""Tired old men"?" "You obviously want to be unpopular." "Get up!" "You knew that he isn't a serious journalist." "My budget has been slashed by almost a billion." " Why is Charlotte with them?" " She's their hostage." "Keep this under wraps." "A credibility council?" "A contract with the people?" " You have PMS, so we commit suicide?" " It's a bastardization of democracy." "They knew." "Bloody Jakob." "The council is a brilliant idea." "I know what to do..." "The only way to empowerment..." " ...is by showing our voters respect." " She can go far." "We'll see, when she gets divorced." "Powerful women intimidate men." " Charlotte Ekeblad?" "Read this." " "An accident occurred..."" ""...on board the MS Pandora, which was shipping radioactive fuel."" ""The government has suppressed the facts." "I have been silenced."" "Based on the novel by Hanne Vibeke Holst" "Good morning." " Stop the car, Freddy." " Really?" "Today as well?" "Why should I even pick you up when you want to walk?" " Shouldn't we abolish motoring?" " I'd be out of a job." "Don't take it personally." "Good morning." "That colour really suits you." "Oh, this old thing..." "Thank you." " That's the spirit." "Can I go inside?" " Sure, at your own peril." " You've never liked the Rosenbad beat." " Charlotte has issued a challenge." "I'm going to list every last promise the government has made since 1999." "And show which ones were honoured." "I want the front page." " We'll sell 30,000 less papers." " You're wrong." "Charlotte is getting big." "We'll have an exclusive take." "The front page." "LOTTA INTENDS TO KEEP HER PROMISES" " Is it someone's birthday?" " They're for you." "Come with me." "The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise sent some too." " That interview had impact." " "At last, a dependable politician!"" ""And unlike her sloppy predecessor, she's elegant."" "And you're in seventh place on the "Babe List"." "An Internet poll." " Talk about an about-face!" " Better get used to it." " ...if they keep their promises." " She seems kind of honest." " Do you think Charlotte will listen?" " I'm convinced she will." "Regular citizens approve of instating a credibility council, but the proposal has been criticised by her fellow Party members." "It's hardly the controversy you reporters make it out to be." "We welcome this exciting and innovative proposal." "When could such a council be instated?" "We need to assess the various pros and cons." "Then we can proceed." " Thomas speaking." " I can't pick Maya up." "I can't hear you." "I have to go to a meeting." " Talk about rotten planning." " They handed me a note." "It's not like booking the laundry room and picking the time that suits you." " What would you know about laundry?" " Hello?" "Hello?" "You haven't congratulated me." " Congratulations." " Why, thank you." "What are you up to?" " Nothing in particular." " I'll call you later." "Bye, sweetie." "The delegation from the nuclear plant at Ringhals is here." " Charlotte Ekeblad." " Bengt Andersson." " Kent Eriksson." " Lisbeth Olsson." "We're concerned about statements you've made about nuclear power." "I haven't discussed nuclear power." "The media has made its own conclusions." "Don't try to evade the issue." "I know..." "We know that you're against nuclear power." "Don't interrupt me." "The referendum was based on the research of the day." "Current research shows that it's the safest energy source." "If that were true, the plants could be insured." "And then they could be located closer to urban areas." " Cities are more hazardous." " Other energy sources exist." "Wood-burning furnaces cause more cancer than Chernobyl." "And just where should we store the waste?" "Nature's own storage has been safe for two billion years." "So you're here to justify the use of nuclear power?" "The power plant provides jobs." "Plenty of new job opportunities will arise if we phase out nuclear power." "Those are the words of a true politician." "Do you know that woman?" "She's my sister." "Very few Swedes are familiar with the GATS trade agreement." "Viksten doesn't believe that it could compromise Sweden's infrastructure." "He's wrong about that." " When do you think you can start?" " Whenever." "I just have to phase my son into day care first." "Then I can take on an 80 % position." "Definitely..." "Evenings are difficult." "My wife works in politics." "So I'm the one who does the day care runs." "Well, the