translated by hephylax, edited by Sones
Previously on Hand aufs Herz
Caro: So you think you can buy me? What’s that?
Stefan: It’s a bank statement of a numbered account in Switzerland. Yes, all of this can be yours. Have an abortion and you’ll be rich.
Intro
[Saal 1]
Stefan: At some point, Ben is going to figure out that the role of family man isn’t right for him. The question is…what happens to Caro then? Hm? You have until tomorrow morning to let me know. (It has to be difficult for Caro to choose between 100.000€ start-up capital and a life without education, a screaming baby and little or no money.)
He leaves.
[Chulos]
Michael: Lohmann said something, something that shook Bea up.
Sebastian: Well, then just ask her.
Michael: That’s the thing. I asked her but she’s not telling me anything.
Sebastian: Well, that’s something you two have in common. You’re not telling her everything, either.
Miriam: Hi.
Sebastian: Hi.
Michael: Say, do you know what’s wrong with Bea? Did she get into an argument with Lohmann?
Miriam: No idea. (And if I had, I wouldn’t tell you confidential stuff about my best friend, jackass.)
[Vogel home]
Bea: Hello Piet.
Piet: Hey. You’re just in time. Can you cut a few slices of bread? The steaks will be done in a minute.
Bea starts slicing but can’t suppress a sound of pain. Piet looks over to her and notices the bandage around her arm.
Piet: Bea, what did you do? Bea, what happened?
[Chulos]
Michael: You’re her best friend, and you know her best. What should I do now?
Sebastian: Nothing. (Ah Sebi, you’re my favourite male on this show after Hotte.)
Michael: I didn’t ask you!
Miriam: But that’s exactly what I would have said too. Just give her a little more time. If there is anything going on…then maybe she needs to come to terms with it on her own first. (Let me translate this for you, Michael: Back off!)
Michael: Time…Then I’ll talk to her tomorrow. Is that enough? (I’m hoping for incredulous faces by Miri+Sebi and Miriam doesn’t disappoint me.)
[Vogel home]
Bea is crying.
Bea: And then the fight escalated. She came at me with a pair of scissors…because she still believes that I had something to do with Franziska’s disappearance.
Piet: Alexandra has lost her marbles. She should be locked up. In a crazy ward.
Bea: You were so right. I … I never should have come back from Munich. It was such a stupid idea.
Piet: Ach Quatsch (nonsense), you belong here. If not here, where? Who else is supposed to take care of me?
They hug.
[Chulos]
Ben: Cheers. - Caro, we can handle this situation with the child. I’ll get a job and in addition there’ll be child benefits, housing benefits and all that stuff.
Caro: What? Housing benefits?
Ben: No idea. I’ll have to do some research. In any case, we can manage if we live a little more frugally. (He could sell his big ass car, something I wanted him to consider since he promised to pay the Beschenko-swimming-pool-bill. But that seems to have never crossed his mind.) My father still believes that we won’t be able to live without luxury…but I believe that as soon as we hold our child in our arms nothing else will matter to us. (Caro doesn’t look to happy at that prospect.) Did I scare you just now?
Caro: No! I’m looking forward to everything that going to happen, too.
[Bergmann villa] (Jennnyyyy!!!!! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…)
Jenny: Hello Stefan.
Stefan: Hello Jenny. How can I help you?
Jenny: By staying calm.
Stefan: I’m always calm.
Jenny: I know.
Stefan: Did something happen to the car? Totalled?
Jenny: No. Only a few scratches but… A classmate somehow couldn’t find the brakes on her bike. (Nice Jenny! It had NOTHING to do with you trying to grab your iPod...right?!?! lol!)
Stefan: Then her insurance is going to pay.
Jenny: Well, not really. She had the right of way. (Ahh.... good job, Jenny!)
Stefan: Then your father will pay.
Jenny: My father?!
Stefan: Your father. You see? I’m quite calm.
Jenny: But he’s going to think I was drunk or took something... (ahh.... a hint of things to come)
Stefan: Did you take something?!
Jenny: No, of course not! Mm…what if I paid for the damage?
Stefan: That would be responsible. But are you able to pay?
Jenny: In a few days maybe, if I’m able to find a job.
Stefan: Well then, have fun looking.
Jenny: Thanks.
Jenny walks off and Caro appears from around the corner. (Not a worthwhile exchange if you ask me.)
Caro: Hello Stefan.
