Original subtitles

DAY AND NIGHT

#For most people,Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003 was a day like any other.

#For one person, though, this day was special.

#On this day, 40-year-old Thomas Ekman,

#a respected architect and a family man,

#put a bullet in his brain at 8:03 pm

#using a Walther GSP handgun bought for this purpose.

- Put on your seat belt. - All right...

- Why did it die? - It was old.

Could you drive faster?

Why? The light's red.

- Mum will be angry if I'm late. - We'll make it.

- Will you pick me up afterwards? - After what?

- After school. - No.

- That's typical. - What do you mean?

You could have come over to Mum's place with me.

- Are you sad, Dad? - No, why should I be?

You just seem sad, that's all.

No.

It's because I'm going on a trip...

I guess.

- Could you drive faster? - Don't nag.

Why did you buy such fast car?

I'm driving as fast as I can. We'll make it in time.

Why didn't you buy a cheap car if you wanted to drive slow?

- Mum says you drink. - She does?

And that she caught you screwing another woman.

- That's not true. - That's what she says.

I screw loads of other women. Many more than you ever will.

And I soak myself in booze, I'm blind drunk all the time.

Like right this minute?

No, not right now.

Who cares, you're still my dad. Well, you are.

- Mum will find you a new dad. - No.

And I bet he'll be a better dad too.

Mum says you'll always be my dad, even if she meets someone.

Has she met someone?

- Already? - Yes, just like you.

- You've got that bimbo. - I thought you liked her.

She can go to hell, so Mum can come back.

She has someone new.

- Who is he? - I'm not allowed to tell you.

- Mum said I wasn't to tell you. - Tell me!

Mum told me not to.

Do I know the man? She didn't say you couldn't tell me that, right?

What's his initial?

J.

- Jakob. - Don't tell Mum.

Promise?

It doesn't matter anyway...

I don't want to be a dad.

I won't be a dad, not after today...

- You've got to! - Aren't you listening?

I don't want to do it. I can't do it. I don't feel anything!

I'm drinking myself to death.

I don't care what you say! Do you hear that?

Do you think the divorce was just a way to leave your mother?

I wanted to leave you too.

I didn't want you when you were born, and I don't want you now.

Now when you get out of this car, you will be out of my life.

As if you never existed at all.

I want you to know what a rotten person I am.

I'm a real bastard. Haven't you realised that?

- No, you're not. - Stop arguing with me!

- I'm a bastard. - No, you're my dad.

- Look at the bird. - Where?

Its beak.

- It's bloody... - Because I killed it.

I put rat poison in its food.

It fell off its perch, twitched, spit up some blood and died.

I killed your bird.

I killed your bird. I did it!

Hello, Jakob, it's Thomas.

All right if I come around an hour from now and drop off the keys?

Out in front of the lobby?

Good. Bye.

Hi!

Give me a kiss, for God's sake.

- I thought you were busy today. - I am.

- I'm going to get streaks done. - Jump in. Just do it.

I know what you want.

- Where are we going? - For a drive.

Exciting...

- Did you drop him off at school? - Yes.

Was he sad about the bird?

- No. - Good.

Listen, I want to ask you something.

What have I meant to you?

- Why do you ask? - I want to know.

I'm not sure what to say.

- I have meant something, haven't I? - Yes.

So tell me.

Because of you I don't feel as lonely anymore.

- Is that it? - That's not too bad.

What do you think it's like in New York?

I don't know...

I wonder where I'll go shopping. What do you think?

You should buy something for Emil. Have you thought of that?

Has he said anything? Have you asked him what he'd like?

- No... - Haven't you asked him?

Well, you'd better ask him.

Yes, I will.

Sarah, listen to me...

Listen.

- I'm listening. - I want you to pay attention.

I can't do this anymore.

- What can't you do? - Everything.

- Does that include me? - Yes.

- It does. - Is something bothering you?

You never say anything, you don't share your thoughts or your feelings.

I can't take it anymore, we're through.

- I don't want to hear it. - What if I need you to be strong?

That's not the deal, you're supposed to take care of me.

- What about me? - Go to a therapist, or a whore.

What if I need you to listen to me? For you to listen to me?

Is this about leaving the kid with that bitch?

It doesn't matter if she's fucked up.

The mother always has the advantage. You don't stand a chance in court.

- Make the best of it... - I'm telling you that's not it.

We're not going to New York.

Then where are we going?

I'm going on my own.

What about me? What's going to happen to me?

- I can't be bothered. - Give me one last chance.

I promise I'll make it better.

- I'm sorry if I've hurt you... - It's too late.

- Tell me what you want, I'll change. - It's too late. We're through.

I'll reinvent myself for you, I know I'm not perfect.

I need you in order to become a better person.

Tell me what you want me to change, and I'll do it.

You're all I have.

I can't make it without you.

Please? Give me one more chance.