assignments we've discussed require a certain degree of mobility." "Yes." "Excuse me." "Hi, this is Maya's dad." "I'm sorry, I'm running a bit late." "Goodbye." "Charlotte!" "Welcome." "Help yourself to the buffet and you'll meet Sten as well." "Hi." "Hi." "Hi." "Now you know why I've kept Elisabeth on." " For her cocktail parties." " I don't exactly throw any." "I'll keep you on anyway." "You have a talent for shaking things up." " "What doesn't kill you"..." " ..."makes you stronger."" "You've saved us from the guillotine." "We've got the elections in the bag." " You're quite popular." " Mainly among women." "Well, there are lots of us that think you are a grand girl." "I propose a toast:" "To Charlotte and her remarkable work." "As a prostitute." "Environmental issues do not benefit from becoming a feminist cause." "Women's issues have a lowly status and become difficult to implement." " Have you started smoking again?" " I smoke for two reasons only." "At parties or if I'm frustrated." "So now I have two good reasons to smoke." "This thing tomorrow..." "What's our stance?" " I've had a change of heart." " Interesting." "What's our tactic?" " I'll be taking Charlotte with me." " I see." "What a good idea." "You and I, in a live TV broadcast." "Afterwards we'll be available for an online chat with the Swedish people." " What do you say?" " Yes, please." " I didn't know you..." " I have my two reasons, too." " Mainly frustration." " Gert is a snake." "Let's throttle it." " The council is a brilliant move." " Only it wasn't a "move"." "Don't you want to write political history?" " I don't think like that." " You ought to." "Seriously." "All I want to do is change the world." "So tell me, how do you do it?" "It's not enough just being yourself." "Many women have made that mistake." "Now they're stuck on committees, bitter because they were never appointed as ministers." "Don't be too servile." "Elections are coming up." "Per can't go on as PM forever." "Even if he does look like a mummy." "I would like to see a woman as our next prime minister." "Is this some kind of psychology?" "You dismiss negative thoughts and concentrate only on performance..." " Aren't we productive?" " Have you put on weight?" "That's the first thing that happens to dads who stay at home." "The second thing is that they start drinking on the sly." " And the third thing?" " They die of boredom." "Go on, say it." "No." "Go on." "You're so politically correct." "How long can you stand it?" " Until it's my turn." " Forget it." "Maya will have turned 15 before Lotta's had her fill." "I work at Rosenbad." "Nine out of ten ministers are addicted to power." " Lotta's not like that." " For crying out loud..." "Lotta always plays to win, even in parlour games." "Yuck!" "What's this?" "Banana." "And then Ivar Hellenius says:" ""We can't turn back time."" ""Neither can I," I said." ""I would like to move ahead, though."" ""To a future where production routines accommodate nature."" "That was good." "Why am I branded a reactionary?" "I'm the most progressive soul around." "Per and I are appearing on TV tomorrow." "So you're on first name terms with the PM now?" " Are you nervous?" " No." "Not really." " That's good." " It must be a good sign, right?" " Once Jens is in day care..." " Meyer served caviar." "Big grey eggs." "I should have said that the sturgeon is an endangered species, but it was delicious." " "Beluga", is that right?" " Huso huso, in Latin." "Right..." " How will you win the elections?" " Ask Charlotte." "By telling the truth." "We intend to lay old issues to rest." "The economy is shaping up." "And we intend to turn unemployment around." " And save the river clams." " And the salmon trout." "Let's shake on that." "Thank you for being on the show." "Chat online with the Prime Minister and the Minister for the Environment." ""Can you breastfeed if your diet consists of beans?" "I'm vegan."" "Christ..." " Is there an "s" in "forced"?" " No, a "c"." ""Absolutely", is that spelled with a "b" or a "p"?" "I'm kidding." "Have you read the letter I gave you in Amsterdam?" "Thank you." "I can prove that the accident on board the Pandora actually occurred." "When?" "Two years ago." "Evidence?" "Read the reports I've sent to the Ministry of the Environment." "Re-send them." "What's your name?" "That's not important." "Read the material." " How do make a smiley?" " Colon and shift nine." "Call me!" "0730-892433" "Have