Stefan: Hello Caro. What can I do for you?
Caro: I know what I want now. The same as you.
Stefan: A future without complications and social suicide? Then we are in agreement. You’ll pack your things and disappear completely out of my and Ben’s life. And you’ll abort the child.
[Pestalozzi, teachers’ lounge]
Ms. Jäger: And how are you…after yesterday?
Bea: Hello Ms. Jäger,
Ms. Jäger: Hello...
Bea: I’m fine. How are you?
Ms. Jäger: I wasn’t able to sleep a wink last night. That’s how I am, if you really want to know.
Bea: I don’t want you to worry unnecessarily because of me.
Ms. Jäger: Unnecessarily? You were physically attacked by Ms. Lohmann and you don’t even want to report it to the school authorities. Under these circumstances I should be allowed to worry.
Bea: I said things that I shouldn't have said.
Ms. Jäger: Still…
Bea: Alexandra has been missing her sister for more than 10 years. No one can imagine the pain.
Ms. Jäger: The way you’re talking…you’re actually defending her.
Bea: I only meant that even though what she did wasn’t right, I can understand it.
Ms. Jäger: But…
Bea: Besides, I promised Mr. Götting not to say anything as long as the AG is allowed to exist.
Ms. Jäger: What else has to happen…
Michael: Well, what has happened up until now? Morning.
Bea: Morning. Ah, nothing. I have class now.
Michael: What is going on here?
Ms. Jäger: I believe that is something Ms. Vogel should tell you herself.
She speaks it and leaves. (Hah! Foiled again...and look at him...pouting again!)
[Bergmann villa]
Ben is sitting at the table, Stefan is leaning against the kitchen island reading the paper.
Ben: Where are you going?
Caro: Nowhere. I just have to go home and get some new clothes. Most of them don’t fit me anymore. (Ah yes. And you have a pile of maternity clothes at home for emergencies?)
Ben: Okay, then I’ll drive you.
Caro: No, don’t... You’ll be late for school and I have two free periods right now anyway.
Ben: But that bag is much too heavy for you. I’ll gladly drive you, it’s no problem.
Caro: Now don’t you worry. I’ll be fine on my own.
Ben: Okay. Will we see each other at lunch?
Caro: We’ll see. I might have to go to the doctor’s.
Ben: Is something wrong?
Caro: It’s because of the vitamin supplements he gave me last time. I’m not tolerating them so well.
Ben: Okay. Then we’ll see each other after school. (Stalker Ben coming out!)
Caro: See you later then.
She leans down and kisses him rather intensely. Ben looks surprised. Caro walks out.
Stefan: Bye.
[Pestalozzi, big stairs]
Hotte and Emma are walking up the stairs when Emma notices something on the bulletin board.
Emma: Wait a moment. Help wanted in Saal 1.
Hotte: Do you even know how to waitress?
Emma: Well, why not? Anyone can do that.
Hotte: Yes. Just like driving a car, hm? Well, I don’t think it’s that easy.
Emma: Well, but I mean, if you need the money then…then-then you’ll learn.
Hotte: Why do you need the money?
Emma: Well, I…need a new bike. Jenny ran over mine and now it’s a wreck.
Hotte: Then she should pay if it was her fault.
Emma: Well, to be honest, I don’t know who ignored whose right-of-way. (She tears off a slip with the contact information) Anyway, now I need a job and…I could even buy a used car if I save the money I earn!
Hotte tries to save the city from Emma’s driving.
Hotte (in a slight panic): But you have much more flexibility with a bike. You can leave it in the school yard and you can carry it up and down the subway stairs…
Jenny comes up to the board, sees the wanted ad and takes down the whole thing. (Ms. Hartmann knows how to limit the possible competition.)
[Pestalozzi, at the kiosk]
Bea: Thanks.
Michael comes stalking up to his prey.
Bea: Hey, do you want something from the kiosk as well? My stomach started growling just now when I saw their sweets, gummy bears, chocolate bars…
Michael: Bea, I’m not interested in chocolate bars at the moment. (And that’s why Emma and Jenny are going to stay in a successful relationship and you aren’t!) Isn’t there something else you would like to talk to me about?
Bea: No. (LOL!)
Michael: You sure?
Bea doesn’t say anything further, so Michael pouts and leaves.
Kiosk clerk: Ms. Vogel, that’s 2,80 €, please.
