"MONOPOLY" "Mads Andersen Skjern, a widower, and father of Daniel,   comes to Korsbæk in 1929 as a salesman and seeks out   the Ladies' Store." " I'd like to talk to your boss." " He's at lunch." "And he takes a nap afterwards." "You don't have to explain the boss's actions to a traveler." "I can't very well say he's upstairs with his young wife." "No, you mustn't call again." "There's Albert now." "Goodbye, Daddy." " Aren't you asleep?" " I'm waiting for you." "Just a moment." "I'm coming." "Mads is ignored and sees that this happens to plain customers too,   so he leaves the shop." "Hans Christian Varnæs is the manager of Korsbæk Bank." "His brother Jørgen is an attorney, and a local conservative candidate." "Should we?" "Grandfather looks as if he doesn't approve." "Old Hansen. I've always been afraid of him." "Cheers." " And Maude?" " That reminds me." "She's very well." " She's taken up painting again." " Can't get any worse than that." "Father?" "I got used to it." "When you go up, your ears will probably be on your forehead." "The way they paint these days." "Minna and I were at an exhibition ..." "Why do you never come to town?" "Copenhagen." " A trip with your brother." " To see exhibitions?" "That's not what I had in mind." "Aren't you afraid of going stale?" " Aren't you afraid of going too fast?" " Sometimes I only sleep for 4 hours." "Me too." "I can lie there for hours." "Yes." "But you're sleepless in your own bed." " Of course." " Hans Christian!" "The Varnæs kitchen is run by Laura, the cook, and Agnes." "Elisabeth directs the household." "She's broken off her engagement   and lives with her sister as a shadow aunt." " We'll be boiling the children next." " Don't say that to Miss Friis." "Miss Friis would have had a fit about the keyholes." "All of them." " Don't talk about that now." " You were on vacation." "Madam wanted the keyholes cleaned with alcohol and cotton buds." "Like the children's ears." " My two beautiful ladies." " The guests will come in 20 minutes." "I got delayed at the bank." "I'll be ready." "Now he'll make a mess in the bathroom." "He's as bad as Ulrik." "Such a fuss for his own brother." "We don't see a parliamentary candidate here every day." " Good evening." " Madam." " Albert." " Father-in-law." " And here's the local quack!" " Korsbæk's very own Gengis Khan." " You asked for that one, Father." " Good evening, Victoria." " Is that the fashion now, Albert?" " I just meet the ladies's demands." " Albert needs a trip to Paris." " Who doesn't?" "There's Aunt Møhge." "I think we can start." "Aunt Møhge." "In the Railway Restaurant, Skjern meets Larsen, the pig dealer,   railwayman Lauritz Jensen, called Red because he's a socialist,   and Fatty the painter." "Don't step on Quick." "The pig dealer invites Mads and Daniel into his home." "What a surprise, eh?" "Your gran says I never bring her anything." " You're very kind." " We like having guests." "Katrine's seen it all." "Once I came home with the bear leader." "With a bear and all." "Yes, a bear instead of beer." "My daughter has her father's wit." "Talking of beer, Mr. Andersen Skjern doesn't drink at all." "My father often got drunk." "Eat your breakfast." "Afterwards, you can show Daniel your chickens." "Ingeborg is our only daughter." "She wanted to go into trade." "We felt domestic science school was better." "But it was there she met that bastard, so she had to get married." "A postal clerk with posh habits." "That slacker's cost me over 7,000 kroner." "Good heavens." "Mads decides to stay, and buys the property opposite the Ladies' Store." "You can get up now, Daniel." "This is our new home." "How do you do?" "My name is Mads Andersen-Skjern." "Varnæs." "Please sit down." "You're a big boy who can be so quiet for such a long time." " What's your name?" " Daniel." "Like I said, I appreciate your enterprise." "But I have obligations towards my old customers." "Many of them are third, even fourth generation in this town." "So you won't give me a loan?" "Even though I have collateral?" " So the answer's no." " If you wish." "It's your wish." "I can get money elsewhere." "Then everything's fine." "Money should work in the town where l'm going to earn it." "I say!" "All in one go, eh?" "Not all, Larsen." "One must never do that." "But almost." "About staff ..." "I've hired an apprentice and I've advertised for a lady, for a start." "It's just that lngeborg ..." "She didn't like to ask herself." " Does your daughter want to ..?" " It seems so." " And of you need a lady ..." " That's odd." "I had it in mind all the time, but I didn't dare ask." " I think of her as someone special." " What'd you do without me?" "I don't know, Oluf Larsen." "I'm afraid we'll have to look at Arnesen's cash credit." " What's wrong with it?" " It's overdrawn." "We can all be delayed when we're busy." "That's hardly the case in the Ladies' Store." "I know he's a personal friend." "But perhaps that's the very reason." "Arnesen's a shareholder." "It would be correct to send him a reminder." "Mads marries Ingeborg and adopts her daughter, Ellen." "The shop thrives. ln the backroom, he lends money to hard-up farmers." "He calls on his brother Kristen to take over that side of the business." "Hello!" "Hello, Daniel." "And this must be Ellen?" "Hello." "I'm the eldest of us, but I've only ever traveled 3rd class." " It's about time you try, brother." " All in good time." "Arnold from the Ladies' Store has left the sinking ship   and crossed