Episode 226

[Previously on Hand aufs Herz]

[Saal 1]

 

Emma: That was a call from London.

Jenny: My parents.

Emma: Jenny, something, something really awful happened. Your parents … the plane … it crashed. … They are dead.

 

INTRO

 

Emma: Jenny.

(Jenny enters a state of shock, collects her clothes and heads towards the exit.)

Emma: Jenny? Wait!

(Emma gets up and zips up her pants./If anyone still wondered if they had sexy times or not. Shall I call the ambulance now or are you still with us?)

 

 

[Somewhere outside]

Ronnie: Hey guys. Everything all right with you?

Savage: What’s up?

Ronnie: It’s about our deal. We are partners, therefore we should put all of our cards on the table.

Savage: Cut to the chase.

Ronnie: I’m telling you the way it is. Earlier in the schoolyard a stupid wanker dissed me and that was a totally nasty stunt, dude. I briefly didn’t pay attention and …

Savage: And what?

Ronnie: They nicked some of my dope, dude. Shit happens.

Savage: Did you forget what I told you? No mistakes?

Ronnie: Hey, I will fix it, dude. Really. I just need some extra time.

Savage: Are you kidding me?

(He is pointing a gun at Ronnie’s head while another savage is keeping watch.)

Ronnie: Hey, what’s the matter, what’s the problem, dude?

Savage: Problem? The problem is, you don’t know what I will do to little filthy dealers who can’t pay off their debts.

Ronnie: Hey, I got tricked, dude.

Savage: No, you are dead if I don’t get my 20 000.

Ronnie: What? Where am I supposed to get that much money from in such a short amount of time, dude?

Savage: I don’t give a shit. You’ve got 48 hours.

Ronnie: Hey, have I ever fucked you over, dude? I’m telling you, I’ll think of something, I will fix it, dude. Fuck!

[Pestalozzi, guidance counsellor’s room]

 

Ben: You wanted to talk to me?

Bea: I’m sorry about earlier.

Ben: Me too. Of course you’re not like my father.

Bea: I didn’t mean to patronize you. But as far as your high school diploma is concerned, I’m in complete agreement with him. You can't blow your chance.

Ben: Yes, okay. I will study then next time. No matter how often I will have to think of you.

Bea: Ben, I don’t want to be responsible that you are throwing away your diploma.

Ben: I’ve never said you were responsible for that.

Bea: In all honesty, I’d like you to repeat the exam.

Ben: Awesome that you would like that. But if it were up to me, the two of us would be on a beach in Australia right now and we would be sipping cocktails.

Bea: I will talk to Miss Schmidt-Heisig.

Ben: So much for the theory you are not patronizing me.

Bea: I want to help you.

[Pestalozzi, Helena’s office]

 

(Helena is watering a plant, Bea enters the room.)

Helena: Miss Vogel. You told me it’s about Ben Bergmann?

Bea: Yes, he delivered an unusually bad achievement in one of Miss Krawcyk’s exams. His diploma is seriously at risk because of that.

Helena: Mhmm. And why are you coming to me with that?

Bea: Because it is my job? As his guidance counselor.

Helena: Of course.

Bea: As you should certainly know from his father it’s a bit turbulent at the Bergmann’s at the moment. Ben didn’t have the opportunity to prepare for the exam in an appropriate manner.

Helena: And what exactly should I do now according to you?

Bea: He should repeat the exam.

Helena: I don’t think so.

Bea: You know exactly, how much at risk his diploma is.

Helena: Miss Vogel, I can’t approve some special treatment for a disruptive student like Ben Bergmann.

Bea: Where exactly is the problem?

Helena: I’m glad to tell you: This is solely about you wanting to cover up your own mistake. Because as guidance counselor you failed miserably. Ben Bergmann’s failure is solely your doing.

Bea: Maybe I made a mistake but Ben’s future …

Helena: Miss Vogel, no more discussions. You heard my answer.

Bea: If you say so.

(Bea leaves Helena’s office and grabs her mobile.)

[Bergmann villa, living room]

(Jenny and Emma are sitting on the couch, Jenny is gazing into space with a vacant expression on her face while Emma is looking at her very worried. Stefan enters the room.)

