Episode 51

Translated by IAGSW

Edited by Globe

 

 

Previously on Hand aufs Herz

 

Luzi:I really don’t know what your f**king problem is! We’re a super group!

Sophie:The judges are used to great acts! And we don’t even have experience with live performances!

 

Bea: You're chickening out of the audition and want to reach your goal by using tricks? What kind of people are you?!

Timo: We are a handful of students who enjoy music. Who can achieve anything if they have enough time for it.

Bea:We do have a little time.

Sophie:Yes, until this afternoon.

 

Female judge: I kind of doubt that those few people can give us a performance fitting for our festival.

 

 

Intro

 

[Pestalozzi, Auditorium]

STAG is performing “Blame it on the Boogie”. After the song they are waiting impatiently for the judges’ decision.

 

Luzi: (whispers) Come on.

Bea:Please. Let us perform at the band festival.

 

 

[Chulos]

 

Michael:I asked Karin if she would like to go to that Christmas party in Saal 1 with me.

Sebastian:And she turned you down?

Michael:That’s the diplomatic way of saying it. I just don’t get that woman.

Sebastian:Welcome to the club!

Michael:You know, I thought…I thought there was something between us. And then she turned me down as if I did something to her.

Sebastian:Well, maybe she just had a bad day.

Michael:Hmm, could be. But instead…you can go to the Christmas party with me now.

Sebastian:Most definitely not! Well, you’re not the only one in the family who isn’t on a roll with women at the moment.

 

 

[Vogels’ house]

 

Piet:Yes, but I don’t know what the problem is.

Miriam:I just think that Christmas parties are totally boring. You are just standing around and don’t know what to talk about.

Piet:But they’re your colleagues. And you would be there already anyway.

Miriam:Yes, because I’ll be working there half of the day.

Piet:You get angry when I don’t want to go out with you. And now I do want to go, and it’s still not okay with you.

Miriam:But we could do something else, like having dinner somewhere.

Piet:Dinner? While we would get the best food in the city for free at Saal 1? That’s a great idea!

Miriam:I’m sure we’ll be able to find something else than this Christmas party.

Piet:I don’t understand.

 

 

[Chulos]

 

Michael:But it’s not a sure thing yet that she will be there.

Sebastian:She works in that restaurant!

Michael:So what? You can’t hide from her your whole life.

Sebastian:I am not hiding. I just don’t feel like seeing her with her husband.

Michael:Well, that’s a sight you should get used to.

Sebastian:Or maybe I shouldn’t confide in you anymore.

Michael:Oh come on! Let’s turn this lame event into an official nice guys’ night.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, Auditorium]

The judges are still consulting.

 

Timo:How long can a decision take?

Hotte:That’s a bad sign.

Sophie:We were really good.

Hotte:Yes, for half of a lineup.

Female Judge: Alright, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, thank you very much for your performance! You’ve made our decision difficult. In order to participate in the preliminary audition for the festival you actually have to have 12 members.

Hotte:But some of us sing for 2 people. Doesn’t that count?

Bea:Hotte! (to the judges) I’m sorry.

Female Judge: One can see how dedicated your group is.

Emma:Please, don’t keep us in suspense! Are we accepted or not?

Female Judge:We think that at our festival it should be about quality instead of quantity. To answer your question: ….You’re accepted!

(The group starts cheering.)

 

 

[Pestalozzi, hallway]

Ms. Jäger is decorating the walls and doors with Christmas items while listening to Christmas carols, when Alexandra comes by. 

 

Alexandra:Oh god.

Ms Jäger: (smiling all over her face) I love Christmas! Do you know the novel by Heinrich Böll (“Nicht nur zur Weihnachtszeit”)? I could do that, too! Decorating the Christmas tree everyday!

Alexandra:That story was a satire.

Ms Jäger: That’s right. The woman was celebrating Christmas until March.

Alexandra:Yes, and do you remember why?

Ms Jäger:Uh, not exactly.

Alexandra:Because she was gaga?

Ms Jäger:Ah, really?

Alexandra:She was an old and sick lady who had a bad trauma. And her whole environment had to suffer this Christmas trauma until everything broke down at some point.

Ms Jäger:So you don’t like it, do you?

Alexandra: (sighs) It drives me crazy! And I can’t believe that the school administration spends money on such crap!

Ms Jäger:But…

Alexandra: My beach girls have been practicing on a ploughed field for years! But for this…

Ms Jäger:The school administration hasn’t spent a cent on this!

Alexandra:Ah, and who else pays for this nonsense?

Ms Jäger:Me. And until now all of you have been enjoying this Christmas atmosphere a little! Alexandra: Well, if you need it…

(When Alexandra walks away, Mrs Jäger defiantly turns the Christmas music louder.)

 

 

[Beschenkos’ apartment, Luzi’s room]

Luzi is trying on her new clothes while singing “All I want for Christmas is you” when Karin comes in.

 

Karin:Hey there! Are you having a private party?

Luzi:Oh, am I too loud?