[Pestalozzi, volleyball field]
Götting, Alexandra, Bea, the volleyball team and STAG are gathered on the volleyball field. The volleyball girls are wearing matching outfits sponsored by the Harani Bank. Is this bank the only game in town?!?! Bea needs to step it up and get a sponsor for the STAG....!
Götting: And so it’s characteristic of our school community that everyone is there for everyone else. We help each other. And when there’s work to be done, people pitch in without thinking twice about it. I'm glad that everyone recognizes the necessity of bucking up...I mean, cooperating. And so, all of you, grab yourselves a spot on this open field… Ms. Vogel, if you would...?
She hands out the shovels.
Lara: I can't believe that we have to dig up the court ourselves.
Hotte: And in this fucking cold. We're going to freeze our asses off.
Emma: What I don't get is what we have to do with your field (translator’s note: as in agricultural field).
Jenny: You can win our next tournament if you'd like. Then we'll renovate your auditorium.
Timo: Now that's a great idea.
Götting: Well, if everyone has a shovel we can begin. So ladies and gentlemen, let’s get started and happy shovelling! Hehe. Ah, the net still has to be taken down!
[Outside in the snow]
(JäKra are on a romantic walk in the snow.)
Ms. Jäger: I just can't get the picture out of my head…. How Ms. Lohmann... with the scissors... can you imagine?
Ms. Krawczyk: Sigh. Alexandra Lohmann and Bea Vogel (they were such a nice couple once). I should have known that it wouldn't go well.
Ms. Jäger: But nobody could have foreseen that something like this would happen.
Ms. Krawczyk: Alexandra was really close to her sister. And then she disappeared without a word after this fight with Bea. I underestimated how much she's held her responsible for that.
Ms. Jäger: But you're not responsible for the past history of your teachers.
Ms. Krawczyk: Not even if they were my students?
Ms. Jäger: Not even then. They are grown-ups.
Ms. Krawczyk: Grown-ups…what difference does that make? Probably every memory of the past and every trophy of the music AG that's displayed in the school has been feeding her hatred for years. And now she's a ticking time-bomb.
Ms. Jäger: She should be forced to go to therapy.
Ms. Krawczyk: My therapy is helping me because I decided to do it. But Alexandra would never do something like that. She's convinced that Franziska is dead...because she can't bear the thought that she just left. I shouldn't have brought Bea back here. Who knows what else is going to happen... (again with the foreshadowing…)
[Pestalozzi, volleyball field]
Hotte: Can't an excavator do this?
Emma: Why do you think we have to do this? That would cost Götting too much.
Luzi: Geez, we're not making any progress here. It'll probably be Christmas again before we're finished.
Hotte: We could import voles from South America. (*editors note – if you don’t know a ‘vole’ is a type of digging mouse…yeah….GREAT idea, Hotte….lol!)
A shovelful of sand lands on Emma’s head and back.
Emma: Argh. What the hell?!
Emma turns around and sees Jenny standing there.
Emma: That figures.
Jenny: Ach. In your eyes this was deliberate again, right?
Emma: Well, what else?
Jenny: An accident.
Emma: Just like yesterday when you nearly ran me over?
Jenny: Or like when you fucked up my presentation...because you don't even know the difference between Martin Luther and Martin Luther King.
Emma takes an angry step forward.
Hotte: Emma. Calm down.
Emma: Ey, I'm fed up with this...stupid cow!! She can eat dirt herself!
Luzi: Hey, don't let yourself get provoked. Not by her!
Jenny: I'm not provoking anything!
Jenny drops her shovel and starts walking away.
(And because I hate to see her go but I love to watch her leave - and because I’ve seen Lucy in Rebecca (that could fall under “things that sound dirty but aren’t”, couldn’t it?) – I couldn’t help but notice that she’s wearing rubber boots. So I rewatched that scene a couple of times until I could concentrate on the footwear and not on Jenny and Emma. STAG are wearing their normal shoes. Team Beach Volleyball all have matching rubber boots on. So, are those Harani Bank sponsored too? I mean, who doesn’t think of wellies when thinking about beach volleyball?)
Emma: Hello! I don’t believe this! Ey, if that isn't provocation... She's the one who got us into this mess and now she's taking off! You get back here!!!
Lara: She’s got an important appointment. Ms. Lohmann knows about this.
Emma: Of course Jenny is something special. Always needs special treatment. (Yup!)
Emma’s mobile beeps and interrupts her rant. She takes it out and checks it.
