"The Banquet" "Were the crumbles enough?" "No, I cut some of the bread, madam." "You should you also say my name." "I'll remember that, Madam Cotten." "That's good, Gerda." "And don't forget our friends, the birds." "I always say that if there were only more love in this world, and everyone just had good and fine thoughts, life would be so much easier." "There was something odd about the lobster omelette." "I didn't cook it!" "I'm not accusing you." "I'm just stating, in my own home, that the lobster meat was a bit hard." "Maybe it's because it was tinned." "What are you saying?" "Was it tinned?" "Yes, it's not the season, Madam..." "Cotten." "No, that's very true." "I had forgotten." "It's lucky that the banker didn't come home for lunch." "Is Ivar back yet?" "No, I haven't seen him." "I'm going." "If it's important, I'll be at the French tailor at 2.30." "Very well, Madam Cotten." ""The Misery of Philosophy"..." "How very true." ""The development of Social Democratic ideology."" "Karl Marx, "Das Kapital"." "Now that sounds good!" ""News from the Soviet Union"." "Oh dear..." ""The organisation 'The Torch'"..." "Yes...no..." "Good Lord!" "What are you doing here, Mother?" "I just wanted to check that Gerda cleans up properly." "She is rather untidy and lazy." "But it's a sign of the times." "Raised wages, longer holidays..." "But they don't want to work." "Yes, they do." "But within reason and under fair conditions." "But you wouldn't understand." "Is that how you talk to your mother?" "I missed you at lunch." "I had a lecture." "But I had a cheese sandwich." "That sounds awful..." "Shouldn't I ask Gerda to throw away some of this?" "No, Mother." "I need those magazines." "But Ivar, you have to understand that it's not appropriate." "Maybe not, but only I have to see them." "Mother shouldn't bother about what I think and read." "What was it?" "Just listen to this." ""The organisation 'The Torch' has a meeting on Saturday at 8."" ""The Capitalists are to blame." "Talk by Ivar Cotten."" "Well, I'll be..." "Let me see." "That's how far it's gone." "This mustn't happen!" "You have to stop it." "What if the papers got wind of it?" "I can't bear the thought." "No, that would be unfortunate." "I've told you ever since we discovered what he was like." "You said it was just a phase." "Do you know what Pierre calls him?" ""Mayfair Stalin"." "I think Ivar could give Pierre a worse name." "And rightly so." "But he's not that kind." "Are you defending Ivar?" "Don't you understand that it's you he's attacking?" "He's thrusting a dagger in the back of his own father." "Is that the time?" "I'm late for a fitting." "Promise me that you'll talk to him and stop this disaster." "I will." "Now run along." "But don't tell him I took the piece of paper." "Blame Gerda." "Enter." "Is it you, Father?" "Sit down." "Don't let me interrupt." "Have you got a new desk?" "That was a while ago." "The old one's in the attic." "It was nicer, but not really practical." "It was so small." "Do you know whose desk it was?" "Great-grandfather's?" "That's right." "I remember it standing in his office." "You find it small." "I remember it being enormous." "You've almost finished your bachelor's degree, right?" "Yes, this spring." "Why?" "I want to talk to you about the future, Ivar." "Listen to me." "When I die, the family will be worth a tidy sum." "Whatever the taxes will be." "But you realise that." "Please don't talk about your money." "They're yours too." "No, no!" "You seem to dislike talking about these things." "The responsibility put on my heirs when I die." "But you must have thought about it, right?" "That's true." "Well, then." "Let's sit down again." "Sit down." "That your brother Per, or "Pierre" as he calls himself should be the head of my companies is unthinkable." "You realise that." "Your sister Vica's husband is an art historian and aesthete." "Hardly suitable." "That leaves you, Ivar." "I've got complete confidence in you." "As soon as you're done with your degree, you should start studying business." "I don't want to." "What are you saying?" "I don't want to be a businessman." "I don't want your money." "And why not?" "This is a speech I'm holding in a small organisation." "It's titled "The Capitalists are to blame"." "I won't bore you with it, but the gist of it is that the reason the world looks like it does is that too few have too much." "And too many too little." "That's quite possible." "I don't want to discuss ideas." "That's not what this is about." "Do you really want the striving of four generations, my whole life's work, should be in vain?" "If you think that it's in vain because I don't want any millions and make them grow, then that's unfortunately the case." "Is that your final answer?" "I'm sorry, but it is." "I see." "Then there's nothing more to add." "Father!" "Yes, what is it?" "Another thing." "I was going to wait until after your 60th birthday, but since we're having this chat..." "I'm leaving home and will make my own way." "But how?" "You're not giving up your degree when you're almost done?" "No, but extra language lessons won't affect my studies." "It sounds like you'll have to tighten your belt, my boy." "Maybe, but I don't mind." "Well, then..." "I suppose it wouldn't do any good if I asked you not to hold that speech?" "For Mother's sake." "No, it wouldn't." "No, that's what I guessed." "There you are." "Thank you." "Did you like my speech?" "It was great." "Really?" "Were you unsure?" "Absolutely." "It was the first time." "After this, you know where I stand." "Your views are fine..." "Is there anything else?" "No, but you're the only one who comes here "from above", who's come down from the upper class." "What of it?" "Take me, for example." "My father was a worker." "He drank and it went downhill." "But things are sorted now, after his death." "My brothers have helped me." "They're builders and are doing well." "No great aspirations, but they want me to become a doctor since that's what I wanted." "You have to understand, that's where I come from." "I don't mean that everyone has to be like me." "I'm not that stupid." "But you're the only one who's rich." "But I'm not." "But you will be." "No, I won't." "I settled that today." "I had a talk with Father and told him I don't want his money." "Not on any condition." "And that I was leaving home, and that I'll support myself." "Do you mean that you turned down several millions?" "That's what I did." "Now, that's another matter." "Then you're better than any of us." "We haven't sacrificed anything." "Your ideals are not worth less." "But we are." "You've sacrificed other things." "Sorry, but you have to leave now." "We're closing." "How much is it?" "1.40." "Come, let's go home." "No." "He beats me." "What's the matter with you?" "I don't want to." "I can go home with Hugo." "Brilliant idea!" "We'll swap men!" "Make up your minds!" "It's "Mayfair Stalin" out walking at this hour." "Hello!" "Don't you recognise your sister." "Come, and bring that tall chap!" "What the hell's the matter with you?" "Get in!" "What nonsense!" "Shouting in the street that I beat you..." "You have." "Several times." "But you don't dare since the neighbours complained." "Because you were hysterical and started screaming." "My face was so swollen I couldn't show myself for days." "Was that hysteria as well?" "Of course, you'd been crying." "And a blood vessel over the eye had burst." "That's how she cried." "Coward." "I hate people who won't take responsibility for their feelings." "You've said that when you love me, you think about hurting me." "Like pricking me with a needle." "At the very least..." "I've told several people." "That doesn't matter." "No one believes what you're saying." "Why didn't people come along?" "They thought you were too drunk." "No." "I'm never drunk in company." "I only need that when I'm alone with you." "It makes you more alert." "I can walk by myself." "What's this?" "A Kien Lung figurine." "He was a Chinese emperor who lived 1722-1795." "Take it into your room." "I don't want antiques around." "I had enough of that at my parents'." "It'll stand where I put it." "Really?" "It was quite valuable." "I didn't like it." "My whole fee for my essay on the paintings in Pompey went on that." "What are you saying?" "Almost as much as I paid for the vacuum cleaner." "A fifth of what I paid for this sofa." "A 20th of the decorations in your room." "That's terrible." "Tactful as always..." "Wasn't it good old Jacob who paid for all the furniture?" "Cheers, dear Vica." "To our happy marriage." "A year of perfect harmony..." "What's that?" "A concoction you've drunk before." "With excellent results." "You had it at mine the first night we met." "You came home with me without knowing who I was." "You didn't even know my name." "I was drunk." "Not really." "It was something else." "It could have been anyone." "No." "It was me you wanted, and still do." "You're that type." "Am I?" "Sit down, nice and quiet." "We'll drink this first." "You need it, to amuse me." "I don't feel like amusing you." "You'll have to, my little rat." "Drink." "I hate you." "And loves me." "It's a stimulating mix, for both of us." "You're wonderful." "That's what you told me that first night." "Wonderful..." "So damn banal..." "You always say that when we're together." "If you knew how I hate that word when I sober up." "When I'm by myself." "But I think you're wonderful." "Are you drinking?" "There was a time I couldn't be without you." "I couldn't imagine a day without meeting or seeing you." "I simply couldn't live without you." "You caught me in the end." "That's what you wanted." "Yes." "Yes, I suppose so..." "Hugo, how could it end up like this?" "Why?" "I don't want to be mean and say nasty things." "I'm sorry I broke your figurine." "But you make me like this." "It's easy to blame others." "It's not only your fault, but if you were loving, kind and considerate, like you were before we got married, I'd be different." "Instead, you're hard, cold and full of contempt." "You love hurting me." "I'll never forget that night after the concert." "You mean the Haydn one?" "I had to go home by myself." ""I don't want to be with you after that music", you said." "I wasn't worthy you and the music." "No." "You really aren't." "If you're looking for the key, I've got it." "Just in case." "Good morning." "Good morning, Madam." "What do you want for lunch?" "Try to come up with something." "Is the Doctor in?" "No, he went out." "But he'll come back to eat since it's Sunday." "Then Siri is off at one." "I'll lay the table before I leave." "Please switch on the heater so I can have a bath." "And come up with something to cook." "We must have something." "Almost nothing." "You thought we had some roast beef, but it's eight days since we had that, so that's gone." "But we have oatmeal, eggs and anchovies." "Tea's fine for me." "The Doctor won't settle for that." "Is Mrs Stenbrott ill?" "Please leave!" "Check the freezer and the pantry and fix something for the doctor." "I have to rest." "What about the bath?" "Later." "Leave, now!" "I wish I was dead before the evening." "Welcome." "Good evening." "Are we last?" "Yes, Miss Cotten and the lieutenant are here." "I can't understand how we're late." "The earlier you start, the later you're done." "Mother, I thought everybody knew that..." "I would never say such a thing." "The whole town knows that your son-in-law is a sadist." "Well..." "Good evening, Mother." "Good evening." "Good evening." "What a lovely dress." "You've seen it many times." "I have?" "Then it must be Agnes who's especially radiant today." "Does Hulda think Stenbrott is a sadist?" "The lieutenant says so." "Don't be so nosy." "Arrange the sandwiches." "I almost visited you the other day." "I was visiting a colleague nearby." "I