Stefan: Hello. You already know it then, don’t you?

(Emma nods while Jenny keeps staring into space)

Stefan: I’m sorry, Jenny. Jenny, I, I can imagine how you are feeling right now. No, of course I can’t. They were your parents. But you know, we were close, too. We were friends. At the time when my wife had the accident, then … I’m sorry, maybe you need to let it sink in first. If you need somebody to talk to, then … (Stefan’s mobile starts ringing)Excuse me. (on the phone while he is leaving the room:) Bergmann. Miss Vogel.

[Pestalozzi, schoolyard]

 

Ronnie: Bergmann, you wanker. Where is the fucking backpack?

Ben: What?

Ronnie: My backpack

Ben: Do I look like a lost-property office?

Ronnie: I know what you’re pulling here. So open your fucking mouth.

Ben: Now you’ve lost it completely.

Ronnie: You only kept on babbling earlier because you didn’t want me to notice my backpack getting stolen.

Ben: And how are things apart from that?

Ronnie: Do you think I’m stupid and don’t realize that, dude? So, give me the fucking backpack.

Ben: Dude, which fucking backpack?

Ronnie: No games, dude.

Ben: What about you calm down first and then you explain everything to me. Maybe I’ll be able to help you then.

Ronnie: If I'll find out that you really do have something to do with this, you’re dead, dude.

Ben: Okay.

Ronnie: I’m only telling you. Just watch out, dude.

(Ronnie huffs off.)

Ben: Flipping idiot.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, hallway]

Helena: (talking on her mobile while Bea is eavesdropping on her) Stefan, that was a misunderstanding. Of course, Ben is going to get a second chance. But I can’t give the impression to Miss Vogel that I let her call the shots. Yes, as long as your son is attending my school I will do everything I can to make sure he will get his diploma. That goes without saying. And next time you better call me straight away before you get upset, okay? (Bea shows herself)Miss Vogel? I gave your request a second thought.

Bea: Oh.

Helena: It was hasty of me to deny Ben Bergmann a second chance. He can repeat the exam tomorrow.

Bea: How lovely.

Helena: It’s not my style to spoil the future for a young person. And as far as our little dispute is concerned, we should bury it with this as well.

Bea: If you say so.

Helena: Lovely, in that case I can completely count on your support as vice principal?

Bea: You can especially count on me taking this job very seriously.

Helena: Then I would like to point out to you that the duties of a vice principal don’t involve sabotaging projects that have already been decided.

Bea: That almost sounds like you’re not confident of a positive outcome of your mega-project. Are there any difficulties?

Helena: No. And if you want Ben Bergmann to get his high school diploma you better keep it that way.

Bea: It’s a good thing that we both know how important his son’s diploma is to Mr. Bergmann.

[Bergmann villa, living room]

Emma: If there’s anything I can do for you, no matter what, you just have to tell me. Okay?

Jenny: It would be really sweet if, if you could leave me alone now.

Emma: Okay.

(Emma gives her a kiss to her forehead. It's not easy for her but she does leave.)

[Pestalozzi, schoolyard]

 

Bea: Ben! Ben, wait.

Ben: My place or yours?

Bea: I’ve got a re-sit date for your history exam.

Ben: Hahahaha, really?

Bea: Yes. Tomorrow morning you are going to re-sit this exam with Miss Krawcyk.

Ben: Wel, well. I’m going to do that?

Bea: Ben, I’m begging you. Don’t blow this chance.

Ben: Bea, I’ve never wanted you to do this for me.

Bea: Ben.

Ben: Yes okay, I will take this exam then. Although … thinking of all that crap I still have to study for.

Bea: Then you sit down at your desk and study.

Ben: Just kidding.

Bea: It’s not funny, this is about your future.

Ben: I got it, okay?

Bea: Tomorrow at eight.

[Sophie’s apartment]

 

Ronnie: Fuck!

Sophie: What’s up?

Ronnie: Harry and his boys, that’s up.

Sophie: Are these the guys you are selling dope for?