the street to Mads' shop." "You must be mistaken." "My sister is the most remarkable one." " l am not mistaken." " Good evening, Miss Friis." "Good evening, Mr. Schwann." "Who is that funny little man?" "He eats here too." "He's head man in the big clothes shop." "No, I think he's a partner now." "I thought the big clothes shop was my brother's." " Your brother?" "." "Are you ..?" " I haven't even introduced myself." "Kristen Andersen Skjern." " Andersen?" "But isn't that ..?" " Yes." "His brother owns the shop across the street." "He works there, too." "You're not serious, Elisabeth." "It's a joke." "A very bad joke." "It's not a joke, Maude." "Another scandal looms in the Varnæs family." "The bank manager's brother has a mistress." " Where is Aunt Minna?" " Go and wash your hands, you two." "This is my brother, Hans Christian Varnæs." "Birgitte Graae ..." " We've ..." " I've heard so much about you." "My sister-in-law, Maude." "Birgitte and I were having a meeting   about ..." "Can't you explain it to Maude?" "We'd better be on our way." "We're properly engaged now." "Can I tell sir and madam?" " And Miss Friis?" " We'll talk about that." " And the rings ..." " Ouch!" "Damn!" "What are you doing, Agnes?" "Have you got a man in there?" " It's Laura." "You have to go." " Yes, yes." "Where are my shoes?" "Bend your knees and then stretch   till you're fully upright." "Repeat this exercise   in every detail." "Remember to exercise every day." "For you only have ..." "You're going to be a father." "What's wrong?" "Did they find out about me?" " It's much worse." " Did they fire you?" " You'll have to marry me." " Me?" " l'm going to have a baby." " lt wasn't me." " Who else?" "You were the first." " That one won't work with me." " I had no idea he was like that." " Really?" " What can I do?" " Dry your eyes, go to the doctor." "Agnes finds a new friend in the socialist railwayman, Red." "And Dr. Hansen finds out that Agnes isn't pregnant after all." "Albert Arnesen has gone under." "His shop is bankrupt,   and he has been found dead." "Mads buys his property." " Now Albert's dead." " What will you do now, Inger?" "My sister has a glove shop in Haslev." "I remember Emmy." "Has she got a job for you?" "I'd rather work without pay for her than for those people over there." "Ingeborg's former husband, Holger, suddenly returns to Korsbæk." "Ellen, run up to Daniel." "I won't be long." "What do you want here?" " Hello, Ingeborg." "Long time no see." " You can't be here." "Come." " What do you want?" " To see you and Ellen." "Ellen is fine." "So you can leave now." " l live here." " In Korsbæk?" "You know it's hard to get work." "And I wanted to see Ellen grow up." "Holger Jørgensen!" "Boss wants to see you." "Mads sees to it that Holger gets a one-way ticket to Canada." "Arnesen's widow, Vicki, leaves to try her luck in Copenhagen." "I'll be back when I've grown up!" "I've kept myself up to date with fashion   and the ladies' tastes for 42 years." "I'm at your disposal, Mr. Andersen Skjern." "I'm pleased to hear your offer." "In other circumstances I'd be happy to accept it." "But ..." " But?" " The Ladies' Store will not reopen." "Haven't you bought the property?" "Yes." "But for other purposes, Mr. Schwann." "For what?" "It's public as of this afternoon when we open the subscription for shares." "It's going to be a bank." "THE BIRTHDAY" "THE BIRTHDAY" "This is the living room." " Is this what's called modernistic?" " Yes, the style of today." " But something's still missing." " You've got a grand piano, no less!" "Stop playing the older brother." "Come and look at the view." " You're expanding." " This is only the beginning." " Now he wants our apartment." " Where will you live?" "We'll have to sleep on the shelves." " l'll buy a house." " We just extended the apartment." "The children need their own rooms." "Daniel has to keep his grades up." "School grades are not what should worry you most." " Ellen is good, but Daniel ..." " Daniel is good at many things." "You were lucky with the curtains." "It's turned out very nice." "Excuse me." " You want to stay in the apartment." " Yes, is that so strange?" "We'll build somewhere else." "A workroom, an extra stockroom, and a proper clothing factory." "As if we didn't have enough to do!" " This is Elisabeth Friis." " Yes, we know." "My sister-in-law and my brother." " Kristen said he had visitors." " We were just leaving." " We came to see the new apartment." " That's why Elisabeth is here." "I suppose you've been here before ..." "when Arnesen lived here." " I have as well." " Have you?" "Yes, once." "I've often thought of it since." "It was kind of you, she understood that afterwards." " What happened to Mrs. Arnesen?" " She started studying." "But her father, the Colonel, never mentions her." "What a strange father." " Goodbye, Miss Friis." " People are generally strange." " Goodbye, Mrs. Skjern." " I'm pleased to have met you." " Well, does it meet your approval?" " Yes, it's all very nice." " But there is something missing." " Arnesen had too much furniture." " I wasn't thinking of furniture." " Oh?" " It misses a woman's touch." " Then you'll have to find one." "Look at those roses." "Ingeborg brought them." "You can learn ... just watch me." "You've tried the piano, now come and try the sofa." " What else do I have to try?" " You'll see this evening." "First, Mrs. Olsen will serve a delicious dinner." "Then we'll have coffee sitting in this sofa." "Mrs. Olsen