only had time to admire your garden." "A lot of love went into that." "I love my flowers, and talk to them every day." "You have to, so that they flourish." "I could wish for nothing better than to be a flower there." "It'll be difficult to be so charming to me." "Not at all." "I was just going to con- gratulate you on an article I read." "They predicted higher unemployment." "I thought, "Good, then Pierre won't be alone."" "Oh... 1-0 to Hugo." "Then we only miss the younger brother to complete the family gloom." "There he is." "Sorry I'm late." "I lost track of time." "Haven't you changed?" "You know I insist on smoking." "Alberta will have to excuse him." "For me, Ivar can dress how he wants." "If you're going to a banquet in smoking or dark jacket, then you should wear plus fours and lumberjacket for Sunday dinner." "Dark jacket for a banquet." "My blue blood on my mother's side freezes to ice." "You have such a morbid imagination." "But he's right in point." "Well spoken, chère ma mère." "And if the masses insist on eating their dry sandwiches with accompanying chicken and ice cream, disguised as peasants at a funeral, then at least Pierre will be decently dressed, that is in tails." "Brother could put on a red blouse." "People like you are the reason for communism." "And when I see and hear you I cannot but sympathise." "God forgive me." "Jacob, really!" "Dinner is served." "Then we go to the table." "It's the usual placing." "Hugo." "To have Agnes at table is a pleasure every Sunday." "Oh my God!" "What did you do?" "It wasn't dry after washing, and it slipped." "I heard something break." "What was it?" "Oh, my irreplaceable Bohemian sherry glasses..." "I'm so very sorry..." "What good does that do?" "I'll deduct it from your salary." "But the way is still the same..." "Of course it was one of the sherry glasses." "I had 24, just enough for two table tops." "What shall I do?" "Get a glass from another set." "I wouldn't insult one of my guests like that." "What way was Ivar talking about?" "We were just discussing politics." "It wasn't really a discussion." "You were giving me a lecture." "Ivar is full of ideas..." "Maybe I can say something now?" "Of course." "I think that Socialism is our time's greatest temptation and misfortune." "It's only one step from Communism." "Of course." "Maybe not at once or everwyhere, but with time." "Maybe there's a reaction now, and that it wins the first round." "But it doesn't matter in the long run." "You haven't been able to convert me." "But I like that you take a stand." "You should when you're young." "Yes." "And keep your ideals the rest of your life." "If they hold up, yes." "Now I have to go in to the others." "Good night, Aunt." "I'll go upstairs and work." "You do that." "Will ball bearings go up next week?" "I don't know anything about that." "Have you invested in ball bearings?" "No, no." "This chap's poor." "On his mother's side he's related to the Probsts." "that Charles XI bled dry." "He supports himself by loans and modest thieving." "No one has stolen in our family." "Don't be so sure." "But back to me." "You'll soon see the following headline in the papers:" ""Banker Reduces Son to Poverty"." "And they'll search in vain for the motive." "No, I'll ask my kid brother to get me into his party." "The red one, with the clenched fist." "In the trouser pocket..." "Ivar is not a party member, he's a member of a youth organisation." "Oh, dearie me..." "Has Ivar gone up to his room?" "Yes, he's working." "If I may, I'd like to dilute my drink a bit." "It's a bit strong." "That was me." "Generous to a fault." "He gives the whiskey of the rich to the runniest of bad eggs, and the most hardboiled of doctors expert on art..." "Sorry to interrupt." "I'm sorry about what happened last night." "I was being silly." "Naturally, you were embarrassed for me." "Yes, I was." "Don't be, Ivar." "I was..." "I might just as well tell you." "I was desperately unhappy." "But Vica, dear..." "Had Hugo been nasty to you?" "It wasn't Hugo." "It was someone else." "Who was that with you?" "A friend." "Medical student." "What's his name?" "Lundgren." "He looked really nice." "He is." "I'm ashamed that he saw me like that." "Promise to tell him that." "I'm sure he didn't care." "But it's an obsession with me." "I get those when I'm unhappy." "Can't you come and visit me?" "We rarely see each other." "And I am your sister, after all." "Do you remember when we were little?" "Yes." "I'd love to come over." "And bring the medical student." "Please ask him." "Yes, but..." "He mustn't think it strange." "Tell him I'm impulsive." "I want him to see that I'm different from that time in the street." "Come tomorrow at 3 o'clock." "Does he want coffee or tea?" "Coffee, probably." "I've got plenty of that." "What's his first name?" "Rex." "Rex..." "I like that." "What's the matter with Dad?" "How do you mean?" "I think he's ill." "He's not been himself lately." "He looked so tired and sad tonight." "He's probably worn down." "This business in South America must have taken its toll." "I don't think it's that." "I think he's unhappy." "It's strange how little we, his children, know about him." "Imagine that he's tolerated Mother for 35 years." "It's incredible." "Don't you think?" "Yes." "Enter." "So this is where you are?" "It's time to leave." "Busy day tomorrow." "We can't leave before Aunt Alberta." "She discussing business with Jacob." "It might take a while." "I'm sure she's fine with us leaving." "Bye, Ivar." "Bye." "I'll see you, Ivar." "Come in." "I just wanted to say goodnight." "Goodnight, my girl." "Where's Auntie?" "We were interrupted." "Mum asked her to help her choose jewellery for the banquet." "Mother has her concerns." "Yes." "What are Daddy's?" "What do you mean?" "What's the matter?" "It's something." "Don't try to deny it." "Tell me." "Ivar has decided that he doesn't want to succeed me." "He