The Girls

THE GIRLS:

-Are we going by bus or train?

-Shall we do it in modern costume?

Good morning, dear Lysistrata.

What's the matter? You're irritated.

Don't frown. It doesn't suit you.

You'll age before your time.

Kalonike, I'm...furious

because of these women.

We're not reliable like the men say.

Yes. And they're right, aren't they?

I told them all to come. I said

it was important and no one's here.

I bet they're all still in bed.

They'll come. You know

it's hard for a woman to get away.

She's fussing over her husband

or chasing up a slave

or putting a baby to bed

or washing or feeding it.

Being a housewife...

Here it comes...

Being a housewife

is an important job.

But there are far more

important things.

Gunilla,telephone for you.

What now?

Hello, darling. Sorry to disturb you

but what time will you be home?

Good morning, dear Lysistrata.

What's the matter?

Don't frown. It doesn't suit you.

You'll age before your time.

Kalonike, I'm furious.

I can't say you look very furious.

But we have the boat

and the summer house

because I'm not free!

Should I sell them?

Yes, do that.

And we'll live off what you make!

No,forget it.

That's better.. Go on.

It's hard for a woman to get away.

She's fussing over her husband

or putting a baby to bed

or washing or feeding it...

Being a housewife

is an important job.

But there are far more

important things.

-What could that be, Lysistrata?

-This is a big thing.

It's up to us womenfolk

to do something

Can't l say "women"?

-Why?

-I don't like "womenfolk".

It's up to us women

to do something about the world.

It's in a bad way.

If it's up to us, it really is bad.

Don't you see? If we could unite,

we could change a lot in the world.

We can't get involved in politics.

Our duty is to look after our home and

husband and children and husband...

Do sound as if

you're a bit interested.

How long did you say

this tour would last?

Did you say something?

See? You can do it.

Those I really thought would

come first just aren't here.

But look... Here are some women.

Lots of them.

Hello!

For heaven's sake,

where is the wretched girl?

Are we late, Lysistrata?

Well, saysomething.

What's to say, Myrrhine?

So late for an important occasion?

I couldn't find mybra in the dark.

If it's important, tell us what it is!

Marianne, if you learned

to be ontime,

you might even learn

to find your place in the text.

I never want to see you again!

That's better..

Can't someone stop

that child screaming?

You're not taking him on tour,

I hope!

If it's important,

tell us what it is.

No, wait.

You see...

this play is very important,

because it has to do

with our own day and age.

If it's so important,

could you tell us more precisely

what it's about?

Well, it's rather hard to explain,

it's about how things stand... now.

In fact, to be more precise,

it's about...

women and war.

I thought it was about

boys and girls.

-They nevertake anything seriously.

-What woman ever does?

Joking apart, what's it about?

The play actually is a joke.

A very serious one.

Nothing to joke about.

We're supposed to work with them?

Silly things.

Perhaps we'll let the viewers

judge fort hemselves.

Here's an excerpt from the play.

- Who called this meeting?

-I did.

And what's it for?

Yes, what's so important, Lysistrata?

Good morning.

Yes, what's so important,

Lysistrata? Tell us.

I'll tell you. But first of all...

Do you mind if l ask you all

one small question?

Go ahead.

Don't you all long for your men?

For the fathers of your children?

They're mobilized. I'm sure you've

all got husbands away at the front.

Can I help you?

Mine's been away for five months.

I can't tell you how sad it is.

Mine's been gone for seven months.

There's nota man around.

If l find a way of ending the war,

will you support me?

Will you help me?

If you're raising funds for peace,

I'd pawn everything in my wardrobe.

I'd fillet myself like a flat-fish

and give away half for peace.

Good!

Here you are then...

I shall tell you my plan.

Fellow women!

If we want to force the men

to make peace, we've got to give up...

Give up what?

Are you ready?

We're ready to die if necessary.

Well... we've got to stop

sleeping with them!

Total abstinence is all that'll work.

Why do you turn away?

Where are you going?

Why do you shake your head

and turn pale?

Do you want peace? Yes or no?

Nice of you to call.

Are you at home, darling?

No, at the office,

but I'm calling on my private line.

Look, she's leaving tonight

on that Lysistrata tour.

Let's celebrate.

How about dinner tomorrow?

-When you will be here?

-Come to my place for a chamge.

Does she know about us?

No, not the faintest suspicion.

See you tomorrow then, darling.

Bye!

Do you want peace? Yes or no?

Not me. I'll never do it.

Our new perfume, madam?

How do you want it?

Peace or war? Yes or no?

Not me. I'll never do it.

Let the war go on.

I'd never manage it.

Let the war go on.

-The nighttrain to Kiruna...

-Yes, madam?

When does it leave?

Let the war go on.

The old porter at the last place

almost needed carrying instead!

Of all the horrid rooms in all

the horrid hotels, I have the worst!

- Have you gota shower?

- No.

Is there a shower in this place?

I believe you have a scheme

for tourists to meet local families.

I'm from Stockholm and I'd like

to meet some nice people.

Just a moment.

Say it's only for foreigners.

I'm almost a foreigner up here.

Tell the lady that these dinners are

hard to arrange this time of year..

I don't want dinner,

just a chat with someone.

in the afternoon...

That's when children get home

from school and wives cook dinner.

- How about after the performance?

- People go to bed early up here.

Do you really exist?

I can't see you.

Oh, good morning!

I thought I recognized your voice.

How nice to have you

here in Kiruna.

Why not visit our home?

My wife is a great admirer of yours.

If what you say is true, that people

won't move to make a better life,

changes like that take

many generations.

Isn't it wrong to assume that we...

- She's beginning to look old.

- What's she asking all this for?

Not bad on stage, though,

with flattering lighting.

- Don't you think so?

-Yes, of course.

Who says they have

to be just like us?

I think dinner is ready now.

Shall we finish our drinks?

Cheers.

That was delicious.

Lots left for the children, too.

You have just the two?

Do you intend having more?

-I wonder how old she is?

- What's she got to do with our life?

There's no call to get

so personal with strangers.

When the children start school,

you get more time to yourself..

Maybe it's not important to you...

Oh, I quite agree.

How about some coffee?

Are you happy?

Living so far north I mean?

Oh, yes. I'm very happy here.

Definately.

Women! What a hopeless lot we are!

No wonder tragedies

are written about us.

We've only one thing in our heads.

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