes, Julia." "Kurt is getting so persistent now that Ludvig..." "That Ludvig has to seek comfort with Sussi." "Enjoy." "Hey, don't you think it's time they left?" "You're so charmingly rude, Julia." "But don't worry." " We're leaving in a few days." " Nice." "One less thing to suffer." " Where are you going?" " Skiing in Åre." "And Ludvig asked Sussi and Louis to join us." " I'll come too!" " You will not!" "You can't, Julia." "You have to look after the American woman." "Never mind her, now that I have nicer company to travel with." "I can't listen to her anymore." "Come, Katja." "Let's go." " Good night!" "Good night, hysterical sister-in-law." "Say hello to my love, Louis." "Why do you have to tease her?" "You know she's a nervous wreck." " I loathe women who don't get the joke." " Yours are not easy to get." " You know why she's so sensitive." " Overly sensitive, you mean." "Did you forget that she lost her little girl six months ago?" "If I lost my child, I'd lose my mind at the same time." "Well, you have so little to lose." "Good night, honey." "And say hello to my darling Kurt." "Thank you." "Darling." "You won't have to, Julia." "Our gentlemen are here." " Good evening." " Good evening." " Good evening, Sussi." " Where have you been?" "At the club." " Not Louis, I hope?" " Yes." " Despite promises and good intentions." " What's happened?" "Don't look at me like that!" "I know I was brought here to be confronted." "Yes, I was at the club." "I lost a fortune." "I broke my promise and bribed people to lie." "And had I stolen and murdered, I'd confess that too." " If I were to do the right thing..." " Sussi, leave him alone." " It's bad enough as it is." " I'll take you home." "Come, Louis!" " Julia, I'd like to explain..." " Explain how you'll pay off the debt." " Come home, Louis." " No!" "Stay here and explain it to me." "Leave him alone, Julia!" "Good lord!" "Sussi!" "Wait!" "Did you promise Sussi not to go to the club tonight?" "Yes." "But she promised me not to sully our home with her scenes." "This morning she had a terrible fight with mother." "I eavesdropped." "It was about me, as usual." " Should a gentleman really eavesdrop?" " I'm no gentleman." "I'm a degenerate." "If I want to know something, I listen." " What do you say, Katja?" " No, never." "Look." "You see that?" "There's my husband, staring at Katja like a hungry dog." "So, how much did you lose, Louis?" " Too bad." "Can't you join us in Åre?" " No, the trip to Åre's off." "You and Ludvig must help Julia take care of the American up in Lappland." " How nice." " Right." "That is, if you're coming too." "Well, that would be for your sake, sweet little Katja." "What about Louis and Sussi?" "They're staying home." "Louis has to straighten out his affairs." "Poor man." "Let's leave Julia at home." "She'll be delighted." "Well..." "I hope she's had enough by now of..." "Look at me." "Well, Louis?" " Had enough?" "Of whom?" " My dear brother-in-law." "Please, Kurt, don't be jealous of Louis again." "You have me." "Well, my darling degenerate, how will we repair this latest foolishness?" "Kurt won't help me anymore." "I don't blame him." "Sussi can't." "She has nothing more to give." " What if I helped you?" " Impossible, dear Julia." "I'm certainly a fool, but I'm no rat." "The very notion is an insult." "I want you to know that." " I'll get the money somehow." " Look at you two!" "Take care of your husband, Julia." "He's getting boring." " I can help you with your coat." " Yes, you may." "Thanks." " Where's Ludvig?" " He walked Sussi to the car, darling." "Thanks." " Let's go, Louis." "Before my husband elopes with your wife." " Good night, Julia." " Leaving already?" " Yes, unfortunately..." " Such a shame." "Good night, dear Katja." "It really is splendid how Katja trusts her husband." "She doesn't know better, poor woman." "Well, good night." "Good night." "You need patience with men like Louis, or they destroy themselves." " I've had plenty of patience." " But you've only been married 3 years." "If Julia wasn't around I'd have patience for 30." "Are you jealous?" "Look at me." "But you love him, don't you?" "And he loves you." "Of course he does." " Oh!" "Are you still here?" " Sorry to break up your tête-à-tête." "Please, Louis, why are you jealous of Ludvig?" " He's as loyal to me as a pet dog." " Should I drive you home?" " No thanks, we'll walk." " Come." "The baby might wake up soon." " Good night." " Good night." "Sussi!" "Can't you be patient with me?" "Just a bit more?" "Forgive me, Sussi." "Come, let's go home." " Am I bothering you?" " No, of course not." "Come on in." "Well..." "I wonder if Louis is telling the whole truth about this new debt?" "Sure." "He confessed it all, poor man." "Poor!" "He's a useless, incurably inferior man." " It's beyond me how you can like him." " Are you jealous?" "How divine." " I love Louis Brenner." " Please remember, you're married to me!" " Yes, and you hate Louis." " I don't