Episode 144

translated by hephylax

edited by sones

 

Previously on Hand aufs Herz

 

Michael: I wanted to tell you about Helena...

 

Bea: But you didn't.

 

Michael: Let me at least explain it to you...

 

Bea: Since this happened, I haven’t known what to think anymore, and I can't talk to you

because...because it just hurts.

 

Michael: I want you to know that I love you.

 

Karin: I'm pleasantly surprised. I've got a good feeling about the new principal.

 

Stefan: Yes, me too.

 

Stefan: I'm not a friend of playing games.

 

Helena: Oh really? That's not the impression I got.

 

Stefan: I always get what I want, and when I want it.

 

Helena: Not this time, I'm afraid.

 

Stefan: Hm, how unfortunate.

 

Helena: You can have a little taste of things to come.

 

Intro

 

[Saal 1]

 

Stefan notices Karin and puts a little space between Helena and himself.

 

Stefan: Frau Beschenko.

 

Karin: Oh. Herr Bergmann. I was just happsing by. I was buying groceries…potatoes, bread and yoghurt.

 

Stefan: Potatoes, bread, yoghurt...that sounds good.

 

Karin: Well, then… you two have a nice evening.

 

Stefan: You too, Frau Beschenko.

 

And Karin leaves.

 

Helena: Wasn’t that the mother from the parents’ association?

 

Stefan: Yes, that was her.

 

[Outside Saal 1]

 

Karin tries to come to terms with what just happened.

 

Karin: Potatoes, bread and yoghurt. How stupid.

 

[Flashback]

 

Karin: Oh damn, I’ve got to go.

 

She reaches for Stefan's mug at the same time he does. Their hands touch and they look at each other.

 

[/Flashback]

 

 

[Pestalozzi, couch corner]

 

Jenny, Ben and Luzi are sitting around. Jenny is playing with her phone.

 

Ben: Anyway, it’s a fact that too much crap has been happening around here lately. We should really try having some fun times again.

 

Luzi: Every time you say stuff like that, it ends in chaos.

Jenny: Luzi is right. Every time you want to have fun, disaster strikes.

 

Frau Jäger: Ah, Jenny, glad that I ran into you. I still need a signature…for the insurance, because of you changing schools.

 

Jenny: Okay, I’ll come by the school office in a bit.

 

Frau Jäger: And a Happy Birthday.

 

Jenny: Thanks.

 

Frau Jäger: See you later.

 

Ben: It’s your birthday?

 

Jenny: So?

 

Luzi: And why don’t we know about that?

 

Jenny: Why? Do you always put it up on the bulletin board or something?

 

Ben: No. That’s where we post when and where the party is.

 

Jenny: Sorry, I don’t feel like partying this year.

 

And she leaves.

 

Ben: But we really should do something for Jenny, shouldn’t we? Surprise party?

 

Luzi: I’m there.

 

Ben: Nice.

 

Luzi: Nice.

 

Ben: Then I’ll take care of the location and you…the people?

 

Luzi: Okay.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, big staircase]

 

Frau Krawczyk: Frau Lohmann, hello.

 

Alexandra: You? What are you doing here?

 

Frau Krawczyk: It’s always nice to get such a warm welcome, but to answer your question, I’m returning to work.

 

Alexandra: We already have a new principal.

 

Frau Krawczyk: I know.

 

Alexandra: So what do you plan on doing here?

 

Frau Krawczyk: Teach. I will be teaching German and History.

 

Alexandra: Well, great.

 

Frau Krawczyk: Do you have a problem with that?

 

Alexandra: I do. After everything you did…you can’t just come here and go back to normal as if my sister's death had never happened.

 

Frau Krawczyk: Regarding my false statement…I can only apologize.

 

Alexandra: You can save your apology. Because of you I had to wait for more than 10 years for Franziska to be found.

 

Frau Krawczyk: I know, and I’m sorry.

 

Alexandra: Are you?

 

Frau Krawczyk: I regret it with all my heart.