Ronnie: Yes, but the dope is gone. And they are still demanding the 20 000 from me.

Sophie: The dope is gone?

Ronnie: Yes dammit, stolen. I kept the dope in a backpack, dude. And then that asshole Bergmann showed up.

Sophie: Ben is supposed to have stolen it? You don’t really think that, do you?

Ronnie: Anyway, it only happened because of that jerk. Hey, I don’t fucking care if it was Ben or somebody else. When I find out who it was, I will kill them. Really.

Sophie: Err, but it’s not your fault. Can’t you talk to Harry once more?

Ronnie: Say, are you crazy? Talk to Harry? Hey dude, that guy will kill me if I don’t bring him the money within two days, dude. Hey, man, 20 000 within two days, that’s absolutely impossible.

Sophie: I’ve actually accomplished that once.(Yes, nice to blackmail your own mother Sophie ;D Great to be proud of it.)

Ronnie: What have you actually accomplished once?

Sophie: Well, to acquire that much money in such a short amount of time.

Ronnie: Oh, really? And how?

Sophie: Well, as a matter of fact it was pretty easy. I staged my own kidnapping and my mom paid ransom.

Ronnie: That’s a totally fucking bad idea, dude. My brother wouldn’t pay a cent for me.

Sophie: It was just a suggestion. Where are you going?

Ronnie: Out.

[Bergmann villa, Ben‘s room]

 

Ben: The reparations and the integration of Alsace-Lorraine into the German Empire led to the French Revanchism. Okay again. Erm, German Confederation becomes Prussia. French emperor causes trouble, bam, Franco-German War 1870. Errrr, Bismarck catches Napoleon the erm, the Third. After that, oh crap ey. Ey why can’t they just get along? Nobody can fucking remember that. Thanks, Bea. Thanks a lot.

(Ben receives a text message from Luzi: Nightcap at Chulos? Love, Luzi)

Ben: Nice. (I love how he's always saying that. Niiiicee!!)

 

 

[Chulos, at the bar]

 

Piet: Hey, can I get you anything else?

Ben: Err yes, give me a coke. With a lot of ice, please.

Piet: Okay. Here you go, I hope it’s enough ice.

Ben: Thanks.

(Ronnie is watching Ben from across the room.)

[Pestalozzi, schoolyard]

 

Emma: Isn't Jenny there yet?

Bodo: Nope. Is something wrong?

Emma: It’s possible she won’t show up today at all.

Bodo: And why? What’s up, everything all right?

Emma: No, nothing’s all right.

Jenny: Hi guys. Well, is everything all right? Yes come on, pick up the pace; we’ve got a lesson with Mr. Schäfer now. (Ermm, just a comment: “Schäferstündchen” also means having sex/ a quickie in German.)

Bodo: Ohh no, biology with Mr. Schäfer. That old geezer is already a fossil himself.

Jenny: Yes hurry up then, will you? Before he becomes extinct.

Bodo: Emma? Come on now. Mr. Schäfer is boring indeed but maybe Jenny will be able to cheer you up a bit. Hm? Or not.

[Sophie’s apartment]

 

Ronnie: Hey sleepyhead.

Sophie: What’s up with you?

Ronnie: What do you mean?

Sophie: I was waiting for you half of the night?

Ronnie: Too bad for you.

Sophie: When did you come home?

Ronnie: Late. Very late.

Sophie: How do you feel about talking to me for once? Where have you been?

Ronnie: Is there somebody jealous by any chance or what?

Sophie: Say, are you trying to take the piss? You told me yourself what kind of a savage that Harry is.

Ronnie: Don’t worry, dude. I handled some business.

Sophie: And what?

Ronnie: That’s none of your business.

Sophie: Stop it.

Ronnie: Hey, no worries. I’ve got everything under control. How about some breakfast?

Sophie: Sure.

Ronnie: Then go and fetch something from the bakery, hm?

Sophie: I’ll take a shower for now...

Ronnie: Ey no problem, I don’t have to be at school until the third lesson. I’ve got time.

 

 

[Pestalozzi, classroom]

Bea: Good morning.

Gabriele: Morning.