doesn't want anything to do with my money." "Is that why you're unhappy?" "It does feel a bit bitter." "Father should be happy." "Too much money is a terrible thing." "Look at Pierre, me and Mum." "None of us is a success." "Don't criticise your mother." "It's difficult not to." "Your upbringing is equally my fault." "I should have spent more time with you, and not only on my business." "If there's a failure here, it's me." "And I'm going to be celebrated." "Speeches, a big banquet for the great, successful Jacob Cotten." "If I could just escape it all." "I understand exactly how you feel." "Chin up." "Everything will turn out well." "Ivar is the one you'll be pleased with." "I'm sure of that." "And you." "Goodnight, Daddy." "Goodnight." "What are you doing here?" "I thought you left with Vica and Hugo." "I was on my way, but I couldn't face going." "It's so cosy here." "Do you remember the first time we learnt about Cassiopeia?" "Or was it Venus?" "It was 1789." "Or in the 17th Century." "Tycho Brahe spotted her." "I heard it on the radio and I had just lost myself in a reverie on stars." "Radio is very educational." "Does mother know Tycho Brahe?" "No." "But other things, unfortunately." "Oh dear. "Son Caught in the Act"." ""Mother inspects the other pocket, and finds something there as well"." "My son, a thief." "Yes." "Poor little Mummy." "To give birth to such freaks." "We live in a world of thieves." "I'm just adapting." "Wait a second." "Abracadabra!" "The strangest hiding places..." "I keep the fish in the memory of Mother." "She bore it, and it's definitely more of a success than the oldest child." "More magic?" "No!" "I would give God great thanks if you could be more serious." "Don't pray for that." "I've got a pact with our Lord." "He likes me." "He loves a happy giver." "You learnt that in kindergarten." "Who's talking in the library." "The haunting of a conscience?" "Aunt Alberta is talking to your father about her business." "He's sure to trick her." "It's from him and the other peddlers in the family I got my long fingers." "Pierre is leaving now." "Empty-handed." "Goodbye, ma mère." "I forgive you." "What was it?" "Is the coffee ready?" "Yes." "Strong and tasty?" "Yes." "Did you find the cakes I asked for?" "No éclairs." "How unfortunate." "It can't be helped." "Bring the coffee as soon as they arrive." "Then you can leave." "Thank you, Madam." "It looks so empty." "Gullberg should to the trick." "Welcome." "We're late, but Doctor Lundgren was working at the Sofia Hospital." "Are you a doctor?" "Not yet, but in due time." "Please come in." "What a wonderful view!" "Yes, it's very pretty." "Do you want a drink?" "No, thanks." "Not for me, either." "Alcohol makes me depressed." "Not like I want to be." "Thank you, Miss Siri." "That's all for today." "Good afternoon, Madam." "Please sit." "I haven't been here for a year." "Why don't you come more often?" "You must both come and visit from time to time...often." "I like it like this." "I see my other friends in the evenings, but..." "What do you do?" "Do you think I do anything?" "I sew, fix my clothes, read a bit..." "What do you read?" "Art history." "My husband wanted that." "But I'm often bored, and then you'll both come to visit." "Right, Rex?" "May I say Rex?" "Of course." "My name is Victoria, but just call me Vica." "How's the coffee?" "Much better than at home." "Mother is rationing the beans." "Ivar, really!" "Why are you so sensitive?" "To make an impression on Rex." "I'm totally different now, right?" "Right." "I was supposed to meet a guy at four." "I'm going to tutor him." "That's not too late." "It's already two minutes past." "You can't let him wait." "You'll be there in five minutes." "Then I'll better have a biscuit." "Take one, Rex." "A taxi to Norr Mälarstrand 22." "Stenbrott." "Thanks." "It's on its way." "It was a quick visit." "It can't be helped." "Come back another day." "I'm leaving as well." "I won't hear of it." "With all my preparations" "Bye." "Bye." "It's a good lad." "Yes, but only a lad." "How old are you?" "25 years." "Like me." "I never meet anyone my own age." "They're either younger, older or much older." "You're the first one." "Come over here." "I've got the sun in my eyes." "It's very tiring." "That's why I ask." "We who are the same age should stick together, right?" "We'll see each other again?" "You're so quiet." "You're not afraid of me, are you?" "Yes, I'm afraid of you." "You're very beautiful." "Sorry to be frank." "You're very tempting for a man." "Most men would say the same." "But you can't belong to me." "It pains me more each minute I'm here." "You're one of those who are terribly serious, right?" "I guess I am." "That's what I like about you." "You know nothing about me." "Just that I'm a rich man's daughter, probably spoilt and undisciplined." "That's the impression I have to give." "But deep down, I'm so unsatisfied." "You are?" "But you should do something about it." "Don't you have a job?" "Aren't you happily married?" "Maybe it's bad form to ask." "You may ask." "No, I'm not happily married." "Give me your hand." "The heartline, the lifeline..." "No, I don't know how to do that..." "Are you going to be a surgeon?" "I hope so." "Will you take a doctorate?" "That's a long way away, if ever." "Studying is expensive." "Sorry, I'm leaving." "Stay a while." "I'm asking you nicely." "It amuses you to keep someone you hardly know just to torture him." "There are women like that." "It's cruel, and I won't be a victim." "What should I think of you?" "You know what I mean." "I like you, Rex." "I really like you." "You can't." "You don't know me, and you're married!" "Not happily, you said, but how do I know it's true?" "It may be a whim." "I have a good idea about us..." "Us?" "There's no "us"." "You're torturing me, which is not difficult." "If you knew how you hurt me." "I'm not a skirt-chaser." "I don't meet girls just