 

Alexandra: Then why don’t you accept the consequences of that? I have to continue to suffer your and Bea Vogel’s presence every day…after everything you did to me.

 

Frau Krawczyk: It has now been proven that Frau Vogel didn’t have anything to do with your sister’s death, and those responsible will be held accountable now. Don’t you think it’s time to make peace?

 

Alexandra: I will only make peace after the death of my sister has been avenged.

 

Frau Krawczyk: Here’s to successfully working together.    

 

 

[Pestalozzi, parking lot]

 

Bea: Jens?

 

Jens: Do you remember? Over there is where we kissed for the first time. It’s incredible how small everything is here. The school seemed gigantic to me back then.

 

Bea: What are you doing here?

 

Jens: I had expected that you wouldn’t be happy to see me.

 

Bea: Most of all I want to know why you are here.

 

Jens: And not in prison?

 

Bea: Yes.

 

Jens: I cooperated...and the statute of limitations has run out for most of the things I’m accused of. There is no flight risk until the start of the trial.

 

Bea: Congrats.

 

Jens: Bea, wait. I thought we could talk a little.

 

Bea: About what? That you just ran off back then? That you just accepted that Franziska's murder might be pinned on me? That isn't something you can just apologize for and then come here to calmly talk about.

 

Jens: I know, Bea, but please understand, I have to at least try.

 

 

[Bergmann villa]

 

Ben has been shopping and is just putting beer and champagne bottles on the kitchen counter when Stefan comes in.

 

Stefan: Could you tell me what...

 

Ben: No, I don't want to make up with you, and no, I won't move back in here. I only want to have a small party here. A birthday party, to be exact.

 

Stefan: But it isn't your birthday.

 

Ben: Yeah, well, it's for Jenny. It's her birthday today.

 

Stefan: Is it?

 

Ben: Yes, we didn't know either, and so we decided to surprise her with a small party.

 

Stefan: In my house?!

 

Ben: Jenny lives here, doesn't she? Just pretend I'm not here, or that I’m one of the people you normally ignore. Just treat me like always. Oh...so the party, is it okay?

 

Stefan: Yes, but only for Jenny.

 

Ben: Still an asshole.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, parking lot]

 

Jens: This morning I walked around the city after being released. Nothing is the same, really. Only the Pestalozzi...here everything is still the same. Aside from the new graffiti.

 

Bea: You're wrong. Everything here has changed.

 

Jens: I know.

 

Bea: Jens, listen, I can't do this. I can't forgive you. I wouldn't even know how. Oh and...I also don't believe I ever meant as much to you as you always claimed. Or else you wouldn't have cheated on me, and you wouldn't have abandoned me.

 

Jens: I was a coward.

 

Bea: That has nothing to do with being a coward. You just didn't love me enough. You probably wouldn't have given me another thought if Franziska hadn't died that night.

 

Jens: That's not true.

 

Bea: It is true. You are only here because I'm the only person still connected to your old life, but I don't want this, and I don't need it either. I'll be glad when I can begin forgetting about all of that old history.

 

Jens holds out a piece of paper to her.

 

Jens: Just in case...call me if you change your mind.

 

Bea makes no move to take it.

 

Bea: Take care, Jens.

 

He turns and walks away but sticks the note under the rear windshield wiper of Bea's car. Bea has just pulled the note from the car when Alexandra comes up.

 

Alexandra: That was Jens Mirbach.

 

Bea: Yes.

 

Alexandra: He was only just arrested.

 

Bea: They have released him from investigative custody.

 

Alexandra: Why? He's been covering up for a murderer for years.

 

Bea: Apparently everything that he's been accused of falls under the statute of limitations.

 

Alexandra: The statute of limitations?

 

Bea: That's what he said.

 

Alexandra: I don't believe this.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, hallway]

 

Luzi: Hey Emma! Tonight ... we're holding an additional rehearsal.

 

Emma: You're talking about STAG, right?

 

Luzi: Yes. At about six. In the Bergmann villa.

