Episode 69

translated by hephylax

edited by Globe

 

Previously on Hand aufs Herz

 

Frau Krawczyk: My name is Gabriele... and I...

The door opens and Götting steps in.

Götting: Oh, sorry, am I too late?

 

Caro: His name is Ben Bergmann. He had sex with his (female) teacher. And this teacher just happens to be here tonight as well. May I present... Bea Vogel!

 

 

Intro

 

[Chulos]

 

Caro: And those who don’t believe me are welcome to look at the relevant photo on Ben’s phone. I don’t know how you see it but… I think the two of them are a real dream couple.

Crowd: Boo! Boo! Who cares?! We want to dance! Music! Turn on the music!

Woman: Better drink something and get over him. Sweetie.

(Say, wasn’t that the woman who gave Emma her phone number in Saal 1 during the “flirting with women” incident?)

Crowd: Turn on the music again! Right!

Caro: Hello? Didn’t you hear what I said? The two of them had sex!

Crowd: So, you envious?

Caro: Teacher and student.

 

The music starts again and the people start dancing.

 

Caro: Isn’t anyone listening to me?? How can you not give a damn about that?

Emma: (to Ben) Come over here, you old stalker.

Hotte: Well, if Caro were right, strictly speaking he wouldn’t be a stalker anymore.

Emma: It just figures that you would know a lot about that.

Luzi: Have I already told you that I think it’s great that you aren’t with Caro anymore?

Ben: I feel the same.

Hotte: Caro! Wait a minute. Why are you doing this?

Caro: I only told the truth.

Hotte: I thought you were a woman of class and style. But it looks as if I was completely wrong.

Caro: I don’t care what you think of me.

Hotte: Okay. But what about the rest of the world?

 

Meanwhile at the bar, Bea gets out money to pay for her drink.

 

Sebastian: Keep it.

He hands her a shot glass.

 

Bea: Thanks.

Sebastian: University doesn’t prepare you for something like this, does it?

Bea: You can say that again.

Sebastian: (with a full Austrian accent) Punch-and-Judy show.  

Bea: I’m leaving.

 

 

[VHS - Adult Education School classroom]

 

Moderator: You were about to speak.

Frau Krawczyk: My name is Gabriele and I’m an alcoholic. I’m here to learn how to deal responsibly with my addiction, gain back control of my life… and to stand up to all my doubters.

 

Götting starts to clap and the rest join in.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, at the coffee machine]

 

Bea: Ben, do you have a moment?

Ben: About yesterday, I… had no idea that Caro was planning something like that?

Bea: We can’t change that anymore. But more importantly… what about this photo? Tell me that you deleted it and that the whole thing is resolved.

Ben: I wanted to delete it but…

Bea: Ben!

Ben: Something came up.

Bea: Do you realize what you’re putting at stake here?

Ben: Of course, I realize. Do you think it was fun for me to be labeled a stalker? I will delete it. Promise.

Bea: I want you to delete it now. Immediately.

(Small advice from your friendly translator: Back up your data regularly. You should never have it on just one drive/device. That’s so important!)

Ben: I… don’t have my phone with me.

Bea: At the earliest opportunity. Can I count on that?

Ben: Yes. Now relax. I will delete it. And then this whole thing is off the table, okay?

Bea: Okay.

Ben: Hrmpf.

Bea: What?

Ben: Nothing. You don’t have to worry. This matter is as good as over.

Bea: Good.

She leaves and he takes out his non-existent phone. (Probably to look at the stalker pic again.)

 

 

[Beschenko home]

 

Karin is doing laundry.

 

[Flashback]

Michael: Karin, I’m sorry. We will have to postpone Berlin.

 

Karin, Michael, and Bea at Chulos.

[/Flashback]

 

Karin is crying.

The phone rings.

 

Karin: Beschenko? Hello Herr Bergmann. You want to come where? Here, to my place? That isn’t a good idea at the moment. Oh, you’re already on your way. Um… well, if it’s that important… see you soon.

She hangs up.

 

Karin: Damn!

 

 

[Pestalozzi, teachers’ corridor]

 

Michael: Bea! How are the preparations coming along?