will go home and she can sleep in late." "Your brother doesn't like me." "I'm the debt collector." "There's a bill here from the grocer." "is the town clerk in?" "It's very early." "My husband's not up yet." "I chose this time of day." "Last time I came, your husband had already left." "Just a minute." "I'm to tell you that he's shaving." " We've got to talk about the 27th." " The 27th?" "Aunt Møhge's birthday." "And if it's to be held here ..." " I'd completely forgotten." " She's your godmother!" "All these old fogeys I have to put up with just because I married you." "I have to make all the arrangements now." "Elisabeth's moved out." "The whole house has to be rearranged." " Aunt Møhge's only 100 once." " That's one consolation." "Do put those papers down." "They can't be that important." "What about Jørgen?" "Can we invite Minna now?" "They'd be fighting in the lounge." "But in fact, this is about Jørgen." " He sold his shares in the bank." " Why does he need all that money?" " For Minna and his new amour." " But she's sailing to America." "America won't last for ever, not unless the ship goes down." " He sold to the highest bidder." " Who did he sell to?" "Skjold Hansen, a lawyer." "Now he's a major shareholder." "Skjold Hansen!" "He doesn't belong in our circle at all." " Have you seen his wife?" " I can't concern myself with her." "It's Skjold Hansen who concerns me." " What about Aunt Møhge?" " Ring Elisabeth." "I tried last night and this morning and there was no answer." " Where are you going with that?" " Breakfast in bed." "Put it on the table ..." "before there's an accident." " I was going to surprise you." " Sitting here seems less sinful." "The voice of a liberated woman." "Your brother lives just opposite, and so is my brother-in-law's bank." "My sister lives two doors down." "It's not a very discreet affair." " Not being married does bother you." " Pass me the milk." "There you are." "Excuse me." "Skjern speaking." "Good morning, Christiansen." "Is that for certain?" "So that's what the money was for." "Yes, his wife's money." "It'll be very interesting." "We'll manage no doubt." "I'll be down in ten minutes ..." "a quarter of an hour." " Anything wrong?" " That was my accountant." "Skjold Hansen, the lawyer ..." "His wife closed her account with us." "She's got a lot of money." "Skjold Hansen has bought Jørgen Varnæs' shares in Korsbæk Bank." "What will the board say about that?" "They say he'd also like a place on the board." "That's not for him to decide." "I'd better get going before things get going in Algade." " This isn't the Ladies' Store." " I want my gray dress." "It's at home, mother dear." "And Albert's dead." " Good morning, ladies." " It's about time you opened up." " She still thinks it's a draper's shop." " You ladies are out early." "The Courier wants to interview mother about her birthday." "Didn't they want to interview you in your beautiful home?" "Mother thought the journalist might steal something." "Albert must be up now." "Here comes Miss Friis." " Good morning ..." "You are up early." " And you, Miss Friis." " You said the shop wasn't open." " Yes, and it isn't." "That's that then." " And the position on the board?" " No, that was part of the deal." " Then Skjold Hansen ..?" " Yes, fresh blood in the bank." "He was always after a place on the board of the District Bank." "Yes, but in vain." "Now he'll fight for Korsbæk Bank, not against them." " Well?" " It wasn't pleasant." "Get going." "What a mood to be in." "Think of all the money we have to spend." "As chairman of the board, I can inform the shareholders   that we are prepared to let Viggo Skjold Hansen join the board." " A unanimous decision is best." " He's a completely new man." "He's used the District Bank, and has been keen to get onto their board." "And they wouldn't have him." "Which may now be to their loss   if you follow my meaning." " Yes." " Good, the meeting is closed." "It'll make your job lighter in the long run." " You got rid of Skjold Hansen." " Yeah." " Maybe we should have had him." " No, I don't like him." "We also lost his wife's money." "We earned a lot of interest on that." "It'll be the worse for Varnæs." "Skjold Hansen isn't easy to deal with." "Here's the plot I wanted." "It's all that land." " Why not that one or that one?" " No." "A consortium owns one." "Korsbæk Bank owns the other." "This is owned by the council, so I can get at it." "They'll be interested in a building project, and the factory jobs." " You'll be self-sufficient." " I'll supply my other shops too." "Other shops?" "All towns need new commercial life." "Think of the opportunities." " Do I have to establish new banks?" " Who knows?" "It's always important that there's a good transport system." "The train runs all the way to customs and the docks." " What about financing?" " It'll work out." "Otherwise I'll start to develop Arnesen's plot on the Strip." " Do come in." " Thank you." "Allow me to welcome you." "Sit down." "Let's celebrate your appointment with a glass of sherry." " I'd prefer whiskey." " Let me see if we have any." "There's a drop there behind the port." "Let's toast each other and our future cooperation." "Thanks." "The same here." "I'll introduce you to our staff and our faithful accountant, Stein." "Three times." "Stein's on his way." "He's been with us, let me see ..." "22 years." "An old hand." "Stein, I'd like you to be the first to meet our new member of the board." "My pleasure." "If