Episode 227

Previously on Hand aufs Herz

 

Bea:Tomorrow at 8pm you will re-do the test with Mrs Krawcyk!

Ben:Yes, ok, I’ll write this test.

 

Ben:Nice!

 

Bea:That’s just not possible! Something important must have come up.

Mrs Krawcyk:More important than this test?

 

Knock knock on the door. The door handle is being pressed down…Is it Ben??? (it’s so dramatic, I can’t take it anymore…)

Intro

 

 

[At Pestalozzi, classroom]

The door opens and in comes…Sophie!

Sophie: Isn’t this biology with Schäfer?

Helena: Does it look like it?
Student: Apparently not.

Sophie closes the door again.

Bea: Maybe he was studying the whole night and hence overslept.

Helena: It doesn’t matter at all why Ben Bergmann isn’t present. The fact is THAT he hasn’t shown up.

Mrs Krawcyk: The next lesson is about to start. I’m sorry but I have to go to class 10b now.

Bea: But…

And Frau Krawcyk leaves our two second favorite lovebirds alone, at last. And Helena seems to be in a permanently good mood in Bea’s presence, now that she has gained the upper hand. (And it looks very good on her)

Helena:The door is closed.

Bea:I was so sure he would come.

Helena:Really? Even though you know exactly how pubescent guys are.

Bea:But he has grown. He became more mature.

Helena:Please spare me the details. (Strike!)Well then, please tell Ben Bergmann what consequences this will have for him. You will probably see him before I do.

[Pestalozzi]

 

Ronnie leaves Luzi’s cell phone on a table.

[At the Beschenkos’]

 

Luzi:Dammit! Where’s my phone? Can you please call my number?

Mrs Beschenko:It’s off again. Maybe you forgot it at school.

Luzi:Yes, probably. Well then I’m going to ask at the school office. Ah, by the way I’m going to come home late today because Frank and I will meet with the director for the music video. Who is also a choreographer and a dancer, for that matter. Johnny Sky. A cool name, huh?

Mrs Beschenko:Everything sounds very good! Especially that Frank and this Johnny will be coming to see you at school.

Luzi:Of course! Timo also said that he really wants to watch us.

Mrs Beschenko:Ah right, Timo. How is he doing? Have you told him about the miracle surgery or not?

Luzi:Yes, yes I have. He thought it was quite interesting and wants to discuss it with his doctor as soon as possible.

Mrs Beschenko:Oh really?

Luzi:Imagine, Timo could dance in one of my music videos soon!

Mrs Beschenko:Luzi, it’s not that easy.

Luzi:I know but still it could be possible for Timo not to be bound to his wheelchair for much longer.

Mrs Beschenko:Hm, Luzi. I talked to a doctor who I’m friends with. This method of surgery…there hasn’t been enough research done on it yet.

Luzi:Of course, because it’s new.

Mrs Beschenko:Yes and thus very risky. There have been several cases where patients were paralyzed even worse than before. Without any chance of recovery. There have been some cases of death, too. Hey, I don’t want to scare you but I don’t want you to believe in a miracle that doesn’t really exist.

Luzi:And now?

Mrs Beschenko:If Timo is really considering this surgery you definitely should talk him out of it!

[At Pestalozzi, teachers’ room]

Bea:(on the phone)Ben! Where are you? And where were you? And why can’t I reach you? Not showing up for the test…what was the point?? Whatever reason you had I hope it was worth it! (She hangs up) Ahh, you idiot!

Michael comes in. (Someone call my name?)

Michael:Who is an idiot?

Bea:It doesn’t matter.

Michael:Well then, it can only be Ben Bergmann.

Bea:It’s about a test which is important for the exams. He had an appointment with Mrs Krawcyk to re-do it.

Michael:He didn’t show up and hence won’t be admitted to the Abitur exams.

Bea:There has to be a reason why he wasn’t there!

Michael:Yes, one can only hope that he’s at the doctor’s and gets a medical certificate/doctor’s note.

 

[At Pestalozzi, hallway]

(Bea asks some students about Ben in the hallway)

Bea: Have you seen Ben Bergmann? Caro! Have you seen Ben?