once." "Who talked of just once?" "Can't you be my friend?" "Forever, forever..." "If I'm not happy, if my life is just a parody of a life..." "Is it really like that?" "Don't lie!" "I'm not lying." "You...." "You're wonderful." "You think so?" "Yes." "ROYAL LIBRARY" "You're leaving early?" "And won't be back for a while." "I've finished for this time." "Sad to hear it." "But welcome back." "Thank you." "Thank you for this time." "Thank you!" "Good afternoon." "What's this?" "Are you in bed?" "Aren't you feeling well?" "I've got a headache and don't feel so good." "Dinner's at seven." "Can't we cancel?" "I don't feel well." "Too late." "Just take a Fenedrine." "All right." "Who's been here?" "Ivar and one of his friends." "What were they doing here?" "Talked and had coffee." "Who was the other one?" "Aren't you curious?" "He's studying medicine." "Then I'd better tell you that I'm done at the library." "From now on, I can work from home." "And if I want to have guests?" "Then you'll have to close the door to my room." "Is it the medical student we'll have the pleasure of meeting?" "Did you hear me?" "I've had more keys made." "Just in case." "The train must fall perfectly." "Yes, Mrs Cotten." "Well, Pierre." "What do you think?" "If I were to name that dress, I'd call it "The Winding Sheet"." "I can almost smell the white lilies." "Oh, Pierre!" "You're so macabre." "Enter." "I think it's lovely." "Glad to hear it, Mrs Cotten." "I think it's very chic, but it needs some stitches here." "I need it by four tomorrow." "It will be there." "The banquet starts at seven." "What a trial this has been." "When this is over, I'll fall to pieces and be taken to hospital." "The life of a millionairess is hard..." "No jokes!" "All morning, I've been in a meeting for "Save the Children"." "With Mother on the board, they'll need saving." "Did you tell my daughter I wanted to talk to her." "Right." "You mustn't make jokes like that!" "What did you want, Mother?" "When you're done, I thought we'll go to the grave." "But why?" "It's you grandparents' anniversary." "It would have been their diamond anniversary." "It would be their only contact with diamonds." "Apart from Mother, that is." "I can't." "I'm meeting someone." "Who?" "Kicki." "Nonsense." "She can wait." "That's impossible." "And I don't like visiting cemeteries." "Watch out so you don't end up there." "You look a bit haggard." "What are you up to nowadays?" "I'll see you tomorrow." "That wasn't nice to Vica!" "I think she's looked so happy lately." "Completely transformed." "One good thing doesn't exclude the bad." "It's crystal clear." "Haggard, happy, and possibly pregnant." "You think so?" "Yes, but not with Hugo." "Haven't Mother understood that Vica has a lover?" "Has Mother got facial spasms?" "Now the hand is twitching." "I understand!" "Mrs. Bergman..." "Have you also got a lover?" "Shame on you..." "Shame..." "Contain yourself." "Don't hit your own flesh and blood." "Then Pierre won't come along to the diamond anniversary." "Excuse me." "The little boy in room 14 has been asking for you." "I just wanted to mention it." "Thank you." "Darling, I was so afraid you wouldn't come." "I was delayed at the hospital." "Kiss me." "Oh, Rex!" "I'm so happy!" "Imagine that life can be this wonderful." "Why don't you say something?" "Don't you feel the same thing?" "No." "Has anything happened?" "No." "I just know I'm an idiot for coming here." "You'd never have jumped from the window like you threatened." "How do you know?" "Don't you think I've thought about suicide before?" "Not just because I'm unhappy, but because I'm a complete failure." "From there it's far to suicide." "Really?" "I've got a tube of Veronal." "Throw it away." "It's no longer tempting." "Not since I met you." "Come, Rex." "Vica, we can't go on like this." "We've got to talk." "Is that why you came over?" "Don't you understand how I feel?" "This is dirty and dishonest!" "This room..." "...which I've rented." "You might as well know." "I haven't borrowed it from a friend." "But if you think I just want a lover for fun, you're wrong." "You mustn't think I'm like that." "I wish I could." "I want to marry you." "What are you saying?" "I want to divorce my husband and marry you." "To be the wife of the famous doctor..." "With an eight-room apartment, a nurse, always fully-booked..." "I don't want to be that kind of doctor, with or without your money." "I'll be happy in a two-room flat as long as I can be with you." "Yes, wouldn't that suit you?" "Don't you realise it's impossible?" "Nothing is impossible." "I know I love you and I won't let you go." "Without you, life has no meaning." "Say you want to marry me." "We can't just decide our lives like this." "We'll think this through separately, and then meet again." "Tomorrow." "My husband is meeting a colleague, so I'm by myself." "Then you won't have to see this ghastly room." "Come at four." "I'll be there." "I'll have to return to the hospital." "Kiss me." "You..." "I love you, Vica." "We'll be so happy." "I know it." "I can feel it." "We'll now play Brahms' third symphony in F major." "I'm late in delivering this, I had problems with the car." "Thank you." "There you are." "Thank you." "Who could that be?" "How beautiful!" "Isn't there a card?" "I'm glad you liked them." "Are they from you?" "Of course." "Who else would it be?" "But you never send me flowers." "I thought it was high time." "You've been so cold lately." "And of course it's my fault." "Don't, Hugo..." "Can't your husband get a kiss?" "Later, Hugo." "I have to put these in water." "Thank you, Miss Siri." "And please take out the paper." "The scent is lovely." "Do you know what we're going to do?" "No, what?" "Realise our dreams." "Go to South America." "Can we afford that?" "Since it's his birthday, my father-in-law gave me a cheque." "What do you say to that?" "Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Mexico" "No