Johan has fallen in love with another woman.
They're leaving for Paris today.
Couldn't you talk to him?
Tell him not to do anything rash.
You've already talked to him?
l see...
So, you both have known all along?
You knew, but you never told me?
And you call yourselves friends?
How could you be so disloyal?
l don't buy your explanations!
All those times we've met
and neither of you said a word...
Damn you!
What kind of friends are you?
To hell with your explanations!
How many others have you known?
Oh, lots of people...
Well, isn't that nice!
THE VALE OF TEARS
Please come in.
My, you're pretty! What a nice blouse.
l liked it when l bought it, but it's sort of girlish.
lt suits you.
l feel nervous standing here like this.
So do l, l've been useless all day.
lt's silly, l know, but l haven't seen you for over six months.
- How come you suddenly...? - Paula is in London.
- Like a drink? - Yes, please.
A whiskey, neat.
lt settles the stomach.
Have you taken to whiskey?
Aunt Berit's looking after the girls, to everyone's mutual delight.
Tomorrow, they're going to the country.
Good... Meeting them might have been awkward.
- How are they? - Don't ask just to be polite.
Please don't forget their birthdays again.
l bought them presents from you, but that didn't fool them.
Can't you take them to the movies one day?
lt's rough on them not hearing from you.
They hardly ever mention you nowadays.
- The way Paula keeps you... - lf you start ranting, l'm leaving.
You said yourself she's jealous.
Are you such a coward you can't stand up to her?
l'm sorry.
l know you think it's absurd,
but don't scold me, it won't help.
- Would you like some more whiskey? - Yes, please.
- How are things, Johan? - Pretty much as usual.
- And you? - l can't complain.
lt was silly of me to suggest this.
We can't talk without hurting each other.
l've got an excellent suggestion, let's have dinner.
- Then we won't snap at each other. - An excellent suggestion.
You look awful with that haircut
and you've put on weight.
You really turn me on.
- What are we to do about it? - We'll see after dinner.
- What delicious wine! - lt's just some inexpensive claret.
Things are going my way at the moment.
l've been offered a chair at Cleveland University.
lt's a good move, financially and career-wise.
That's where things are happening
and l'll be glad to emigrate, there's nothing to keep me here.
l'm fed up with this backwater
and l hate being fleeced by taxes.
So l'll leave in the spring, if all goes well.
Congratulations.
l'm rattling on about myself, but l'm in such a good mood.
Perhaps we can discuss our divorce.
lf you're emigrating, we'd better do it now.
- As you like. - l'd like a divorce.
l may want to remarry, and it would be complicated if you're in the US.
Do you have someone in mind?
Perhaps.
Come on, tell me more.
- Would you like some more? - No, thanks. Don't be evasive.
How are things?
Judging by your appearance,
they must be pretty good.
Do you have a lover?
l'll just get the coffee.
Well...
lt sounds as if you were disappointed.
lt's just your imagination.
l think about you all the time.
Wondering if you're fine, or lonely and afraid.
Every day, several times a day,
l wonder what l did to cause the breach between us.
lt's childish of me, l know.
What did l do wrong?
Why not ask a psychiatrist?
l go to one several times a week.
- Sometimes we even meet privately. - ls he your lover?
We did have sex a few times, but it was no good.
So we devote ourselves to my soul.
Where has that got you?
Nowhere.
l'm learning to talk, basically.
l threw your things out of the study and moved mine in.
lt left me feeling guilty, but bold.
lt's led to something, at least.
- What an enormous yawn. - Sorry, it's the wine.
Also l haven't slept well, l've been tense.
- lf you'd like to go home... - Don't get all uptight.
- You can take a nap if you like. - What a fuss about a yawn.
l'd rather listen to tales of your mental journey.
There's nothing much to tell.
Though last night something funny struck me.
That sounds exciting.
My therapist asked me to jot down whatever popped into my head.