Karin:No, I just wanted to know if you would like to eat something.

Luzi:No, thanks. I’ll go out to Chulos later. After all, there is something to celebrate.

Karin:Absolutely! I’m very happy that you managed to get into the preliminary round for the band festival!

Luzi:Me too! Temporarily, we really didn’t believe in it anymore.

Karin:I can’t really imagine!

Luzi:But it’s true. It was totally stressful because we didn’t have much time, and because there was always someone missing, nervous, or tense.

Karin:I’m proud of you! Really! And I’m proud of the fact that you put yourself out there for your goals like this!

Luzi:You are?

Karin:You were doing that already when you were little. For example, when you wanted this bunny so badly! Kevin.

Luzi:Right. I bugged you until you gave in.

Karin:No. You persistently showed me that you could be responsible for an animal until I was convinced…. And now get ready!

 

 

[Vogels’ house]

Miriam is talking to Bea (who is at Chulos) on the phone.

 

Bea:Miriam, you love Christmas parties! Do you remember how upset you were when you weren’t allowed to go to one at Özgul’s?

Miriam: Yes, but because it was a boat trip! Not because of the party itself.

Bea: I don’t like to say this, but I can slowly understand Piet now! You’ve been wanting him to take action the whole time. And now he is doing something and you aren’t up for it anymore.

Miriam: Gosh, Bea…I’m just afraid that Sebastian will be there.

Bea:So what? You love Piet!

Miriam:Yes, but when he and Piet met the last time they almost got into a fight.

Bea: Yes, because Piet was jealous. But now he doesn’t have any reason to be anymore. (Miriam doesn’t say anything) Or does he??

Miriam:What? No, of course he doesn’t! Sebastian is over.

Bea:See! Piet knows it, too! If you keep dithering like this, he will get ideas again!

Miriam:Yes, of course. Piet has been making a lot of efforts lately.

Bea:Then go to the party! Enjoy the evening together.

Miriam:You’re probably right! I’ll put your key under the doormat, ok?

Bea:Thanks! I promise, I won’t forget it anymore.

Miriam:Alright, bye!

Bea:Bye!

 

 

[Chulos]

Emma, Hotte, Luzi, Timo and Sophie are dancing when Bea comes by.

 

Hotte:Watch out! No jokes about teachers anymore!

Bea:Go ahead! I can take them tonight.

Emma:We really overruled the regulations of participation for the preliminary round!

All:Whoo!

Sophie: (to Timo, while Luzi is watching them) You were great today! Especially at a particular point of the song!

Bea:Well, I think all of you were great!

Timo:Yes, but someone was especially outstanding today!....Without Luzi the group wouldn’t even exist! And if it weren’t for you (to Luzi) we wouldn’t have participated.

(Sophie seems to be jealous and hurt.)

Timo: To you!

Emma:To Luzi!

Hotte:To the group!!

 

 

[Saal 1]

 

Michael: (to the waiter) Thanks.

Sebastian: (bored) This is exactly the real guys’ night I imagined! Cheers!

Michael:I really don’t know what you want! Do you want me to kiss your feet for coming with me? Look, Miriam is not even here. So relax! Let’s forget about this whole misery for now, enjoy ourselves and toast to the future!

Sebastian: (he sees Karin come in) I would say to YOUR future.

Michael:Hey, you came!

Karin:Well, instead of sitting alone at home.

Michael: A very wise decision!

Sebastian:Karin, a very nice sur… (He sees Miriam and Piet come in.) …prise.(And also Miriam doesn’t seem to be able to keep her eyes off of Sebastian.)

 

 

[Pestalozzi, school office]

 

Alexandra:Ms. Jäger!

(Ms Jäger isn’t there. Alexandra puts down a folder and was about to leave when she sees a small Christmas crib on a table. She comes closer and sits down in front of it. Seeing the little angel figures, she is reminded of herself and her sister playing with a Christmas crib when they were little girls.)

 

 

[Saal 1]

 

Sebastian:So what do you think? Should I take one or two tickets?

Woman:I would take three.

Sebastian:Ok, so three it is.

Woman:Well then.

(Miriam is still staring at Sebastian with a jealous look.)

Sebastian:Have you been to Austria yet?

Woman:No. I haven’t had the pleasure yet.

Sebastian:That’s a big mistake.

 

Piet:Well, I like it very much. I’m glad we’re here. And your colleagues seem to be nice, too. And your boss.. What is his name again?

(Miriam doesn’t seem to listen to what her husband is talking about.)

Piet:Miriam!

Miriam:Huh? Ah, sorry! I’m very tired. It was an exhausting shift.

Piet:Well, then you should eat something.

Miriam:“Eating” sounds good!

Piet:Yes! I think so, too! (He turns around to grab themselves some food.)…Oh, it’s too bad. I think they still need to set up the buffet. Then let’s have a drink first.

Miriam:To a nice evening!

(Piet still doesn’t notice Miriam’s looks at Sebastian.)