like men that my wife loves." " I'd like to keep her to myself." " No, it's inconceivable." "Men adore me." "It's not hard to adore a woman who's not your wife." "I too adored you, once upon a time." "What an unpleasant way of saying it." "Is your mind on Katja?" "Yes, she's very pretty." "And so banal." " Tired of one wife?" "Get a new one." " Good night!" " Oh, Kurt." "Don't go." " Leave me alone." " Do you find me pretty and nice?" " No!" " But you find me kind and pleasant?" " No." "Come sit here." "Come and sit down." "Kurt, just repeat after me:" "I find you pretty and nice and kind and pleasant." "No." "Poor boy." "Already an adult, without having learned to lie." "What pleasure would that lie give you?" "Sometimes you feel so poor that you gladly beg for small lies." "Even when you know they're lies." "It's like children picking dead leaves and calling them gold." "But they know they're dead leaves." "Try to lie, my sweet boy." "Louis can say those pretty things better than I, without lying." "Yes, he can!" "Certainly." " Yes." "But he won't avoid hard labor!" " What do you mean?" "There's no money to cover the check he wrote tonight." "I guess he didn't mention that!" "Good night." " Wait!" "You must help him!" " No." "He's cost me enough." "He'll have to look after himself." "If he can." " But this is terrible!" "Where's Kurt?" " I don't know." " Sveaverken shares are falling." " Falling?" "No, I'm selling." " Are you crazy?" " No, but I need money." " What do you need so much money for?" " None of your business." " It's to keep Louis out of jail." " Jail!" "Have you gone mad?" "No, Ludvig." "Louis wrote a check that's not covered." " What?" " Yes." "Kurt won't help." "Sussi can't." "Louis is careless, but he's no crook." "So I'm selling." " What will Kurt say when he finds out?" " He won't." "If you keep quiet." "Don't you see the danger?" "Kurt's trying to get a bond loan for Sveaverken." "I don't care about Sveaverken." "It ruined my life and stole my husband." "He went there today without even saying goodbye." "This is absurd." "Call the bank and find out how many shares have been sold." " Why?" " Which bank?" " Folkbanken, but why, Ludvig?" " To keep Kurt from being ruined!" "Folkbanken..." "The Bonds Department." "Thank you." " Come here!" " Just a moment..." " What do I say?" " Ask how many shares are sold." "This is Mrs. Balzar." "I'd like to know how many of my shares have sold." "Thank you." "Sveaverken. 200?" " How many are up for sale?" " 500." " Cancel the others." " No!" " Do as I say!" " I wish to stop sale of the remainder." "Thank you." " What do I do now?" " How much money do you need?" " Fifty thousand." " And you have 300 shares." "I'll buy them for that sum." "That's about 167 each." "Good deal for me." " Will you take a check?" " Oh, Ludvig!" " Ludvig." "Ludvig's name's on the check." " Don't worry about that." " He's just a middleman." " So who is it?" "It from a friend who's ashamed of having a friend like Louis." "But, Julia, what will I do?" "I must know who it is." "I don't understand." "Try not to understand." "You'll feel better for it." " I can't accept it." " Not even to save Louis from jail?" " Jail?" "What do you mean?" " I'll explain it later." "Go to the bank and deposit it in Louis' account." "And not a word to Kurt or Louis." "Understand?" " Kurt!" "Hello." " Hi there!" "Well, hello." "I'll also be coming to the mountains in a day or two." " I must see the American." " Lovely!" "We're leaving tonight." " What made you change your mind?" " That market panic didn't help my loan." "The bank doesn't like it." "But I can't wait." " So you plan to woo the American woman?" " Yes, old boy." "Great." "Welcome along." "Louis and Sussi are coming too." " Louis solved his problem." " We'd better go." "It's dangerous here." " Bye." " What?" "Did Louis...?" "What a racket." "Hello, Doctor." "Nice of you to come." " Hello there, old man." "How are you?" " Fine, thanks." " But the girl there is sick." " Yes, I heard." " We'll have a look at her." " Thank you." "It's her throat." "She's been like this all night." "She can't breathe." " Why didn't you send for me earlier?" " We thought it was too far to come." "You know I don't mind coming." "Can you help us, Doctor?" "Well, then there was the ski journey home again. 