No matter how irrelevant. Anything...
l haven't written much so far, l'm not used to writing.
lt tends to turn out stilted and a little silly.
Why don't you read to me what you wrote last night?
Would you really like to hear it?
l'll just go and get my notebook.
l was up writing to three am,
so l looked a wreck this morning.
lt figures that would happen the night before l see you.
You look so pretty... so very pretty, Marianne.
No compliments, please. Take an interest in my soul instead.
Go and sit down...
Have a seat...
Don't...
Let me read to you.
One good thing needn't exclude the other.
l think about you constantly,
about having sex with you.
l've been longing for you.
But after you leave,
l'd be left longing for you again.
l love you, don't you realise that?
Sometimes l hate you for what you did to me.
l rejoice every hour that passes without a thought of you.
l have friends, lovers, children
and a job l enjoy that l'm good at.
Yet, l'm tied to you.
l don't know why.
Perhaps l'm a masochist,
or else l'm just a one-man-woman.
l don't know...
lt's all so difficult.
l don't want to live with anyone but you.
Other men bore me.
l'm not trying to make you feel guilty,
or use emotional blackmail.
l'm just telling you how l feel.
l can't bear you making love to me.
l can't explain it any other way.
lt's because you'll walk away
and l'll be left longing for you.
l've sort of enjoyed having you at a distance.
So let's keep our hands to ourselves.
You'll just leave me devastated.
l'm... l'm still in love with you.
Why say that when it's not true?
Do you think l haven't longed for you?
l have... We were friends.
We had fun together.
lf we feel like having sex, why shouldn't we?
Why have all these reservations?
Why worry about how you'll feel tomorrow?
No, Johan...
l want you to stop!
l don't want to be mooning over you, pining and weeping!
lf you're going to persist, you might as well leave.
l don't want to sleep with you.
Please try and understand that!
l'm doing my best...
All right, l'll sit here...
l'll sit here and you can read to me.
Then l'll go home and phone Paula and say l've been to the theatre.
May l have more coffee, please and a brandy?
l feel like a terrible fool.
l want to hide somewhere and cry.
- We can meet tomorrow instead. - Yes, that might be just as well.
No, it's better you stay...
l'm busy tomorrow.
Hi there...
l'm so very fond of you.
l'm behaving like a child.
The situation is under control.
We've come through the crisis.
l can barely read my own writing.
The beginning isn't important...
"Yesterday l was seized by reckless gaiety.
For the first time this year, l felt a zest for life.
Feeling curious about what the day will bring."
And so on...
Here it is:
"l turned and looked at the photo of my class at school,
taken when l was 10.
l seemed to detect something that had eluded me previously.
To my surprise, l must admit,
l don't know who l am.
Not at all...
l've always done as l was told.
As far as l can remember,
l've been obedient, well-adjusted, almost meek.
l did assert myself once or twice as a girl,
but mother punished all such lapses from convention
with exemplary severity.
My entire upbringing
was aimed at making me agreeable.
l was ugly and graceless.
A fact l was constantly reminded of.
But if l kept my thoughts to myself
and was ingratiating,
my behaviour yielded rewards.
The real deception began at puberty.
My every thought revolved around sex.
But this l never told my parents,
or anyone at all, for that matter.
Being deceitful and secretive
became second nature to me.
My father wanted me to become a lawyer like himself.
l said l wanted to be an actress,
or do something else within the theatrical world,
but they laughed at me.
Since then l go on pretending.
A sham in my relations to others.
To men.
The same sham -
a desperate attempt to please.
l've never considered what l want.
Just: 'What does he want me to think?'
lt's not unselfishness, as l used to believe,
but sheer cowardice.
lt stems from being ignorant of who l am.
Our mistake was in not breaking free of our families
and creating something worthwhile on our own terms."
Oh damn, l fell asleep!
Your words were so interesting, too. Forgive me...
Won't you read some more, unless you feel offended?
l don't feel offended, but l think you ought to go home now.
Yes, l'd better be going.
