Episode 154
translated by hephylax
edited by Globe
Previously on Hand aufs Herz
Doctor: He's still in surgery. Herr Heisig has heavy internal bleeding. He should have let himself get examined.
Helena: What does that mean?
Doctor: He lost too much blood. We'll do our best but we got him into surgery pretty late. Maybe...too late.
Bea: Does that mean he could...die?
(As if we could be that lucky.)
Intro
[Hospital]
Helena: But Michael just left me a voicemail. He sounded completely normal.
Bea: Yes...everything happened so suddenly.
Doctor: That was probably due to the adrenalin. Someone can be badly hurt, but still be so adrenalized that he himself doesn't notice anything. The body blocks out the pain.
Helena: Oh god.
Doctor: I'm due in the OR now.
Helena: How long will that take?
Doctor: Hard to say.
Helena: An hour, the whole night?
Bea: We will just have to wait.
Doctor: I promise you, we'll do our best.
Helena: And the others? What... They're alright, aren't they?
[Shiloh - "Strong Enough To Cry"]
[Beschenko home, Luzi's room]
Ben is trying to sleep.
[Flashback]
The passing maneuver/almost accident
Ben: Now pull ahead, damn it!
[/Flashback]
He checks his phone. No messages.
[Hospital]
Helena and Bea are waiting.
[Bergmann villa, Jenny's room]
Emma and Jenny go to sleep. (We know those sheets. We love those sheets.)
[Hospital]
Karin and Luzi come by where Helena and Bea are waiting.
Karin: How is Michael?
Bea: We don't know. He's still in surgery but... it doesn't look good.
Karin hugs Bea. (Helena is jealous of Karin but pretends she doesn't care with a roll of her eyes.)
[Beschenko home, Luzi's room]
Ben writes a text: Where are you guys???
Then he tries again to go to sleep.
[Bergmann villa, Jenny's room]
Emma can't sleep either.
[Hospital]
Bea watches Helena read a magazine. But obviously the kiosk didn't carry "Curve" or something because the mag doesn't hold her interest and Helena exasperatedly throws it down.
Tempus fugit and then the doctor stops by.
Helena: How did the surgery go?
Bea: How is Michael?
Doctor: The bleeding has been stopped. And we were able to save his spleen.
Bea: Thank god.
Doctor: Unfortunately, we're not out of the woods yet. We had to transfer Mr. Heisig to the ICU. The next hours will be critical.
Bea: When can we see him?
Doctor: Later. At the moment he needs undisturbed rest.
Bea: Can't I see him for just a moment?
Doctor: I'm sorry. The patient's well-being takes priority. We have to make sure that there won't be any further complications. (to Luzi) How is your arm?
Luzi: It hardly hurts anymore.
Doctor: Good. If you will excuse me.
Karin: Michael will make it.
Luzi: Definitely. Timo is better too after all.
Karin: Go ahead and see Timo. I'll be right along.
Bea: Usually we would be sitting in the teachers' lounge now and wait for classes to start. What a nightmare.
Helena: I have to call the school.
Karin: She hasn't called yet?
Bea: There hasn't been time. She was thinking of Michael the whole time - just like me.
Karin: Yes, but she's the principal. The teachers have to know, and so do the students.
Bea: But she's also still Michael's wife. In her shoes I would have probably reacted the same way.
[Beschenko home]
Ben: Karin? Luzi?!
On the table is still last night's interrupted supper.
Ben takes out his phone to call Timo.
Timo's voicemail: Hey, this is Timo. I'm not available right now, so just leave me a message.
Ben: Hey Timo, it's me. You're probably still sleeping, but just a quick question... Have you seen Luzi? She and her mother weren't home last night. Would be great if you could call me back. So long.
Ben turns on the radio and starts clearing the table.
Radio: ...looks like the situation in the trouble area is worsening. And now for regional news. A happy trip ended...
Ben turns off the radio again.
[Pestalozzi, teachers' lounge]
Radio: ... for reasons yet to be determined the driver crashed into the side of the bus carrying the teenagers. The driver and a female bus passenger died at the scene of the accident.
Frau Jäger: Oh god. It's already in the news. We can only thank god that at least nothing happened to the students.
