MIDSUMMER NIGHT  (Mittsommernacht)

Script translation from German to English.

Part 4

Christina and Tore walking. 

Christina:                                 
It would be better if you don’t return with us. I could not bear it if you should come to any harm.” 

Tore:                                        “Christina.” 

Aslak:                                       “Good morning, Tore Elving.” 

Tore:                                        “Aslak, I can’t believe it.” 

Aslak:                                       “What? To see me here? I see, that’s why youare hiding up here.” 

Tore:                                        “Yes, correct, that’s why – but now I’ve got you.” 

Aslak:                                       “I don’t think so – I can always call the police. Oh well, if you have such longings – of course – but you’ll have to agree to my conditions.” 

Tore:                                        “I must speak with you urgently; you are the only one who can help me.” 

Aslak:                                       “Well, that’ll cost you.” 

Tore:                                        “I’ll pay you what you want, but in return you have to help me.” 

Aslak:                                       “I’ll need a deposit.”

Tore:                                        “You think I drag the bank around with me?” 

Aslak:                                       “First you pay, then we talk.” 

Tore:                                        “Aslak, be reasonable.” 

(Girl’s laughter interrupts them) 

Tore:                                        “Ok then, d you know the hunting cabin up by the mountain lake?” 

Aslak:                                       “Yes, since I was able to walk.” 

Tore:                                        “Don’t worry, tomorrow I’ll bring as much money as I can scrape together,” 

Aslak:                                       “Hmm, yes, very smart. The more money the more I’ll tell -you. Goodbye, Tore Elving.” 

------- 

Arne (back on the farm):            “Is this true?” 

Christina:                                  “Is what true, father?” 

Arne:                                        “That Karin tells me you jumped over the bonfire with Tore?” 

Christina:                                  “Yes, that’s true, father.” 

Arne:                                        “You know I like him, but...” 

Christina:                                  “The other thing is also true, father.” 

Arne:                                        “What other thing?” 

Christina:                                  “What Karin will tell you ... that I love him.” 

Arne:                                        “You love him.” 

Christina:                                  “We’re going to marry.” 

Arne:                                        “Marry?” 

Christina:                                  “Yes, in church – we’re practically husband and wife already.” 

Arne:                                        “Husband and wife?” 

Tore walks in. 

Arne:                                        “I’m glad you’re here. Christina didn’t take too well to Midsummer Night – she’s dreaming.” 

Christina:                                  “I told him, Tore.” 

Arne:                                        “And what do you say?” 

Tore:                                        “This is not a good time.” 

Arne:                                        “Not a good time? But aren’t you husband and wife?” 

Tore:                                        “Maybe, we’ll speak about this some other time.” 

Arne:                                        “We can talk about it right now. I don’t give my daughters to just anybody.” 

Karin:                                       “For one thing to a fugitive criminal.” 

Arne:                                        “What?” 

Christina:                                  “Is this true, Tore?

Karin:                                       “Say it’s not true!” 

Arne:                                        “What are you saying here?”     

Karin:                                       “He murdered his wife – and then escaped from prison. What? Say it’s not so, Tore.” 

Christina:                                  “Tore?”   

Tore:                                        “It is true, I am a fugitive.” 

Arne slaps him. 

Tore:                                        “Astrid. Fetch Astrid.”  

Grandpa:                                  “She’s up at the hunting cabin.” 

Tore:                                        “The hunting cabin?” 

Karin:                                       “The fine lady must need a rest – she was also after him.” 

-------- 

Astrid in the cabin. Reading. 

Astrid:                                      “Who is it?” 

Aslak:                                       “An old acquaintance.” 

Astrid:                                      “Ah. Aslak Brodersen.” 

Aslak:                                       “So good of you, Miss Arndahl still remembers me.” 

Astrid:                                      “Yes, but they’re not pleasant memories.” 

Aslak:                                       “Yes, that’s why I would wish me met under more pleasant circumstances.” 

Astrid:                                      “Go away!” 

Aslak”                                      “Sorry, but that’s not possible. I have an appointment with another old acquaintance.” 

Astrid:                                      “I don’t care.” 

Aslak:                                       “Ah-ha, that’s a shame, he’s a very, very good friend of yours.” 

Astrid:                                      “Get out!” 

Aslak:                                       “It would be very rude of me not to keep my appointment.” 

Astrid (grabs rifle):                   “Get out, I said!” 

Aslak:                                       “You’re not even curious to meet him?” 

Astrid:                                      “Piss off.” 

Aslak:                                       “Oh no – you want to go down to the farm, but I can’t allow that.” 

Astrid:                                      “You think I care what you allow or not?” 