you want information about the bank's affairs, Stein's your man." " Or you can come directly to me." " So they're the past." " My father and my grandfather." " He's still known as "Old Hansen"." "Yes." "Well, we got the name Varnæs from the family estate." "You'll be hanging up there too." "But will your son follow you?" "Well, I'd better have a look around the place." " Will she be coming to visit?" " Who, dear?" "Mrs. Skjold Hansen." "Do sit down and talk to me." "We'll be having them to dinner, with the rest of the board." "And if I can put up with the man, you can put up with his wife." "I'll never forgive you for that, and just before Aunt Møhge's birthday." "That's how I see it, Lauritz Jensen." "Don't you come around here with your socialist nonsense." "The kitchens of the upper class are just the place for it." "One day he's a Social Democrat, the next he's a Communist." "Stauning let the proletariat down." "Haven't you read about it?" " Don't talk politics with Laura." " It's good practice." " I need it for the meetings." " Learn to know your place in life." " You'll be happier." " Did they tell you that?" "You're not too good to eat their food or drink their coffee." " Take some more coffee up." " No, they're arguing." "Something about the bank, Aunt Møhge and the lawyer." " Upper-class problems." " It keeps them from being bored." "Educated people aren't bored just because they're not nattering." "Have you moved the list I'd made for the party?" "It's not for two weeks." "She can kick the bucket before then." " We'd better have six lobsters." " Keep half a one for me." " Communists don't eat lobster." " I like the color." "I never thought I'd hear the like in this kitchen." " I'm taking the young lady away." " That's sure to be a help." "Good morning." " Mr. Skjold Hansen." " I checked with the Consul ..." "There are a lot of papers I'd like to look through." "I need to get an idea of the bank's business methods." "These are the papers I need to see, and I'd like to talk to the staff." " If the bank manager agrees." " Yes, of course." " The manager hasn't come in yet." " It doesn't matter." " Put the files on the desk." " This is the manager's office." "Today, I'm sitting here." "Tomorrow, you can clear the front room for me." "I intend to come a couple of hours every day." " I'll want a lot of help from you." " l see." "Of course." " I'm at your service." " Good." "We'd better get started." "Miss Jacobsen, please find the documents on this list." "Good morning." " Sorry, sir." " Where are you going with all that?" " In there." " My office?" "Good morning." "Mr. Skjold Hansen said he wanted to look at some papers in here." "The Consul and I have agreed that I look things over." "I'd like to see the bills too." " This is rather early." " The sooner the better." " Better for what?" " Modernization." "I'm still manager." "We're both major shareholders." "We're in the same boat ..." "Steen's factory wants you to see the collection." "I see all the collections first." "And I forgot to tell you, they rang from Hansen  Son." " They want me to go to Paris." " And what?" "Take it easy." "Hansen is dead." "His son is over 70." "They'd like my advice on which models they should copy." " Great, when is it?" " January, but I'm not going." " Why ever not?" " The children aren't old enough." " We can manage." "We've got Gudrun." " You'd like to get rid of me." "It's too good a chance to miss." "We need some contacts." " We're going into production." " Why ever for?" "Skjern's Stores." "Just a minute." "It's Larsen's Furniture store." "Skjern ..." "That's fine." "15 minutes suits me fine." "Goodbye." "You've got to go to the Post House." "We can talk about Paris later." "I've got plenty of time." "This is from Williams in London." "We should get a better discount." "Hey, that's our sofa." "What are you doing with our furniture?" "It's going to be auctioned, miss." "Good heavens!" "I thought the bailiff was here." " It's a surprise for my wife." " There's a lot of it." "Wait till it's in its place." "I'll do it." "I'll go out and pluck these chickens, then." "I think Mr. Skjern wants to do it himself." " And besides, he's humming." " Humming?" " What do you think, Godtfred?" " Enchanting." " And this one?" " All hats suit you." " Perhaps I could take them both." " That's one solution." " May I?" " We'll have them sent home." "Yes, sir." "Mads?" " Here!" " Goodness!" " l wanted to surprise you." " You have. lt's a nice sofa." " But heavy." " Because it's good quality." " lt won't budge." " Good gracious!" "What's happened?" "Give me a hand." "My husband's been knocked out by a sofa." " Ouch!" "My foot's jammed." " Why did you do it on your own?" "I wanted it to be ready for when you came. I think it's too big for the room." " I wanted to speak to the boss." " Give us a hand!" " What was it, Mr. Vinter?" " I sold two hats to Mrs. Lund." "The delivery boy came back without money." "I hope it's not sprained." "I suppose that's to be expected." " Yes, the way you were." " With regard to Godtfred Lund." " What do they owe already?" " For the dresses and Mr. Lund's suit." " If it's sprained, I'll call the doctor." " We'll wait and see." " With regard to the town clerk." " Stop talking business!" " Your foot is more important." " We'll see." " I'll call Dr. Hansen." " We won't send him a reminder." "The town clerk." "My foot is all right." " It looks quite nice like this." " So it does." "But it's quite a