50 kilometers." "It was blowing hard on the north slope, so it was nice to get indoors." " Did the little girl die, Dr. Jonson?" " Her?" "No, she was so frightened upon seeing a doctor that she got better." "Shame it doesn't have the same effect on you, Mrs. Pale-nose." "Sleep well last night?" " Why not?" " Her imagination's working overtime." "A telegram made her nervous." "Give her some medicine, Doctor." "Well..." "Well..." "Right." "We'll give Mrs. Brenner something tasty." "Come to the sanatorium and get it, Lt. Brenner." "I haven't time to return." " Bye for now." " Bye, Doctor." " When's Julia coming?" " The train arrives in half an hour." "Why be jealous of Julia, when you know it's just play acting?" "Come see the baby and you'll be happy again." "You mean that should make me happy?" "Sorry." "I have to go now." "It's feeding time." " You'll be there soon, I imagine." "There, Sussi." "Don't be sad now." "You're so lovely when you're sad, I don't have the heart to comfort you." "Ludvig." "Did you pay Louis' gambling debt?" " I told you no!" " Then it's Julia!" "Yes, it is." "She loves Louis and he loves her." "She said so herself." "What a cad!" "Taking money from his mistress." "Are you crazy?" "Julia is not his mistress!" "No, but she could become." "I won't stay here if she comes." "I won't!" "She has no reason to come." "It's only because Louis is here." "It's shameful!" "Shameful!" "I was patient." "He took everything I had." "I forgave him over and over." "But becoming friends with his mistress..." "I won't do that!" "You stood here listening!" "You're a fraud!" "Worse: a liar!" " You're absolutely right." " Be silent!" " They're quarreling up there again." " Let them." "It just gives them an appetite." "Besides, there's not a soul in the hotel to hear them." " The Balzars will be here any minute." " Yes, I know." " Your skis, Mrs. Brenner?" " Yes, please." "If this goes on, the doctor says Sussi could have a breakdown." " Where is she?" " She locked herself in." "It's best to leave her in peace." "Here too." "I find this everywhere." "If she'd lived I'd be a better man." "Now she may well drive us both crazy!" "Louis, this can't go on." "Pull yourself together." "Just make up your mind to have a new baby, then you'll have one." "And you'll be a better man for it." "Ludvig, was it you who put the money in my account for my gambling debt?" "Are you going on about that too?" "No, it wasn't me." " It must have been Kurt, then." " Of course it was Kurt." " Hello and welcome." " Thank you." " Nice weather today." " Has that woman come?" " Which woman, Mrs. Balzar?" " The dollar queen." "Miss Mary Johnstone from America." "Arriving today." " Is she not punctual?" " She can't be here before 11:15 PM." " That's when her train arrives." " I hope that's her reason to be late." "Actually, I'm expecting a little railroad accident." "Yes, whenever Americans come to Europe, trains fall off the rails." "One day I'll lose my eye on that thing." "And small boats hide on the sea bottom." "You see, old Europe grows weak-kneed and horrified." " Would you like to see your room?" " No, we don't have time." "Thank you." " Well, now we're here." " Yes." "Kurt, I'll sit here, and stay here until she comes." "Where are our relatives?" "There's not a soul here!" "It's so boring here." "Julia, try to control yourself in front of strangers." "What?" "Can't I display a little charm for the porter?" "Julia, I like your temperament." "Especially on the stage, but..." "What?" "Oh, dear boy." "Have you learned the art of flattery?" " You'll be begging soon." " Perhaps." "That's why I ask that for once, as long as we're here with the American woman you try to control your fatal temperament." "Control myself?" "For the sake of that rich American woman?" "Never." "Not for her sake, but for mine." "I have problems." " Welcome." " How was the trip?" "At last!" "The trip was fine." "We've already quarreled." "Kurt says I'm temperamental and awful." "I think I'm nice and sweet." " What do you think?" " That you're terrible." "See, Kurt?" "He finds me terribly nice." " And you?" " I think you're dreadful." " There!" "Dreadfully pretty and nice!" " I'm so glad to see you again, Julia." " I'm exactly as glad as you are." "Nice scarf." "It doesn't suit your hair, but you can always dye that." "I see you're plump and healthy." "Good." "And I hear your child is better." " Do you think I'm fat?" " No, I think it suits your lush psyche." "My wife doesn't have a psyche." "She has something much better: me!" "So, the bickering has started." "Now, since we're all here, I had..." "Where is Sussi?" " She's up in her room." " We'll let her stay there." "Listen." "I came here because of events in Stockholm these past few days..." "Oh, I hear you paid your gambling debt." "Yes, and thank you, Kurt." "I'll never touch a card again." " Got a match?" " Why thank me?" " Give me a match!" " Kurt, do let him thank you." "And why say thank you?" "It's nothing to say thank you for." "You had something to say, Kurt?" "Then go ahead." " Isn't it awfully warm in here?" " I don't quite understand this." "But to get back to the subject." "I need a loan for Sveaverken." "The American woman can help, if she wishes, and if Julia wishes." "If not, we won't discuss it anymore." "As long as you like me, I'd give my life for you." "Also, I promise to control my temperament." " Don't promise too much." " You'll see." "I'll just sit quietly." "I'll gaze at the white mountain tops and say, "How nice, how lovely!"" "And if my desire for wild orgies should awaken, I'll just say:" ""Ladies and