Aslak:                                       “So – but I promised him not to rat him out. And besides – I don’t like it when others have feelings – my tastes are quite different.” 

They struggle. Tore barges is. “I didn’t know you were up here.” 

Tore:                                        “Where are you going?” 

Astrid:                                      “Somewhere, Tore.” 

Tore:                                        “Stay here – I need you! Aslak, you saw Anya’s sister!” 

Aslak:                                       “Yes, before you strangled her.” 

Tore:                                        “Why would I do that?” 

Aslak:                                       “Because she was pregnant and you didn’t want to marry her.” 

Tore:                                        “That’s a lie!” 

Aslak:                                       “She told me herself she was afraid of you.” 

Tore:                                        “Yeah, right, that’s what you said during the trial. But you know more than you’re saying.” 

Aslak:                                       “Nothing – I know nothing more.” 

Tore:                                        “And where has the man with the scratches on his body disappeared to?” 

Aslak:                                       “How should I know?” 

Tore:                                        “Anya defended herself – blood and skin tissue were found under her finger nails. He sustained deep scratch marks on his body. Who was it? Who was it??” 

Aslak:                                       “First, don’t kill me – like you killed before!” 

---------- 

Back at the inn. 

Miss Nielsen:                            “You must believe me – I was totally confounded when Miss Karin told me. Of course, I had to advise the authorities immediately, and I might add it took me quite some time to locate this officer.” 

Policeman tries to interrupt. 

Miss Nielsen:                            “I am speaking here. And then he changes everything around and puts things on hold.” 

Arne:                                        “Puts what on hold?” 

Policeman:                                “the County’s investigation.” 

Arne:                                        “I just want to know if he is a fugitive or not.” 

Miss Nielsen:                            “Yeah, well – but he only fled to prove his innocence.” 

Arne:                                        “And so – coincidentally he had to come to my house?” 

Miss Nielsen:                            “And then a man arrived from Faalsund.” 

Arne:                                        “Would that be a certain Aslak Brodersen?” 

Policeman:                                “Yes, correct, but you should leave this to the police.” 

Arne:                                        “Ah, by the time you discover anything it’ll be water under the bridge.” 

Policeman:                                “We are now looking for a man with four deep scratches on his shoulder and chest.”   

--------- 

Back at the hunting cabin. 

Tore:                                        “Who was it? Who?” 

Aslak:                                       “No.” 

Tore:                                        “You had to have known him – before she was killed – you were always together.” 

Aslak:                                       “I didn’t know you cared so much about her.” 

Tore:                                        “I’ll see to it – you know quite well ...” 

Aslak:                                       “Believe what you will, she’s still dead.” 

Tore:                                        “Who’s the man?” 

Astrid:                                      “The marks, Tore. The marks!” 

----- 

Back on the farm. 

Arne:                                        “The justice – police – dammit, oh hell with this – if I want to do something I’ll have to find out for myself.”(Grabs rifle and disappears.) “And when I find out what rumors you have been spreading – well, just think about it.” 

Astrid:                                      “Father, father – Tore has...” 

Arne:                                        “Yes, I know, Tore is the murderer.” 

Astrid:                                      “No, Aslak killed the girl, Aslak has the scratch marks.” 

Arne:                                        “Aslak?” 

Astrid:                                      “Yes.” 

Arne:                                        “Does Karin know anything about Tore?” 

Astrid:                                      “Yes, father. Help him up there – on the way to the old bridge.” 

------- 

Astrid returns to the farm, walks in. 

Karin:                                       “Why are you in such a hurry – the one you seek you’ll never find in a lifetime.” 

Astrid:                                      “Where is Christina?” 

Karin:                                       “She is most likely running off with her lover, before somebody else snatches him.” 

Astrid:                                      “And why are you still here?” 

Karin:                                       “I’m waiting for your father, as always.” 

Astrid:                                      You’re lying – you’re waiting for Aslak Brodersen, only he’s not coming.” 

Karin:                                       “What do you mean?” 

Astrid:                                      “The two of you wanted to take over Svytelma farm, and the sawmill.” 

Karin:                                       “How dare you?” 

Astrid:                                      “You sneaked in here and got yourself into my father’s good graces. One day you would have chased us all away.” 

Karin:                                       “How do you know this? You must be crazy?” 

Astrid:                                      “I know this by way of a letter you wrote to Aslak Brodersen. Aslak is the one who murdered Tore’s bride.  He      killed her!” 

Karin (gets up):                         “You can clean the table. Your father can find another housekeeper – maybe he’ll like her better.” 

Gorgeous Norwegian scenery,  Tore and Christina, mood music and fade out – 

The End

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