MIDSUMMER NIGHT  (Mittsommernacht)

Script translation from German to English.

Part 2

In the general store. 

Fransen:                                   “Sausage, bread, rifle cartridges – looks like you’re going hunting, hmm?” 

Tore:                                        “Look like it.” 

Fransen:                                   “You are not from these parts, are you?” 

Tore:                                        “No.” 

Fransen:                                   “Good hunting around here – deer, bears, even wolves.” 

Fransen (goes to the door)            “Arne!” 

-----                             

Back at the inn. 

Eric:                                         “Murder – I’d call it a real try at killing me, I’m going to report this.” 

Arne Arndahl enters:               “Who are you going to report?” 

Eric:                                         “Your fine daughters.” 

Arne:                                        “Whatever. Suit yourself.” 

Eric:                                         “So, what do you want from me?” 

Arne:                                        “Settlement. I have deducted your loan from the money I owe you.” 

Eric:                                         “Yeah, Yeah, what can you expect?” 

Arne:                                        “Here’s your pay for your work, less expenses – and here is the rest for what you tried to do.” 

Raises his arm to strike. They struggle. Arne laughs. 

Miss Nielsen hides under the table. 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Do you want to work up here or should I hand the work down to you?” 

Policeman enters:                      “What’s going on here?” 

Arne:                                        “This guy is going to press charges.” 

Policeman:                                “So, what’s up?” 

Eric:                                         “Nothing, nothing.” 

Arne (raises his cane):                “Go!” 

Policeman:                                “Dammit, someone tell me what this is all about.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Nothing, nothing – all a mistake.” 

Fransen:                                   “Come, come sit down and have a drink.” 

They all sit. Mr. Isberg offers the policeman a cigar. 

Miss Nielsen:                            “No, no more alcohol.” 

Arne:                                        “If you want to challenge me I’m ready.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Come now, it’s like medicine.” 

------- 

Fransen and Christina walk into the general store. 

Fransen:                                   “Funny guy disappears like lightning, but he paid.” 

Christina:                                  “Who was he?” 

Fransen:                                   “No idea, but he definitely wasn’t from these parts.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “I seem to have seen him somewhere, but I can’t remember where.” 

Arne:                                        “A toast to that we come together again soon.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Well, Arne, the business is running like...” 

Arne interrupt:                          “My lumber is just as good as anyone else’s.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Don’t worry, I’ll be stopping by.” 

They toast. 

Arne:                                        “I can’t wait to see that day.” 

Policeman:                                “Where do you know this guy from?” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “I don’t remember exactly, but I would like to know for myself.” 

Miss Nielsen:                            “All I can say is, I can’t believe how stubborn a man can be.” 

Arne:                                        “Who cares.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “I’m amazed; you are stronger with one arm than most others are with two.” 

Policeman:                                “Agreed.” 

Arne:                                        “Yeah, this one can still raise the glass – and the other can grab something as pretty as this one.” 

Grabs the waitress.

Arne starts on a raucous drinking song. 

------ 

Back at the farm/sawmill. 

Karin (carrying in tray):            “It’s 10 o’clock. Either he’s been killed, arrested or he is drinking.” 

Astrid hears something:            “What was that?” 

Karin:                                       “The wind.” 

Grandpa (by the fireplace):            “Wolves!” 

Karin:                                       “What did you say?” 

Grandpa:                                  “Wolves!” 

Karin:                                       “At this time of year? You can’t be right in the head.” 

Astrid gets up:                          “Come with me.” 

Grandpa:                                  “Not me! I’m no longer right in the head.” 

Astrid:                                      “Come anyway.” 

Astrid grabs a rifle and goes outside followed by the others. Shoots and reloads. 

In the barn. 

Astrid:                                      “The little calf is missing.” 

------ 

Arne arrives, drunk as a skunk. Astrid helps him in and up the stairs. 

Astrid:                                      “The wolves have been in the barn.” 

Christina:                                  “What happened, what’s up with Dad?” 

Karin:                                       “Not tonight, everything will be different in the morning.” 

------ 

Next morning at the sawmill.

Mr. Isberg getting out of his vehicle:            “Where’s his lordship? Aha, at the sawmill.” 

Astrid to Christina:                       “Go get father.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Boy, you folks work hard.” 

Christina:                                  “Yes, we’re always busy.” 

Astrid:                                      “Yes, always.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “The way you work you’d think the rest of Norway is standing still.” 

Astrid:                                      “Yes, if only more men were willing to help – does father know you’d be stopping by?” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Well, if his memory is not too clouded by alcohol.” 

Astrid:                                      “Did you need any particular lumber?” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Yes. Yes, but I can’t use what you have lying around here. I need furniture grade.” 

Astrid:                                      “You have only to contract with us with specifications.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “No, no – with this old equipment you’ve got – it’ll take way too long, and you’d never make it. 

Astrid:                                      “If we got some credit we could make it.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “No, no, on the contrary I would come out even, in addition to the lien I already hold.” 

