Discover Public Works Page #2

---

You need love

for your fellow human beings.

And you do love them,

more than our doctor...

...who you're regularly at odds with.

But do be careful. The peat diggers

now look upon you as their doctor.

And that's ludicrous.

- Ludicrous?

I pity them and that's why I go

and give them medicine.

And I'll go again tomorrow whatever

you and doctor Amshoff may think.

Nobody is concerned

about the peat diggers. Nobody.

What about Amshoff?

- He just cashes his pay cheque.

If I didn't help them

they'd have no medical care.

But you have no medical qualifications.

You could be taken to court.

Amshoff...

His idle talk.

- My father got on with him.

Yes, your father did.

Have you thought about...

It's a new era now.

There are medical tests.

I can't see the point.

We must take it as it comes.

Let's... once more...

Out of the way!

That's me, Vedder.

Alexander, I didn't expect you here...

Is that your shop?

- Yes. Come.

How you've changed.

That's a consignment

from my cousin Chris in Hoogeveen.

Remember him?

Cousin Christiaan.

I've got that photograph as well.

- Do you?

I'm glad father had several copies made.

How much do you want for it?

Are you serious?

It's not a very special one.

I've always wanted to have a violin.

I'll look it over first

and when you come back again...

...we'll discuss the price and you decide.

What are your plans in Holland?

- Seeing relatives, and some business.

Where are you staying?

I'm an American

so I stay in the American Hotel.

That's why I'm here. I want to ask you

if you know people who...

Excuse me, neighbour, I just came in

to ask how the negotiations are doing.

Their new offer is due any day now.

But did you see our neighbours?

Idiots.

They sold for far too little.

OK, I've got appointments.

I'll be back soon.

- Yes, I'll see you then.

We're sitting on a goldmine.

They're in a hurry.

- But my wife is ill. It's her leg.

We have to have a decision soon.

-It will be all right, trust me.

Fifty?

- Fifty.

His neighbour, Carstens...

He negotiates on his behalf.

They're the last two.

How will you solve that?

- There's time enough.

He must know our offer is reasonable.

I've contracted the demolishers.

They need to start soon.

What kind of man is it?

A cabinetmaker who calls himself

a violin builder. Widower. One son.

A special lad.

What?

- No, nothing.

Theo, wait a minute.

A registration form?

- For the Academy, to register.

My finals aren't till next year.

- There's no harm in applying early.

Dad...

- What's up? Aren't you glad?

Ebert is sure to pay up.

- No, Dad...

I want to go into business.

- What?

I take no interest in architecture.

No... I don't understand you.

We've always walked through town

discussing town planning, the canals...

No dad, you do the talking and I listen.

Such are our discussions.

I don't want to go to university.

Perhaps further north

there's some money to be earned.

Most of the peat's gone.

What's the matter?

Sieger won't acknowledge it.

Why not? It's his duty.

Juniper extract?

An abortion?

- Please.

No... Nobody is above life and death,

dear girl.

But...with Juniper...

How's my Little Pet?

Fine.

- Good.

Here, this will calm you down.

Open your mouth, please.

Come on then, it does help.

What did Bennemin come in for?

He came for some Theriac.

Christiaan...

Yes?

Pretending to be the doctor

in the peat field.

I beg you not to do it again.

You're my darling.

I don't want you to get into trouble.

Promise me you won't do it again.

When I see Amshoff, I'll tell him to go

and see people in the peat fields.

All right?

Christiaan?

Promise?

All right then.

Neighbour, neighbour...

How can they?

I don't... They sold out to them.

Are they pulling down our houses too?

Where's this man Ebert?

- He said he'd be here today or tomorrow.

You'll be a rich man, believe me.

- Really, really?

Really, really, it's true.

I'll go and tell my wife. She's still poorly

but the good news may cheer her up.

What are they doing?

Building a skyscraper?

Hi Alexander.

Want a drink?

- No, my boat is ready to sail.

What's your job, really?

I'm in immigration, or emigration,

depending on your point of view.

I'm an agent who helps people

to go to America.

We lend them the money for the fare...

...and they pay it back with interest

when they're there.

I'm a broker.

I deal in people.

Helping people is great.

But here...

Changing your mind about a drink?

Or a piece of mackerel?

No, I came about the violin.

Did you look at it?

Sorry, I've been so busy.

- No problem.

I'm taking it. A hundred dollars,

is that enough?

Yes.

Farewell, cousin.

Pet?

What's the matter?

- We need the doctor.

The doctor? He doesn't live here.

Come and get warm.

Dear Pet, for once and for all,

my husband is not a...

You must come.

- What's the matter?

My sister's poorly. You must come.

Christiaan...

You promised.

Please...

Amshoff, go and fetch Amshoff.

- I'm only going to take a look.

No, you're not. I forbid you to go.

Go, go!

Christiaan... stay here.

I've been to see you five times

and you're refusing to negotiate.

Because you think...

- But I'll offer you twenty-five thousand.

Five more than

what your neighbours got.

Mr Vedder, please accept this.

Also for your old neighbour?

And move out today, I beg you.

First all the pipes are removed,

then we start demolishing.

In two weeks' time we start building.

Building?

There will be fences all around

and workmen will be in and out.

Cranes, pile drivers...

And it will go on all night.

The hotel already exists.

It's stored in dozens of warehouses

in the Netherlands and abroad.

This is a new era, Mr Vedder.

The parts only need to be transported

here by ship or train...

...to be assembled.

Are you hearing me?

I made you a higher offer.

Do not reject it.

Mr Vedder...

Theo, come in. You'll get soaked.

Where are you all the time?

My son...

What's wrong with him?

Your son is a magnificent young man,

had you noticed?

What you mean?

Mr Vedder, my offer...

Fifty.

This bill of exchange for a few thousand.

Any bank will cash it.

See it as an advance and move house.

Please, there's no time left.

Who says I am going to sell? Send

Henkenhaf and I will deal with him.

Mr Henkenhaf has no time for you,

I'm sorry.

And?

- I don't see anything yet.

Doctor...

It's abnormal to be so swollen.

It's got to come out.

Please doctor, do something.

- Please.

A knife. A really sharp knife.

It's coming.

It's coming.

Thank you.

I only had to do a puncture.

To release the pressure.

That evening...

...when you had to play the violin.

Sieger wasn't the only one, was he?

Pet?

I closed my eyes.

The whole time.

Dr Amshoff, what can I do for you?

- Where is the baby?

The baby?

- Bennemin's daughter...

She wanted Juniper extract.

From you, too, I bet.

She can't have got it,

but what happened to the pregnancy?

A miscarriage most likely?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes