Better Times (Krøniken)

- You're going to close down Bella? - As a manufacturing company.

It's not something I enjoy.

You have to see this ad. They're looking for young girls to audition.

Did you encourage Margrethe to audition?

I said that it couldn't hurt.

My taxi is waiting outside, so I think I'll...

- It's been wonderful. - See you soon.

- Hello. - Hello.

- You bought Svenson's place? - Do you know it?

I assume Bo is coming home to vote?

I think we can do without that no-vote.

My wife's been admitted to hospital.

It's rather serious this time.

I think you should come home.

Now you're voting "Yes" just because Palle tells you to?

I refuse to live with a traitor to my country!

I must ask you to leave at once.

If you'd bothered to inform me of the meeting,

we wouldn't be in this situation.

You're about as erotic as a public library,

and it's honestly driving me crazy!

I wouldn't talk about being erotic if I were you.

BETTER TIMES a family saga by Stig Thorsboe

PART 22

OCTOBER 3, 1972

Let's go! Inside!

Get back inside. No need to panic.

Ida? What are you doing here?

Oh, did I forget that this morning? Thank you.

- Did Emma make it home? - Are they angry about the result?

I wish it were just that.

We've just been told that the factory may be closing.

The West Germans don't want to do business with us any longer

if our error rate is above 2 percent.

- Funder says it's impossible. - What does Henrik say?

He's biting his nails and waiting for the verdict.

- Where are you going? - To Ringkøbing.

Ringkøbing?

Søren and I...

- Did something happen? - No.

We... We've just decided to part ways.

I've tried to get hold of Bo to ask if I could stay with him for a while,

but I just can't reach him.

- So you're going to your parents? - Yes.

I need to get this thesis over with.

My dad will tell me that this would never have happened

if instead of going to university, I had taken better care of Søren.

Karen, I'm fine.

- Kaj Holger can see me. - Don't worry, he isn't here.

He's gone to pick up his wife at the hospital.

Oh, there you are.

They're from Ulrik. He sends his love.

That's very kind. Give him my thanks.

You can see, a lot of people have been thinking about you.

Would you like to rest for a bit?

No, I've been resting for three days. That's enough.

All right, then let's sit down and have a cup of tea.

- Should I get you a blanket? - No, thank you. I'm fine.

You really don't have to stay.

I think you should go back to the factory.

You're awaiting that important response from West Germany.

- And I'm sure you have plenty to do. - I have plenty of time, Mum.

I've quit my job.

- What about that job you applied for? - I didn't get it.

But it's all right; I'm tired of it.

Television isn't interesting anymore.

It's becoming impersonal, bland and unimportant.

- What are you going to do then? - Take care of Ulrik.

Isn't it a woman's destiny to take care of her husband?

We're going to move out to his house.

I think that's a very good decision.

For Ulrik too.

There's no doubt that he's been going through a hard time

since his wife died.

- And what do your girls think? - Marie is excited about it.

Margrethe is mostly concerned with her film role.

She got a film role? What film is that?

I don't know. A comedy, I believe. A very small part.

You don't seem very enthusiastic.

She was just getting used to work.

Now we're back to those unrealistic dreams.

Who says they're unrealistic?

Isn't it about time you start taking your daughter seriously?

Goodness! Are you in Copenhagen?

I was going to call, but it happened so fast.

I thought I'd take my chances. But you're on your way out?

Yes, I'm off to the opening of the parliamentary year.

I just came from a meeting at the National Innovative Centre.

I've been encouraged to apply for the headmistress position.

Congratulations.

I wanted to see if you were happy

when I told you I might be moving to here.

- And did I? - Almost.

...this happened just a few moments ago.

- Have you been listening? - No. What's going on?

Prime Minister Krag has resigned.

After his opening speech, he asked to speak again.

He said the government will carry on, but that the prime minister will not.

- Have you heard? - I've just told the Director.