Astrid:                                      “What – you can’t do that, you know damn well we’re already in a pinch.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “What am I supposed to do? Wait till the whole thing rots?” 

Astrid:                                      “Give us the contract.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Ah, well, I might as well, you’ll never make it.” 

Astrid:                                      “Good. Father will be here shortly.” 

-------- 

In the main house. 

Karin:                                       “So, you’re thinking of becoming a lumber trader? I asked you to bring the milk – and go see to your father.” 

Exiting the house. 

Karin:                                       “Nice to see you, and that you are gracing us with your presence. Won’t you come in?” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Thanks, no, I’m in a hurry, I just want to look around.” 

Karin:                                       “Not much to see around here, everything is run down, but things will change.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Ah-ha, and when will that be?” 

Karin:                                       “When I become mistress of the house.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “Ah, the mistress.” 

Karin:                                       “Arne will marry me, if I give him a son.” 

Mr. Isberg:                               “He seems a little old, besides he has two daughters.” 

Karin:                                       “Oh no, one is too stupid, the other is too conceited.” 

Arne coming down the stairs. 

Arne:                                        “What did he want this early in the morning?” 

Christina:                                  “What is it with you, father?” 

Karin:                                       “He’s gone. I’ll bring you breakfast.” 

Arne”                                       “Don’t want any.” 

Karin:                                       “But darling, you must ...” 

Arne:                                        “Nothing.” 

Pulls out a book.                     “What is this?” 

Karin:                                       “Belongs to Astrid.” 

Arne:                                        “I cannot put up with this.” 

Grandpa walks in. 

Arne:                                        “What was all the ruckus about last night – wolves??” 

Grandpa:                                  “Yes, they got into the barn and took the small calf.” 

Arne”                                       “Dammit!” He gets ups. “I’ll go up to the cabin on the mountain. I have everything I need up there.” 

Karin:                                       “Arne, please don’t...” 

Arne:                                        “I don’t want to see anybody.” 

Grandpa:                                  “A helluva storm’s coming in tonight.” 

Arne:                                        “I didn’t ask your opinion. I’m bringing the rifle and ammo.” 

Christina:                                  “Father, please stay here.” 

Grandpa:                                  “It’s still going to be a helluva storm!” 

------- 

Following takes place after Arne’s set-to with the wolves and Tore saving his life. 

In the cabin. Fireplace going, Tore smoking a cigarette. 

Arne moaning. 

Tore:                                        “Please lie still. Don’t worry; you’re in your own cabin, drinking your own Schnapps.” 

Arne:                                        “I’ve seen you somewhere.” 

Tore:                                        “Yeah, I’ve seen you too.” 

Arne:                                        “I fear I’m in your debt.” 

Tore:                                        “Oh well, it’s not worth talking about.” 

Arne:                                        “Still...” 

Tore:                                        “You know what? You can replenish the ammo I spent on you.” 

Arne:                                        “That was pretty dangerous fun.” 

Tore:                                        “In any case, we’re even.” 

Arne:                                        “How so?” 

Tore:                                        “I spoiled your fun yesterday.” 

Arne:                                        “Yesterday?” 

Tore:                                        “You were about to trash your hired hand.” 

Arne (laughing):                      “I knew I had seen you somewhere.” 

Tore:                                        “In any case, we’re even.” 

Arne:                                        “How’s that?” 

Tore:                                        “Can you make it back to the farm on your own?” 

Arne:                                        “What do you mean on my own?” 

Tore:                                        “I have to go.” 

Arne:                                        “Go where?” 

Tore:                                        “To Sweden.” 

Arne:                                        “And why?” 

Tore:                                        “You ask too many questions – like where and why – I don’t like that.” 

Arne (laughing):                         “I could use a man like you.” 

Tore:                                        “Maybe, but I don’t need a boss like you.” 

Arne:                                        “Come with me down to the farm.” 

Tore:                                        “No, I’ve got to get to Sweden.” 

-------- 

Back at the farm, the bells peel and Christina is setting the dinner table as Astrid quits work. 

---------- 

In the general store. Eric is smoking: “In three days it’ll be Midsummer night.” 

Waitress:                                  “Horrible.” 

Eric:                                         “Why? I think it’s nice.” 

Waitress:                                  “Not me – we’ll have guests who are drunk for 24 hours.” 

Eric:                                         “May this time someone will present you with a garland of daisies, and jump through the fire for you.” 

Waitress:                                  “For a waitress? For a garland of daisies and a fire anyone could have her!” 

Eric:                                         “You’re pretty smart, aren’t you?” 

Waitress:                                  “Good for business – and smart makes for fun!” 

Eric (coming around the counter): “And when someone wants to quench his thirst?” 

Fransen:                                   “Do that in the bar area, where there are waitresses.” 

Eric:                                         “Don’t get so upset.” 

Fransen:                                   “Besides, the store is now closed!”        

Eric:                                         “Don’t get all riled up, your jealousy will give you a heart attack.”   

 

To Part 3

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