you found anything yet?" "It will take a while." "Nothing." "I'll have to call Jakob." "Can you do it?" "I'm not here." " Hello, Jakob." "This is Kamal Prasad." " Hello." "I know it's late." "I hope it's all right." "That depends." "My boss, you know..." "She's been in here three times." "I had written two press releases and an eight-page statement..." "And you were hoping for a raise?" "That's right." "She was upset about some documents and screamed at me hysterically." ""Where are they?"" "Some letters about an alleged accident on the Baltic." " Do you know where they are?" " Yes, they were filed away." " Where?" " In the "nut box"." "Thanks, I really appreciate your help." "Sorry about calling so late." "Thanks." "Bye." "Louise..." "This "nut box", where is it?" "Something's fishy." "Check all the registered cases and contact the pertinent authorities." "That guy seems like a total nutter." " Has he called?" " Not yet." "You won't like this, but Jakob Steen is going to start working for Gert." " I thought you didn't drink." " I have the occasional drink." "Depending on the company I keep." "Are you tired?" "Sometimes I wonder if it's worth the trouble, what we do." " I really do." " So, why are we here?" "What do you know about the Baltic Sea incident?" "Your conspiracy theories are ludicrous." "When do you start working for Gert?" "Or is that a figment of my imagination as well?" "Tomorrow I dine with representatives from the chemical industries." "On Friday, the Ministry goes out for a beer." " On Thursday..." " That's my evening." " Micke and I are going to a concert." " Oh, I have to go to Denmark." "What the hell?" "We ordered those tickets months ago." "Reschedule it." " We'll get a sitter." "Maria." " She can't babysit all the time." " Is she a government employee?" " I'd love to stay at home." "You stopped breastfeeding as soon as you could." " Is that against the law?" " Other mums wouldn't." "Go to hell!" "I'm sorry." "Will the EU be exporting electricity to the new member states?" " Yes, to stimulate the economy." " Power from nuclear plants as well?" "Nuclear power plants in the Baltic region will be phased out." "Ignalina, the plant in Lithuania will be closed." "And this will affect the economy in the region." " We must act responsibly." " Energy is in short supply." " We cannot close our safe plants." " What about the referendum?" "We will phase out nuclear power in due time." "What idiots." "We have actively pursued environmental issues to little avail." "Any improvements are gobbled up by economic growth." "Thank you." "Are you familiar with Sisyphus?" "The stone he spent all day rolling uphill rolled back down again at night." "And he had to start all over again." "It's like environmental politics." " Do you take milk?" " Yes, please." "Nice guy." "You're all so PC in Sweden." "Except for you." "You "walk against the tide", is that how you say it in Swedish?" "Go against the tide." " And you're against nuclear power?" " I do my best to put up a fight." "It's Thomas." "He said it was important." " Is there something wrong?" " I'm running a temperature." " I need a hand with the kids." " Well, I'm in Copenhagen." " What am I supposed to do?" " Call Maria." "I'll get back to you." " Was it anything serious?" " My husband has a cold." "Oh, he's deathly ill." "Well then..." "You should have warned me about being married to a politician." " I thought I did." " Not thoroughly enough." " Want me to get you something else?" " No, I'm fine." "Come sit down." "Are they asleep?" "Thank you so much for helping out." "You're welcome." "You know that." "You have no idea how nice it is to have someone to talk to in the evening." "It's nice and quiet here." " I can turn on the TV." " Don't." "You have reached Thomas, Charlotte, Maya and Jens." "Leave your message after the tone." "There you go." " It shouldn't have happened." " Have you said anything?" " No." " Me neither." " What about Saturday's dinner?" " I told her you couldn't come." " Did Louise find anything?" " Boys aren't allowed in here!" "We've got to locate the man who sent those letters." "Have faith in the authorities." "The time isn't right yet." "Don't make any moves without talking to me first." " I've got to go." " All right." "I'll see you later." "There..." "Let's go." "What will your May Day speech be about?" "It will probably be the last time we'll be the speakers." " We have 39 % of the vote." " Right