gentlemen, can I have a cup of tea?"" " Shes amazing!" " Impossible!" " So, how about some tea now?" " I'll see to it." " Where do you get such great ideas?" " Probably from up here." " She's being nasty to you." " Julia always is." " Did you have a nice time?" " Lovely." " Why didn't you come along?" " Yes, why sneak away like that?" "I promise, I'll come next time." " Porter!" "Tea for five." " Are you back already?" " Bad weather made us turn back." "Maybe for the best." "The barometer's fallen." " Porter, has a package come for me?" " Not today." " Tea for five in the corner!" " The day's quota of fresh air." "I don't mind the storm now." "Charles, did you hear anything?" "I thought I heard someone call." " Yes, I hear something." " I did too, darling." "What was it?" "Do you think they are calling for us?" "They are carrying somebody." "An accident, perhaps." "Yes, you are right." "They're carrying somebody." "Let's help them." "Come on." "Somebody is hurt." "Let's take her to the hotel." "Step inside and help her." "Turn round, head first." " Be careful." " Yes" "Isn't it awful!" "I think Mary Johnstone is a myth that Kurt invented to make things more exciting for us here." "I'm sure of it." " People that rich don't exist." " Anything can exist in America." " Kurt, has Sussi come down?" " No, she hasn't." " Any of you seen her?" " No, she hasn't come down." " Porter!" "Have you seen my wife?" " No." "Didn't she come back from skiing with the others?" " Do you mean she went skiing?" " Of course." " In this weather?" "There's a storm." " She left before the Balzars arrived." "We have to get people." "Phone the valley, we must organize a search." " Give me the valley." " They're carrying Mrs. Brenner in now!" "Lay her on the sofa." " Get nurse Karin from dining room!" " Get her a cushion." " A cushion." "Move away." "Well?" "How are you, Mrs. Brenner?" " It's just my legs." " What's wrong with them?" "I can't stand up." "I can't stand up." "Well, we'll have a look at them." " Any pain here?" " No." " Here?" " No." " Here?" " No." " Can you bend your knee?" " No." "No, I can't." " How about this?" " No, I can't." "I can't stand up." "Of course you can stand up." "And your pulse?" "It's not bad." "She needs a little peace and quiet." "Let's carry her up to her room." "Thanks, but I'll carry her myself." "You all stay here." "You come, nurse." "Don't you worry." "Just go have dinner." "It's nothing serious." " How is the lady?" "Is she dead?" " Take it easy, Mammy." "Take it easy." " Lucky you came when you did." " Yes it was." " Are my rooms ready?" " Pardon?" "Well, I'm Miss Mary Johnstone from Chicago, United States of America." " Oh, the American woman." " Ah, my Swedish relatives, I suppose." "See my bags are carried up and my servants made comfortable." " You go upstairs, Mammy." " Won't you come?" "I'll come later, take it easy." "Welcome, welcome." "And so young and pretty!" " We expected an old lady." "Due to a lack of care in your investigation of me." " You are Mrs. Balzar, aren't you?" " So right." "But how did you know?" "Oh, I know." "I've gathered information from a most reliable source." "I know all of you very well." "I know that this is your husband, my relative, Kurt Balzar." "This is Sussi's husband." "And this is Katja and her husband, Count Ludvig." "Well?" "You see." "How are you, old boys?" "Dear..." "Mary." "That was a good guess, but unfortunately wrong." " We are the Balzars." " Yes, and we are the Bathwyhls." " And I am Sussi's husband." " Oh!" "But how shocking!" "Why don't you all divorce, since you obviously covet each other's wives?" "We have a law in America for such cases: obligatory divorce or bigamy." "When you've been married 10 times, it's easy to forgo casual affairs." "My father was a Mormon, by religious conviction." "What conviction forces you to have affairs?" " Our "affairs" are terribly innocent." " Exactly, Miss." "We pretend we are indecent and we don't wish to be disturbed." "My darling, it's my duty to disturb you." "You are morally apathetic." "Yes, I saw Julia take Louis in her arms, Kurt embracing Katja and the Count ogling Sussi." "Calm down!" "She's perfectly right." "Just now, remember?" "I put my arm round Louis' neck enraged on seeing Katja hold Kurt, while she saw Ludvig at Sussi's feet." "Yes, we know our marriages are rotten, and we keep deceiving each other." "I'm a cultivated European, I'm never honest in vain." "But should Miss American doubt my ability, she'll choke on my honesty!" "Right, Kurt." "I'll shut up now." "What's the honest truth about certain shares sold on the market last week?" " Oh, will you be quiet!" " So long, my darling." "So long." " Hello, Doctor!" " Excuse me?" "Yes, that's me, the old lady from America." " Doctor, how is she?" "Can I go up?" " She's asleep." "Don't disturb her." " Did you get her to stand up?" " No, she thinks she lame." " Perhaps you think so too?" " I don't know, exactly." "Of course