Dogville Page #7

She couldn't have done

what they are accusing her of.

No, that's true, Tom,

you are right.

Still it's an unpleasant business

just the same.

[Narrator] Grace was the same

and so was the town.

That the gangsters had fixed to have

charges made against Grace in their effort

to neuralize her came as no surprise.

But everything had changed a little

yet again.

I'm telling you, you have exactly the same

kind of little lump in exactly the same spot

on the other side of your back.

Really!

I can only assume that it belongs

on your body, but you're the doctor, so...

Well, it's very unlikely, don't you think?

that a cancer would develop in such precise symmetry.

- Mr. Edison, please. We've been

over this so many times.

- Anything is possible.

I think you have to accept the fact

that you are an exceptionally healthy elderly gentleman.

I'm gonna rest just the same.

I'll see you in the morning.

I hope so.

What? What did they say?

Well, they couldn't really argue

that anything had changed.

But by not telling the police they felt

they were committing a crime themselves.

- I think I should leave.

- No..

Enough is enough.

I suggested the opposite.

You did?

From a business perspective, ...

from a business perspective,

your presence in Dogville has become more costly.

Because it's more dangerous

for them to have you here,

not that they don't want you,

since they feel there should be

some counterbalance,

some quid pro quo.

That sound like words

that the gangsters would use...

There is also more of an incentive

if you don't wanna stay.

See, with all those wanted posters

hanging around the place, I can hardly

think of anywhere else you could hide.

So what's the counterbalance

that you suggested?

They wanted you to work longer hours,

but instead what I proposed is

that you just pay a visit to folks

twice a day now.

That way it would seem that you're willing

to contribute more, without actually

lengthening your day too much.

It's just a way of heading off

any unpleasantness.

Well, it sounds a little peculiar

and difficult to put into practice.

That's what I thought.

Martha she said she would ring

her bell every half hour,

so you could keep track of

your new schedule.

Then, they are all willing to let me stay?

No. See, Mrs. Henson she also

thought we should cut your pay.

Merely a symbolic gesture. You see...

the word dangerous on that poster worried her.

I'm willing to do whatever it takes.

If I have to work harder, longer hours for less pay,

then I'm willing to do that.

Of course, I am.

I just wanna be sure that they

wouldn't prefer that I left town.

Of course not.

You think this is for the best?

I know it is.

I have to get some sleep. My days are

gonna be much busier now.

Sorry.

Tom, I just need to know something...

you know the card that the man

in the car gave you...

Yeah.

Did you show it to anyone?

Come on, Grace!

I burned it first thing.

I've been so silly.

Of course you did.

It's alright.

No, it's not alright. I hate it

for you to see me like this.

I can't bare that I'm doubting you.

I'm sorry.

Good night.

[Narrator] Everybody was really against

any changes to Grace's working conditions at all

when the subjuct occasionally

came up in conversation.

Oh, Ben had declared in sympathy that

he wouldn't accept any more work than before,

and Grace was grateful for that,

even if he was a bit drunk

when he said so.

Busy minute became busy hours,

and busy hours became busy days.

and irrespective of whether they thought

the idea of increasing Grace's services had

any fairness and justification to it or not,

it didn't seem to make anyone any happier.

More to the contrary.

Grace, oh.. You have to be more careful.

Liz wasn't very careful either,

but she didn't break our glasses.

I think you need to understand that Mr. Henson

works very hard to grind off any traces of moulds.

and it makes the glass weak.

I thought you knew that.

It won't happen again.

Of course, I'll pay for it.

No, of course not. You don't have to

pay us for it. We'll get over it.

[Narrator] And off she went to keep

her appointment with Chuck to free

the last tree trunks from the grass

in order to keep the ever busy mice away.

She was in a hurry and took the shortcut

between the gooseberry bushes,

only to be brought up by a shout.

- Grace!

- Yes!

Oh, I didn't see that you just

raked the path. I'm sorry.

It isn't that I've just raked it.

The idea is that people can pass

around the bushes completely.

I prefer it that way,

as you should know.

I thought that these chains were put up

to make a path between the bushes.

They were put up there to protect the bushes.

It is not supposed to be a pathway.

But everyone goes this way.

Dear, that's right.

They have been living here for years.

You haven't been here that long.

Are you saying, that I am less entitled

to use the shortcut

because I haven't always lived here?

No, of course not.

"No, I just thought it pleased you

to be here, that's all."

"Go on.

Go on, it's alright."

I'll see you this afternoon..

"and I'll rake those bushes like they've

never been raked before, I promise."

I'm sorry about that branch.

There were so many apples on it.

"I should have cut that brance,

but I got greedy."

Is it greedy to want to feed your family?

So how come you don't like me?

Why do you ask me that?

"When I get close to you,

you edge away."

"- No, I don't.

- You did so."

When we were thinning the seedlings

in the bottom row.

How am I supposed to show you what I do

if I ain't allow to touch you?

You tried to kiss me.

Vera never took any interest in the apples.

She hates the orchard.

"The is the first time I've ever met anyone,

who understand about the apples."

Sorry... it made me so happy.

It's alright.

"No, it ain't alright. I reckon the stuff

about the apples is just words in your mouth."

If you can't really share my pleasure...

I do.

Vera wants me to picking apples

from trees that are barely in the ground.

Things take time. That's love!

Seeing what they need and

respecting those needs.

"If anyone understands that, it's you.

At least I thought so."

I do understand that.

But you edge away when I get close.

- Why do you find me so repugnant?

- I don't find you repugnant.

Don't be upset.

I'm sorry if I doubted you.

It won't happen again.

I promise you.

I wouldn't make that promise if I were you.

"When you fended me off,

a thought came into my mind"

that made me ashamed.

A thought that you would hate me for.

"I would never hate you, never."

What?

"Chuck, I've treated you unfairly.

It's alright to have angry

thoughts."

I thought of turning you in!

I thought of blackmailing you

into respecting me.

"It means that much to you?

It does, doesn't it?"

"You've really been alone up here,

haven't you?"

You haven't had anyone to comfort you

and I should ask you for forgiveness.

Still friends?

- Sorry... Were you asleep?

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