Episode 118

translated by hephylax, edited by sones

 

 

Previously on Hand aufs Herz

 

Inspector: No contact. Things don’t look good for you if the sender of this card really is Jens Mirbach!

 

Later...

 

Bea: Hello? Hello! Enough already. If you call one more time…

 

Voice: Bea? It’s me.

 

Bea: Who me?

 

Voice: Jens. Jens Mirbach.

 

Bea: Jens!?!

 

Intro

 

[Vogel home, Bea’s room]

 

Bea: Jens, what’s this all about? All this time with no word from you and then these cards... Do you have any idea what’s going on here right now? Franziska is dead. (Really, Bea? You shouldn’t shock the poor guy like this.)

 

Jens on phone: I know, and I also know who killed her.

 

Bea: What?! Who? Who was it?

 

Jens: That’s why I have to see you. I won’t allow them to hold you responsible for this.

 

Bea: Okay. Say where and I’ll meet you there.

 

Jens: Do you remember the bus stop? We always rode downtown from there when you spent the night at my place.

 

Bea: Of course.

 

Jens: 2 o’clock. Tomorrow afternoon. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.

 

Bea: Uh, Jens, wait! Give me your number…

 

We hear a busy signal... he has hung up... Bea puts the phone down and is just like UGH!!

 

 

[Bergmann villa]

 

Jenny is standing at the breakfast bar, wearing her “Lovefool” attire and drinking orange juice. She’s in a good mood. Ben comes in and goes straight for the coffee.

 

Jenny: Morning.

 

Ben: Hi.

 

Jenny: Something to stimulate tired men.

 

Ben: Thanks, I just need some coffee.

 

Jenny: You two shouldn’t wear yourselves out like this. As soon as the baby is here, the nights will be really short….

 

Ben: Caro lost the child. I thought you knew.

 

Jenny: Umm…no. No, I didn’t know, I’m…Ben, I’m so sorry. Ben walks over and sits on the couch….Jenny following him looking so shocked and sad. And Caro? How is she?

 

Ben: How can a woman be who lost her baby because her boyfriend is an asshole.

 

Jenny: Pfff. Hello!?! What’s this!?! Are you blaming yourself?

 

Ben: Almost crying I didn’t make her happy. I don’t make anyone happy.

 

Jenny: Ben, those are delusions of grandeur, right? You don’t really believe that. That you two lost the baby is horrible…but it’s no ones fault. Neither God’s, nor Ben Bergmann’s. That’s part of your personal history now, yours and Caro’s. Be angry, be sad or whatever but… don’t stick your head in the sand and feel guilty. That doesn’t help anyone with anything.

 

Ben: You have an answer for everything, don’t you?

 

(We don’t call her Dr. Hartmann for nothing, duh!)

 

Jenny: Nope. Only for other people. They walk back to the breakfast bar. Okay…I’ll give you 5 minutes to take a cold shower and then…then we’ll go, hm?

 

Ben: I’ll stay with Caro.

 

Jenny: That’s fine, too. Then I’ll just be late on my own.

 

She starts to walk out, but stops when Ben calls her.

 

Ben: Jenny? Thanks.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, teachers’ lounge]

 

Götting: Now that we’ve gotten the results of the placement test, it’s time to take the appropriate steps.

 

Michael: The division into different levels.

 

Götting: That’s right. We are going to divide the classes… The good students from the weak students. The teachers are looking at each other as if they do NOT like this idea. Performance has to finally pay off once again. Students who perform well are going to get extra support.

 

Michael: Okay, and what about the weak students? What about them? They’ll do worse than before. They’ll be “managed” by substitute teachers. They’ll give up on themselves. They’ll leave school, and without a diploma at that.

 

Götting: Everyone is the architect of their own fortune.

 

Michael: Well, that might be, Herr Götting, but the Pestalozzi School always prided itself on recognizing the individuality of its students, on motivating them… and on encouraging them. What you are doing here is nothing less than antisocial.