Frau Krawczyk: Timo Özgül is out of danger. And Herr Heisig's condition... is still uncertain. Frau Schmidt-Heisig won't be coming into work today... neither will Frau Vogel, nor the students involved, of course. In light of this tragedy we can neither expect ourselves nor the students to just carry on with our lessons. That's why we will send the students home. One more thing, try not to worry the students any more than necessary. So... no details about the accident... We'll simply let the students know that... Herr Götting and Frau Lohmann... You know...
Frau Krawczyk is close to tears and Frau Jäger is crying. And then Frau Krawczyk discreetly hands her SO a tissue. So cute.
[Bergmann villa, Jenny's room]
Emma is awake and flashbacking to the accident.
The alarm clock goes off. Jenny reaches over Emma to turn it off.
Jenny: Hey. You're awake. We could go out for breakfast, what do you think? Hungry?
Emma shakes her head.
Jenny: Do you want to go to the hospital and see how the others are doing?
Emma: I wish that I could wake up and everything was just a bad dream.
Jenny: I know. Do you want to talk to someone about it?
Emma: Like who?
Jenny: Well... with somebody who knows about these things. I mean, what happened was pretty awful. A professional might be able to help you.
Emma: Just let me sleep for a while, will you?
[Hospital]
Timo: Luzi?
Luzi: Hey. How are you feeling?
Timo: My mouth...
Luzi: Hold on. Here.
She hands him something to drink.
Timo: Oh, my head.
Luzi: Should I get a doctor?
Timo: Nah. I was just dizzy for a moment. It'll be over in a second. Please stay here, alright? Have you been here all night?
Luzi: I've been checking on you regularly. And the rest of the time I was with my mother and Frau Vogel. We were waiting for Herr. Heisig to leave the OR.
Timo: Did he have to have surgery?
Luzi: Yes, but don't worry. The surgery went well. He'll be fine.
Knock knock. Karin comes in.
Karin: Finally, I wonderful sight.
Timo: Morning, Frau Beschenko.
Karin: Morning, Timo. Here. (She hands him a magazine.) There's a huge article in there about football (soccer). In case you get bored.
Timo: As long as Luzi is here, I won't get bored.
Karin: Actually I wanted to take you home with me. You need a shower and fresh clothes.
Luzi: Can't you just bring me fresh clothes and I'm sure I'll be able to take a shower here somewhere.
Karin: Of course. See you later. Bye.
Timo: Bye.
Karin leaves.
Timo: Thanks for being here. After all the problems we had.
Luzi: Timo, that doesn't matter one bit right now. As a couple we might have failed but … you are, and always will be, my best friend. And I will always be there, and that will never change. Alright, now shut up and rest. I'll read to you. The doctor said to rest. "Historical chance."
Timo groans upon laughing.
[Pestalozzi, school yard]
Sophie: Oh, my head. I think the mojitos yesterday were adulterated.
Ronnie: Hey. Here. (He holds out a pill.) This'll perk you right up.
Sophie: What is it?
Ronnie: Is that important? The main thing is that it works. (He swallows it.) Wow. Really strong stuff. It really blows you away.
Sophie: Hey, are you crazy? What if someone notices?
Ronnie: Who cares? Sure you don't want one? You'll feel better.
Sophie: What is it exactly?
Ronnie: It's acetylsalicylic acid. Some people call it... aspirin.
Sophie: Ha ha.
Ronnie: Look. Here comes our Vin Diesel wanna-be.
Ben: Oh you, that's all I needed.
Ronnie: Oh, in a bad mood?
Ben: People don't need to hear about what we did yesterday.
Ronnie: Why? What do you mean? Oh, our little race. If I were you I would be embarrassed too, you Sunday driver.
Caro comes over to them.
Caro: Have you heard the news this morning?
Sophie: No.
Caro: The girls in the restroom said something about an accident yesterday... on highway B-something, behind Bergisch Gladbach.
Ben: Accident?
Sophie: Bad?
Caro: I think so. Rumor has it one of our teachers got killed.
Sophie: Really? And who?
Caro: No idea. Otherwise why would I ask you? So you don't know anything either.
Ronnie: No, how would we?
[Hospital]
Bea brings Helena some coffee, but she declines.
Helena: Thanks.
Bea: You look exhausted.
Helena: I'll manage.
