Tarok Page #2

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It'll be the best in the kingdom!

- We'll win the derby!

- For sure.

Who's going to drive the horses?

Me!

Of course. You'll all drive for Stald

Kima when the time comes.

You didn't answer my question, Karl.

I am.

Who else?

You have never tried harness racing.

There's a first time for everything.

Such as this Sunday in Skive.

This Sunday?!

Yes.

North West Jutland Race Course, Skive

For the third race of the day we

have a 47 year old debutant.

It's our own Karl Laursen,

with Kingo from Stald Kima.

I didn't think

there were clowns racing.

He looks more like

an overgrown chicken.

- I've put 2 kroner on dad.

- And you?

- No!

- Best not tell your father that!

What, going home already?!

No. I just don't like

losers for company.

- You have to stay put.

- But I didn't do anything.

- You didn't. But your horse has.

- He hasn't done a thing.

He's won lots of races.

So he gets a 20 metre handicap.

20 metres? But how will I

be able to get past the others?

You won't get anywhere near them.

They'll be round the first bend

before you even start.

Did you hear that, Kingo?

Now for the Lima Run, 2100 metres

with 1400 kroner in prizes.

Line away!

I have no idea what is going on.

Ready!

Ready!

Steady!

Go!

Mr. Speedway from Stald Speed

takes the lead.

Kingo and Karl Laursen

are still looking for a gap.

Crazy nag! It's 20 metres, not 40!

What in heaven's name

are you doing, Karl Laursen?!

Get off the track before

the others get back!

I refuse to make a fool of us, Kingo.

Nobody's going to say

a Laursen gives up.

He hasn't lost his courage. Let's

hope he finishes before dark.

The three greatest horses in

the world are neck and neck.

Jrn with Winther

cross the line first.

Jrn Laursen, the winner of

the 1951 Danish Harness Derby.

There is a trophy, too.

Isn't that Ingelise from school

that you are mad about?

He'll like that.

Say thank you to the lady!

Thanks.

I won 20 re

so I'll just buy another.

- Doesn't the winner get a kiss?

- Yes!

Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him!

What the hell are you up to?

See what I won! So Stald Kim

goes home with a prize after all!

Cheeky devil!

We're going home. Now.

Where do you think you are going?

Move it.

Come along.

That's what it must be like to fly.

Just wait till it's our turn.

Stald Kima will whip them all.

Long-eared donkey

pulling master home

Crossing streams and fields

In the heat of the southern sun

Little donkey, don't you rush

Save your legs, there's far to go

Vagn Laursen!

Provincial Champion 1961!

- Dad will be so angry!

- Because you burned him up.

2nd place...

he'll never get over it.

He'll have to,

because here come his sons!

- Here's to Stald Kima!

- Skive's best!

- Denmark's best!

- We are the champs!

Hey, turn up the radio!

So just just just take it easy

Take your time,

We'll make it

Listen to the faint, faint

church bells

Nobody's expecting us

We'll make it

Why don't you come in

for a cup of coffee?

Sure...

Everyone has forgotten -

- that I was champion five years

running before my own son won.

And what about us two, Tina?

The 1957 Derby.

Yes, we were only fifth.

But that's because they tricked us.

- Like they did in 1959.

- Quite.

I'm not going to the toffs'

Copenhagen derby again.

- I don't believe you.

- They'll have to come begging.

They will.

I hope it all hasn't been in vain.

You saw Vagn win today.

A real Laursen victory.

And his brothers would go

through fire and water for him.

- And for you.

- We'll need that, too.

- We must have faith.

- Yes.

Can't you give us

a real winner, eh, Tina?

- To show them who's really king?

- The king's coffee is getting cold.

- Indeed... is there cake, too?

- Only if you behave yourself.

There is no doubt who's queen,

at any rate.

That's my big brother!

- Vagn, it suits you.

- Thanks.

Waiter, give everyone a drink on me!

- Dad will foot the bill.

- He'll go crazy.

I won and he grabbed the winnings.

But we're grabbing all the fun.

There is work to be done!

- Come on Aksel!

- Jrn!

Hello, Jrn Laursen!

Don't you recognize me?

Last time I saw you

you won a fizzy pop.

Ingelise?

A fizzy pop wasn't all I won, was it?

You've got a good memory!

Shall we dance?

I'm glad I bet on you that time,

Jrn Laursen.

I remember how you always

led the town processions.

Next to the chief of police.

- I felt like the Queen of Skive.

- You were my greatest dream.

- And you did nothing about it?

- I wasn't brave enough.

Do you still ride?

Actually, I won

the Skive Cup last year.

I haven't been home much.

Why did you go to sea?

What did your mum and dad say?

They weren't happy.

Especially not mum.

But I needed to try

being my own boss.

What now? Conquer the harness

race courses of the world?

No. That's Vagn's dream.

What's yours?

I've been accepted to train

as a fighter pilot.

Isn't it dangerous?

Yes, but

You are a real daredevil.

It won't be easy, making you

keep your feet on the ground.

These shoes are so narrow.

Thanks.

This is where I live.

Maybe we could...

... meet again?

You bet.

Yes!

- Can I help you?

- Vagn Laursen?

Down the corridor.

Room 12.

Thanks.

Five years, they say, at most.

But a Laursen never gives up.

How is dad taking it?

If he isn't in the stables

he's in his study.

He refuses to accept it.

That damned cancer.

That was "Christmas is coming"sung

by the Radio Choir. Now the news.

Here is the news.

Another Danish F-100 fighter

has crashed over Germany.

The pilot, Ole Jensen, was killed.

That is the tenth F-100 crash

in less than a year.

It is the highest number since

1950-1955 when 79 crashes...

Did you know him?

Yes.

- Did he have a wife and children?

- They were expecting their first.

I don't know

how I will cope...

... If I have to lose

two sons as well.

I am not going to be a fighter pilot.

Well, it is stupid to fly around in

something that can fall down.

How do you intend

to support a family?

I am looking at

a car dealership in Skive.

I see.

What do you know about cars?

As much as you knew

about harness racing.

I knew about horses.

There's plenty of horsepower in cars.

You should know.

Yes.

But I expect you'll go

on driving for Stald Kima.

Goodbye, dad.

See you on Sunday.

My goodness it is hot!

An ice-cold beer beneath the

starry sky would be fantastic.

And a nice cigarette.

- You need your head examined.

- Give me a break, Jrn.

I've lasted for... how long now?

Ten years.

Shall we change the subject?

You always said

it was important to be frank.

Even if it hurts and the truth

is almost impossible to face.

It's over now, and you know it.

I'd rather end on a beer and

a fag than a bowl of gruel.

This is the life, eh?

Yes.

We'll see dad's sulky in the stars.

Nothing is too grand for him.

They'll write Stald Kima

in the stars, too.

- What if we'd refused to drive?

- Dad wouldn't be where he is today.

Did he exploit us?

Other people would probably say so.

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