Please call, if only for the sake of the children.
- You're always welcome here. - lf only Paula weren't so jealous.
Still, she has good reason...
- When will you know about the US? - ln a month or so.
- Let me know how it goes. - Of course, l'll phone you.
We need to make up our minds about the divorce.
- Do you want to marry again? - l don't know.
l'd rather wait, what do you think?
l don't know what l think...
- You'll stay the night, won't you? - Yes.
- How do you feel? - Frightened...
Let's muster up some courage.
- Can't you sleep? - Not a chance.
l'd better go home. Forgive me!
- That's Paula's handwriting. - She wrote to me.
- What's she up to now? - She sent this before she left.
Read it here.
"Dear Marianne, l assure you
that there is no ulterior motive behind this letter.
l took this job in London
to break a vicious cycle of jealousy and suspicion.
l know Johan will look you up the minute l've gone.
l've only myself to blame, as l've stopped him from seeing you all.
lf only it was possible to put things right."
- How like Paula! - She wants us to be friends.
- She can't endure hostility. - How touching. And you believe her?
"Johan is the gentlest and kindest person l've ever met.
He lacks self-confidence,
though he tries to appear so brave and cheerful."
You can say anything about anyone. lt always fits in some respect.
THE ILLITERATES
l'm glad we could meet here. lt saves time.
- lt's not exactly cosy. - But suitable for divorce matters.
Here's the agreement, word for word as we decided.
- Then l don't need to read it. - Always read before signing.
- Don't look so grumpy. - l'm not grumpy.
Here's the list of our joint property and its distribution.
lt's just a list, it doesn't require a signature.
You get Granny's clock? That must be a mistake.
- But she left it to me. - l don't recall that.
lf you're so attached to it keep it, but it is mine.
You're always right, aren't you? Take the damn clock!
- Check that l haven't fleeced you. - Your sarcasm is wasted on me.
l have such a miserable cold.
What do you say to a glass of fine old brandy?
Yes, l think we should have one now.
Egerman gave me a bottle.
Some grateful Parisian colleagues gave him a whole case. Cheers!
Not bad, huh? l like it.
l don't care for brandy as a rule, but this is nice.
l feel better already.
lt's rough all the same.
- Getting divorced. - lt's just paperwork.
We've been living apart for ages and we're in agreement,
but feelings of guilt linger on.
lt's strange... Johan?
- What? - lt's strange.
On my way over l was determined not to cry.
You said you felt guilty.
Let's go and sit on the sofa instead.
Put the lights out, the glare is ghastly.
How can you work in such a bleak room?
The sofa isn't very comfortable either.
lf you put your feet up, it's fine.
- More brandy? - Yes, please.
- Comfy? - Very.
- ls this whole place empty? - There's a nightwatchman.
How nice!
- l just think it's nice. - Nothing's nice with a cold.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You're not going to die. Cheers!
- This gets better and better. - Aren't you in good spirits!
To be honest, l'm in love.
- With that David person? - No, that's over.
Give me a kiss.
- But l'm ill. - l never catch your germs.
Give me a kiss, l want you to.
- Was it what you expected? - Much better.
Now, put your hand on my breast.
- Are you seducing me? - That's right.
Right here on the carpet. Right now.
Doesn't that sound fun?
You look suspicious. Afraid of the nightwatchman?
We're still married, after all.
Come, lie on top of me.
People should make love on the floor more often.
- Lock the door. - No one will walk in on us.
- l'm kind of a prude. - Just in case the watchman comes.
- He might be eavesdropping. - No, he's doing his rounds.
ls it wise to take your trousers off with that cold?
- You can warm me. - So you don't freeze your thing...
Poor baby, you're so miserable...
lt's lovely being kissed by you.
l enjoy it so...
What if...?
Shut your eyes,
or l'll feel self-conscious.
Put your hands on my hips.
That's nice...
What if the watchman walked in now?
He could join us. We're liberated.
Let's stay here all night...
...and just drink and make love.
Tomorrow, we'll file our divorce papers.
A penny for your thoughts.
l'm not telling.
- Are you hungry? - l always am.
What about a steak tartare and some beer?
You're not supposed to take me out.
l'm in Uppsala with my students.
Poor Paula!
ln that case, l'd love to dine with you.
- Where's the bathroom? - Down the corridor, to the left.
Let's sign these papers and go out and celebrate.
Pay tribute to a long and happy marriage.
l think l'll take them home with me.
Why do an about-face now?
You said yourself to read things through before signing them.
Let's read it through from A to Z,
so you see that l haven't cheated you.
- Why are you so upset? - l'm not. Let's get moving.
- You look pissed off to me. - l am, but l'll control myself.
Like l always do when l'm subjected to your whims.
Can we end this boring discussion?
lt's late and tomorrow's a work day.
- Don't you want to have supper? - No, thank you.
l'm grateful for the favours bestowed on me.
- Talk about whims... - Now look here, Johan!
lt's pointless even trying to discuss this now.
Let's stuff these into an envelope, then you can take them home.
Then you and Paula can pore over the wording
to see that l haven't screwed you.
- What's going on? - Nothing.
We were good friends a minute ago.
Don't forget Eva's birthday.
- Do l usually? - No, because l always remind you.
Could you pay for her trip to France?
- How much is that? - 2,000 krona.
That's out of the question!
- Then let your mother pay. - l've borrowed too much as it is.
l've just paid for Karin's orthodontist.
- Doesn't she have free dental care? - She refuses to go to that place.
Eva will have to cancel her trip.
lt won't hurt her to learn that she can't have everything.
She's too damned spoilt and ill-mannered!
- Mother was appalled last week. - Your mother told you that?
Well, Eva is at a difficult age.
Don't let the girls rule the roost.
l have their complete confidence
and for that l'm grateful.
l couldn't care less about petty details like manners.
l can't afford the trip. Tell her that.
- Tell her yourself. - Why? You have custody.
l merely fork out huge sums for child support,
leaving me high and dry.
You and l were born
with silver spoons in our mouths.
We've squandered our resources,
leaving us poor, bitter, and angry.
However trite, it's the truth:
We're emotional illiterates.
We've been taught about anatomy and African farming methods.
We've learned mathematical formulas by heart.
We haven't been taught a thing about the mind.
We're ignorant about what makes people tick.
That signals the end of my lecture.
More brandy? Then we can decide about supper.
l don't agree with you.
By the way, that job in the US has gone to blazes.
- Not that it matters. - What a shame!
Well, l was pretty disappointed.
There was the usual wheeling and dealing.
First, things were postponed, then there was no money...
Then they sent someone else. That's life. Cheers!
l'll be 45 this summer.
l can expect to live another 30 years...
Viewed objectively, l'm dead weight.
l'll spend the next 20 years being a damn nuisance.
l'm an expensive, unproductive unit
that should be eliminated.
And l'm supposed to be in my prime,
brimming with useful experience!
But it's: "Throw the loser out.
Let him rot."
l'm so damn tired.
l hardly know who l am.
Someone spat on me and now l'm drowning in the spittle.
- Am l boring you? - lt's funny...
l wanted to have sex with you today to see if l felt anything.
All l felt was lukewarm affection.
l think l'm breaking free at last.
lt's taken a long time and it's been very painful,
but l'm free of you now and can live my own life.
Allow me to congratulate you.
lt's callous of me to say this when you're having a rough time,
but oddly enough, l don't care.
l've taken your feelings into account far too often.
Being considerate killed our love.
Had l not been sidetracked by guilt,
l'd have known everything we did was wrong.
Remember after Karin was born?
When we couldn't sleep together?
How we put the blame on my two pregnancies.
We concocted many reasons why our lovemaking gave us no pleasure.
Warning lights were flashing all around us,
but we ignored them.
These post-mortems are so pointless.