not." "But I realized right away that its source is hysteria." " I see, are you a doctor?" " Virtually." "I have 4,000 volumes in my library at home in Chicago." "Allopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, Christian science and psychoanalysis." "And I've studied at the largest neuroclinic in the world." " Where did you get your doctorate?" " I never took one." "No need." "I'm always right." "Sussi has suffered a severe psychological shock." "The cause is certainly terrible actions of a man." " A swift conclusion." " It's fairly obvious." "The victim is a woman, and we are in Europe." "If I were in India and found a mutilated body, I'd seek a tiger." "If in Europe I find a mutilated female soul, I look for a man." "What an honor for European men." "We thank you." " Not quite as rude now." " Obviously I'm improving." " You've cured me." " There you go." "I know what I can do." "And I know what I want." "You know what I want now?" "I hope you'll visit my clinic, even if it is the smallest in the world." "Okay, that's exactly what I want." "So long." " Well, she's really something." " My God!" "Good morning, nurse." "I brought Mrs. Brenner's dress." " I got it from the hotel." " I'll look after it." " How is she?" " The Doctor said she can sit up today." " Can we go in and see her?" " Just a moment." " Please wait in here." " Thank you." "Sit down for a moment." "I'll just dress Mrs. Brenner." " Whose idea was it to move her here?" " She asked for it herself." "And the Doctor thinks it calmer than the hotel." " Why haven't I been allowed to see her?" " I don't know, Julia." "I feel as if Sussi's accident is a sign from God." "A warning to me, to all of us." " Julia, it was purely an accident." " There are no pure accidents." " Everything that happens has a meaning." " What would be the meaning of this?" "Well, that's something to ponder." "Oh, Sussi, I'm so glad you're up." "Can I take her now, nurse?" "Yes, you may." " It's a trick, letting me sit up." " Not at all." " Yes it is." "The Doctor thinks the bed stops me sleeping." "How can you get well if you don't sleep?" "Thanks, nurse." "I'm afraid to sleep." "Something always happens when I sleep." " Just ring if you want anything." " Thank you, nurse." "You've had so much trouble because of me..." "Thank you." "Sussi, why did you do it?" "I got lost in the storm." "If you'd died, then I'd also be dead now." "Oh, Louis." " And Julia?" " Dear Sussi, how can you?" " She must not come here!" " But Sussi..." " Don't let her come." "Promise me!" " Yes, I promise." " Why isn't the Doctor coming, nurse?" " He's on his rounds." " He'll be here soon." " I suppose he will." "Why weren't you at prayers this morning, nurse?" "I spoke beautifully." "I haven't been in better form since I became a Doctor of Theology." " Are you a doctor?" " Oh yes." "My thesis was on God in business." " Oh." "I was busy this morning." " Too bad." "But Doctor Johnson was there." "He really has sex appeal." "His rudeness is absolutely charming." "I wonder if he was born with it or if it's force of habit, or..." " Or...?" " Perhaps a form of armor." "For a tender heart." " Hello, Doctor!" " Morning, Miss Johnstone." " How's Mrs. Brenner?" "Did she sleep?" " She doesn't want to sleep." "I see." "We'll try my lamp, then." "Would you get it ready?" " Excuse me." " Oh, I'm sorry." " How's the fever curve today?" " Fine, thank you." " Doctor!" " Yes." "Never before in my life have I been the object of so little interest." " You're not very amiable." " I never promised to be amiable." "If the notion wasn't so absurd, I might think you couldn't stand me." "You're supposed to be here because of interest in my clinic." " Not because of my interest in you." " The clinic is of no interest to me." "It's too small, too antiquated." "I don't understand why you stay here." "If you'd come to America, I'll give you the biggest clinic in the US." "Then you'd have a challenge worthy of your gifts." "And I promise I would expend both money and interest in you as a person." "Thank you, but I must decline." "I'm afraid this alpine Homo Europeaus wouldn't suit your menagerie." " Why not?" " Who knows." " The lamp is ready, Doctor." " Thank you, nurse." "The Balzars are in the waiting room if you'd like to say hello." "All right..." "Oh, my darling." "Hello, Julia, dear." " Oh, my darling." "Mary, dear." " How are you, Kurt,dear?" "You should always wear white, it suits you." "Really?" "It's been a while since we met." "Have you noticed?" "Yes, I've noticed." "You've spent all your time with poor Sussi and Dr. Johnson." " Yes, I have." " You've been very kind, Mary." "Not at all." "But I've been proven to be right." "Her lameness is hysterical." "The Doctor has since diagnosed it." " I've spent my time finding a cure." " And you found one?" " Of course." " It figures." "To cure someone, you must study their environment." "I have." "You, for instance, Julia dear, are a very interesting