Bea: Everything is just one big construction site at the moment but we’ll manage. How was the rest of your evening yesterday?

Michael: I think far less interesting than yours. I heard it turned into a wild party in the end. Pity that we left so early.

Bea: You didn’t miss anything.

Michael: No? Caro’s speech is THE topic at school.

Bea: I was afraid of that.

Michael: It seems to me that Caro didn’t do herself any favors with this stunt. It didn’t go over so well with her classmates, at least. I haven’t known Caro for very long but… she doesn’t seem the type to spread baseless rumors. She’s more…calculating.

Bea: Um, what do you mean by that?

Michael: I don’t know, I thought you could tell me.

Bea: I can understand Caro, really. She’s lovesick. When I think back to my school time…horrible.

Michael: The last time you were lovesick was during your school years? Come on.

Bea: This is no topic for discussion in the school hallways, Mr. Colleague. I… I have to get on with things or the preliminary contest will take place in the yard…unplugged in the snow. We’ll talk another time.

 

 

[Beschenko home]

 

Stefan: So this is how you live. It’s… very cozy.

Karin: It’s adequate for us. So… what can I do for you?

Stefan: It’s about our last meeting. I believe a lot of things were said that weren’t meant like that.

Karin: That’s how I see it, too, by now.

Stefan: And that’s why I wanted to make the first step.

 

Karin is surprised and sits down across from him.

 

Stefan: I wanted to give you the opportunity to apologize to me.

Karin: You’re not serious.

Stefan: Do you still remember all the things you said to me?

Karin: Yes, I do. But I also remember how you behaved, and not just at our last meeting.

Stefan: So you won’t apologize?

Karin: You aren’t really interested in an apology. You don’t care about me at all. But you’re suffocating in trash at home and you couldn’t find anyone who could tolerate you. You want me to come back but don’t have the class to ask me. I think that’s… I think that’s rather small.

Stefan: I’m offering you a pay raise. 3%.

 

Karin laughs.

 

Stefan: 10%. But you’ll start today.

Karin: You think you can solve all problems with money.

Stefan: Fine. I admit we… we can’t manage without you. Is that what you wanted to hear?

 

Karin starts smiling.

Karin: Would you like some coffee?

 

Stefan smiles back.

Stefan: I thought you’d never ask.

(The Karin/Stefan ship is on course again.)

 

 

[Pestalozzi, school office]

 

Frau Jäger: (on the phone) Hm… yes. Alright, okay. What?! How much?! Excuse me, but… we’re a school. We want a cold buffet, not a royal feast. Bye.

Götting: Well, Frau Jäger? Having problems once again?

Frau Jäger: Not at all. We’ll manage somehow.

Götting: That you can only manage ‘somehow’ without my sponsor was to be expected. So the only question that remains is how big a blunder this will turn into for the Pestalozzi. But, don’t worry, I’m sure our guests don’t expect anything else. So? Where is our esteemed principal passing the time today?

Frau Jäger: Frau Krawczyk has an important appointment regarding the preliminary contest.

Götting: Ah, yes, regarding the audition...

He turns to Alexandra who just came up.

 

Götting: I know where she is... at a self-help group.

Alexandra: And what do you plan on doing with this information? Write a report?

Götting: I’ve asked the Schools Inspector to come here. I’m going to have a candid talk with him. I owe that to our students.

 

Frau Krawczyk comes down the hallway.

 

Alexandra: Oh, looks like you’ll be one more during your talk.

Frau Krawczyk: Herr Götting, Frau Lohmann.

Götting: No problem. Then I’ll just ask her to join us - the more, the merrier.

Alexandra: Don’t underestimate Krawczyk. Until now, she’s always managed to pull some rabbit out of her hat.

Götting: What rabbit could possibly prevent the Schools Inspector from drawing the necessary conclusions concerning her self-confessed alcoholism? As soon as that becomes official, they will have to act - and fast.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, big stairs]

 

Caro walks in and walks up to her clique.

 

Caro: Hi.

 

They walk away from her without a word. Luzi is leaning on the landing.

 

Luzi: Well, looks like your stunt yesterday has been making the rounds.

Caro: No one is talking to you.

Luzi: And not to you either, as you can see.

 

Caro and Bea pass each other by on the stairs and bump slightly into each other.

 

Caro: (to Bea) You won’t get away with this.

 

 

[Beschenko home]

 

Stefan: I admit I didn’t realize how much you actually did. But believe me, I learned something in the last few weeks.

Karin: I’m glad you at least appreciate my work with hindsight.

Stefan: I do, and Ben does too. And you? You’ve changed. You are so vehement. I’ve never seen you like that.

Karin: I didn’t mean to be impolite. I’m just under a lot of pressure at the moment and… I’m fed up with beating around the bush.

Stefan: Are you worried about Luzi?

Karin: No, no. Everything is fine with Luzi.

Stefan: You know, Frau Beschenko, you… you’re someone very special. I’ve realized that by now. And I can only say, anyone who doesn’t see that doesn’t deserve you.

Karin: You can be very charming when you want.

Stefan: So, am I successful?

Karin: Yes. I’ll come back.

Stefan: You won’t regret it.

Karin: I’m not sure about that, yet. But I want to apologize. I was, at least partially, very unfair to you.

Stefan: Forgiven and forgotten. Good coffee. So we’ll see each other this afternoon.

Karin: Yes. I still have to cancel an appointment beforehand, but after that I’ll come straight to you.

Stefan: Great.

He takes out a key and holds it out to her.

 

Stefan: I’m glad you’re back with us again.

Karin: Herr Bergmann?

Stefan: Yes?

Karin: The pay raise… I gladly accept.

Stefan: Mm hm...

 

 

[Pestalozzi, locker room]

 

Volleyball chick 1: So, Caro? Today another juicy performance at Chulos?

Volleyball chick 2: Don’t take her on. Who knows what stuff she would impute you with.

Volleyball chick 1: Woah, an affair with Heisig.

Volleyball chick 2: No, or with Götting.

Volleyball chick 1: No, please, not him.

 

Everybody except Caro leaves the room. Alexandra comes in.

 

Alexandra: What’s going on?

Caro: Everybody thinks I’m insane, that’s what’s going on. I’ve told the truth, but nobody here is interested in it.

Alexandra: I was talking about the game just now. That was awful. What happened there?

Caro: This isn’t my day. I’m sorry.

Alexandra: I suggest you get a hold of yourself - and quickly.

Caro: Can you clue me in why nobody at this school cares when a (female) teacher sleeps with a student?! I just don’t get it. There is even proof.

Alexandra: What kind of proof?

Caro: A picture. Frau Vogel is lying in bed together with Ben.

Alexandra: And you have this picture?

Caro: No. But I know where it is.

Alexandra: Well then, tell me exactly and from the beginning what you know about this.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, at the bulletin board]

 

Sebastian: Heisig, come to my office, right now!

Michael: That’s not funny.

Sebastian: It’s really cool that it still works.

Michael: What are you doing here anyway?

Sebastian: You should be a little nicer to your little brother… who is doing you a big favor right now.

Michael: What favor?

Sebastian: The written outpourings of your students. You left them at Chulos yesterday.

Michael: Oh, thanks. Anything else?

Sebastian: So, how did things go with Karin?

Michael: I took her home and then took a cab.

Sebastian: I understand. It would have surprised me if she had been in the mood for romance.

Michael: She was tired… she said.

Sebastian: Sure. Well, I was there yesterday. And in her shoes I wouldn’t have been tired but mad as hell.

Michael: Now don’t you sucker start with this too. I mean, we might not have had the best evening of all times, but that happens. Besides, I was just talking to Bea, and what’s so bad about that?

Sebastian: Hey, you don’t need to justify yourself to me.

Michael: So what’s with the third degree then?

Sebastian: I just felt bad for her yesterday. I mean... you two… that was already a miserable sight. And then Bea joined you… and it got even more miserable… for Karin. Besides, she called… and quit.

Michael: What?!

Sebastian: She doesn’t have time anymore - something about another job. Or… she’s fed up with the Heisigs and wants to distance herself. But that’s just my guess. I just wanted to keep you up to date. So long.