 

Götting: Antisocial?

 

Michael: Yes.

 

Götting: It would be antisocial to ignore the signs of the times…and to not adept to the future of this country and the labor market.

 

Michael: Herr Götting, you’re not noticing the signs of the times. You simply want to distinguish yourself by using individual performances.

 

They other teachers appear to agree.

 

Götting: I understand that you’re disappointed…because you’re not standing where I’m standing right now, but I advise you not to cross the line. My decision is made. The classes will be divided from now on.

 

He walks out, leaving a very pissed Michael behind.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, class room]

 

Timo: What do you feel like doing tonight? Movie? Dinner?

 

Luzi: Hmmm…kissing?

 

Some random student randomly: Has anyone seen the textbook?

 

Luzi and Timo kiss. Hotte stares at Jenny who stares at Emma.

 

A teacher and Frau Jäger enter the class room.

 

Teacher: Good morning.

 

Frau Jäger: Morning. – We’re sorry but before Herr Wagner starts with your German class…I have to ask the following students to come with me. Eve, Adina, Ricky, Marcel and Emma. Until her name was called, Emma had been staring off into space...thinking about a pretty girl sitting behind her, no doubt. Please pack your things and come with us.

 

Marcel: Hey, cool, no German.

 

Teacher: No German, that’s right.

 

Emma: But, why not? And where are we going, anyway?

 

Frau Jäger: We’ll explain everything to you outside.

 

Jenny: Why should anyone here go with you without an explanation? No way.

 

Frau Jäger: You will be taught in another class from now on.

 

Teacher: Due to the below average results of your placement tests.

 

Timo: Says who?

 

Frau Jäger: Herr Götting, the principal.

 

Marcel: Well, if this is coming from the boss…then it will be done.

 

Emma: But I don’t want to leave here.

 

Frau Jäger: Emma, come on now, please.

 

Emma grabs her things and leaves with the others.

 

Jenny: You won’t get away with this.

 

 

[Vogel home]

 

Miriam: And you really want to meet with him? Do you think that’s a good idea?

 

Bea: Do you have a better one?

 

Miriam: You haven’t heard from this guy in 11 years…

 

Bea: I did; he wrote a card.

 

Miriam: Yes. In 11 years he sent you one postcard. Then Franziska’s dead body is found and all of a sudden he wants to meet with you again. That’s rather strange, isn’t it?

 

Bea: That’s what Michael says, too. (Well, yes. But Miriam says it out of common sense, while Michael probably only heard the words “ex-boyfriend” and “meeting” and got jealous of yet another guy who slept with Bea when he was still a student. Like Ben.)

 

Miriam: Well, then please listen to him. Don’t meet him.

 

Bea: Of course I’ll meet him, no matter what you say. (Of course, I’ll attend Franziska’s funeral. What could possibly happen?) Jens is the only one who knows what happened back then, and who Franziska’s murderer is. Do I have a choice!?! (Miriam shakes her head) See?

 

Miriam: But you won’t be going there alone. I’ll come with you.

 

[Bergmann villa, Ben’s room]

 

Ben comes in carrying a breakfast tray for Caro.

 

Ben: Morning.

 

Caro: Morning.

 

Ben: Sleep well?

 

He leans in and gives her a kiss.

 

Caro: So-so. She sits up. Although I did have bad dreams, but the gynaecologist warned me about that. That seems to be normal.

 

Ben: Those will stop. I promise you. I want you to be happy again…for us both to be happy.

 

Caro: That’s sweet but after everything that has happened…everything here just reminds me of our child. If we could only start from the beginning, just forget everything…but that’s not possible.

 

Ben: Sure it is. Let’s start anew somewhere else. We’ve got 100.000 Euros…one can do a lot with that.

 

Caro: Yes, sure, but…

 

He sits down next to her.