now." "Just wait until Charlotte proposes a ban on cars, petrol taxes, and promotes woolly slippers from Gotland." "Then we'll lose the election." " That won't do." " So tell her." "No more being a minister." "For God's sake..." " What are we supposed to do?" " Become county governors." "Promise me you'll come visit me out in the country." " What are you thinking about?" " Nothing and everything." " Do we have any cigarettes?" " I was wondering the same thing." "Why is Grandma's vase out?" " Why is Grandma's vase out?" " Maria put it there." "It's an improvement." "She has a flair for that sort of thing." "Interior decorating." "Are you going to smoke in here?" "I..." "Could I tell you something?" " Do you have time to listen?" " Sure." " No..." "I need five minutes." " Sure." "Five uninterrupted minutes." "No calls." "All right, I promise." "When you were in Copenhagen and I was ill..." " Are you listening?" " Yes!" "I..." "Charlotte Ekeblad speaking." "Hello?" " I had to take that." "It was important." " So is what I had to say." "The non-socialists won't win, they can't agree on an agenda." " We ought to have a female PM." " I agree, as long as it isn't me." " Meyer." " She's in Darfur." " For prime minister." " With her upper-class style?" "Meyer isn't just out to please." "More people should be like her." "She doesn't have the common touch and family issues aren't her thing." "She's never changed nappies in her life." "Does a woman have to be a mother to qualify for PM?" "How can people identify with a childless woman in her 50s..." " ...who wears fancy clothes." " You're way out of line." "A working class girl would prove that Social Democracy is alive and well." "How does that tally with a salary of 89,000 a month?" "Charlotte is good at a lot of things." "Mainly at getting attention." " You are... the oldest child?" " Of course." " Is this for Amelia magazine?" " Relationships are my specialty." "I believe that Charlotte was Daddy's girl?" "And you lost him at an early age." "What a terrible accident." "An accident?" "Was that what she told you?" " That must have been hard on you." " Anything more you'd like to know?" " I lived in a commune." "What about you?" " Hardly." "Those were the days:" ""Horses for everyone but the police!"" ""Asea Atom, let us at 'em!"" " Kalle was a worker..." " No!" "Mum used to sing that!" "Hanna from Arlöv, I learned so much from you" "You set us straight and that felt so right" "Now I can make a difference..." "I've looked at your speech." "Don't forget "Agenda" tomorrow..." " Are there any other guests?" " Your fan, Magnus Svensson." "May I take a message...?" "Hello?" " Oh, I forgot about that guy." " It might not have been him." "I guess he'll call back." "Yes?" "Hi." "Come on in." " I need to talk to you." " Any response to the report?" "Unilever liked it." " Our efforts are paying off." " I'm glad you're so upbeat..." "A positive outlook is imperative." "1985." "Can you tell which one is me?" " You haven't changed." " Thanks." "Christer Ström." "I know that he's been in touch with you." "He went to sea after school." "A restless soul, and an honest man." "He wants to go to the top with some issue." "Christer Ström, is that the name of the guy from the online chat?" "SECURITY AND SOLIDARITY" "SISTERHOOD IS POWER" "That's why environmental policies are so important to me." "One of the ministers, a man, recently informed me that environmental issues had a low priority." "When I wondered why, he told me that it's because they are women's issues." "Fathers, brothers, beloved men..." "Please tell me he's wrong." " What is this all about?" " Pandora collided with a gas ship." "According to the press, the two ships were on a collision course, but they actually collided." "I was the helmsman on board the gas freighter." "Her potential energy corresponded to 55 Hiroshima-bombs." "She was this close to exploding." "How safe would the Pandora be then?" "Pandora's helmsman was drunk, information people want to suppress." "Viksten has kept the incident under wraps." ""The Küng"." "For Christ's sake..." "After spending 30 years in Sweden: "The Küng"." "That hardly constitutes a case against the monarchy." " What's this?" " Some accident at sea." "All year this crank has been sending reams of stuff about it." "Some crank waves a bunch of papers and you simply believe him?" "I believe Sven Årheim." "We have to take a closer look at this." "Won't a