Emma: Oh shit. I…also have an appointment. A really important one.
And she takes off as well.
[Saal 1]
Caro: Well, I’m out. Now it’s your turn.
Stefan: One thing after another. First I want to make sure that you’ll continue to stick to our agreement.
Caro: Sure.
Stefan: You will never again show up anywhere near our house and you’ll disappear completely from Ben’s life.
Caro: Already done.
Stefan: And of course from mine as well.
Caro: As soon as you give me the password for the account.
Stefan: What about the abortion?
Caro: I already have an appointment.
Stefan: Don’t fuck with me, Caro.
He hands over the papers.
Caro: Well, it was a pleasure doing business with you. Mr. Bergmann.
Stefan: Take care.
[Jäkra in the snow]
Ms. Jäger: But if Alexandra hates Bea so much that something worse could happen then…then something has to be done.
Ms. Krawczyk: Of course. But I’m afraid there is only one solution to defuse this conflict. Either Alexandra or Bea has to leave the school. And I hardly think Alexandra Lohmann will be the one willing to do that.
Ms. Jäger: Ms. Krawczyk, please. We can’t give up so easily.
Ms. Krawczyk: Ms. Jäger, if there is one thing I’ve learnt in therapy, it’s letting go. You mustn’t want too much. You can’t always fight.
Ms. Jäger: But it’s not too much to ask for Bea Vogel to stay on at the school, is it?
Ms. Krawczyk: Maybe not too much to ask but maybe it’s just not realistic under the circumstances.
Ms. Jäger: I don’t care if it’s realistic. Something has to be done. Even if it’s forcing Alexandra to leave.
[Saal 1]
Mr. Müller: You’ll hear from me. Good bye.
Jenny: I’m looking forward to it. See you. (to herself) Hopefully.
Emma comes in.
Jenny: And what are you doing here?
Emma: So this was your appointment?
Jenny: You aren’t looking for a job, too, are you?
Emma: Yes, I’m looking for a job too. But I’m surprised that you would do such lowly work as waitressing.
Jenny: Well, when some nerd damages my car…
Emma: I thought you had a rich Papa.
Jenny: Yeah well, I told you, you don’t know me.
Emma: Anyway, I really need this job more.
Jenny: Aha. But I’m arrogant, am I?
Emma: Sometimes.
Jenny: Well, you know, then…then I hope for you that I’m hopelessly overestimating myself again and that you can do this lowly work so much better than me. But…you know…I’m afraid you are overestimating yourself a little bit.
[Bergmann villa]
Stefan: Hello Ben.
Ben: Hello Papa.
Stefan: Did something happen?
Ben: Well, I would say so. I mean, what you did today wasn’t normal.
Stefan: What I did today?
Ben: I never would have expected that. Not in a thousand years.
Stefan: Listen Ben, let me…
Ben: It’s okay. I misjudged you completely. I had almost given up hope that… there was still another you deep inside. But now…
Stefan: But now, what?
Ben: Now you’re giving us 100.000 € start-up capital for starting our family…even though you’ve been opposed to the child from the start. (He laughs happily) Are…are you embarrassed that I’m happy about that? Papa, I don't care about the money. I just think... you're making a statement ... that you are standing behind my decision, behind your grandchild and... of course, behind Caro.
Caro: Yes, that was really very generous. Thank you so much.
Stefan tries to smile while strangling the handle of his briefcase because he can’t strangle Caro in front of his son.
[Pestalozzi, principal's office]
Ms. Jäger barges in.
Götting: Do you mind?! We're in the middle of a meeting. (meaning he and Alexandra were fondling each other.)
Ms. Jäger: By all means, continue with it... after I'm finished.
Götting: Excuse me? Ms. Jäger, you are going to close the door right now. From the outside; and you'll wait until I'm good and ready.
Ms. Jäger: Yes Mr. Götting. I'm going to do that in a moment. But before that, I wanted to tell Ms. Lohmann something. Ms. Lohmann, I'm asking you to pack your things and leave the Pestalozzi Comprehensive School at once. Otherwise, I will report your attack on Ms. Vogel to the school authorities… as the action that it was. An attempted murder.
(And no, an unplanned wide, uncoordinated swing with a pair of paper scissors which results in a flesh wound on the arm does not constitute a murder (attempted or otherwise) under the German criminal law. We’re not quite that ridiculous yet.)