 

Emma: At Ben's? Why there?

 

Luzi: Well, why not?

 

Emma: Well, because he isn't living there anymore and we don't have any right to be there. What do you think Ben's father will do to us if he finds us there.

 

Luzi: Uh...ah nonsense, he won't even know. He's away. On a business trip ab-abroad.

 

Emma: Says Ben?

 

Luzi: Yes, and he should know.

 

Emma: Okay, but...why an additional rehearsal?

 

Luzi: Because we really need it. So, is that okay for you?

 

Emma: But only if Jenny isn't there.

 

Luzi: No, she's got other plans, anyway.

 

Emma: Okay.

 

Luzi: Great. See you then.

 

Emma: See you.

 

 

[Bergmann villa]

 

Timo: So, what else do we need?

 

Ben: No idea. Party lightsor something? Hey!

 

They walk down the stairs passing Karin coming up.

 

Karin: Hi! What's the rush?

 

Ben: To get some lights. For the party.

 

Karin: What are you doing here anyway?

 

Stefan: Frau Beschenko! My son Ben and his friends are throwing a little surprise party for Jenny. It's her birthday.

Karin: Oh, then I won't be needed here today. I'll come back tomorrow morning.

 

Stefan: No, wait a minute, please. I would like to explain something to you. Our strange meeting earlier...well, I won't say that it wasn't what it looked like ...but you should know that it isn't normally my style to kiss female strangers in broad daylight.

 

Karin: Why a stranger? The two of you already got along very well at the school. Excuse my remark. It's really none of my business, and I have already said that I find the new principal very sympathetic so...

 

Stefan: Well, I’m not sure if you’re giving her too much credit. Frau Schmidt-Heisig knows every trick in the book.

 

Karin: You don't say.

 

Stefan: Yes, I know these kind of women. At first view, very fascinating and mysterious, but unfortunately, also... dangerous.

 

Karin: And I know men who are drawn to exactly those qualities. I'll...start with the upper floor.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, principal’s office]

 

Frau Krawczyk passes by the school office. Helena is redecorating her new office.

 

Helena: Hard to believe that anyone with an university education worked here once. All that has to go.

 

Janitor: Fine, then I'll tell the movers that they should take away the rest as well. Frau Krawczyk, nice to see you.

 

Frau Krawczyk: Hello. And you have to be the new principal. Frau Schmidt-Heisig?

 

Helena: You are Frau Krawczyk, as I've just heard.

 

Frau Krawczyk: Right.

 

Helena: My predecessor.

 

Frau Krawczyk: And as such mainly responsible for the ambience in here.

 

Helena: Everyone has their preferences. You shouldn't take it personally.

 

Frau Krawczyk: I don't.

 

Helena: Good. You're starting again here as a teacher, I heard. I have to admit, that surprised me a little.

 

Frau Krawczyk: I feel very connected to this school, and I like teaching.

 

Helena: Then all that's left for me to say is 'welcome back'. I assume you won't need an introduction.

 

Frau Krawczyk: No, I know my way around here very well. And if you have questions about how the school runs, I'm available anytime.

Helena: I don't believe that will be necessary. It's best if you concentrate fully on your own duties and responsibilities, so we don’t have any surprises. And then let's hope that you will have a little more luck than in the past.

 

Frau Krawczyk: I'll do my best to meet your expectations.

 

Helena: We'll see, and now please excuse me. I still have a lot of work to do.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, teachers' lounge]

 

It's evening. Alexandra makes a call.

 

[Police station]

 

Detective Hinze: (to the cleaning lady) Have a nice evening.

 

His phone rings.

 

Detective Hinze: Hinze, Criminal Investigation Department Cologne.

 

Alexandra: Alexandra Lohmann speaking.

 

Detective Hinze: Ah, Frau Lohmann, hello. What can I do for you?

 

Alexandra: You could do your job.

 

Detective Hinze: Excuse me?

 

Alexandra: I'm talking about Jens Mirbach. How can it be that someone who is involved in a murder is set free? Just because of some statute of limitation. That's a joke.