Bea: I talked to a nurse. They have a room here for relatives. If you want to you can lie down for a while.
Helena: No but... maybe you want to lie down? You're looking tired too.
Bea: Even if I wanted too... I wouldn't be able to sleep. But just sitting around here waiting doesn't make it any easier either.
[Pestalozzi, class room]
Ronnie: Hey, if he doesn't show up in the next ten minutes we can go home. That's the rule, isn't it?
Sophie: Forget it, Ronnie. Götting has never cancelled a lesson before. Though I really wouldn't mind being able to sleep some more.
Ronnie: There is always a first time. Believe me.
Frau Krawczyk enters the room.
Frau Krawczyk: Please, everyone, may I have your attention!
Caro: Where's Herr Götting?
Ronnie: So, he isn't coming? Told you. Abnormal, dude.
Frau Krawczyk: No. Herr Götting won't be coming to school today.
Ronnie: So, a free period.
Ben: Shut your trap!
Frau Krawczyk: Quiet please. I have the sad duty to inform you...that Herr Götting and Frau Lohmann were in a bad car accident yesterday.
Caro: They're in the hospital?
Frau Krawczyk: It was a very bad accident. Unfortunately, the both of them were beyond help.
Ben: Does that mean...Herr Götting and Frau Lohmann are...
Frau Krawczyk: Yes.
Ben: What...what kind of accident was it?
Frau Krawczyk: I can't and won't say anything about that at the moment.
Sophie: Why not?
Frau Krawczyk: The circumstances aren't completely clear yet.
[Hospital]
Bea: Are you hungry? I could get us something to eat.
Helena: Bea, please. I don't want to eat or drink and I also don't want to lie down. I just want to wait here until the doctor comes and tells me how Michael is.
Bea: Got it.
Helena: I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that.
Bea: No, it's alright. I know how you feel. I've experienced lots of bad things recently. Michael was always with me and told me... that I shouldn't lose my nerves. If he were here now, he would send us home, to shower and lie down.
Helena: But Michael isn't here. He's lying in the ICU and we don't know whether he'll wake up again or die! Sorry. This waiting is driving me crazy. I'll take the coffee after all.
Bea: You still love him. (Then what about us?)
[Pestalozzi, classroom]
Frau Krawczyk: The school will hold a memorial service for Herr Götting and Frau Lohmann. If one of you would like to contribute something to it, just let me know.
Caro: I don't understand this. I mean, how could this happen? Was Herr Götting drunk?
Frau Krawczyk: No speculations, please. Rumors are the last thing we need right now. The situation is horrible enough, and that's why school is cancelled for today. Didn't you hear me? You can leave.
The students pack their things and start leaving. Ben stays in his seat, deep in thought.
Frau Krawczyk: Everything alright, Ben?
Ben: Yes. I mean... it's just...
Frau Krawczyk: Yes, I know. One wonders how it could have come to this.
[Pestalozzi, hallway]
Ben: That was us. You get it? The accident, that was us.
Ronnie: No way, dude.
Ben: Man, we should have […] back... Man, we should have driven back. Maybe...
Ronnie: Now don't freak out. That had nothing to do with us. Or did Götting drive a bus?
Ben: No, but...
Ronnie: See? And think for a minute. Such a crash, with dead and injured... that has to make an awful lot of noise. This incident with Götting and Lehmann...
Ben: Lohmann!
Ronnie: Never mind. Anyway, that was somewhere else. I'm sure about that.
Ben: It can't have been a coincidence that we...
Ronnie: Yes, it was exactly that. A coincidence. One doesn't have anything to do with the other. So calm down. If we had caused an accident we would know it. Dude, this was so the last race I'll ever have with you. You have a real problem with your nerves.
Ben: Fine with me.
Ronnie: Then we'll leave it at that. And now stop getting on my tits with your bad conscience, alright?
[Bergmann villa]
Jenny: Chocolate croissants. I got them while you were in the shower.
Jenny tries to kiss Emma on the cheek but Emma wakes up from her trance long enough to evade it.
Jenny: We're alone. Stefan has already left.
Emma: Thanks.
Jenny: Are you feeling a little better?
Emma: Yes. Yes, I think so.
Jenny: That's good. Because I was getting worried. How did it happen? The accident?