Caro:Why? Did you lose him? (literally: Did he run away from you?)

Bea:He’s absent without an excuse and he isn’t reachable either.

Caro:Maybe he ran off? He already wanted to do that once…off to Australia.

Flashback

Ben:You know what? You sound like my father. He doesn’t get it either that I want to decide about my future on my own. If it was up to me we would already be at the beach in Australia and have some cocktails.

 

/Flashback

 

Bea:Sophie! You and Ben have biology class together, right?

Sophie:Yes. Why?
Bea:Have you seen him yet today?

Sophie:We don’t have biology today. (Attention kids! Prolonged drug use can lead to forgetting that you were looking for your biology class this morning…or it leads to looking for a non-existent biology class. Take your pick)

Bea:Uh, thanks.

Ronnie: What did the flushed bird(Vogel) want, huh?

Sophie:She is looking for Ben. Apparently he is missing.

Ronnie: Hah, then have fun looking for him, Ms Bird.

 

Flashback

 

Ronnie:20.000 in two days! It’s absolutely impossible!

Sophie:I managed it once!

Ronnie:How?
Sophie:I faked my own kidnapping and my mom paid. Where are you going?

Ronnie:Away.

 

/Flashback

[At Pestalozzi, lounge]

Bodo:I can’t believe that Jenny’s parents really died in a plane crash.
Emma:It’s really heavy stuff.
Bodo:That’s the pits.
(Jenny is playing table football with some guys)
Emma:But she doesn’t let it show at all.
Bodo:And now?
Emma:No idea. She doesn’t even let the subject near her.
Bodo:She probably just refuses to believe it.
Emma:But she was shocked in the beginning. She…she wanted to be alone and sent me away. And I could understand that. It was a kind of shock. That accident, you know, where Götting crashed into our bus. I felt exactly the same! It’s possible that…that the accident and the state of shock…that it was something completely different. But I would understand this kind of behaviour! But…but a Jenny who comes to school just like that, as if nothing happened? I…I really don’t understand it.
Bodo:And what about asking her directly about it?
Emma:Then she’s going to tell me that there is nothing to talk about.
Bodo:Maybe not with you.
Emma:Why?
Bodo:Well, maybe she just doesn’t want to burden you. If…if Jenny really breaks down then it would also be really hard for you.
Emma:But I do want to help her!

[Pestalozzi, classroom]

 

Luzi: Gosh Timo! Why don’t you answer your phone?

Timo:Sorry, I forgot to turn it on after German class. What’s going on?

Luzi:Uhm, it’s about the surgery. I…I found out something else.

Timo:Me, too. I was going to tell you about it later but I talked to my doctor and he said that the surgery can also be done in Germany.

Luzi:Really?

Timo:That way I would be the first person they would use this method on in Germany!

Luzi:Has he also mentioned the risks?

Timo:Yes, of course. The typical blablabla…’something always can go wrong’.

Luzi:Timo, it can indeed. An old friend of my mom is a doctor and she knows this surgery. And she said that it’s still not fully developed. There is barely any emopirical data and thus many failures. Gosh, you would be some kind of guinea pig! Especially if the doctor hasn’t done the surgery himself yet.

Timo:Yes, ok. But with the rehab it can take years until I’m out of this thing (wheelchair). Do you understand? Years!

Luzi:Yes, but it would be better than being paralyzed from the neck down! Forever! That can happen after this surgery, too, by the way!

Timo:Just to remind you: you were the one who suggested undergoing this surgery.

Luzi:I know. But I just learned about it myself. Timo, I just don’t want you to be in danger.

Timo:No risk, no fun.

Luzi:But…but you’ll surely manage with the rehab, too! It really doesn’t matter if it takes a little longer then.

Timo:Well, so you say!

Luzi:Ok. Please, promise me that under no circumstances you will undergo this surgery! Ok?

Timo:Yes, ok. Ms doctor.

[At Pestalozzi, at the big books]

 

Jenny is sitting on the books. Emma comes and sits down next to her.

Emma:I need to talk to you.

Jenny:What’s up?

Emma:You can talk to me about everything! Uhm, I’m here. You don’t have to spare me.

Jenny:Ok.

