Original subtitles

The girls

Why the interest in this play?

There's a certain actuality to it.

Are we to do it in modern dress perhaps?

Good morning, dear lysistrata. What's wrong? You seem irritated.

Don't frown, it doesn't suit you. You'll look old before your time.

Kalonike, I'm... furious.

Because of these women.

We can't be trusted — Isn't that what the men always say?

Yes. Aren't they right?

I told them all to come — I said it was important.

Yet no one's here.

I bet they're all still snoozing in bed.

They'll come. It's so hard for a woman to get away.

She's got a husband to fuss over, the cleaning,

the children to put to bed, wash and feed.

Being a housewife... here it comes:

My goodness! Being a housewife is an importantjob.

Just the part for you!

But there are other things far more important.

- Gunilla, there's a call for you. - What?

Now what's the matter?

Hello, darling.

Sony 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 look old before your time.

Kalonike, I'm furious.

I can't say you look very furious.

I'm sick and tired of...

The boat and summer house are there, because / Don 7 have time off

shall I sell the lot, then?

Yes, do that!

And we'll live off what you make! No, that was silly. Nasty. Forget it.

That's better. Go on.

It's hard for a woman to get away.

She's got a husband to fuss over, children to put to bed, wash and feed.

Being a housewife is an importantjob.

But there are other things far more important.

What could that be, lysistrata?

This is a big thing.

It's up to us womenfolk to do something...

Can't I say "women"?

-Why? —I don't like "womenfolk."

Okay, say "women."

It's up to us women to do something about the world. It's in a bad way.

Bad, flght

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.

Oh, please, try and sound as though you were a bit interested.

How long did you say that tour would last?

Did you say something?

See? You can do it.

The ones I really thought would come are nowhere to be seen.

But look! There we've got some girls.

Lots of them.

Hello!

Hello!

For heaven's sake, where is the wretched girl?

We're a little late, lysistrata. Say something!

Like what, myrrhine, when you turn up so late for an important meeting?

I couldn't find my bra in the dark. If it's important, say what it is!

Marianne, if you learned to come to rehearsals on time,

you might even learn to find your place in the script.

I never want to see you again!

Right? That was better.

Damn it! Can't someone stop that child screaming!

- You're not taking him on tour, I hope. - —no money for the tram?

If it's important, say what it is.

No, wait...

-Right? —okay.

You see, this play is very important.

Immensely important

because it has to do with our own day and age.

Ifitis so important, could you tell us more precisely what its about?

Well, its rather hard to explain.

Its about how things stand... now.

To be a bit more precise,

its about... women and war.

- I thought it was about girls and boys. - —did you?

- —They never take anything seriously. - What woman ever does?

- But, joking apart, what is it about? - The play actually is a joke.

But with a very serious message.

Yet no laughing matter.

And we're to work with those... Silly fillies?

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Perhaps we 'd better let the viewers judge for themselves.

Here is an excerpt from the play.

- Who called this meeting? - I did.

- —And whatis it all for? - What's so important, I ysistrata?

Yes/ tell us/

-Good morning. —morning, madam.

- —Morning. - Morning, doggies!

Yes, whatis so important, I ysistrata? Tell us.

I'll tell you.

But first of all, do you mind if / ask you all one small question?

Go ahead.

Don't you all long for your men? For the fathers of your children?

They're in the forces.

I'm sure you've all got husbands away at the front.

Good morning. Can I help you?

My husband is been away five months.

Its so miserable.

I'll be using hair cream.

My husband is been gone seven months.

There is not a man in srght.

I'll soon be done.

But if / find a way of ending the war, wrl/ you support me?

Would you help me?

Indeed/ would.

If you're raising funds for peace, I'd pawn my whole wardrobe.

For peace, I'd sacrifice my figure and get as fiat as a Dover sole.

Good!

Aren't they sweet!

Here it comes then.

I am going to tell you my plan.

The sweetest doggies I've ever seen.

Here is a nice color.

Fellow womenl

if we 're 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

in that case,

we've got to stop sleeping with them/

total abstinence is the only thing that '/I work.

Why do you turn away? Why are you leaving?

Why do you bite your lrp and shake your head?

Why do you pale and start crying?

Do you or do you not want peace? Yes or no?

Mm... nice of you to call!

Are you at home, darling?

No. I'm at the ofifice, but I'm calling on my private line. Don't worry.

Look, she is leaving ton/ght

on that I ysistrata tour.

Let's celebrate.

How about dinner tomorrow, sweetie?

- —When you will be here? - Come to m y place. See how / live.

Does she know about us?

No, she has no idea.

See you tomorrow then, darling. Bye!

Do you or do you not want peace? Yes or no?

Not me. I'll ne ver do it.

Our new fragrance, madam?

Thank you.

- Thank you so much. - Goodbye.

What do you want? An end to the war or not? Yes or no?

Not me. I'll ne ver do it. Let the war go on.

I 'd ne ver manage it. Let the war go on.