 

Ben: We’ll go to New York or…London… (Riyadh, Cape Town, Hong Kong?) or wherever else you want. Look for an apartment; go shopping…clothes, shoes…whatever you want.

 

Caro: No.

 

Ben: He laughs No!?!

 

Caro: You don’t really want that, Ben.

 

Ben: I do. I want that. And I want you to be happy!

 

Caro: But I don’t want us to spend that money frivolously. If we do this, we’ll do it right. We’ll build a life for ourselves. How about Australia!?! Ben laughs. The surf school you have always dreamt about! We have the money now!

 

Ben: The surf shop… I haven’t thought about that in forever.

 

Caro: Think about it.

 

Ben: Caro, I don’t have to think about it! But are you sure that you want this?

 

Caro: Yes, I’d follow you everywhere.

 

Ben: But I don’t want you to do this just for me.

 

Caro: I’m a beach volleyball player. What better place for me to be than on a beach? They laugh. We belong together. Especially now.

 

Ben: Especially now.

 

They kiss and Ben pulls her in for a hug.... we see a look of triumph on Caro’s face.

 

 

[Outside at a bus stop]

 

Bea and Miriam are obviously sick of waiting.

 

Miriam: Oh, I haven’t been here in forever,

 

Bea: It’s been exactly 11 years for me.

 

Miriam: That number slowly acquires something magical.

 

Bea: Black magic. (Well, then just ask Hotte!) Eleven years ago, Jens walked out on me, Franziska ran away and …Jens disappeared. (Franziska was killed and Jens disappeared…is there something in her brain that blocks her common sense? No suspicions whatsoever. Of course this is the woman with the logic that someone who has blackmailed you would make a wonderful, trustworthy mate and going to the funeral of the person you’re accused of killing is a good idea. Okay, so she gets points for character consistency, at least.)

 

A buss bulls up....

 

Miriam: Do you think we’ll even be able to recognize him?

 

Bea: Of course. At least, I think so.

 

They are watching the people get off of the buss.....but as the bus pulls away we see that Jens was not on it.

 

Miriam: And what if he doesn’t show up? I mean, what if he changed his mind?

 

Bea: But he wouldn’t ask me to meet him here and then not show up. (No, that’s completely out there.)

 

Miriam: Well, as of right now, he’s already half an hour late.

 

Bea: He’ll come.

 

 

[Bergmann villa, Stefan’s office]

 

Ben is going through Stefan’s desk.

 

Stefan: The checks are in the safe. I don’t have any cash in the house. Besides, I thought I gave you enough money.

 

Stefan sits down.

 

Ben: I was looking for my passport.

 

He’s found it and shows it to his father.

 

Stefan: Where do you plan on going?

 

Ben: We. Caro and I are going to Australia.

 

Stefan: And I thought at least that idiotic idea would be over.

 

Ben: You don't have to worry. I won't be chasing criminals with Caro. We are going to build a life for ourselves there. The surf shop.

 

Stefan: Is that a joke?!

 

Ben: It never was. Until now, the only thing missing was money and someone who would participate. Now I have both.

 

Stefan: You two want to go to Australia? With my money?

 

Ben: That you gave to us as a gift.

 

Stefan: That was her idea, wasn't it? You're foregoing your Abitur because of this...

 

Ben starts to walk out, but stops when he sees that his father is about to call his girlfriend a nasty name.

 

Ben: Watch your mouth.

 

Stefan: You don't have any idea of what you want!! A few days ago you wanted to heroically prove your teacher's innocence and now you want to go surfing with Caro! Geez, as soon as a woman shows up your brain stops functioning!

 

Ben: Caro just lost her baby. Our baby.

 

Stefan: God, you don't have any idea what really...

 

Ben: What? Come on, say it. What don't I have any idea about once again?

 

Stefan: You don't have any idea what it means to build up your own existence, Ben, from scratch. You don't even have any job training, you have nothing!! God, I just don't want you to ruin your future.