case." " I intend to show that I admire you." " How?" " As a guinea pig." " Thanks, Miss Quack, of Charlatania." " Julia!" " Louis, how is she?" "Good." "The Doctor's in there now." " Hello, Mary." "How are you?" " Fine." "Mankind's primary duty is to feel fine." "She seems to be focusing her scientific studies on Sussi." "Wrong." "It's the Doctor she's focusing on." "I'm not disturbing, am I?" "You shouldn't intervene between doctor and patient." "But in this case it's solely in the interests of science." "Miss Johnstone is wearing a white smock to show her medical training." "Guess what, Sussi." "I invited Dr. Johnson to come to America." "He would have a much broader field of work there, but he refuses." "No." "Imagine that." "The Doctor declines." "So I'll buy this clinic and rebuild it in accordance with modern principles." "And expand that barn of a hotel next door." "Ah, that did it." "Maybe that would suit you better than coming to America?" "Much better, of course." "But who actually gave you permission to come here today?" "Miss Dollar!" "We'd like to be left in peace!" "Please." "You really are very rude." "For the second time today, maybe even the third." "But you are attractive." "It's just too bad you're such a poor doctor." "This you've shown." "Indeed!" "And you are so competent." "Though this remains to be shown." "Shall we make a bet?" "I'll give you 12 hours to cure Sussi." "Then I'll try." "If you win, I'll donate ten free beds to your clinic." " And if I lose?" " You will enter my service." " As your personal doctor?" " No, as my husband." "Yes, well that sounds very tempting." "I mean the ten free beds." "We can think it over." "So long, Miss Johnstone." "So long." " I won't wait any longer!" " Be sensible!" "She can go in, but not me." "She's bribed the Doctor of course." " Keep it up and you'll ruin my plans!" " Your plans!" "And you want me to waste my charm on that brazen, conceited monster." "Because Sveaverken needs her money." "It's awful!" "You know I only live for Sveaverken!" "Live on!" "But don't force me to be a hypocrite." "Surely you can do that much for your husband." "I have no use for a husband, who loves only Sveaverken." "I want a husband who loves me." "I come to you with my sorrows." "Isn't this evidence of my love?" "I've had enough of your sorrows." "I don't want to be a trash can for the left-overs from a party." "I want to be the party!" "Right, Louis?" "Americans are right, we should live life with a smile." "Just wait until Sussi gets better!" "Then we'll dance and have fun." " Anything!" "But we will have fun!" " You just think you're having fun." "I'm leaving now." ""You just think you're having fun... "" "A stopped clock is right sometimes." "He's so right, that dear stopped clock." "You think you're having fun, think you're in love, think you are loved." "Like the candles at a party..." "You stare blindly at the flames, and forget that they soon go out." "Belief after belief goes out." "Until at last only belief itself and death are left." "Well..." " What belief is going out now?" " I don't know." "Perhaps my belief in myself." "I can't fight for him anymore, against Sveaverken." "Oh no, Julia." "That belief will burn a long time." "Somebody's just stolen its light." "Oh, I'm so silly." "I talk about myself, and you have so many more sorrows." "Forgive me." "Louis!" "Oh Louis!" "Sussi!" "Sussi, what happened?" "Oh Sussi, don't cry." "Do I have to see you, even here?" "Go away!" "Go!" "Louis, get the Doctor." "I'll stay here." "You promised she wouldn't come!" "I hate you!" "Go away!" "Go!" "Calm down, Sussi." "Get Dr. Johnson." "I'll stay here!" "Dear Sussi, why do you hate me so much?" " You want to take Louis away from me." " I do?" " Yes, you've tried for a long time." " What would I want with him?" "He loves you." "And you love him!" "Oh, you silly little hen." "Then I'd have nothing to worry about." "What do you mean?" "Then big, bad Julia would only have pretty little Sussi to get out of the way." " Yes, that's not so hard." " Yes, it would be hard." " Louis loves only you." " Don't tease me, Julia." "No, Sussi." "Never again." "If you lie quietly, Sussi, I'll tell you a story." "I'm so tired." "Once upon a time there was a wife, who loved her husband..." " ...in spite of everything." " That's me." "No..." "No, it's me..." " But he loved another." " Katja?" "No, Sveaverken." "Well, Miss Johnstone." "What was that bet about, if I may ask?" "I gave Doctor Johnson 12 hours to cure Sussi." "But she slept 18." "Thus, his time is up." "It was your charming fault, Mrs. Balzar." "You wouldn't have succeeded, Doctor." "But I will have won my bet within an hour." "Here you see two of the worst parasites in the world:" "An honorable American quack, and a dishonest Swedish doctor." "Honorable, since she believes it." "I'm dishonest, since I let her practice it." "Ah, nonsense." "I have a cure for moral illnesses that will astonish