Michael: Yes, thanks, bye.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, school office]

 

Frau Krawczyk: I had no idea that you were coming but I’m happy you’re here. How are Regina and the kids?

Herr Wendtland: Oh, they’re very well. They’re redecorating the living room right now.

Götting: Dr. Wendtland. I didn’t know that you were here already. Glad you could arrange it on such short notice. Frau Jäger, coffee and cookies in my office, please.

Frau Krawczyk: Herr Götting, would you be so kind and tell us what this meeting is about?

Götting: You should be able to figure that out after last night, Madam Principal. It’s about you.

Frau Krawczyk: Oh, about me. Understood. Coffee and cookies in my office, then. If you would like to follow me… Klaus… Herr Götting.

Götting: Well, I just thought… well then… let’s just go to Frau Krawczyk’s office.

 

 

[Principal’s office]

 

Herr Wendtland: Then, please, get right to the point. I still have another appointment.

Götting: It’s about our esteemed principal and about her alcoholism. This isn’t a new suspicion. I contacted the School Authority months ago with my concerns.

Herr Wendtland: And the matter has been settled, hasn’t it?

Götting: Yes, that’s what we all thought. But I’ve pursued several leads and found out that she regularly attends silent-drinkers meetings. I know that I violated your privacy, but I did it in the interests of this school.

Frau Krawczyk: Of course.

Götting: I think it would be best to relieve our principal of her duties… so she can take enough time to recover. And I would like to add that this goes in no way against our esteemed colleague. She deserves the sympathies of us all for her brave fight against her addiction.

Herr Wendtland: Gabriele, would you like to say something to this?

Frau Krawczyk: No.

Herr Wendtland: Well then… then I’ll have to… Well, Herr Götting, your commitment for the school and for Frau Krawczyk is really very commendable. But I don’t think it’s necessary to relieve her of her duties. Frau Krawczyk’s illness has been known for some time. She herself let me know about it. Well, we talked at length, and after that we decided to support Frau Krawczyk in her fight against her addiction. Yes, and as you could see for yourself yesterday, at her self-help group, she’s ardent about it. So I don’t see any reason to relieve Principal Krawczyk of her duties. She continues to enjoy the School Authority’s full trust.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, school toilet]

 

Ben is in a stall looking at the stalker picture on his phone and trying to find the strength to push the delete button.

 

[Flashback]

…to the morning-after when the picture was taken.

[/Flashback]

 

Knock knock.

 

Hotte: Hey! What’s taking you so long? Other people have to go too.

Ben: In a minute. Don’t bug me.

 

Knock knock knock (banging on stall door now)

He pushes the abort button. (Wimp!)

Hotte: Hey, what are you doing in there?

 

Ben gets out of the stall.

Ben: Have fun.

 

Hotte enters.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, Götting’s office]

 

Götting: Come in.

Alexandra: How was your appointment?

Götting: Don’t ask.

Alexandra: That doesn’t sound good.

Götting: No. The School Authority has known this whole time that Krawczyk is in therapy. They’re behind her all the way.

Alexandra: Well, but that doesn’t matter.

Götting: Yes, it does matter. I made a complete idiot of myself… in front of the Schools Inspector. That wasn’t helpful, not one bit.

Alexandra: Would it cheer you up maybe, if I told you that Bea really had an affair with Ben Bergmann?

Götting: I don’t care about that at the moment.

Alexandra: Okay. I understand. That’s not enough. But… maybe it would lighten your mood if I told you that our principal knew about it this whole time… and knowingly covered for Bea.

Götting: Is that certain?

 

 

[Pestalozzi, couch corner]

 

Ben is sitting on the sofa, his phone is lying on the table. Götting picks it up.

 

Ben: Say, are you crazy?!

Götting: Stay calm.

 

Götting is looking through the phone.

 

Ben: That’s my cell.

Götting: I’m the vice-principal.

Ben: Nevertheless, that’s still my property.

Götting: Yes, and I have to check whether you’re distributing films not suitable for minors. Or photos...

Ben: That’s bullshit. You can’t do that.

Götting: Oh really?

Ben: Now give me th…

Götting: Is there something on it I shouldn’t see?