 

Ben: I'm ruining my future?! Because I'm not abandoning Caro but feeling responsible for her?! I know you won't get it, anyway, but...if you take responsibility for a person who is close to you, you're not ruining your life. On the contrary, you're building up your future.

 

 

[Bergmann villa, Ben’s room]

 

Caro is bustling around the room to Men at Work’s “Down Under”. Stefan comes in and turns off the music.

 

Caro: Hey! Why did you do that?

 

Stefan: The question is...what did you do to Ben?

 

Caro: He's really happy. It's so sweet, isn't it?

 

Stefan: Australia…the surf shop...your new existence...you cooked all that up.

 

Caro: Say, you don't give your son any credit at all, do you? And I can't even surf... But he promised to teach me. (She takes off her bath robe and stands before him in her bra and panties.) He says that I'd surely look great on a board.

 

Stefan: You were supposed to abort the child and get out of Ben's life!

 

Caro: It's not my fault if he wants to go. He has his reasons, I'm sure.

 

Stefan: You owe me… 100.000 Euros.

 

Caro: Well, you entered the game and lost. And complaining after the fact is uncool.

 

Stefan: You think you're so clever, don't you? It would be so easy for me to change your plans.

 

Caro: Look on the bright side. If we're going to Australia, at least you'll get a pretty postcard now and then. And if he learned the truth, chances are you would never see him again.

 

Stefan just stares at her in hate.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, B class room]

 

B class settles in. Emma sits down and takes out a book. Marcel (who is sitting behind her) kicks her chair.

 

Marcel: Stop with this shit, you hear me?

 

Emma: What am I doing? I'm only reading.

 

Marcel mocking: What am I doing, I'm only reading. Close the book. Or else they might send us back.

 

Teacher: Quiet back there. This is silent work.

 

Marcel: So shut it and put the book away!

 

 

[Pestalozzi, class room A]

 

Michael: This is an interesting topic right now and so we'll talk about it today. Utopias have always fascinated the people. Plato's ideal state of Atlantis, especially, inspired the imagination of many writers. But what does it look like, the ideal society, hm?

 

Timo: Equal rights for everyone.

 

Hotte: No one is richer than the other.

 

Michael: Yes, that's right, but it didn't always work, look at socialism.

 

Luzi: Well, and if it works it's no longer utopian.

 

Michael: Point for you, Luzi. Utopias are theoretical constructs, fantasies, which collapse if they become reality.

 

Hotte: Not true. The internet still exists. Knowledge for everyone at any time. It was a real utopia and it worked.

 

Michael: A good thought, Hotte. Very good. (He notices that Jenny’s thoughts seems to be elsewhere.) Jenny...why don't you give us a quick rundown of what you think a utopia is?

 

Jenny: Mm...nobody does what Götting says. How about that?

 

Michael: Uhuh...what do the others say?

 

They agree. The bell rings.

 

Michael: I'm seeing happy faces.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, B class room]

 

Marcel: Hey Spazz, for the complete idiots: Class is over. You can go.

 

Emma takes her things and starts to leave but Marcel roughly grabs her shoulder and turns her around.

 

Marcel: It sucks to be without friends, doesn't it? But don't worry...You've got me now.

 

 

[Bergmann villa]

 

Caro enters the living room grinning and wearing a ridiculous “jungle outfit”. (Yep, Ben, that’s a woman devastated from losing her baby. Wake up!)

 

Caro: So? Do we already have a travel route?

 

Ben: I'm not sure whether we should open the surf shop in the south or near Sidney instead.

 

Caro: There’s a lot more going on in Sidney.

 

Ben: Yes, but in the South you've got stronger winds and thus get more surfers. On the other hand there are also more sharks.

 

Caro: Maybe it'd better if we looked for a nice house first... with a swimming pool.

 

Ben: Swimming pool...Caro, we'll live near the ocean... I thought you wanted to learn how to surf.