everyday problems, no pettiness or gossip..." "No cold autumn weather." "Just sun and warmth." "No responsibilities." "It sounds wonderful." "With a man who worships you." "I'll be completely changed." "Now, give me that kiss." "Wait until South America." "I can't wait that long." "You're terrible." "But you love me." "Don't you?" "The other day, I discussed whether it's possible to love two people." "What do you think?" "That your thoughts are unsound." "They often are." "But it's an interesting problem." "If you..." "Wait a moment." "Let's take you." "All right." "I meet a man, completely unlike you, of course." "Describe the differences." "Play with fire." "He'd not be capricious or self-centred." "He'd think of me first and belong to me with infinite tenderness." "He'd excuse everything and forget his own existence." "I doubt that your dreamt-up hero really exists." "But if he did, within one month, you'd react to him as to the daily porridge." "With too much sugar." "No, Vica dear." "Your taste buds need something spicier." "Ouch!" "Scream!" "Does it hurt?" "Of course it does!" "Do you want to hit me?" "You shouldn't have done that." "Thanks for reminding me what you're like." "My pleasure." "Your imagination started to run away with you." "Time to return to reality." "You did yourself a disservice." "Not really." "Whoever neglects something, the way of life, the emotions, the imagination, will pay for it." "I don't want to make you pay, not more than just now." "Watch your step!" "I do." "I'm very attentive." "The story is over." "The dream of the ideal husband is over, I hope." "You should have had children." "It's not my fault we don't have any." "I would have like four or five." "If you asked your medical student, he'd say the same thing." "That healthy married women should have children." "If he's a friend of Ivar's, he'll also say that you shouldn't inherit." "And I agree." "But I'm a hedonist, and won't voluntarily give up millions." "Provided that we're married then." "I'll make sure of that." "Do you want me to read to you?" "I understand you like Gullberg." "Read." "What shall we read?" ""Kissing Wind"" "He came like a wind What stops a wind?" "He kissed your cheek He kissed the blood to your skin" "It should have stopped there You belonged to someone else" "An evening in the season of lilacs In the month of laburnum" "He kissed your ear, your hair A wind doesn't ask for permission" "Your eyes were kissed blind" "At first you did not want to Answer his yearnings" "But soon your arm embraced him In the month of laburnum" "From your mouth he has kissed The last remnant of resistance" "Your mouth lies quiet With half-open lips against his" "A wind comes and disappears And your whole world shatters" "For a breeze in the spring of lilacs And sprays of laburnum" "Beautiful, isn't it?" "I didn't listen." ""And they didn't read more that day." That's a quote." "Is that Gullberg, too?" "No, someone else." "Greater, if possible." "Goodnight, Vica dear." "To Daddy Dearest From Pierre" "Are you already here?" "Am I late?" "Daddy's reception took ages." "I'm early." "The maid let me in." "Let me look at you." "A new suit!" "Yes." "I just got a scholarship and wanted to celebrate." "And then you bought that..." "Yes." "Is something wrong with it?" "No." "It doesn't matter that the fit's bad." "I prefer you without." "Wild cat..." "What's wrong?" "I prefer this." "Cards on the table, that is." "Then there's no cheating." "Who are you?" "My name is Lundgren." "Rex Lundgren." "Medical student." "Dr. Stenbrott." "I live here." "Sit down." "The sofa looks untouched." "So the medical student just arrived..." "We'll all need this." "Not for me." "A tee-totaller?" "No, but I don't want anything." "That's sensible." "But you're not always that abstinent..." "Drink up." "What are you doing here, Mr. Lundgren?" "It was Lundgren, right?" "You may sit down." "I'm not a judge." "And the crime, if we dare use that term, is so ordinary that the law ignores it." "You sleep with another man's wife, that happens everywhere." "But I have a right to ask." "Isn't it the case, you and her?" "We were going to talk about our future together." "She should have talked to you." "Be quiet!" "You sound so serious." "We were going to go to Gripsholm." "That's all." "Next week." "I don't believe that." "The student understands that." "You have a practical mind." "No smoke screens." "The part about the future sounds bad." "That can only mean one thing with the daughter of the banker." "Marriage." "Are you thinking about marriage?" "No." "I could never be financially dependent on my wife." "I know nothing of Cotten, but I like Vica, and she likes me." "I don't doubt that." "A lot of people like her." "Vica is an expert on winning sympathy." "Let's call it that." "So you don't care about money and can't afford to get married..." "When can you afford it?" "Ignore him." "Just leave!" "Don't make things up." "You make a lot of...very little." "You want me to leave?" "If I leave now, I'll never come back." "You'll never see me again." "That's right, that's right." "My dear doctor-to-be, you don't know people if you don't know that Vica doesn't have any manners." "She has never used them." "Doesn't even know what it means." "Yes, you should leave." "Goodbye." "You'll find the way." "Give me a drink." "Another one." "You're going to a banquet and should at least be able to arrive decently." "Yes, the banquet..." "How do we avoid that?" "We're not." "So you're going?" "We're going, my dear." "I don't want to." "There, there..." "Stand up." "Stand up, I said." "What a beautiful dress." "What attractive cleavage!" "Come here!" "Not your room." "Not in the same bed as your student." "It hasn't been what you think." "It was just a kiss." "I'll tell you everything." "Afterwards." "Don't talk so much." "Look at me!" "Does it feel good?" "You're so