 

 

[Pestalozzi, school office]

Ms Jäger shows up and sees Alexandra at the crib.

 

Ms Jäger:Don’t worry. The school didn’t pay for this either. It’s an old heirloom. My grandfather carved it. A lot of memories are connected to it.

Alexandra: (still in thoughts) That’s great.

Ms Jäger:Especially at Christmas you realize how much you miss the people you once loved.

(Alexandra throws the figure, that she was holding the whole time, back into the crib, pretending that she doesn’t care.)

Alexandra:In order to see how cheerless your life is, I don’t need Christmas, Ms Jäger. And to be honest, all this crap here won’t change it.

 

Alexandra leaves a sad Ms Jäger alone in the school office and goes out to the parking lot. Inside the car she turns on the radio and listens to a carol which brings back some memories of her sister again. Reminded by the past, she starts crying.

 

 

 

 

[Saal 1]

 

Michael: Christmas Eve at the Heisigs’? Well, we always looked for the gifts several days before.

Karin:So? Did you find them?

Michael:Of course.

Karin: But then the element of surprise would be gone.

Michael: Yes, but then we already knew beforehand what we wanted to trade. That was good. How was it for you?

Karin: I’m a single child. I didn’t have anybody to exchange the gifts with.

Michael: Ah, so Christmas was rather quiet at your place?

Karin: Not at all. I’ve got a very big family. And all the aunts, and uncles and cousins came over to our place.

Michael: Hmh, but wasn’t it stressful?

Karin: No, it was a big party. And on Christmas Day we would take a picnic basket and go ice-skating on the river. Sometimes I miss that - the snow and the ice.

Michael: I also plan to have a family at some point.

Karin: Well, it’s not too late yet.

 

A man approaches from behind.

 

Man: Heisig? Heisig! It’s you!

Michael: Studienrat (a teacher as a upper-level civil servant) Galkenbach!

Galkenbach: Oberstudienrat (teacher on a higher level) by now. You know, from 14 on. (pay grade 14)

Michael: Congratulations! Are you back in Cologne?

Galkenbach: Ah, Cologne, God forbid! I’m just visiting my family here. And you? You’re married by now, aren’t you? (He is looking at Karin.)

Michael: Uh, no, we know each other from school.

Galkenbach: Let me guess. English and Arts?

Karin: Completely wrong.

Galkenbach: But not Maths and Physics! Because you would be too attractive for that.

Karin: I’m not a teacher.

Galkenbach: What else can you do at a school? Are you a psychologist?

Michael: No, Karin does organizational things. (He seems embarrassed by her.)

(Karin looks disappointed that Michael doesn’t tell him the truth.)

Galkenbach: I understand. A school secretary.

Michael: No, neither a secretary. Ah, look, I’m sure the buffet will be open soon. We should take a seat.

Karin: I’m a cleaning lady at the school.

Galkenbach: Really? I never would have guessed. But it’s also a pretty nice job, isn’t it?

Karin: At least not lower than any other job, too.(She looks at Michael) And nothing that one has to be ashamed of. (Disappointed by Michael, she leaves the restaurant.)

Galkenbach: (To Michael) Well, cheers.

Michael: Karin, wait! Please stay.

Karin: Why? I don’t fit in here anyway.

Michael: That’s nonsense. I just didn’t know how to react.

Karin: It’s alright. Actually I’m pretty glad about it. It made me realize something now.

Michael: What? That I’m an idiot? Ok.

Karin: No. That I’m the idiot.

Michael: And that’s why you just want to leave?

Karin:I should have realized that…that a cleaning lady and a teacher just don’t match.

Michael:Now you are having a prejudice.

Karin:Is it a kind of a sociological study?

Michael: And now you are being ridiculous.

Karin: I’m not. I mean, all the women you meet are usually from your milieu!

Michael: Which women? What kind of milieu?

Karin: Alexandra Lohmann, for example.

Michael:….Uh, Mrs Lohmann is a colleague of mine.

Karin:I’ve heard something else.

Michael: (sighs) Yes, there was something once. But…but it’s over already.

Karin:I’m sorry if it didn’t work out. But I’m certainly not going to be the placeholder for Alexandra Lohmann! Have a nice evening.

(She leaves.)

 

Michael:Karin! God! (He follows her.)

 

 

[Chulos]

The friends and Bea are still celebrating their success. However Sophie stands at the bar alone being disappointed and hurt.

 

[Outside in the streets]

 

Michael:Hey! Could you please hear me out before you run away?

Karin:For me, there is nothing to say anymore.

Michael: But for me, in fact, there is quite a lot. Yes, I did have a something with Alexandra, but it was a…it was a one-night stand and uh, you know, she means nothing to me.

Karin:More than I mean to you.

Michael:That’s nonsense. When I…when I see you then…

Karin: Then you see a cleaning lady that you are ashamed of.

Michael:No! When I see you then I see…then I see your special smile…then I see a funny, lovable, intelligent, and really attractive woman. Hm?

(Karin hesitates but then kisses him.)