 

Caro: First and foremost, I'll be a beacher (beach volleyball player) and model. But first, we'll relax. Chilling in the sun, partying and...you'll teach a few surf classes.

 

Ben: Caro, it's not that easy. I don't want to lie on the beach all day and give a class now and again. That's not enough for me.

 

Caro: Yeah okay. I didn't really mean it like that.

 

Ben: Fine.

 

Caro: Ohhhh. She leans back in the chair moaning.

 

Ben: What's wrong?

 

Caro: Nothing. I just felt a little weird just now.

 

Ben: I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Come here.

 

They kiss and hug. Caro again has that triumphant look.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, stairway]

Everyone is walking around in the hallways, and we suddenly see Emma making her way through the crowd, crying.

 

Jenny: Emma, wait! How did it go? Was it very bad?

 

Emma stops, but doesn’t turn around.

 

Emma: Oh no. Marcel is super nice, and so are his pals. Class was a lot of fun.

 

Jenny: Ach Emma, don't bullshit with me...

 

She turns around.

 

Emma: I don't want to talk about it, alright?

 

Jenny: But that's the only way for us to do something about it.

 

Emma: What can you do about it?! She starts to leave, but stops and turns… It's your fault, anyway.

 

Jenny: What!?! Are you crazy!?!

 

Emma: I would have passed the test, easily...if you hadn't rattled me with your declaration of love. I wasn’t able to think straight at all. (You didn’t think I would use “clearly” here, didja?)

 

Jenny: Emma, I’m sorry about that. At this point Jenney has come down the stairs to stand next to Emma, but Emma moves slightly away.

 

Emma: Forget it. It’s too late, and now I’m stuck with these idiots who even think it’s great to just pass their time in a broom closet… (Her eyes land on the bulletin board.) What’s this?! “Everyone who did badly on the test is barred from the school AGs (clubs). I’m no longer allowed to take part in STAG.

 

Jenny: What?

 

Emma: Götting wants to harass me into leaving the school.

 

Emma runs down the stairs, leaving a very distressed Jenny behind.

 

 

[Saal 1]

 

Miriam serves Bea some coffee.

 

Bea: Thanks.

 

Miriam: Maybe it wasn’t Jens who called you. That would explain why he didn’t show up.

 

Bea: Any sugar?

 

Miriam: Oh, yeah, sure.

 

Bea: It was Jens. There’s no doubt.

 

Miriam: Then another appointment must have come up.

 

Bea: Oh right, he just had to go to the hairdresser’s.

 

Miriam: Yes, exactly.

 

Miriam is checking champagne classes for water spots and is putting them way.

 

Bea: Jens knows who killed Franziska. Why else would he write postcards with his and Franziska’s names on it from Australia? Only to fly to Germany as soon as Franziska’s body is found?

 

Miriam: So he covered for the murderer the entire time, until this whole thing came to light? God, Bea…it really would be better for you to go to the police.

 

Bea: Funny. And what would I tell them? That I got a call from Jens, for which unfortunately there are no witnesses? And that I then went to meet with him because he knows I’m innocent…but unfortunately he didn’t show up… They already think I’m guilty. They would use this against me without a doubt. (How? Since they have been hell-bent on ignoring the boyfriend who disappeared at exactly the same time Franziska was murdered.)

 

Miriam: I give up.

 

Bea: Something or someone doesn’t want me to meet with Jens. I’m sure of it.

 

 

[Bergmann villa, Ben’s room] 

 

Caro comes in and pulls out an overnight bag from under the bed.

 

Sophie: What’s the destination?

 

Caro: Ah! Sophie! Where did you come from? You’re back from Australia? Since when?

 

Sophie: Only since yesterday. I…have a few things to take care of here.

 

Caro: You’re really pale. Are you sick?

 

Sophie: I need your help, Caro.

 

Caro: Of course. Sit down, will you

 

She doesn’t sit.

 

Sophie: I need 50.000 Euros.

 

Finish