You and I will never be together again.

You're such a fucking coward!

You're an impotent old man.

And you've got the smallest dick in the world.

Did you really think it did anything for me?

Did you think it was for real? You're such a loser.

I've had a hundred lovers that were better than you.

Listen to me, you aren't getting off the hook that easy!

Fuck me...

Fuck me!

Hang on... - That swimming complex leaks, you know.

- Get in. - Do you have the keys?

Wait a minute...

Hello?

Take me to McDonald's, I'm starving. This phone is a piece of crap.

- Hi. - Hi, Jakob.

Don't you want to go inside? Say goodbye?

No, you're the one I want to say goodbye to.

- It's funny, we can't find the leak. - It's not my problem.

- You designed it. - Finding the hole isn't my problem.

- Why did you quit? - New prospects.

Did you have a problem with someone?

Who would that be?

- I need a change of atmosphere. - Right, I understand.

- Have you considered it too? - Considered what?

Considered what?!

- How are you? You seem nervous. - I'm fine.

- Relax. - I'm relaxed. Considered what?

- Starting over, with a new family? - No, why should I?

I don't know, I thought you might have met someone.

- What's going to happen in New York? - Nothing, I hope.

What's this?

- That's bloody disgusting! - Leave it alone. It's Emil's bird.

Right... I should follow your example.

Only I'm too scared.

And I've got the house and the summer place to think of.

I wish I could do something that would make me feel alive.

Toss dog shit inside a car or knock down blind people...

I'm like a bird in a cage, shitting now and then to prove I'm alive.

Maybe I'm dying, or getting old. Or maybe it's the same thing?

I hate this life. You're born and you die, the sun rises and sets...

You rush home and it's time to get up again. Life is meaningless.

- Don't you agree? - I don't know.

That's right, we don't know a thing.

We stumble around in the dark without finding anything.

Maybe suicide is the answer.

Jumping off a building, drowning in the sea, taking poison, hanging,

or putting a plastic bag over your head...

Only poison tastes awful, the pavement is hard,

and the sea's cold, so I don't do a thing.

- But at least you'll get old. - Who'll take care of me then?

My wife?

I haven't loved anyone enough for them to want to take care of me.

Like you, for example.

I could have been there for you, but I didn't make the effort.

Shit, I forgot my wallet.

All right if I...?

Great, thanks.

I'm so hungry.

- #May I take your order?# - A chicken sandwich.

- And orange juice. - #Would that be the nuggets?

- The McChicken... - I'll just have the juice.

- Will that be all? - I'd like to have a Big Mac.

A double McCheese burger, a large order of McFries...

...four Chicken McNuggets, and a vanilla McMilk shake.

- #Will that be all?# - McThanks!

#Your order will be waiting for you at the next window.

Thanks.

Great...

That's your juice. That's my milk shake.

Give this to Emil, he'll love it.

- What would you know about that? - Kids usually love these things.

Don't you tell me what Emil likes.

- Why are you so angry? - I'm not.

Just don't tell me what he likes.

After all, I'm still his dad.

Do you want an apology?

Because I let you down when you had your drinking problem?

Come on, admit you're angry.

That I mean enough for you to be disappointed in me.

- Say something. - I just want to say goodbye.

I let you down when you needed me, I was a real jerk.

Tell me I'm your friend, that you'll miss me.

Say something!

I lost my appetite.

I'll eat at work...

- See you... - I hope not.

Goodbye.

Say hello to Anna.

You asshole... Why didn't you say anything?

- Say what? - Don't act stupid, you know what.

That Anna and I are having an affair.

Why aren't you angry? You have every right to be angry.

I didn't know there was anything going on between you, I swear.

- Who do you mean? - Between you and Anna.

We never see each other when Emil is around.

Only when he was staying with you.

I say I'm playing golf, not that my wife cares what I do.

Forgive me.

- You've done me a favour. - What do you mean?

I'm glad she's met someone, so she won't be lonely.

- Don't feel guilty. - I like her honesty...

- Spare me the declarations of love. - That wasn't what I meant.

- She talks about... - No excuses. No more talk.

Stop making excuses. Both of you have done me a favour.

I've got rid of my best friend and my wife in one blow. Thank you.

Anna, there's something I'd like to say to you...

I'd like...

...to talk to you, Anna.

I'd just like you to know...

- Did he get to school on time? - Yes.

Did you pack him a lunch?

- Did you? - No.

No, just look at that mud...

He's going to miss you. Because you'll lose in court.

- I might not lose. - You'll be in New York.

- Without a stable environment. - While yours is?

I know why you picked me up. To make a good impression.

That's not why.

I wanted to ask you to forgive me, everything about me.

What have you done, besides cheating on me and destroying our family?

- Could you forgive me? - No.

Can't you please forgive me?

If you're serious, you'll let me have sole custody of Emil.

