translated by hephylax
edited by sones
[Previously on Hand aufs Herz]
Karin and Michaelkiss. Of course that’s when Bea steps out of a class room.
Bea: I'm sorry. I didn't know that... I'm already gone.
Karin(to Michael): I guess that makes it official at school too.
Michael has run after Bea to explain
Bea: Is it serious?
Michael: Well, it's not something unserious. Luzi knows about it and...well...and maybe I should have told you...
Bea: You don't have to tell me anything. You don't owe me any explanations. I'm happy for you two…
Michael is now back with Karin, trying to explain why he just ran off to chase another woman…
Karin: Do you like Bea Vogel?
Michael: Yes, she's a nice colleague.
Karin: I know that you were in love with her.
Michael: Even if...what does that have to do with us?
Karin: You tell me? Please be honest. What are your feelings for her?
[Intro]
[Pestalozzi, hallway]
Karin: Michael, what kind of feelings do you have for Bea Vogel?
Michael: None. At least none of consequence.
Karin: But?
Michael: Well I…I was interested in her once but that was a long time ago. (A long time ago!??! Really!?!?!? REALLY, Michael?!? At the MOST it could only be a few weeks!)
Karin: And now?
Michael: Now we’re friends.
Karin: Friends? Then why didn’t you tell her about us?
Michael: Friends might be a little bit exaggerated…we’re simply colleagues. Colleagues who like each other. Who like each other on an occupational level…not privately. My god, to make it short…I don’t want anything from Bea Vogel. I want to be with you.
Karin: I really wish I could believe you.
She walks away.
Michael: Karin! Karin!
[Vogel home]
Miriam is wrapping presents.
[Flashback to Miriam and Sebastian kissing.]
Piet comes in.
Piet: Hello?! Hey. Almost 2 meters high, noble fir… a real tree for once!
He leans down and tries to kiss her.She flinches, then tries to cover it up.
Miriam: Ey! I’m wrapping your present.
Piet: I didn’t see anything. I didn’t see anything. By the way, I talked to Manuel, the hobby mechanic, and he thinks I’m right. It really is the distributor arm.
Miriam: Okay. Finished.
Piet: He ordered it. It’ll be here next week. The installation can be done in a jiffy and then we can go. What do you think…maybe New Year’s Eve on Borkum (German East Frisian island)? Just the two of us. Very romantic. In the front row. Directly on the waterfront. Hm?
Miriam: Sounds good.
(Right. Miriam looks as if she just realized that there are still 17 episodes to get through until Jenny finally shows up. Including most of this one. Or maybe that is just my reason for wearing a similar expression.)
[Pestalozzi, teachers’ lounge]
Bea is going through her inbox. She’s received a few Christmas cards and is laughing and smiling to herself as she reads them.
Alexandra: You’re probably actually proud of that.
Bea: It’s nice if the students wish you a Merry Christmas, isn’t it?
Alexandra: Yes, but you’re lacking a little bit of distance. You’re really totally one of them. Maybe you should visit a shrink and find out why you’re still so rooted in your schooldays. If there’s still something you have to account for…some guilt that won’t let go of you?
Bea: Are you starting with this again?
Alexandra: Yes. And I won’t stop until it has been proven. My sister is on your conscience.
Alex leaves and Bea drops a card to the ground. She picks it up and starts reading.
Male voice-over: Dear Bea,
Christmas time always reminds you of those people who were truly important in your life. I’ve never forgotten you.
Bea is shocked. Shocked!
[Pestalozzi, auditorium]
Bea comes in still rattled.
Bea: I’m sorry I’m late…ähm…we wanted to sing “Deck the halls”…
Emma: I don’t know the lyrics at all.
Luzi: No reason to panic.
Hotte: Want me to hypnotize her?
All: No.
Hotte: I can do it.
Bea: I’ve brought something else.
Sophie: And what’s that?
Bea holds out the postcard from her inbox, but suddenly realizes her error.
Bea: No. This one.
Sophie: A million miles away? But we already did that?
Hotte: And it’s not really Christmassy.
Bea: Äh, everything that’s emotional is Christmassy. But if you want to sing something else then I’ll go agai… Don’t you like it?
All: We do.
Bea: Then let’s get started.
[Postcard text flashback]
Male voice-over: Dear Bea,
Christmas time always reminds you of the people who were truly important in your life. I’ve never forgotten you.
Your Jens
[/flashback]
Luzi: Frau Vogel, is everything alright with you?
Bea: Yes. I’m just a little nervous because of the performance. Let’s start.
STAG performs A Million Miles Away.
[Pestalozzi, parking lot]
Bea is waiting for Alexandra.
Bea: What's up with this cheap provocation?
Alexandra: What are you talking about?
Bea: You know very well what I'm talking about. Keep your hands off of my inbox.
Alexandra: What do I have to do with your inbox? Did someone slip you a firecracker and now you think it was me?
(Alex grins down on her which derails Bea’s thoughts completely.)
Bea: No. I'm sorry, I was wrong.
Alexandra: So what was in your inbox?
Bea: Nothing. It was a misunderstanding. I have to go.