The prime minister resigned.

Can he resign without calling an election?

- I've just heard... - The thing about Krag?

They're saying that no one knew.

- Not even his own party. - That's what I call a dramatic exit.

He should've done the country this favour a long time ago.

- Is it all right if I bother you? - We already know.

- But it just came through. - What?

The telex from West Germany. Here you go.

Is that the response from Germany?

Mr. Hubermann has now tested all of the television sets

and has ascertained that the error rate is down to 1.8 percent.

1.8? That's wonderful!

Impressive.

Mr. Hubermann will now make a sales promotion

to all the radio shops in Germany,

and he adds that he already knows what their reactions will be.

They'd like to deal in Bella's colour televisions.

- If we can guarantee delivery. - Of course we can!

Not to be a spoilsport, but that means we'll have to build up a store.

- That's a gamble. - It's a big investment.

That's exactly what B&O did. They ran a risk and it paid off.

Back then we hesitated, but this is the opportunity of the century!

Yes, thank you, Henrik. But you know I'm a bit old-fashioned.

There should be a sensible balance between demand and production.

- Right. - But congratulations.

Well done.

- Yes, congratulations. - Thank you.

- Sure, congratulations. - Congratulations.

You should take charge of the communication with Germany

from now on.

If you'd like to see the press conference,

I can bring your lunch in here.

No, thank you, Vera. I'll take it in the dining room.

Did we send for a workman, Mrs. Nielsen?

Why do you ask?

There's a small truck parked outside. It's been there for a while.

The strange thing is that it has Swedish license plates.

Swedish license plates?

You can see it quite clearly from the kitchen window.

- Why, it's Bo! - Hello, Grandma.

What a wonderful, wonderful surprise.

- How are you? - I'm very well.

Come inside.

Who did you bring with you?

Hello. My name is Lisa.

Hello, Lisa. I'm Bo's grandmother.

Yes. I know.

- Come in, both of you. - I'll stay here.

No, you won't. You'll come inside, because we're going to have lunch.

Come.

- It looks lovely. - There's a small path to the lake.

Oh, there's a lake too.

Yes, it's the most beautiful place in the whole area.

- That's the living room. - It looks very nice.

I'd tear down the wall to the kitchen.

- I mean, if I lived there. - Oh, I thought you did.

Oh no!

- I live in Smålandstenar. - We just work together.

Oh, I see. I didn't realize.

Bo didn't have a car.

Yes, and Lisa didn't mind coming to Copenhagen.

Well, it was nice to see these.

It's a little paradise you have there, Bo.

- You have to come visit sometime. - I would love to.

I hope you'll stay until Henrik and your grandfather come home.

I don't think that's a good idea.

Maybe we should be going? Thank you for lunch.

It was very nice to meet you.

- Thanks for lunch. - You're welcome.

It was nice to meet you, and speak Swedish for a little while.

I'll go see if I can get the car started.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

She's a wonderful girl. You should hang onto her.

- Grandma, I told you... - Yes, I know. You just work together.

Hang on to her all the same.

I'm so happy you came. It's been too long.

Bo, wait.

Don't be angry with me,

but there's something I would like you to think about.

I know it's difficult to see your grandfather

after everything that happened with your dad.

But it's not good for you to carry around so much anger, Bo.

It's not.

Believe me, I know.

I really wish you could reconcile with your grandfather.

No, don't say anything now.

And I won't tell him that you were here.

But please think about it.

Will you promise me that?

- Hello, Karen. - You didn't exactly drown them.

Have you moved back?

It's a miracle that you've had anything to eat at all.

I'm not completely helpless.

It's chicken again. I didn't have time for anything else.

- Hello, Palle. - Hello, Karen.

How long has this been going on?

Surely, some father-son time is allowed when you live alone?

So, Anker Jørgensen as prime minister?

- Krag really fooled us all. - That's for sure.

But he seemed rather relieved at the press conference.