He's all I have left.

Without him, I'm nothing. I used be somebody, once.

Only you destroyed me when you left.

I didn't leave, you kicked me out. But maybe you've forgotten that.

Remember this? Our song...

- How banal we were... - No, and your eyes were beautiful.

So, what colour are they?

- I don't remember. - You could never look me in the eye.

It wasn't because I was ashamed.

I didn't want you to see my joy.

I was glad I cheated, that you were mine and I didn't only belong to you.

- I was glad you were unfaithful. - You were?

It meant you were a burden on someone else as well.

I knew you'd be punished some day, that's why I left.

So you could enjoy lying in the gutter.

That's why you did it, right? So you would be kicked out.

Have you ever made love?

Well, have you? Felt close, invincible and happy?

Maybe...

Who was the woman?

- I don't remember. - Oh yes, you do. Who was she?

- I don't... - It's nothing to be ashamed of.

I don't remember. Now shut up.

- Emil asked me something. - What?

- "Will I ever see Dad again?" - He knows it might take some time.

He can say: "What's Dad doing now? Is he having strawberries just like us?"

- He wants us to get back together. - Kids always do.

Here we are, time to get divorced.

Keep driving!

- We'll be late. - I don't care, keep driving!

- Keep driving! - They're expecting us!

- You are a pain in the ass. - Drive!

I don't care if we're late, you're not leaving today anyway.

I've fought so hard to keep this family together.

I believe that the three of us could be happy if we made the effort.

I've never felt like this with anyone else.

This feeling of belonging. We think the same, isn't it awful?

We've had lots of good times too.

And more than that, we managed to be happy, didn't we?

Weren't we happy sometimes?

Well, weren't we?

I was happy when you squeezed my throat.

I'd never dared ask to be choked before.

To not be able to breathe when we had sex.

I wanted to be totally in your power.

Sometimes you kicked me too.

- I begged: "Please! Please!" - Anna!

- You spat on me, called me a bitch. - I don't want to hear this.

I cried tears of joy.

I loved waking up with your marks on my body.

I knew I was totally yours,

and that your mistresses wouldn't give you as much.

That's not true.

I've walked all over many woman, and each one asked for it.

I love you.

I love you.

Who else do you love?

Or do you only screw the others?

- Stop it, I feel sick... - Is screwing all you have to offer?

Let's take care of business.

You're not taking Emil.

I need to talk to you, Anna.

I called them... the lawyers.

I told them you can have sole custody of Emil. Are you satisfied?

I've signed the papers already. We just have to go in

and put both our signatures on everything.

We're going to do it right now.

Let's go sign those papers, all right?

Why can't anyone reach you...

...deep down?

- Yes, they can. - No, they can't. Not ever...

You've got so much tenderness inside.

But there's always a door that remains shut. Why?

Why is some part of you always concealed?

Remember when your mother...

The hospital called, said she'd been admitted?

I didn't know your mother was alive, you hadn't told me that.

And when Emil was a newborn, you wouldn't hold him. Why was that?

You didn't want to hold your own child.

Remember that? Why didn't you want to?

Is it my turn to cry?

Tell me why you should cry.

I don't think you can.

Let's go sign those papers.

Let's get it over with, all right?

Hello, my name is Thomas Ekman.

I would like to visit my mother, Maria Ekman, this afternoon.

Good. Thank you.

- Move it! - #Shut up.

- #I said: Shut up.# - Why don't you get moving?

Are you blind? Don't you see there's been a car accident?

- No, I didn't see that. - Then behave yourself.

All right if I get in? I'm cold.

This fellow ran out in front of a lorry.

The driver swerved and ran over a little girl.

She could have been my own grandchild.

- Would you like a nip? - No, thank you.

Would you like a mint?

- I really have to get to work. - Where do you work?

Downtown, at the railway station.

I work at the public lavatories down in the basement.

I guess you could say that I'm the superintendent.

- Been there a long time? - A few years.

- It's nothing much to talk about. - Why is that?

Because I know you'll think my job is meaningless.

And draw the conclusion that my life is meaningless.

- Only it isn't, in my opinion. - I wouldn't think such a thing.

You see, I've worked there for 29 years.

I've spent all my adult years in the loo.

People come there to do something very ordinary.

It's something all living creatures here on earth have in common.

I love them for it.

- For taking a shit? - I don't use expressions like that.

It's an important function.

It's quite a beautiful thing, I think.

You see, day after day I've heard people

utter sounds of satisfaction inside the stalls.

And it pleases me to know they're content.

That they can go out into the daylight

and continue to take care of their important business.

Do you understand what I mean?

Once I peed next to Ringo Starr.

I didn't know he would be so famous.

Then I might have turned around and peed on his trousers...

Well, well...

Goodness, something's up. Time I toddled off to my car.

Remember, your life's not in the toilet.