[Pestalozzi, outside]
Timo(on the phone): Okay, then see you later. Kiss.
Luzi: Hey Timo, wait a minute. That was a great rehearsal, wasn't it?
Timo: Well, it could have gone better.
Luzi: Well, I thought you did great. And so did the others. Going to sleep just one more time. What's wrong?
Timo: What if they boo?
Luzi: You can't be serious. We'll rock the school, and you know it! Hey, what's really wrong?
Timo: I'm going to celebrate Christmas with Sophie. It...was stupid really. She knows that I don't celebrate Christmas and...I told her that we would meet on Christmas Eve... But I meant after the celebration at your place, and now she has already told her mother and I can't find a way out of this mess without lots of aggravation. And you're mad.
Luzi: No. A little disappointed maybe, sure. But...I understand.
Timo: Really? Cool. Or not really cool. I'm really going to miss you (two). Especially your mother's Zimtsterne (star-shaped cinnamon biscuits).
Luzi: I'll take care of getting you some.
Timo: Thanks Luzi. Really.
[Beschenko home]
Karin has been baking.
Luzi: Mm.
Karin: This time I’ve made enough cookies so that even Timo will have enough.
Luzi: Timo isn’t coming.
Karin: Oh. Why?
Luzi: Well, he's celebrating with Sophie and her mother this year. But that's okay. I mean, the two of them are together. And we'll have a good time too, just the two of us. (she notices her mother’s look)There won’t be just the two of us? Oh, right. The cookies and Heisig...
Karin: For Michael? No.
Luzi: You’ve got troubles?
Karin: He has commitments. And you're right. We have a rather good time, just the two of us.
[Vogel home, Bea’s room]
Bea takes out a box full of mementos, including a stack of letters. She takes one out and holds it up next to the postcard from Jens.
Male voice-over: When I close my eyes and picture you, I know that I will always love you.
[Flashbackto ten years ago] (It’s like Xena.)
Bea and Franziska are standing next to the construction pit, aka the volleyball court to be.
Bea: You're only using Jens!
Franziska: So? Do you want a boyfriend who will go to bed with someone else?
Bea: Why are you doing this?
Franziska: Because I can. And because you challenged me.
[/flashback]
Male voice-over:: Dear Bea,
Christmas time always reminds you of the people who were truly important in your life. I’ve never forgotten you.
Your Jens
Bea: What is this?!
[Vogel home, living room]
Bea enters.
Piet: There you are. I'm going to let Miriam know that we're leaving now, okay? To get the Christmas tree? Is everything alright?
Bea: Here. I got this today.
She hands over the postcard.
Piet: Is this a joke?
Bea: It's from him. I compared the hand-writing.
Piet: You kept the letters? God, you really should have burned them. This asshole cheated on you with that cow, then they took off for Australia and left you alone here with this crap... Jeez, you were almost convicted of murder! While they were cruising around the Outback! Mann ey! The nerve! Christmas greetings.
Bea: After all this time.
Piet: You know, he should have known that all hell would break loose here if the two of them disappeared without a trace. He should move his ass back here to clear the whole thing up! And he’d best bring this Franziska with him. Hey Bea, the card is from Germany. That's a German stamp. Hotel Airport Plaza, Frankfurt.
[Saal 1]
Miriam enters in a hurry.
Miriam: Sorry, the Christmas madness is reigning out there.
Michael is sitting at the bar trying to process the turn his love life has taken.(Or maybe thinking of ways to black-mail Karin, who knows?)
[Flashback to Bea catching him and Karin kissing]
[Beschenko home]
Karin is still making cookies at home but she’s also thinking about things.
[Saal 1]
Michael is just at the edge of possible self-awareness (he’s an asshole and it’s not always about him him him). But all that thinking progress comes to a screeching halt when he notices two people flirting at a table in the background.
(While it’s a shame that he wasted this opportunity to become a better, more likable person, this time it’s really not his fault. I would have been dumbfounded too. Hell, I am dumbfounded. Hartmann alert at Saal 1! Because that’s once again Jenny’s mama at that table. Flirting with a guy who’s not Jenny’s papa. But at least now we know where Jenny’s fondness for touching foreheads together comes from.)
[Beschenko home]
Karin accidentally breaks apart a heart-shaped cookie. (Yes, HaHe, we get it.) Then she starts to cry.
[Vogel home]
Piet(on the phone): Mirbach. No, not with ie, with i. Jens. Yes. Oh. Well, then good luck with your reopening. Bye.
Bea: Reopening?
Piet: Yes, they’re rebuilding, that's why she could remember everything; and during the timeframe in question only four guests checked in. They were on a stopover from Sidney to London. It was just a layover due to technical problems, and they didn’t even have German names anyway.
Bea: What if Jens changed his name?
Piet: Well, that's possible but why would he do that?
Bea: Obviously he and Franziska didn't want to be found at any cost.
Piet: Good thought. Maybe we should hire a private investigator. He could do some research. And we should tell the police.
Bea: The police?
Piet: Yes, why not?
Bea: They didn't find any leads back then, and then they filed the whole thing away. Which, as you know, was rather advantageous for me.