lot of money." "Thanks for the surprise, Mads." "As you wish." ""l still live for Fernando, says oldest townswoman, 100 on Thursday."" " The photo's from her 50th birthday." " Eh?" "Swap this one for me, will you?" "Have a look at the Courier, where Mrs. Møhge smiles at the readers,   from the time when her dentures were brand-new." "Her poor daughter will like this:" ""Fernando loved children."" ""lt was a great sorrow for him that we only had Misse."" "Well, that's a lie." "They say he had a child with every maid in the house." " I nearly became his son too." " Another sorrow ..." "My mother was going to work for the Møhges." " But she ended at the dean's." " So you have clerical ancestry?" "You could say that." "She got married to the sexton." " My mom worked for Mr. Møhge." " When was that?" "I read it in her maid's conduct book." "It said she was good and handy." " That was in '92." " When were you born, Fatty?" " I was 40 this summer." " That means he's from '93 ..." "It figures!" "He looks like him too." "There's a picture of the old man here." "Well, I'll be damned!" "Maybe you can help your sister push the wheelchair." "This calls for a celebration." "A round on Fatty, Boldt." "Thank heavens it's you, Elisabeth." " I tell you, I ought to be in my bed." " Dear me, you look fine." "If you knew what Hans Christian's had me in for ..." "Mrs. Skjold Hansen!" " l don't know her." " We both will in a moment." "Now ..." " Why, Misse ..." " I've just left mother at the dentist's." "I just wanted to show you the article about Mother, if you haven't seen it." "There." "Mother insisted on using that picture." "It's from the year she got her gray satin dress." " Mother loves that dress." " It's lovely." " There she is." " I'd better be going ..." "No, do stay." "The more, the merrier." "She's come." "And Miss Møhge." "I pinched the paper." " It goes into the lounge first." " Miss Møhge brought one too." "There it is, about the mother." "That picture is ancient." "Take the tea upstairs." ""l rode on the shoulders of an officer   when the victorious troops marched through Fredericia."" "Well, today she rides on her daughter's shoulders." " It'll be a great day for Mother." " Fancy having a mother who's 100." " How old are you, then?" " Well, I'm 64." "She's had you late in life, then." " I've never thought about that." " You must try Laura's buns." "100 minus 64 is 36." "That's late for a woman to have a child." " I haven't given up the idea yet." " Elisabeth!" "No, you never know what might happen." "I was only 19 when I had Iben, but that was an accident!" " How old is your daughter?" " 25." "Time flies." " You should have brought her along." " Then we could have met her." "Iben's in Germany." "She's learning housekeeping at a wine estate." "But why so far away?" "Iben's engaged into a distinguished German family." "His name's Heinrich." "She has to learn from scratch how to be a proper Hausfrau." "Aren't you ever worried?" "One reads so much about unrest in Germany." "On the contrary." "If only there were half so much order in this country." " What do you mean?" " They're made to work there." "That doesn't hurt anyone, not even Iben." "Viggo's silly about her." "But me ..." "I'm still in a sweat at the thought of taking care of her." "Before Heinrich." "But now Iben's in a safe port." "Mother's always been busy taking care of me too." " But it was easier in those days." " It's not easy today." "I wasn't easy to handle either, if you asked my parents ..." " Are your parents still alive?" " Heavens, no." "I got that money, you know, from them." " What was your father's profession?" " That's hard to say, really." "First he was a pawnbroker and after that it was real estate." "He was smart." " Are you leaving already, Misse?" " To collect mother from the dentist." " She's getting new dentures." " ls it really worth it?" "I mean, 100 years, people don't last much longer!" "You mustn't say that." "Well ... goodbye." " Goodbye, Misse." " Goodbye, Misse." "Funny with those pet names." "Mine's Duckie!" "That's cute all right." " Do you smoke?" " Like a chimney." "As the town clerk you hold all the strings in your hand." "After 21 years in Korsbæk I know the town and its business inside out." "And the citizens." "And I'm sure you're concerned about their well-being." "If you'd take a look at this ..." "The factory buildings, store rooms, offices, roads and maybe a railway ..." " lt'll give work to 50 men." " Yes." "You've got great plans." "And afterwards there'll be jobs for 50 women and about 20 men, at least." "Korsbæk needs employment, and one business attracts another." "Yes." "But why do you want that particular plot?" "It's ideally situated." "And I don't think the owners of the other plots will sell ... to me." "I've been looking into the history of the area since I heard from you." "All this belonged to Fernando Møhge's corn and horse dealers." "He got the idea that the view from his house should be preserved." "He wanted a park with a bust of himself." "So the middle plot was given by deed to the council   in return for us paying his widow and daughter 100 kroner a month." " That was a lot of money back then." " And the other plots?" "Were bought by wealthy citizens who expected the railway to be laid out ..." " As it is." " Yes, naturally." " And the park?" " Times have changed." "And the park was really in the way." "The agreement was never registered." " How do you know?" " I checked the Land Register." " Was it forgotten?" " A document probably exists." "Maybe." "But it might be best forgotten when it's for the good of the town." "These are hard times ..." "for many people." "Yes." "I could put the factory in neighboring towns where l plan to open shops." "But I expected you ..." "Korsbæk to be interested." "I think you should back the idea." "Thank you for your time, Mr. Lund." " Do you have children?" " Yes, two sons, at university." "Yes, it all costs." "A good education is all we can give our children." "Well, I'll see you, Mr. Lund." "Do look in some day when you're in my shop." "The books speak clearly." "This bank collects bad payers, kiters, troublesome petty savers   and unimaginative money grubbers." "Money's supposed to circulate!" "Our supporters belong to the group of citizens who've felt he recession." "Yes, that's obvious from the prolonged loans and overdue bills." "I've given Stein a heap." "They're going to legal proceedings tomorrow." "Many of those people will be ruined." "It's not our duty to keep people with a poor economy going." "It's our duty to keep this bank on its feet!" " We've still got a nice profit." " You're too modest." "Your grandfather's not just turning in his grave, he's rotating!" "Well, good night." "Mr. Varnæs?" "Yes, Miss Jacobsen?" "I'm sorry, you can go home now." "You must excuse me." "Perhaps you'll be angry ..." " Why?" " Because of what I'm going to say." "It's too bad." "Why do you put up with a man like him, sir?" "It's the times." "There are humiliations in store, even for me." "Oh, you mustn't say that, sir." " Forget the sir." " We mustn't." "Mr. Stein says so ..." " Perhaps "sir" is out of date too." " We all like you so much." "And I've often wanted to ..." "Oh, now I'm talking away, just because we ..." "Because we've killed off "sir"." "You've worked late, how about a drink?" " Yes, but ..." " Are your parents waiting for you?" "No, they live in Holbæk. I live in a pension. I've only got my aunt here." "Thank you." "You know her. lt's Violet Vinter who runs the dancing school." "Oh, yes, my children go there." "Your health, Miss Jacobsen." " What's your first name?" " Ulla." " And how old are you?" " 21 ." "I finished my training as a bank clerk last summer." " Won't you have another one?" " I'd better not." "Yes, you must keep me company." "Have a seat." " But aren't you busy?" " Not at the moment." "It's been ages since I could just sit here and forget ..." " That you're busy." " Yes, that too." "Cheers." "But when you're busy, I'd like to help you, if I can ..." "And the letter came, and the debt collector, that nosy little Schwann ..." " Within three days, the bank says." " There, there ..." "I won't put up with it." "I've been their customer for 21 years." "It's both the loan and the bills." "And Oda's left." "Just look at the mess." " We can sue her for two week's pay." " She hasn't got her pay." "Good." "Dry your eyes, and we'll have dinner at the Post House." "No, the boys are coming home and I've promised them new clothes." " Perhaps it'll all work out." " How ... when the bank writes ..?" " Perhaps I'll change my bank." " Can you?" " But the boys need so much." " We'll go to Skjern's stores." " We owe them a lot of money too." " But they don't pester us with bills." "Because they know and respect me and know what I stand for." "That was the Councillor of State's son, Godtfred." "Has he got his law degree?" "He studied law at any rate." "He's the town clerk now." "Really?" "A boy like that." " Hello, ladies?" " There are men everywhere." "It's Colonel Hachel." "I wanted to ask you a question about this article." " Yes, isn't it wonderful?" " Yes, beautiful, gripping." "But it says that you rode through Fredericia   on the shoulders of an officer in the victorious troops." " Yes, just think ..." " It was a great moment." "But if madam were born in 1833 she would have been 16 years old." "And with all respect for your mother's lightness and for the Danish Army ..." " It seems inconceivable to me ..." " What does?" "That officers in those days went around with young ladies   wrapped around their ears." "Does he call me a liar?" "Tell him to get lost!" " You mustn't make mother upset." " It's material for the Army annals!" " Misse, push!" " Yes, but ..." "Oh, well." " Yes." " Have you got a moment, sir?" " Mrs. Lund is buying men's clothing." " Just let her." " Her husband wants to see you." " Yes, just show him in." " Let's hope it's about their bill." " Yes." "Can we have a selection delivered?" "My sons are only home on Sundays." "That's quite all right." "Write a delivery note, Mr. Hansen." "The boss will see you now." "You asked me to look in." "We're buying winter clothes for our sons." " Did you find what you wanted?" " My wife admires your selection." " No need to go to the capital now." " I know you're a frequent customer." "And how's the other matter we discussed?" "The plot by the railway?" "That's what I wanted to tell you." "I've looked at the old papers myself." "There's no longer any additional note." "It's over 40 years ago." "Maybe it never existed." "I asked the mayor ..." "He's old." "He relies on me." "I told him about the opportunities you will open up for Korsbæk and for him." " For him?" " Times have been hard." "He's resigning at the next election." "It'd round off his long rule nicely ... lf there was a little development and employment in town?" " Exactly." " So the matter's settled." "Thank you." "Perhaps