 

Detective Hinze: Frau Lohmann, a statute of limitation is never a joke.

 

Alexandra: Excuse me, my sister was murdered.

 

Detective Hinze: Yes, that's true.

 

Alexandra: Then why is Jens Mirbach strolling around free...as if nothing had happened?

 

Detective Hinze: The custodial judge has suspended custody until the trial.

 

Alexandra: On what grounds?

 

Detective Hinze: Well, because of said statute of limitation, and because Jens Mirbach is not a flight risk.

 

Alexandra: This man covered for the murderer of my sister for 10 years.

 

Detective Hinze: Yes, but he didn't kill her. The same is true for Frau Klein.

 

Alexandra: What does that mean?

 

Detective Hinze: Frau Lohmann, I'm sorry but ... Frau Klein has been released as well.

 

Alexandra: What?!

 

Detective Hinze: Well, the release wasn't my idea, believe me.

 

Alexandra: Whose was it? Was it also that custodial judge?

 

Detective Hinze: No, in this case, the prosecution. There were some screw-ups during the course of the investigation, and in addition, a serious procedural error.

 

Alexandra: Are you telling me that you simply won't do anything more now? That nobody will be held accountable for the death of my sister? A woman is dead. My sister!

 

Detective Hinze: Frau Lohmann, I know. And I also know that this is probably incredibly hard for you. I mean...you kno...hello? Frau Lohmann?

 

She has hung up.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, teachers' lounge]

 

Alexandra: I won't allow this.

 

 

[Bergmann villa]

 

Emma walks up the stairs when Luzi skips towards her wearing a ridiculous outfit.

 

Luzi: Hey Emma! Great!

 

Emma: Are the others already here?

 

Luzi: Yes, sure, upstairs.

 

Emma: What are you wearing?

 

Luzi: Oh, well, never mind. Just come with me.

 

Emma: Didn't you say something about an AG rehearsal?

 

Luzi: Well...we suddenly changed our plans. Completely spontaneously.

 

Emma: Why?

 

Luzi: Say...say, did you know that today is Jenny's birthday?

 

Emma: No. I thought she wouldn't even be here.

 

Luzi: Well, it was a very spontaneous idea.

 

Emma: And why didn't you spontaneously let me know? I would have stayed home.

 

Luzi: Because we need you here. So, welcome to our Bad Taste Party. You know, everyone looks completely stupid and it will be great fun for sure.

 

Emma: And where did you spontaneously get all this stuff and all these people?

 

Luzi: Timo helped. And Ben helped. Everyone helped.

 

Emma: I...I'm leaving.

 

Luzi: Geez Emma...!

 

Timo: She's coming!

 

Everyone runs to hide from view. Only Emma who hasn't been able to process this situation yet, keeps standing frozen in the middle of the room when Jenny comes around the corner.

 

Jenny: Emma?

 

Everyone: Surprise!

 

 

[Pestalozzi, teachers' lounge]

 

Götting: Alexandra, what are you still doing here? You were already on your way home, weren’t you? You look completely done in.

 

Alexandra: Jens Mirbach has been released again. And what's worse, they’ve even let Frau Klein go too.

 

Götting: What? Why?

 

Alexandra: Statutes of limitation...procedural errors...I don't know.

 

Götting: Come here. (They hug.) Don't worry. There is still the trial. The two of them will get their rightful punishment.

 

Alexandra: Rightful punishment? There is no rightful punishment for what they have done. No verdict in the world can bring my sister back to life.

 

Götting: Yes, I know what happened back then can't be changed, but getting upset like this won't bring Franziska back either. So, let the judiciary do their job and try to forget the whole thing.

 

Alexandra: I'm supposed to just forget my sister?

 

Götting: I didn't mean it like that.

 

Alexandra: You did. That's exactly what you meant. You didn't know Franziska. You don't care about her. And you don't want to deal with this tiresome subject any longer.

 

Götting: No, it's not like that.