- —The night train to kiruna... - Yes?

I wonder when it leaves.

Let the war go on.

The old Porter at the last place almost needed carrying!

Where are we now?

- —No singing. - No accompaniment.

-Do you have insurance? —no.

Are you so far off?

Of all the horrid rooms in all these horrid hotels, I have the worst!

-Have you got a shower? —no.

Is there a shower in this place?

Tourist office

Good morning.

-Good morning! —morning.

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 am almost a foreigner this far north.

Tell the lady that these dinners are hard to arrange — out of season.

I don't want any dinner, just a chat with someone.

In the afternoon, say.

That's when the children get home from school

and wives cook dinner.

- How about after the show? - People go to bed early up north here.

Listen, do you really exist? I can't see you.

Oh, good morning!

I recognize your voice now.

How nice to have you here in kiruna.

Perhaps I could offer you my home?

My wife is a great admirer of yours.

If what you say is true, that people won't move, to find a better life...

Changes like that can take many a generation to come about.

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

She is beginning to look old.

What is she asking all this for?

Not bad-looking on stage, though, with skrl/fu/ lrghting.

- You agree? - Oh, yes, of course.

I mean, who says they have to be just like us?

- I think dinner's ready. - Yes.

Shall we finish our drinks? Cheers.

Cheers.

Vvoops!

That was delicious.

Lots left over for the children.

Just the two? You intend having more?

I wonder how old she can be.

What is she got to do with us?

There is no call to get so personal with strangers.

When the children start school, you get a bit more time to yourself.

Maybe it's not so important to you.

Oh, yes, I entirely agree with you.

How about some coffee?

Are you happy?

Living this far north, I mean.

Of course!

I'm very happy here.

Definitely.

Women/ what a hopeless lot we are/

no wonder tragedies get written about us.

We've only one thing in our heads: Beds and cradles, men and children...

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

But if we do what you say — May the gods forbid it...

- Can you really guarantee peace? - Can you?

I'm sure of it. Listen. We move around, enticingly...

- She looks younger on stage. - In a virtually transparent negligee.

What rubbish.

But when they're about to have us, we refuse them entry.

They'll sign any peace treaty at all.

- But what if they leave us? - —exactly! What then?

We'll have to make do without them. "The lesser of two evils."

But suppose they get us into bed by force.

Hang on to the doorknob!

- Suppose they still force us? - Then it begins to get difficult.

She could be fun.

I don't understand a word of it.

It's no fun for the man when the woman doesn't want to play.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the show.

We liked it very much.

- And you got something out of it? - Oh, yes. Of course. Definitely.

It was very sweet of you to come backstage. Thank you.

Why does it always ha ve to be lrke this?

Girls, girls! Can I go first, taking the oath?

- —No. We're drawing lots. - But, lysistrata,

- how is the oath to be taken? - Yes, how?

Come here — all of you!

Kalonike, repeat the oath after me, word for word.

- The rest of you, join in! Swear! - We swear!

I swear.

No man shall come near me, neither husband nor lover.

No man shall come near me, neither husband nor lover.

No man shall come near me, neither husband nor lover.

Even if he comes like a battering ram...

Even if he comes like...

Like a battering ram.

No, lysistrata, I can't say it...

I go weak at the knees.

Even if he comes like a battering ram.

I shall remain as pure as a virgin. —marianne!

I shall remain as pure as a virgin. —/ shall remain as pure as a virgin.

I shall dress enticingly...

Marianne! Marianne!

- —/ shall dress enticingly... - To make my lover lust for me.

To make my lo ver lust for me.

To make my lo ver lust for me/

- —marianne! - I never want to see you again!

- —I'ii get a divorce. I promise. - You promise, yet you never will.

- I detest my wife, it's you I love. - I've heard it all before.

And you'll hear it again!

Stop going on about it! It only upsets me.

- Let's talk of fun things. - I've no sense of humor.

- But you do have my child. - Yes, that's a big joke!

- No one shall share my bed. - No one shall share my bed.

No one shall share my bed/

And if he forces himself upon me... —/f he forces himself upon me...

/f he forces himself upon me... —... I shall UN wa vering/y remain frrgid.

I shall UN wa vering/y remain frrgid. — m a ri a n n e!

I shall UN wa ven'ng/y remain frrgid.

This way, please.

Perhaps a whole bedroom suite? White is very popular at the moment.

Or something more exclusive in mahogany.

A wider bed, perhaps? We have both widths: 90 and 105 centimeters.

Very popular sizes. In here, we have a room full of spring mattresses.

Here you can try them, to see which type of mattress suits you best.

Here's a cross section.

The Springs are very strong in mid-bed,

where the center of gravity is greatest.

There are three firmness ratings:

60 for people up to 60 kilos,

85 for people up to 85 kilos,

and extra firm for people over 85 kilos

or for those desiring extra firmness.

Along here we can select a suitable headboard.

Here we have a bedroom suite in mahogany, in colonial style.

Mahogany is a very popular material.