you can give me a piece of advice in return." "I'd be pleased to, if it's in my power." "I'm thinking of changing banks." "I suppose you're a customer at Korsbæk Bank?" "My father, the Councillor of State,   was on the bank's board like my grandfather before him." " So it was only natural." "But ..." " But?" "A regrettable tone has crept into the bank." "They say it's that lawyer ..." "Skjold Petersen or Hansen or whatever he's called." "I don't wish to support a business like that." "So you want to change?" "Well, fortunately we have the District Bank." "I'm sure they treat their customers properly." "Your brother's the manager ..." "Maybe you could arrange a meeting?" "You can just walk right in." "Everyone's welcome, as you'll see." "It's just that, by changing right now, I might need the bank's support   to pay off some temporary debts in Korsbæk Bank." "Perhaps it would seem strange to your brother if I ..." "Not at all." "But I could brief my brother so you can have an appointment soon." "Shall we say tomorrow morning?" "Fortunately, my morning's free." "Hey, wait a minute." "Don't you want one of our new money boxes?" "Look here." "One each." "When they're full, you get a bank account." "Once a year, madam, the children are invited to a children's savings party." " Thank you." " Goodbye." " How many have you given away?" " Almost 400." "Modern methods, eh?" "Is my brother in?" "So the town clerk wants to change banks too?" "He's not the only one." "Skjold Hansen's giving the bad payers at Korsbæk Bank a hard time." "Your protegé is a kiter." "He's got debts everywhere." " Yes, he owes me money, too." " And you want me to ..." "All the wreckage from Korsbæk Bank drifts over here these days." "But we won't repeat their mistakes." "We take a good look at people." " You go on doing that." "Just take him." " We have to be very careful, Mads." "Mrs. Skjold Hansen made a very large withdrawal from our deposit account." "I'll guarantee for him ... on the quiet." "Yes, I suppose you've got your reasons." "I always have my reasons." "Good night." " Haven't you finished?" " I just want to get this done." "That can wait." "Don't spoil her chances of hanging around." " Well, good night then." " Good night." " Ulla?" "is something the matter?" " l'd better go." " The others are talking." " What can they say?" "Nothing directly, but they drop hints." "They think that ..." " What do they think, Ulla?" " That there's more to it." "Well, is there?" "Is there, Ulla?" " Have you seen all the flags?" " lt's for the lady who's 100." " They say she's mad." " That's why our flag isn't up." " And she's no customer of ours." " Mads, really!" "Good morning." " I say ..." "Why isn't our flag up?" " It's the angry old lady's birthday." "The one who always asks after Albert and her gray satin dress." "Well, we should hoist our flag too." " The flag's up at the District Bank." " Tell Arnold to hoist ours, too." " Are you countermanding my orders?" " Just so you don't look silly." "Where's Lauritz?" " Have the lobsters arrived?" " There you are." "Ooh, I can feel them crawling about." "How do I get this crate home?" "Just like the men in power, you must use your connections." "Me." " I insist you have a drink with me." " But you've just had one." "I have something important to discuss." "It bothers me both as an officer and as a lover of historical truth." " That's hardly an illness." " No, it's a riddle." "How can the lady who's celebrated today claim   that she rode through Fredericia on the shoulders of an Infantry officer   in 1849, one of our great triumphs ..." " A young big-boned girl aged 16?" " Does she say that she was 16?" "It doesn't say so, but she must have been if one adds up." "If I were you, I'd forget it." "Forget it?" "I might have expected that from a member of the Radical Party!" "I hope her hair doesn't catch fire." "The guests are arriving in 20 minutes." " Mr. Varnæs hasn't come home yet." " He minds his work." "You should, too." "Mrs. Svendsen, the plates must be heated." "There's Mr. Varnæs." "Hello. I'm coming in through the kitchen." "You ask fewer questions." "Agnes, tell madam that Mr. Varnæs has arrived." "And put on your cap!" " You've been abroad?" " Yes, a trip to Switzerland." "Yes, it shows." "Hans Christian must be here in a minute." "You're to blame, Jørgen ..." "Since that time, Hans Christian's had to work late in the evenings." " We don't eat dinner before 7:30." " You could have the hot meal at 12." "We didn't in my home." "Agnes ..." " Good evening." " Thank heavens." "They're in the hall." "Aunt Møhge." "There you are ..." " Sit down and receive your ovations." " Congratulations." " Many happy returns, Aunt Møhge." " There he is, the naughty boy." "Happy birthday." " When's dinner?" " When all the guests have arrived." " Dr. Hansen'll come with Hachel." " I don't want the Colonel to come!" "You've put up with him for almost 20 years." "Mother's ever so angry with the Colonel." "He accuses her of lying in that nice article in the Courier." "About what?" "About her riding through Fredericia on the shoulders of an officer." "We've brought along evidence." "My grandfather had a drawing made." " What are they staring at?" " That lovely drawing we brought ..." " Weren't you small for your age?" " What's that?" "She's asking if you were small for your age." "You can start warming the soup, Laura, the waxworks are assembled." " Go away." " I can prove you're doing me wrong." " No, you've