Emma:Maybe you want to talk about it with someone else?

Jenny:With whom?

Michael walks by. (Wow, thanks for this note, I didn't realize that at all staring at Jenny eatingJemma.)

Emma:Well, uhm…with someone who doesn’t have anything to do with all this, but who is familiar with difficult situations.

Jenny:You’re not serious now, are you?

Emma:But what are school counselors there for then? It really helped me to talk to Mr Heisig back then. About you. About us…

Jenny:(sighs) Emma, but I’m not you.

Emma:But I love you. And I don’t want you to walk around as if I don’t know you. You seem like a robot.

Jenny:Ok. I’m going to talk to Mr Heisig, ok?

Emma leans over and kisses Jenny’s cheek.

[At Pestalozzi, Auditorium]
Ms Jäger, Frank and Johnny Sky enter the auditorium.

Ms Jäger:And this is our auditorium with a piano, a stage and all the trimmings.

Frank:Yes. We can do much out of this, right?

Johnny:Definitely! It’s a great location for our video. And there’s enough space for dancing, too!

Ms Jäger:(totally excited)We also have a lot of stuff for decorations! If you want I can start to prepare everything already!

Frank:It’s not necessary! Thank you!

(Luzi comes in)

Frank:Hey!

Luzi:Hey! Uhm, sorry, I was just at the school office. I’m still a little jazzed at the moment.

Frank:It’s no problem. Listen, may I introduce you: This is Johnny Sky. This is Luzi. Luzi, Johnny Sky.

Johnny:Ah Luzi, I’ve heard a lot about you already. Nice to meet you!

Luzi:Uh, yes. I was about to say the same.

Frank:Good, everything else you can work out on your own. I’m going to call my assistant, ok? See you later!

(Ms Jäger, still grinning like a Cheshire cat, shows Frank to the door.)

Frank:Thank you.

Johnny:Has Frank told you about his idea yet?

Luzi:Well, just partly. Uhm, ‘dance through my life’ or something like this.

Johnny:Well, we thought something à la Britney Spears, ‘Baby one more time’. You know that, right?

Luzi:Yes…with a blonde wig and a school uniform?

Johnny:Nooooo, no, no…no disguising. We want it to be pure and authentic. And your friends are supposed to join in!

Luzi:Oh, really?

Johnny:Yes. Everybody who means something to you shall be seen.

Luzi:Wow, that’s cool! Friends and career…combined…that’s great!

Johnny:Yes! And in order to not have to wait for those opportunities forever I’ve grabbed myself the most handsome dancer of my ensemble right away!

Johnny starts to dance. (Of course he’s gay. Like every other character on this show.)
Luzi:Good advice! Uhm, I’m going to call my friends. (She calls Timo first)

[At Pestalozzi, schoolyard]

 

Ronnie:Ms Vogel! I heard that you’re looking for Ben?
Bea:You know where he is?

Ronnie:Hm, no I don’t. But…

Bea:What?

Ronnie:Well, maybe it’s just stupid…

Bea:Now tell me!

Ronnie:I saw him at the Chulos yesterday. And he was kind of…hmm, I don’t know…Yesterday he was kind of gentle. He even wished me well! Probably he was just drunk. It’s possible, too.

Bea:Did you notice anything else?

Ronnie:I’ve no idea. He was just playing with his keys the whole evening. But he was probably just totally happy that he got his car and driving license back. Yes, and then he was suddenly gone.

[At Pestalozzi, counselor’s room]

 

Michael:Jenny, why are you here if you don’t want to talk?

Jenny:I’ve been told it would do me good to talk to you.

Michael:Do you want something to do you good? Or somebody? Or do you just not want anything to get to you?

Jenny:If I had wanted to hide I wouldn’t have come to school.

Michael:Then being here helps you?

Jenny:I don’t need any help. I’m fine!

Michael:Is there…Are there people who can help you…with all those things you will have to handle now?

Jenny:You know, my parents, they…they arranged and prepared everything in advance. Even their own funeral. From the funeral march to the epitaph…everything is settled.

Michael:Only the feelings of the bereaved…can’t be settled beforehand.

Jenny:Exactly. Everybody has to deal with that her-/himself.