Your idiotic sarcasm drives me crazy!
Why should you tell me what to think and feel?
Lord, how l hate you!
l often used to think: 'Lord, how l hate her!'
Especially when we made love and l felt your indifference
and when l saw you naked at the bidet afterwards -
washing off the nasty stuff l'd deposited inside you.
l would think: 'l hate her body, the way she moves.'
l should have beaten you.
l wanted to strike down your hard, white resistance,
but we chatted away and talked about how well we got along.
Then why do l enjoy sex now?
- l do everything he asks. - Just you wait.
When you're married to him, you'll do the same thing again.
Your behaviour is deeply rooted.
Then you'll look for a new lover to free you from your loathing.
You're wrong.
There is such a thing as straightforward tenderness.
To say nothing of sensuousness
and physical desire.
For you that's all blocked.
Do you imagine that l didn't suffer when we didn't hit it off?
l'd think: 'ls this misery all there is?'
We'd console ourselves with the thought that sex wasn't everything.
That in other respects, we were happy. Talk about self-deception!
You're forgetting certain things.
Then please enlighten me.
You cashed in on your sex organs.
They became a bargaining chip.
A night of sex for a night of peace.
Good behaviour earned me a lay.
Bad behaviour or criticism
made you withdraw.
You were worse than any whore!
- You would never face the truth. - Some cosmic truth, or your truth?
The way you made me your doormat!
Am l a substitute for your mother?
All that carping about how l neglected the home.
That's a lie!
You heaped guilt on me!
You and your parents!
l felt inadequate at work and at home
and l was a lousy lay as well.
l was hedged in by all the griping and endless demands.
lf l used my sex organs, was that so strange?
l was fighting against hopeless odds:
You, my mother, your parents, and society!
When l think of what l endured, l could scream!
l tell you this: Never again!
You sit there whining about conspiracies.
lt serves you damn well right!
l hope it will be rammed down your throat
that you're a useless parasite.
- You're being utterly grotesque! - You made me that way!
The difference between us is that l fight it!
l intend to face reality just as it is.
lf there's one thing l truly appreciate, it's being alive.
l enjoy overcoming difficulties.
- l don't ask for special allowances. - How nice!
Then we needn't feel sorry for each other.
We're getting quite human.
lt's a pity we ever met in the first place
and decided to live together - what a glorious fiasco!
The sooner we sign the papers, the better.
We'll divide our worldly goods and go our separate ways.
lt was all just a ghastly mistake.
l know what's on your mind.
- You don't want a divorce! - That's absurd!
- Then sign the papers. - All right, l will.
Be honest now... Look at me!
You don't want a divorce, do you?
Well, would that be such a crime?
l concede defeat, is that what you want to hear?
l'm sick of Paula.
l want to come home.
Don't look at me like that.
l'm a failure. l'm going downhill.
l'm scared and rootless.
My timing is all wrong...
- lf you think pity will help... - l'm giving you a straight answer.
l was bound to you in a deeper way than l knew.
l needed our home
and to lead a regular life.
l'm tired of being alone.
Loneliness with Paula is worse than being all alone.
l can't stand either.
l won't go on... Now you know.
Please send a cab to Malmrosgatan 45.
Want a lift? You really shouldn't drive.
- l'll stay here for a while. - Please don't brood.
lt's none of your business!
- l want you to stay. - But l don't want to.
You're tired and drunk. Let me go.
- l don't want you to go. - Don't be ridiculous.
We've never behaved like this. Give me the key.
l don't give a damn what you say.
Your orderly mind is reeling.
"What do l do now?
Has he gone mad?
ls he going to beat me?"
You're quite a riot, actually.
Then why aren't you laughing?
You look scared to me.
Let me cancel the cab...
What for?
They only wait around for 10 minutes or so.
Sit down and take it easy.
- This will take quite a while. - Fine...
- So, what do you want to say? - Nothing.