you." "Come, everybody!" "Now we'll go over to the clinic." "Yes." "It will be interesting to see how this seance develops." "What are you intending to do?" "Test to see how you all react to the bitter pill called truth." "I think he's fishing." "If the gambling debt comes up, you gave him the money." " Me?" " Keep quiet and keep the peace." "My God!" "I searched for the reason for Sussi's suffering, and found it among those closest to her." "I've study your three marriages and I found lies, deception, jealousy, infidelity, unhappiness." "Are we that versatile?" "From the start, I realized Sussi was the victim of a typical erotic deed." "I have found the perpetrators, and now I shall expose them." "Julia, did you give Sussi a large sum of money, for her husband's benefit?" " Yes..." "I did." " You astonish me, Julia!" " When have I not astonished you?" " Where was the money from?" " Did you pay his debt?" "Where did...?" " I got it from Ludvig!" " From Ludvig?" "How odd." " Yes." "You know I'm a little odd." "Count, you clearly love Sussi, but Brenner's jealousy was inconvenient." "For a rich man, it was more convenient to pay him the 50,000 he needed and avoid his jealousy!" " Silence!" " No." "Truth is healthy." "Do you know what you're saying?" "And do you know what is true?" "The day she tried to kill herself, the Count told her he loved her." " Ludvig did?" "Seriously?" " Please!" "Lt. Brenner stood outside, but did nothing." " I heard nothing!" " He did nothing." "Because he had sold his wife to his friend the Count." "And Julia arranged the infamous purchase." " This is madness!" " What the hell is this?" " Take that back!" " No, it's true." "Ludvig's name was on the check!" "Oh, I want to die!" "Don't touch me!" "I want to leave!" "Take away the blanket." "Take it away!" "Let me go!" "I want to leave!" "Doctor!" "She's walking!" "Louis!" "Louis!" "Tell me that what she said wasn't true!" "Say you didn't sell me." "Dear friends, I have won my bet, the psychosis is cured." "The paralysis is gone." "So long, Dr. Johnson." " So long." " Sussi!" " How do you feel, Mrs. Brenner?" " Fine, thanks." " Let's see." "It's going well." "I don't understand any of that." "Ludvig, what did you buy?" "I bought 300 Sveaverken shares, sweetheart!" " From whom?" " They're as innocent as lambs." " I paid off the gambling debt." " Is that true?" " Yes, it's true." " But why?" " To save you from jail, of course." " But why would I go to jail?" "It's what happens when you pay with a phoney check." "That's touching, but unnecessary." "I had money in my account to cover it." " So you wouldn't have gone to jail?" " No." "Why would he go to jail?" " You said he would, Kurt." " Why did you say that?" " But, Julia..." "What the hell is this?" "Explain yourself." "What's with all this secrecy?" "What did Kurt actually say?" "No, no, he said nothing." "But, Julia, you yourself said..." " No, I said nothing." " Didn't you?" " There's something fishy going on here." " Quiet, Ludvig!" "No need to discuss family matters in front of strangers." "We're not at home." "Excuse us." "We're mad." "The lame run and the wise act foolish." " Right, Kurt?" " Julia." "I'd like to..." " We're not at home." "Let's go celebrate Sussi's resurrection by dancing the rumba." " Yes, let's." "Come, Julia." " Yes, but Sussi must come too." " Can I bring my wife, Doctor?" " Of course." "She'll manage fine now." " How can I ever thank you, Doctor?" " Don't thank me." " Thank the person who told the truth." " Let's forget it now." " Good night." " Good night." "Truth." "Hard to say if it helps." " Or hinders." " Exactly." "Who knows when to use it?" "They phoned to say the old lady is worse." "Shall I get the car?" " Yes, nurse." "I'll get ready." " I won't disturb you." " Good night, Dr. Johnson." " Good night, Mr. Balzar." "Here I am, my dear." "Doctor, since we're getting married..." "I don't like to wait." " Striking you would be the right thing." " What did you say?" "Good heavens!" "Who actually gave you the information you were throwing about in there?" "My Swedish lawyer." "He got $10,000 for his research." "It was worth it." "Get your money back." "The information was false from beginning to end." "You accuse men of selling a woman, when a woman bought a man free." "It was Mrs. Balzar's money." "She was trying to save the family honor." "Damn it!" "I've been a fool." "Let's say a human being." "Occasional mistakes are part of human nature." " Are you leaving?" " Yes." " But our bet?" " It was a joke." "In America it's a crime to joke about bets." " You have to marry me." " For love?" "I don't care one whit." "Your sexual aura appeals to me." "I'll buy you." "The way someone buys wine or a thorough-bred dog." "But take it easy." "In Europe you call it a marriage of convenience." "Price matters." "What do you cost?" "Well, I'll give you two minutes to think it over." "Two minutes..." "How do I know what a strong, healthy man in his prime is worth?" "In good shape too." "Feel this." "The calves are even stronger." "A friend once called me the Olympic Hermes." "My wardrobe is modest, but my beard growth formidable." "I can dance to jazz and I can plump up, if that's desired." "One minute left." "What else?" "My self-control isn't great." "But I can act the clown well." "Shall we say $500,000 a year?" "Too much?" "I'll haggle." "In Swedish crowns. 