credibility council raise the bar on campaign promises?" "Well, promises are meant to be kept." "And honesty is the only policy." "How do you define honesty?" "You accused your fellow party members of being incompetent." " But you feel that you deliver?" " Absolutely." " Then define honesty?" " Maybe we could borrow a dictionary." "I would like to hear your definition." "To tell it like it is, and I do." "So you tell the Swedish people everything?" " Everything important." " Yes or no?" "Would you tell them about environmental incidents?" " Why are you lying?" " I'm not lying." "You choose to be silent." "I want to hear the truth." "Two years ago, a hazardous incident took place." "A collision at sea." "One of the ships was carrying radioactive material." "We would like to know if you know about the collision between the Pandora and a gas freighter on the Baltic?" "Are you aware of this incident?" "Yes, I am." "11:47." "Not bad, for a milkman." "GOVERNMENT COVER-UP" "We'll have to deny these charges." "What do we say?" ""We are dealing with the safest ships in the world."" ""But in spite of our efforts, few emergency measures exist."" ""We should breathe a sigh of relief every day we are spared."" "We could put the blame on Bergwall, he was in office at the time." " Charlotte has to go." " Then she would be in the right." "Relocate her to a civil service department." "Charlotte is good at being a minister." "She is a role model." "You are being unfair and hostile." "We cannot accommodate disloyalty." " The people love her." " You sound like an old communist." " A double insult." " This must be hard on you." "Living down a mistake like this." "Charlotte has been like a sword of Damocles." "And all because you want more women in power." "This is hardly a women's issue?" "This is about democracy." "ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE" "Are we only featuring the Minister for the Environment?" "We based these on the discussions we had in April." "People are tired of the common touch, they're looking for authority." "Nowadays, White House tailors stick to dark suits." "It looks statesmanlike." "You look best in a dark suit as well." "Look at Charlotte Ekeblad." "She's assertive and it shows." " Next." " Prada suits Charlotte." " This isn't a beauty contest." " This isn't about looks." "You don't have to be good-looking." "Attractive politicians command attention." "We haven't decided whether to use Charlotte or not." "According to the polls, she is the most popular politician in the country." "Hands down." " We have a new rose design as well." " No." "We can't get rid of her." "Not yet." "Hi." "I seem to have that effect on people." "Christina Larsson." "Sure." "I'm on my way." "I don't have time for coffee." "I guess it's just the two of us today." " I have something to tell you." " Go ahead." "It's like everyone's pretending they didn't see that debate on TV." "I prefer to get it on the chin instead of this Kafka-esque treatment." " I'm pregnant." " Congratulations." " We're thrilled." " It's a major undertaking." "But as soon as you get to nuzzle up to the little darling, it's worth it." "My husband wants me to resign." "Maybe he's right." "What do you want?" "The baby has a father too." " Mårten can't take paternity leave." " He can swing it if he wants." "Taking paternity leave is a measure of equality between the sexes." "All men aren't like your Thomas." "I want to resign." "Is being a minister really worth the trouble?" "How are Bengt and the children doing?" "We got divorced." "Back in 99." "I respect your efforts." "And I value your opinion." "Thank you." " You know Charlotte rather well." " We're not close." "Don't get me wrong, your network is good." "We men need some resistance." "Charlotte is very... ambitious." "A fanatic, a lone ranger." "Not a team player." "She stabbed me in the back on TV." " I would never have done that." " I know." "I will be making changes after the elections." "Charlotte should have kept that in mind." "Remember that you and I are "family"." ""Where are you, Lotta?"" ""Ekeblad has been unavailable for comments."" "That's great!" "Viksten must be fuming." " She might lose her job." " She could tender an apology." "She might be just like all the others over at Rosenbad." " Is she making herself unavailable?" " It could be their doing." "A brief career for Viksten's little peach." "I thought she had staying power." "It's Charlotte."