rough." "You should be whipped, not loved." "Look at me." "I want you to look at me the whole time!" "I want to see what's going on in your head." "I know the rest, but in there you can still trick me." "Then I think we're done, Mrs. Cotten." "Thank you." "May I see?" "There you are." "But what is this?" "This is terrible." "I look a perfect fright." "I think it suits you." "No, it does not." "Let me be the judge of that." "You'll have to start over." "But it's past six!" "I'm aware of that." "Do you think I'm going to attend the banquet looking like this?" "Hurry up!" "Now you're going to tell me." "You were in love with him?" "Yes." "Very much so?" "Yes." "It's nice with a change." "Where did you make love?" "We borrowed a room in town." ""Borrowed"?" "Didn't you rent it?" "Don't ask!" "You know everything." "Drink some." "You need to be drunk." "Do you prefer champagne?" "That would be nice..." "Nice and devious..." "Rex!" "I'll never see you again." "Why am I such a monster?" "Siri hadn't gone out." "She was in her room, writing letters." "She's got a fiancé in Pitea." "In Pitea?" "Lucky for him that you're not the fiancée." "Can't you be a bit less nasty?" "I'm so tired." "Aren't we friends now?" "I thought you had got over him." "Yes..." "From the heart, if I may." "I'm remarkably kind, given what you've done." "You've had too much money, that's what I've always said." "Medical students aren't cheap." "Not even free." "For God's sake, don't talk about him!" "Don't talk about God." "That's not fitting here." "And don't scream and make a fuss." "Siri is still at home." "Let's drink this in peace and quiet." "Isn't that the son?" "He looks nice." "What jewellery!" "Damn capitalist swine!" "That's right." "I'll tell you." "I was in love with him, and it was wonderful." "I was never that in love with you." "But that's not the important thing." "When we were together, or were just talking," "I felt that I wasn't meant to be the Vica I've become." "The one that you see, the one you're trying to get drunk." "That's how I like you." "Don't I count?" "If I could escape your seductions and get away from this disgusting life." "You didn't think about that." ""Cotten's daughter", you said to him." "You can't imagine a man for whom this doesn't matter." "You only revealed yourself." "You didn't marry me, but "Cotten's daughter"." "Did you ever imagine that you were my ideal wife?" "No." "The money." "The money." "I'm not the only one." "What about Cotten himself? "More money!"" "With a tasty little number like you it was a bargain." "I'm not even human to you." "None of you are." "Human?" "Cardboard cut-outs." "Gilded cut-outs of a millionaire family in the 20th century." "I detest you and your circle of friends." "The ones that think they do good are the worst." "People going "Ah!" and "Oh!" at art the artists have bled for." "Artists are just curiosities to you." "If you could only stuff them and keep as decorations!" "Imagine having Brueghel in the salon." "Humans?" "They only go where it's luxurious, chic and elegant." "Everyone fusses over the ones at the top." "Give me another drink." "You speak the truth." "If you detest my world so, why do you stay there?" "Why?" "Because I like it." "It would be unpleasant to socialise with people who were superior." "The really superior." "One should only see people you want to spit on." "You spit all you want." "I don't care." "What would the doctor-to-be have done with you?" "He doesn't know how damn lucky he was today." "But by now he's seen through you." "What do you mean?" "If you had been serious, you would have said goodbye to me and left." "That's what he expected, poor, confused man." "Poor Rex..." "Now he's roaming the streets, dis- traught." "Maybe he'll drown himself?" "What a retreat, after such ambitious plans." "Does your little heart ache?" "How I detest you." "The wine fair was an experience." "Magnificent!" "My husband and I were there three times!" "But I wouldn't like to have twenty crystal bowls at my place!" "Excuse me." "It's twenty past." "Vica and her husband haven't arrived." "Shall we wait further?" "Is that why we're waiting?" "Of course not." "Tell them dinner's served." "Ivar." "Have someone call Vica to see if they've left." "If not, tell them to hurry up." "Tell them we've started eating." "Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served." "Don't imagine that I don't despise myself." "You won't find out more, but there was good stuff in me." "If I had another life companion than you." "What should I have done?" "You threw yourself at me." "Don't imagine that you'll get a divorce." "I hate you." "I wish I could kill you." "Why do you talk about yourself?" "Who'd be interested?" "You were only thinking of him." "Yes, I did!" "Serves you right!" "That's polite." "There are even politer ways!" "I wish I could kill you." "It's easily done." "Dr. Stenbrott." "I'm sorry, my wife was feeling nauseous." "She's resting." "We'll come as soon as possible." "Worst case, after the dinner." "There was going to be a concert." "Not more, Hugo!" "You're sobering up." "All the more reason." "Drink." "I said drink!" "There you are." "What do you mean?" "You wanted to kill me." "It's cocked and loaded." "Just pull the trigger." "Just a bluff..." "Now get dressed so you can go to the banquet." "You're magnificent." "Spat-on, eyes swollen from crying..." "Haggard from suffering and passion My, my, my..." "You look exactly like what you are." "What's that?" "I can't say such foul words." "You must shoot here." "You don't dare." "You think so?" "Finish the bottle first." "Tell me more about him." "You haven't told me much." "After all, I'm an interested party in the case." "He looked pleasant enough, the poor bastard." "A tee-totaller..." "Here." "He was shot in Denmark." "He fought in the resistance." "Why?" "Someone like you can't understand that." "Imagine if he thought it