- l want to look at you. - Go ahead.
l might have expected this.
l've often warned wives in the process of a divorce
against spending time alone with their husbands.
Yet here l am.
Shut your mouth!
l'm not afraid, l couldn't care less what you do.
- Shut up, l said! - You maniac!
Give me the key, l'll go and wash off this blood.
l'm not letting you out.
- You arsehole! - You bitch!
l'll show you!
l could kill you! l could kill you!
Oh, Marianne...
Listen, are you all right?
l guess l've only myself to blame...
Will you give me the key now?
- Shall l help you? - No, don't come near me.
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT IN A DARK HOUSE
What fun this is!
l went to the cottage yesterday and turned the heating on
and stocked up on food, just like old times.
- When did l last see the place? - Seven years ago.
- What about you? - l don't spend much time there.
Henrik's not fond of the seaside.
The girls and l go there occasionally,
but they have their own lives to lead.
- How is your husband? - Overworked.
He suffers from high blood pressure.
- How's your wife? - She's in ltaly, for a rest cure.
Funny that they're both abroad.
lt's almost indecent, l think.
That is what's so nice.
- The place hasn't changed much. - lt's a bit shabby.
lt needs doing up, but we can't afford it.
Put the car away, or Erik will see it and be over like a shot.
- That could be embarrassing. - l will, dear...
- Aren't you going to do it now? - No, later.
This does feel a little strange...
Let's stretch out on the bed...
l'm nervous. lt's like the first time.
But it's not.
lt's been nearly a year now.
lt was the day before my birthday
and today's August 28th.
You seduced me.
Did you ever see the last act of that play?
lt must have looked funny, our sneaking off like that.
- What made you decide? - l don't know...
l saw you the second l entered the theatre.
lt seemed natural to approach you.
l was terribly pleased.
So was l.
- And you said: "Let's leave." - And you blushed.
- No wonder. l had such a hard-on. - You got me pretty hot too.
We hadn't met for two whole years.
That's right, exactly two years.
And now today's our first anniversary.
No...
lt's not our first anniversary.
lt's our 20th.
We got married in August, 20 years ago.
lt's an entire lifetime.
A whole grown-up life together.
lsn't that strange?
My dear! Sweetheart...
lt's this wretched old bed...
Our hotel rooms were suitably impersonal.
lt was wrong of us to come here.
- We should have gone to Denmark. - There wasn't time.
- This is all right. - No, it isn't.
l'll call Fredrik. He has a cottage.
- How will we get in? - l expect a neighbour has a key.
There's no harm in trying.
Fredrik? lt's Johan.
How are you? l've never been better.
Look, this is rather a delicate matter. Are you alone?
Could l possibly borrow your cottage for the weekend?
Exactly, something like that...
Very pretty. Young...?
She's almost too young!
lt's a sticky situation.
That's great!
l owe you a favour.
Don't say a word to Birgit now.
Women don't understand these things.
Right... The key is under the stone step.
Yes... Blonde.
With a great figure...
l'll call you. l really appreciate it.
Thanks. Give my love to Birgit. No, scratch that last suggestion.
- l found it. - lt's lovely!
Here's the step. lt must be here.
- Let's clear up. - Right.
What's wrong? You're crying.
You're so touching. l'm being silly.
Touching? That's amazing.
lt's the truth.
My dear, beloved Johan...
You've become so small.
You're so handsome this way.
You used to look so tense.
- Are people beastly to you? - l don't know.
l've stopped being on the defensive.
Someone said l'd become slack and gave in too easily.
l've accepted my true dimensions
with a certain sense of humility.
lt makes me kind and sad.
And you with your great expectations.
Those were my family's expectations.
l really wanted to live up to them.
You wanted to know about my husband?
Getting married was a mistake.
lt was more of a joke.
When did you meet?
A few years ago.
lt was a purely sexual affair.
l see...
Henrik is... How shall l put this?
Very convincing in that respect.
He truly enjoys sex
and he made me realise l felt the same way.
l wasn't all that keen before.
l remember.