Piet: Alright. Then that leaves the private investigator.
Bea: Piet. The last thing I need now is exaggerated impulsive actions.
Piet: But what else can we do?
[Saal 1]
Miriam: 3.30, please. By the way, is Sebastian already back from Austria?
Michael: Yes, he wanted to come back today. Why?
Miriam: Äh, I just thought...nice weather in Austria. Some people extend their vacation for a day or two.
Michael: But he can't do without.
Miriam: Without what?
Michael: Well, without his Chulos. If he's separated from that thing for a weekend he gets phantom pains.
Miriam: The bill.
Michael: Right. Right. I'm sorry, I'm completely out of it today. Completely.
Miriam: Christmas? Everyone gets a bit air-headed around this time.
Michael: You're asking after the nitty-gritty. After love.
Miriam: Love?
Michael: I think it was Erich Fromm who once said: Love is something that develops, nothing that you fall for. It's not about heart-throbbing…about magic... It's about respect...and responsibility.
Miriam: Well, I don't know this Mr. Fromm but… he seems to be a wise man.
Michael: One is only in love with the illusion. But why am I boring you with this, Frau Vogel. You know something? You’ve helped me a lot. Thanks.
[Vogel home]
The Vogel clan minus Miriam areeating dinner.
Piet: Pass the butter please? Thanks.
Lara: Weren't you planning on getting the Christmas tree today?
Piet: Yes. Something came up.
Lara: Does that mean we'll get another crippled tree like last year?
Bea: It really wasn't possible today.
Lara: Then why did you make such a big announcement about it?
Piet: Jeez, if you keep complaining like this, you can take care of it yourself, okay?
Lara: Well, this is going to be a great Christmas, what with the mood everyone here is in.
Piet: Bea. The guy isn't worth you wasting even one second of thought on.
Lara leaves and Bea pulls out the card from underneath her place mat. Miriam comes in.
Miriam: On whom?
Piet: Jens.
Bea: Came today.
Piet: He's in Germany. The card came from Frankfurt.
Miriam: How does he know that you're working at the Pestalozzi?
(A reasonable question for any normally thinking person. Though from their surprised expressions I’d say that thought never entered their little bird…äh…Vogel brains.)
[Beschenko home, hallway]
Michael rings the bell.Karin opens the door.
Karin: Michael. What...?
Michael: Karin, I've been thinking.
Karin: Yes?
Michael: The two of us might be just starting out but... I believe that we’re a good match. Everything...everything we need is...time.
Karin: Michael, I need a man who…whose heart is beating completely for me, and whom I can be sure of. But this isn't the place to talk about something like this. And not the right time either. I think it would be better if we didn't see each other for a while.
Michael: Bu...I think it would be better for us to get to know each other better. I can understand if you're insecure but... understand me… I just want to tell you what you mean to me.
Karin: It’s not possible (what a Bea thing to say.)
And she closes the door in his face.
[Vogel home]
Bea is looking over a music score when she stops and pulls out her postcard from underneath it to look at it some more. (I’m starting to loathe this card the same way I did the damn Bean Berlin trip photo. At least with that I got to cheer its fiery end.)
Miriam: Bea. I was just getting something to drink. You can't sleep either?
Bea: It's so quiet back there. But it's getting late.
Miriam: Do you know Fromm?
Bea: The philosopher?
Miriam: The guy doesn't have any idea. All in theory but in practice...
Bea: You read Fromm?
Miriam: No. I lie in bed with my husband and I think about Sebastian. I'm working and I think about Sebastian. I’m cooking and think about Sebastian. Every damn second! What's up with that!?
Bea: I thought you had made your decision?
Miriam: Yes, me too. But it's not working.
[Pestalozzi, at the kiosk]
Luzi and Timo are standing in line for the kiosk. Timo is munching on some cookies.
Timo: Wow, they’re really the best.
Luzi: I’ll let my mother know.
Timo: I hope she’s not too disappointed.
Luzi: Ah, we’ll live. Without you.
Timo: Yes, you will. But what about me? I mean, Christmas without the Beschenkos…
Luzi: I’m sure it’ll be nice with the Kleins as well.
Timo: Yes, with Sophie, sure. But do you know her mother?
Luzi: Only by sight.
Sophie isstanding one person behind Timo, but OF COURSE he has no idea. (Oops.)
Timo: Ey, she’s one card short of a full deck. My opinion.
Luzi: Sophie’s mother?
Timo: Yes. She’s kinda…no idea…wound rather tight. Oh god, what a terrible thought. A whole evening with them. Well…can’t be helped. In any way, I’d rather be with you.
Sophie: Well then, now I know the score.
[Chulos]
Miriam walks in to find Sebastian sitting at the bar. She just kind of stands there behind him until he finally feels someone else in the room and turns around…
Sebastian: Miriam?
Miriam: Hello Sebastian. I’m sorry that I stood you up on Friday but…I needed some more time to think about everything.
A woman walks out of the backroom.
Woman: Sweetie, are you going to introduce us?
Miriam looks horrified, Sebastian looks ashamed and panicked…. And the woman is just waiting for her introduction.