 

He looks at his watch.

 

Alexandra: What is it? Do you still have an appointment?

 

Götting: I'm sorry, but I still have to get a few things for Frau Schmidt-Heisig's office.

 

Alexandra: That woman is all you think about lately.

 

Götting: What can I do? She's our new principal and needs my support.

 

Alexandra: Alright, fine. Then go. The door is that way.

 

Götting: Alexandra, why are you being like this?

 

Alexandra: I don't need you or your feigned sympathy. So leave. Go! Out!

 

Götting: Alexandra, good god, calm down!

 

 

[Saal 1]

 

Frau Krawczyk: Hello, dear colleague.

 

Bea: Frau Krawczyk. I'm so happy you're back.

 

Frau Krawczyk: Me too. Even if it's no longer as the principal. There is already a replacement for that job.

 

Bea: Yes. She seems to be rather nice.

 

Frau Krawczyk: You think?

 

Bea: Well, I don't know her that well, yet. (Yet!) But she makes a competent impression. A woman who knows what she wants (Me. Me me me me!)

 

Frau Krawczyk: Yes, I'm sure of that.

 

Bea: Have you been able to meet her yet?

 

Frau Krawczyk: Yes, I had the...pleasure earlier.

 

Bea: And?

 

Frau Krawczyk: I don't think we'll become good friends.

 

Bea: Why not?

 

Frau Krawczyk: In Frau Schmidt-Heisig's eyes I'm obviously nothing more than a fallen ex-alcoholic who should be put on to the scrap heap.

 

Bea: That's what she said?

 

Frau Krawczyk: Not directly. But she was straightforward in making her point of view known.

 

Bea: Strange. I found her very likable. Truly nice, really.

 

Frau Krawczyk: I'm sure that she's able to give that impression...when it's useful to her.

 

Bea: Maybe your meeting with Frau Schmidt-Heisig just didn't go so well for some reason or other.

 

Frau Krawczyk: Bea, far be it from me to scheme against that woman... but I believe a little caution is required.

 

 

[Bergmann villa]

 

Jenny has changed into an appropriate outfit in the meantime and is standing in a group of her friends. Emma is still standing around away from them all.

 

Ben: Awesome outfit.

 

Luzi: It looks great.

 

Jenny: I'm appointing you as my official top adviser.

 

Timo: Well, can we finally raise our glasses?

 

Lara: Yes, before Timo empties the Prosecco (sparkling wine) all by himself.

 

Ben: Äh äh... are you even allowed to drink sparkling wine, yet?

 

Lara: Jackass.

 

Several people: Cheers. Skål. Prost.

 

Timo: If it were up to me we would always wear these outfits.

 

Luzi: At the most, only at children's birthday parties.

 

Luzi walks over to Emma who is putting on her jacket.

 

Luzi: Geez, Emma, what's wrong? Join us over there.

 

Emma: I'm leaving.

 

Luzi: What? No, you're staying. I...I'll give you my glasses, then no one will recognize you.

 

Emma: No, that's okay.

 

Ben presents a birthday cake to Jenny.

 

Ben: Happy Birthday!

 

Jenny: How often are you planning to congratulate me?

 

Luzi: God, just congratulate her. (Emma shakes her head) Then at least drink one glass with us. Just one. You can still leave after that.

 

Emma: But just one glass.

 

Luzi: It's for a good cause, after all.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, teachers' lounge]

 

Alexandra: I'm sorry, that I just flipped out like that. I...it's not easy for me to deal with Franziska's death. Still not.

Götting: Understandable.

 

Alexandra: But...you're right. I have to find closure. So...you can leave. I'll be fine.

 

Götting: I...I'll call you later, alright?

 

Alexandra: Do that.

 

Götting: Till later.

 

Alexandra: Bye.

 

He leaves. Alexandra takes out her wallet and looks at her photo of Franziska.

 

Alexandra: I won't let them get off unpunished. They will pay for it. Every one of them. I swear to you...I will avenge you.