Michael:No, you don’t have to.

Jenny:I’m very very well. I can handle it. I’m sorry that I’m not a…not a picture-perfect mourner (literally: weeping willow).

Michael:Jenny…Nobody is blaming you…if you have to digest everything first.

Jenny:Okay. Are we done now?
Michael:You decide. You can come back of course when you feel ready for it.

Jenny:In case I do feel something then…I’ll be sure to come back.

Michael:At any time.

(Jenny leaves)

Michael:At least that was a start.

(And that was Michael how I really like him. Michael, when you try to do something for your students, you are a really okay guy.)

[At Pestalozzi, Auditorium]

Luzi is singing her new song. Timo is watching hidden from sight.

 

Johnny:(sighs)A great song! So emotional!

Luzi:Thank you!

Johnny:The way you performed it! Really Woaah!! So convincing!

Luzi:Uhm, during the whole video… surely I won’t just sit on this chair, right?

Johnny:You will, you will. We’re going to turn it into an Elton John act. Yes! As soon as you need some glasses. And those will hang on a necklace here, dangling back and forth. Of course in green!

Luzi:Uhm…

Johnny:Of course you’re going to dance in your video! You can do that, right? Frank told me.

Luzi:Yes, yes, a little.

Johnny:You humble little super girl! Come!

(They start to dance)

Johnny:Don’t worry! Johnny has got you. Good!

Luzi:Ok.

They hug. And since Timo doesn’t know Johnny has a handsome male dancer at home, he’s getting jealous.

[At Pestalozzi, at their table]

 

Emma:So, how did it go?

Jenny:How did what go?
Emma:The conversation with Heisig.

Jenny:How is it supposed to have gone?

Emma:What did he say?
Jenny: What?
Emma:What did you talk about? Did the conversation make you feel better?

Jenny:Emma, what are you expecting from me, hm? To break down and sit in the corner the whole day crying? Would that reassure you?

Emma:Of course not.

Jenny:Listen, I really have no desire to feel like I’m in a permanent therapy the whole time. Please don’t bother me with this subject, ok?

Emma:Ok. Ok.

Jenny: Good. Then we can talk about pleasant things again now. What about Luzi’s video. We’re going to join in, right?

[At Bergmann Villa]

 

Stefan:Ms Vogel, what do you want here?

Bea:I’m looking for Ben. As his teacher. Not because of private reasons.

Stefan:Why don’t you discuss it with him at school then?

Bea:He didn’t show up there.

Stefan:He isn’t here either.

Bea:Are you sure?
Stefan:Yes. I’m sorry. Goodbye.

Bea:Mr. Bergmann! Ben missed the appointment for redoing his history test. You know how important it was! His admission to the Abitur exams is endangered. And if he isn’t in bed here out sick, where is he?

[Pestalozzi, auditorium]

 

Beyoncé’s Halo is playing.

Timo is still watching Luzi and Johnny dancing and having a good time. He imagines himself in Johnny’s place.

Caro: Johnny Sky is just the best. He even gets Luzi going really good. The way a guy dances, is also the way he is in bed. That’s what they say, isn’t it?

Timo flees. (Caro really has a talent for hitting people’s soft spot. And she wasn’t even trying this time!) Unbelievable! (You said it!)

Caro claps and waves to…Luzi of course. Who else could it be?

[Pestalozzi, hallway]

 

Timo rolls over a carton of… pudding? Cocoa? Anyway, his wheel is a chocolaty mess.

Timo:Shi.t!! (He makes a call) Hello, Dr Sandhofen. It’s Timo Özgul. It’s about the surgery we were discussing. How fast is it possible to arrange an appointment?

[Bergmann Villa]

 

Stefan: Like I said, he isn’t here.

Bea: But why don’t you care about it? Before it was always so important to you that Ben graduates!

Stefan:Of course it was.

Bea:And now it’s not anymore?

Stefan:Of course, it still is. Ms Vogel, you’re really the last person I would want to talk to about Ben at the moment.

Bea:So you know where he is. Where is Ben?

Stefan:Ben…ran away. He packed his stuff and left.

Bea:What?

Stefan:For Australia.

Bea:Australia.