Emma: I don't know. It all happened so fast. Everything was fine, then suddenly there was this... this full braking.
Jenny: Do you know why?
Emma: Herr Heisig swerved to avoid a car. And then we were standing there. And when he was trying to get us going again, there was this bang and... the car...
Jenny: Götting? But why did Götting...
Emma: I don't know!
Jenny: And then what happened?
Emma: I... I don't know. Can we please talk about something else? Please!
Jenny: I just want to understand what happened.
Emma: I don't even know it myself! I don't want to talk about it and I don't even want to think about it!
Emma jumps up from the table.
Jenny: Emma, now hold on.
Emma: It's alright, I have to go.
[Pestalozzi]
Ronnie is getting a chocolate bar from the vending machine.
Ronnie: Hey Ben. Here, this'll calm your nerves.
Ben: Say, are you nuts?
Sophie: Have you seen Luzi?
Ronnie: No, why?
Sophie: Because she's not in school, and neither are Timo and Emma. Have you seen them?
Ben: No. Luzi wasn't home last night, and neither was her mother. Timo isn't answering his phone.
Sophie: Oh god.
Ronnie: Oh god, what?
Sophie: Well, the STAG were on their way to a radio interview...
Ronnie: So?
Sophie: I was just in the school office and Frau Jäger said that even more people got hurt.
Ben: Okay, let's slow down for a minute here. Who else was with them?
Sophie: The STAG. They were on their way to a radio interview by bus.
Ben: You're telling me the AG was traveling by bus?
Sophie: Yes. The entire AG with Herr Heisig and Frau Vogel.
Ben: Frau Vogel?
Sophie: Yes, the entire AG. Oh god. They could be dead and we're partying and racing all over the place.
Ronnie: Then be glad that you were with me the whole night last night or else you would have been sitting in that bus as well.
Sophie: Are you stupid? Those are my friends. Frau Jäger said that some of them are badly injured. I have to find out who and how bad...
Ben: I'll find out.
Ronnie: Er, Ben is pretty rattled. I'll check it out, alright?
[Hospital]
Bea: (on the phone) No, Frau Krawczyk, there haven't been any changes yet. Yes. Yes. Yes, I'll let you know as soon as there is news. Bye. (to Helena) Everything will be alright.
Helena: Please spare me your pep talk. You don't have to act the guidance counselor with me.
Bea: Michael survived a gun-shot wound. He will survive this as well.
Helena: Is he awake?
Doctor: He's sleeping, but his condition has stabilized. That's very good.
Bea: Can we see him?
Doctor: Yes, but just for a minute and only one person.
Bea: I'll go...
Helena: I'll go.
Silence.
Helena: I am his wife.
Doctor: Come on.
[Pestalozzi, school office]
Frau Jäger and Frau Krawczyk are going through a box with pictures.
Frau Jäger: These are from the last Christmas party. Do you think this might be too informal?
Frau Krawczyk: No, we can use it. And we'll use this one for Mr. Götting.
Oh my god, it's just...
Frau Jäger: ... inconceivable.
Ronnie drags Ben to a stop just out of sight from the school office. They start whispering.(Kind of.)
Ronnie: Stop. Hold on. Or the others will start wondering why you're so off the wall.
Ben: I'm not off the wall. My friends were on that bus and … people who are important to me.
Frau Jäger: She really was a very beautiful woman.
Ben: I have to know how they are.
Frau Jäger: One has to hand that to her. And... still so young. I just don't understand how something like this could have happened.
Frau Krawczyk: It seems to have been a tragic set of circumstances (anyone else hear that sentence with a Scottish accent? #BadGirls #HelenStewart). Frau Vogel told me that the bus had to swerve to avoid another vehicle. They had to slam on the brakes, the bus came to a halt at a right angle and... Herr Götting crashed into them with his car.
Frau Jäger: Had to swerve? Why?
Frau Krawczyk: Some crazy speeder in a sports car cut the bus off and then just continued driving.
Frau Jäger: Sports car. That's so typical. Nothing on the brain but speed.
Frau Krawczyk: If it hadn't been for this speeder, the accident would never have happened and Frau Lohmann and Herr Götting would still be alive.
And we fade out with the image of Ben realizing that sometimes actions do have consequences.