was right?" "I asked him the same thing as you." "Equally stupid." "And he answered:" ""I couldn't help myself."" ""It could equally well have been Norway, France or Poland."" "A romantic type." "But he survived." "And you can tattoo a scar." "Be quiet!" "Shoot." "But it'll be life in prison, since the death penalty is abolished." "But it would be better if you put on your dress." "Tell me, was it pleasant to desert the man you loved?" "Desert?" "Yes." "I'll soon know what I want about him." "It'll amuse me." "The more intimate the details, the more fun..." "No!" "Miss Siri!" "Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen!" "Pierre Cotten wishes to make a speech." "Ladies and gentlemen." "You can say one thing about a banquet like this." "It's deadly boring." "Not least for the one we celebrate." "Poor Daddy." "But to make this event slightly more exciting, the Cotten family has gone all out and is serving champagne." "It's not included in the 36 crowns already paid." "I hope that's the case?" "Hello, Mummy!" "Wouldn't we rather have liked to sit by ourselves with a bottle, and not listen to the buffoons to the right and left of you, and think about who on earth they can be, and what to talk to them about?" "Mother's waving again." "Hello!" "And the speeches!" "Is there anyone here present who has heard so many deadly dull and badly-worded speeches?" "Let him stand up." "Look, my younger brother Ivar!" "He's listened to a few, as a member of the communist organisation "The Torch"." "You know that family secret, right?" "Sit down at once." "But Pierre likes talking." "Sit down!" "How is he, Doctor?" "I haven't made a proper examination, but it's not life-threatening." "The ambulance will be here any minute." "May I use the phone?" "Please show the doctor." "It's over here." "Come here, Vica." "You didn't touch the gun." "Do you hear me?" "I did it." "It was an accident." "Do you understand?" "Yes." "If you had fired the gun, even if it were by mistake, you'd have ended up in prison." "Understand?" "Yes." "But now you're innocent and therefore mine." "Do you understand what I mean?" "Or would you rather have killed me and taken the penalty?" "Yes." "Rather that!" "Vica, for God's sake..." "Yes, yes!" "No, I don't want to..." "Right answer." "You would never want to shoot me, would you?" "Your beloved." "Look at me." "Don't avert your eyes." "Look at your husband and master." "Now you're mine and no one else's." "Forever and ever." "I'll come along to the hospital." "I managed to get a room." "I'll ask them to call with news." "Do you want anything?" "No, thank you." "I've got what I need." "Goodnight, then." "Thank you for your help." "May I help you?" "No, thank you, Siri." "Just let me be by myself." "The guest of honour will now speak." "I've tonight been called "friend of the workers", "financial genius"," ""keeper of culture" and "damn capitalist swine"." "The last one came from a young man when we arrived here." "Who's right?" "The truth lies, as always, somewhere in between." "It depends on your point of view." "There's no doubt that I'm a man of means." "To create capital is my great, maybe only, idea." "Not to live in luxury, but to feel the happiness and satisfaction which every industrialist must feel when he sees his companies flourish, expand and improve." "And the excitement of what one could call "The Financial Game"." "For nearly 40 years, I've used all my energy and knowledge to increase my own wealth and that of the shareholders." "For my part, I realised too late the dangers of my success." "It's not good to have too little money, but it can be worse to have too much." "Maybe not for himself, but for those close to him." "That was one for Pierre!" "My youngest son, Ivar, understood this before me, and decided to go his own way, without my help." "His position was a shock at first, but now I'm only proud and happy for his idealism." "So, there I was with my wealth, with no one in the family who could or wanted to take over." "That's when I made my decision." "It's a great pleasure to announce, in the presence of my good friends, that I will in the future, primarily to medical research, donate all my assets." "I hope, or rather, I know, that my life's work will benefit a great number of people." "There's a call for you." "I can't leave now." "Thank you, Daddy." "It's about your daughter." "I can take it." "It's in the hallway." "Hello?" "No, it's not." "It's his son, Ivar Cotten." "What are you saying?" "Are you sure?" "Oh my God..." "What is it, Ivar?" "I'll be right there." "What is it?" "Has anything happened to Vica?" "She's dead." "She committed suicide." ""Love in the 20th Century Poems by Hjalmar Gullberg"" "The Sofia Hospital." "May I speak to Lundgren, the student?" "Yes, I'll wait." "Hello, Rex?" "Hello, it's Ivar." "I haven't been in touch for a while." "You know..." "I saw you at the funeral." "I'm sorry, Ivar." "I've got a piece of paper I'd think you'd want." "I lay beside Vica." "I kept it." "What does it say?" "It just says, "Rex"." "It must have been the last thing she did." "Shall I bring it to the meeting?" "Yes." "Thank you." "So you'll be there?" "Of course." "You can trust me." "Yes." "Yes, it's terrible." "I hope to find a new one by tomorrow." "Good maids are hard to find." "But they're full of pretensions." "Until then, I have to do the cleaning myself." "But it makes you think of other things." "And I have to get used to it." "What will Jacob's donation entail?" "Yes, dear." "It was good of you to call." "Goodbye." "And there you are, about to leave us." "I'll be back on Sunday afternoons at least." "Probably more often." "Goodbye, dear boy." "Take good care of yourself." "Goodbye, Mother." "Oh dear, oh dear..." "Well, I've come to say goodbye." "Goodbye, then, Ivar." "Good luck." "And if you need me, I'm not thinking about money, you know where I am." "Yes." "Thank you, Daddy."