You don't like this subject, do you?
But it can't be helped.
l was obsessed by this new sensation.
l felt insatiable.
How nice... for you.
l became very attached to Henrik
and he liked me a lot,
but l caught him with other women.
What do you know?
l was hurt and humiliated, even jealous.
Jealous, you?
We had a violent scene and l told him to go to hell.
- So, did he? - Yes.
He said l was too histrionic.
l begged him to come back.
You look preoccupied.
Everything's fine, that's all.
Things just couldn't be better.
- lt's just that l can't stand it. - l knew it!
As if l care about your orgasms with that workaholic.
l applaud your emancipation.
You should write a novel.
The women's libbers would rejoice.
You're being ridiculous...
l tell you l don't give a damn.
lt suddenly mattered so terribly.
lt's just a taste
of the marvellous things life has to offer.
Think of the awareness we've gained.
lt's magnificent!
We've discovered ourselves.
One faces up to his insignificance, the other, to her greatness.
Here we are, trashing our spouses.
They're in this room with us.
lt's mental group sex to the max.
lt's like a textbook on life.
lt's fabulous, but l can't bear it.
l see, but l don't find it terrible.
l can't abide this cold light directed on my every endeavour.
How l battle with futility.
l try to cheer myself up thinking
that life is what you make of it,
but those are empty words.
l want something to long for.
l don't feel the same way.
l realise that.
l persevere.
l enjoy myself.
l rely on common sense
and my gut feeling.
They work together.
l'm content with my direction.
Time has given me a third partner:
Experience.
You should be a politician.
Maybe you're right...
l like people.
l enjoy negotiations,
prudence, compromises...
Rehearsing your election speech?
- Am l so impossible? - Only when you preach.
l'm not going to say another word.
No more home truths?
l promise.
Promise you won't mention that orgasmic superman again.
Promise to reign in your awful level-headedness.
lt will be difficult, but l'll try.
Could you possibly...
...use your female power sparingly?
l'll have to.
All right, then...
Let's go to bed.
What is it? There, there...
Come, sit here with me.
There, there...
What brings on nightmares like that?
- Perhaps it was something you ate. - Do you think so?
Unless there's something in your orderly world...
...you can't get at.
Hold me, l'm shivering.
l think l've come down with something.
- The girls have had colds... - You'll soon feel better.
Pull the covers up. That's nice...
What were you dreaming about?
We were crossing a dangerous road.
l wanted you and the girls to hold on to me,
but my hands were gone.
All l had left were stumps
and l'm sliding around in soft sand.
You're on the road and l can't reach you...
What a horrible dream!
Do we live our lives in confusion?
- All of us. - What do you mean?
Fear, uncertainty, a lack of wisdom.
Are we sliding downhill
and don't know what to do?
Yes, l think so.
ls it too late?
Yes,
but we shouldn't say things like that.
Johan, have we missed something important?
- All of us? - No, you and l.
At times l can read your mind
and feel such tenderness.
l forget myself without losing myself.
lt's a new sensation.
l understand.
lt grieves me that l've never loved anyone.
l don't think l've ever been loved either.
That distresses me.
Now you're being histrionic.
l know what l feel.
l love you in my selfish way
and l think you love me,
in your fussy, pestering way.
We love each other
like people do here on earth,
but you're so demanding.
Yes, l am.
lt's as simple as this:
Here l am in a dark house somewhere in the world,
with my arms around you
and you are here in my arms.
l lack empathy for my fellow human beings.
l'm low on imagination, l suppose.
l don't know what my love looks like and l can't describe it.
Most of the time l don't feel it.
You think l love you too?
Yes, l do.
lf we harp on, love will vanish.
Let's stay like this all night.
Oh, let's not...
One of my legs has gone to sleep, my left arm is dislocated,
l'm sleepy and my back is cold.
Then let's snuggle down.
Good night, my darling. lt was good talking to you.
- Sleep well. - You too.