been nasty to mother." " You're my second, Dr. Hansen." "Since when has the Doctor been in the Army?" "Let's congratulate her." "Never did one see such a young centenarian." " He's right there." "She's only 90." " What?" "She was born in 1843." "She was six then." "I looked her up." " I won't drink with that man." " Doctor, will you or must I?" "I suppose we can't put it off now it's got this far." "Can you remember which year you were born?" "No, but Fernando was born in '33." "And he died in '95." " But you've always said ..." " He was 62 when he died." "You always said you were the same age." "I'm hungry, Hans Christian." " What's the meaning of all this?" " She's only 90." "Dr. Hansen checked." " She's only 90!" " I'll be damned." " That's quite an age too." " Yes, quite." " It's all your fault, Colonel Hachel." " Would you have me, as an officer ..." " What are you blubbering for, Misse?" " For you, dear Mother ..." "When are we having dinner?" "What's all the commotion?" "You're only 90." " Is that any reason for crying?" " No, on the contrary." "We'd all like to be 10 years younger." "Heavens, the cake!" "With icing and candles." "Can Laura change it?" " Just leave it." " No, a cake must speak the truth." " What will the maids say?" "." " Servants are just told what to do." "Elisabeth, can you ..?" "I beg you." "And not a word to the children." "My sister's terribly sorry." "But you're so clever, Laura." "It's not so much the candles, it's the marzipan." "But I've got som more ..." "Good." "You can start serving dinner then, the sooner the better." " Thank you, Laura." " What are you staring at?" "On Sunday it's four years ago Mads arrived in Korsbæk." "He sure has been busy." "This is quite a mouthful too." " How are you going to finance it?" " I've got the beach area on the Strip." "If we develop it, there's enough land for 50 summer house plots." "I wouldn't sell land now. I'd leave it until people have more money." " The women are starting to meddle." " She's right, but I need capital now." "I strike while the iron's hot." "The Strip means less to me than these plans." "Then you can sell the Strip to me." "And you can keep the summer house." "What are your plans, Mr. Varnæs?" "I'm a free agent now." "More or less." "Your lady friend, is she a good housewife?" "A housewife?" "No, I don't think so." "Isn't that what a man in your position needs?" "We can't all be as fortunate as the Consul." "The hostess is toasting us." " Mrs. Holm ..." "Maude's revenge." " She considered something worse." " What?" " Inviting Minna." "This won't be easy." "I had prepared one speech, Aunt Møhge." "But I'm going to improvise another one." "It'll be shorter and less formal." "You've always given us surprises, Aunt Møhge." "Big and small." "That's true." "But tonight you've not only surprised us, you've made us very happy, too." " What have I done?" " You've made us happy." "We can have you with us for many more years." "None of us doubted you'd live long past 100,   but now we'll add another 10 years to our expectations." "Out of consideration for children and servants we won't mention any figure." "We'll just wish you a happy birthday with three loud hurrahs." "Ladies and gentlemen, long live Aunt Møhge." "Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" "I feel much better now." "Just think that I can keep dear Mother!" "The telegraph boy said it was important." " He'd found out she was here." " lt's for you." "Do you want me to open it?" " Who could that be from?" " She's a popular lady." ""We congratulate you sincerely on your 100th birthday ..." "Christian Rex."" " It's from the King." " From His Majesty!" " Heavens, what if he knew ..?" " It would be treason." " Oh, no!" "What shall we do?" " If this gets out, Hans Christian..." "You should have done nothing and maybe revealed it in 4-5 years." " Then it would just have been funny." " Funny?" "One does not make fun of His Majesty King Christian X." " Mother wouldn't want to do that." " Korsbæk could do with a laugh." "I don't know ..." "Mama and Papa are regular visitors at His Majesty's. lf he finds out ... I hope the King has other things on his mind." "Don't say that." "If he hears that we, good Conservative subjects ..." " With one exception." " Two." " But I agree with Jørgen." " We should just have let time pass." " Now Misse is crying again." " What is it now?" "Where's the cake?" "The cake ..." "Yes, the cake." "Elisabeth, please ..." "Tell Laura it was a mistake." "Tell her to change the cake back again." "For Heaven's sake ..." " Yes, and for King and Country." " Hear, hear." "Thank you." " We might as well eat that now." " Not yet." "Get the dessert ready." "Just a little bite." "Laura, please." "Can you change the cake back again?" " But I've just ..." " I know." "But change it anyway." " lt was a mistake." " I hope there's enough marzipan." " Thanks." "You'll be amply rewarded." " I might as well work in a madhouse." "Yes, that's what I keep saying after Miss Friis left." "This is the funniest birthday party I've been to since I was a boy." "How awful for you, who does all this out of generosity." "Gitte would've enjoyed this." "Now that we have a clear strategy I'd like to drink to your health." "Isn't that beautiful!" " It's your cake, Mother dear." " Somebody's taken a bite out of it." "You have to blow out the candles." "Shall we give her three tries?" "Blow, Mother dear ..." "One ..." "Two ..." "Three!" "Dear little Mother ..."