Helena: Oh well, looks like somebody is still missing.

Bea: Err we’re not marking Ben’s punctuality but his exam.

Helena: But unfortunately, it is taking place without your examinee.

Bea: The lesson is just starting.

Helena: Yes and I can already tell you how it is going to end. But if you would like to wait here for the entire hour. A bit ungrateful, don’t you think? I absolutely don’t know why you are doing this to yourself. Well, now I remember. As a matter of fact, you are his guidance counselor.

(Helena leaves the room.)

Gabriele: How can somebody be like that?

Bea: I don’t listen to that anymore.

Gabriele: But unfortunately she’s right about one thing. There is no point in waiting if Ben is going to miss his date.

Bea: He’ll be here any minute.

Gabriele: I’m hoping that for him because the clock is ticking.

Bea: He said he would come. He knows what’s at stake for him today.

Gabriele: Good, in that case we should perhaps just be a bit patient.

Bea: I will wait anyhow. I won’t give that pleasure to our principal. Giving up prematurely.

Gabriele: As far as that is concerned, you’ve got my full support.

[Pestalozzi, schoolyard]

 

Bodo: Finally a break.

Jenny: Why do you need a break? All you did during the whole lesson was texting.

Bodo: Yes and now my thumbs hurt.

Jenny: Well, I think you could have really paid attention to my presentation.

Bodo: You gave a presentation?

Jenny: Mhmm.

Luzi: And I thought it was awesome. But about the citric acid cycle of all things; that must have been a lot of work, wasn’t it?

Jenny: Nope, I quickly wrote it last night.

Luzi: I see.

Jenny: I couldn’t sleep.

Luzi: Oh shit, where is my mobile? Err, I must have forgotten it in class; I’ll quickly go back up again.

Bodo: Okay, erm, you know what? I’ll buy you ten big coffees and in return you will write my presentation for me until tomorrow. Deal?

Jenny: Well you know, the way you are reading out aloud, yeah? You can buy the coffee for the entire class. They are all falling asleep in Mr. Schäfer’s lessons anyway. Actually, he should be called Mr. Sleeper, right?

Bodo: Come on, he isn’t that bad. As a biologist he’s already travelled the whole world.

Jenny: Mhmm.

Bodo: Tell me, do you know, what’s up with Emma? I’m starting to get worried.

Jenny: Well, she’s not doing that well.

Bodo: She looks totally worn out. Did anything bad happen?

Jenny: Yes she is worried because erm, my parents died.

Bodo: Come again?

Jenny: Plane crash.

Bodo: Ey, you don’t joke about things like that. That is, is really not funny now.

Jenny: That’s not a joke. And it’s not funny. But if I’m depressed now that won’t bring them back to life again. Well, what the heck, life goes on, hm?

[Pestalozzi, classroom]

Bea: Something important must have come up for him.

Gabriele: More important than this exam?

Bea: There must be a reason.

(Helena enters the room and closes the door behind her.)

Helena: I’m a really patient person but at some point …

Bea: Let’s at least wait until after the break, just these five minutes.

Gabriele: As much as I appreciate your confidence in Ben Bergmann, but we would need a miracle now.

Bea: Miracles happen all the time.

Helena: I can very well imagine how you must be feeling right now. After all that hoping and waiting. I suppose that’s what you call a waste of time and effort.(also: good old Shakespeare: “Vergebene Liebesmüh” = “Love’s Labour’s Lost”) But we are here in history and not in German. I’m afraid, Ben Bergmann has blown his chance.

Bea: Why are you gloating that much? His father surely won’t like the fact that Ben’s failure is putting you in high spirits.

Helena: You really can’t blame me for Ben blowing his chances.

Bea: I don’t understand this.

Helena: What’s there not to understand? Ben has zero points in history and won’t be allowed to take his finals. It’s as simple as that.

Bea: That’s not possible.

(flashback)

Ben: Awesome that you would like that. But if it were up to me, the two of us would be on a beach in Australia right now and we would be sipping cocktails.

(End of flashback, somebody knocks on the door, Bea, Gabriele and Helena are staring at it.)