100,000 Swedish." "And for that, the clown will play the lover." "Indeed, why not really be in love?" "After all, he's no ruffian." "Not even an American." "Don't you understand?" "You intoxicate me." "Mary..." " Mary!" " Darling!" " Is it true?" " Yes." " Are you happy?" " Yes." "I am, darling." "Well, then we'll say 100,000 a year, from the wedding night on." "You're a disgusting monster!" "Yes, you're right." "To some extent, I'm a monster." "Forgive me." "Well kissed, clown!" "Well kissed!" "The comedy is over." "I'm going now." "Are you leaving me like this?" "He who runs away lives to fight another day." " I've made a discovery." " What?" "Tell me." "Can you say, "I will love you for better or worse, all my life"?" "Sweetly enough to be believable, for the duration of the wedding?" "I will love you, all my life." "Well, well, you could." "Bravo." "What did you discover?" "I want to know!" "For once, dollar princess, you won't get your way." "Good night." "Oh, that's too much!" "She's so concerned with her secret, she hasn't even told Louis." "Indeed." "I'm getting curious." "Yes, we quarrel so well and share our sorrows, can't we share the fun too?" "Anyway, if it's a boy, he'll be named Louis the 2nd." "Sussi!" "This explains a lot of things." " And Katja says that if it's a girl..." " It'll be called Julia." "I thought Victoria!" "Little hen!" "We'll be so happy to see your little chick." "Julia, what's wrong with Kurt?" "Why is he sulking?" " You'll have to ask him." " He doesn't talk at all." " Am I bothering you?" " No." "Sussi and Katja are leaving." " What?" "Are we?" " Yes, yes, we'll go." "Good night." " Good night, Kurt." " Good night, Sussi." "Well, Julia..." "After what happened tonight" "I don't want to invest Mary's money in Sveaverken." "In fact, I don't want anything to do with her." "Of course we should be grateful to her for curing Sussi..." "But the way she did it..." "I found it unpleasant." "No, for the time being we'll do without modernization." "And things are fine as they are." "You never know how long I'll find it interesting to carry on." "You were right when you said that work should not become a vice." "Why did you say he'd go to jail?" "Why did you lie?" "And say he'd go to jail?" "Because I was, alas..." "Jealous?" "Seriously?" " Aren't you ashamed?" " Yes, I am." "Deeply." "But it wasn't the first time I felt this way." "Although you may not have noticed, nor cared." "But this hurt more than usual..." "So that's why I revealed myself." " So you find me sweet and pretty, then?" " Yes, I guess so." " And kind and nice?" " I love you." " More than Sveaverken?" " Yes, more than Sveaverken." " Come in." " Excuse me." " I wanted to say goodbye before I go." " Are you leaving, Mary?" " In the middle of the night?" " Yes, I'm leaving..." "Julia, forgive me." "I've behaved like an idiot." "So you see that." "It does you credit." " The Doctor took his revenge." "He has treated me like..." "I hate him!" " I hate him!" " Please, Kurt." " Why do you hate him?" " I love him, but he can't stand me." "So I'm leaving even though I want to stay." "He made fun of me." "But Julia, when he said he had discovered..." " What?" " He didn't say..." " I thought he meant..." " Of course that's what he meant." "But he doesn't say those things." "But a child could tell what he had discovered." "At least a girl child." " Julia, do you think so?" " I know." "I know he loves you very, very much." "Oh, darling!" "Oh, love's sweet madness..." "Hard to live with and so sad to be without." "Kurt!" "Kurt!" " Is that everything?" " Yes, this is the last." "Thank you." "Put it down." " Is the car there, Calle?" " Yes, I ordered it." "It's on its way." " Good evening, Doctor." " Are they still dancing?" " But it's late and almost over." " What does all this mean?" "Miss Johnstone's leaving." "She's leaving?" "No she's not." "Carry her bags up again!" "But she told us that she wanted to leave as soon as possible." "And I'm telling you I want those bags taken up again." " But, Doctor, I must obey orders." " I have to speak to her!" " Good evening, Doctor." " Miss Johnstone, I wanted to say..." "Excuse me if I'm a bit upset at the moment." "But the American law you mentioned that forbids joking about bets?" " That's serious business!" " I see." " You didn't think so a while ago." " That's as may be." " But I do think so now." " It's human nature to make mistakes." " So you will enter my service?" " Enter your service?" "As my private doctor." " No." " As..." " As?" " As..." " As!" "As..." "THE END"