These are two 90-centimeter mattresses,

but it's also available in widths of 105 or 200 centimeters.

This bed is the "sapphire" — Oak clad in raffia.

And / promise not to raise my legs to the skies.

I promise not to raise my legs to the skies.

"Atmosphere" is our newest suite — Available in oak or white gloss.

It costs 3,975 kronor, including vat.

Nor shall/ crouch on all fours.

Nor shall/ crouch on all fours.

This is the "Bella vista" suite.

Priced at about 1,700 kronor.

Do you all swear this?

"Yes, we swear."

- —I swear. - We swear!

No you don't!

No, no, no, no!

You and I have no need to talk.

No. Preferably not.

We understand each other anyway.

Yes. Enough, at least, to share a sleeper compartment.

- Have you no shame, old men? - —pensioners!

- Pyromaniacs! - What are you up to?

A ridiculous spectacle — A gang of women on guard duty!

- —What an insult! - What's ridiculous about it?

Let me tell you, "grandad,"

you've not seen a fraction of our strength.

Set fire to their skirts, men!

Empty your pots on them, girls, so they cool down!

Watch out, geezer, or I'll yank off what little you've got!

Stuff it, you old bag!

Darlings, I'll soon be home. Miss you. Mommy

pluck the old hens, kick them in their fannies!

Can I have these, please?

You can have anything you like, darling. You know that.

I should be happy then.

But you are happy.

Yes, very.

Anything else you'd like?

I've got all one could wish for.

I'm so happy. —right then.

Here you are.

Stephan, a little gentleman, in waistcoat and long trousers of corduroy.

The whole suit costs 19 kronor and 75 fire.

The shirt... is priced at 9.75...

Also available in yellow, blue and red.

See how well the tie matches.

We have another show at 6:30 pm...

To which you're all welcome — At our children's fashion department.

Why the water, you harridans?

Why the torches, you gits?

You'll be seeing fiames, hags!

And you'll see them quenched!

- Don't talk back! - I say what I want.

I'm free!

- I'll hot you up. - You need a wash. Where's the soap?

- I need a wash, you bitch? - Yes!

Your call — two minutes!

You stink!

- Set their hair on fire! - Pour water on the old sods!

- I'm glad you enjoyed it. - — we liked it very much.

- And you got something out of it? - Oh, yes. Of course. Definitely.

Wait — don't leave! Wait a moment!

Please come back and sit down for a moment.

I know it's not usual

for an actress to say anything apart from her lines. But...

While I was watching you tonight, I suddenly thought

that, given the chance, you'd want to talk to us and each other

about what you've seen...

I mean, discuss how you interpreted the play.

Well, now's our chance.

You can't go and get

your bags and hats and galoshes and gloves yet.

The cloakroom is closed another ten minutes, at my request.

I know we all want to go home for a bite, then get to bed.

But aren't there things more important than meals and sleep?

This is something that concerns us all.

Is it at all possible to change one another and the world we live in?

Can we? Can we change ourselves?

That's why aristophanes wrote this play.

To get things moving, to make people care.

And to make us...

To stop us sitting around believing we can do nothing.

There are things we can do.

Umm... eh?

And above all he wants us to stop our thinking we're so marvelous.

Here you sit, now, perfectly satisfied with yourselves.

What you've just seen was a trifle. A comedy, nothing to take seriously.

A real classic, nice and scholarly — Yet nothing worth any reflection.

You're sitting there like stuffed creatures.

Say something!

Don't you see? We've got to talk to each other.

Please stop being so embarrassed, and critical.

People must be able to talk to each other.

Don't you understand that it's we who make the world what it is?

What? Yet another women's revolt?

What happened... was it planned? —are you going on like this?

The press conference is in there.

What did you say to stop her?

What? Yet another women is re volt?

They're always fussing, dissatisfied,

wanting to change everything.

What ha ve they got to complain about!

- I think you should ask her. - But what is it that's...

- Wh at? - The y're out of their minds!

They yelled, poured water on us. It looked as if we 'd all wet ourselves.

I came as a civrl servant to collect money fiom the treasury,

and the gates get shut r'n my face by these crazy women.

- /tis got to stop. Fetch a crowbar! - No need to force the gates.

I'i/ come out voluntarily

- you need sense, not a crowbar. - Cods wallop!

Where is the ofificer? Arrest her!

Touch me and there 7! Be one less civrl servant to serve the public!

Scared now? Seize her, men! Tie her up! Get hold of her!

What were you trying to say?

I wanted to change things a bit.

- —What things? - I wanted to get people to talk.

-Any reaction? —no.

- You expected them to talk? - I'd hoped so.

Was it just to make contact with the audience, or...

Do you really believe in lysistrata's method?

Yes. Well, it's one way of doing it. I don't know if it's the right one.

- You reached them during the show? - Yes, and I thought they might talk.

- The world situation worries you? - —that's right.

More specifically — Vietnam, South Africa, or what?

- Political interest? - —there's political involvement behind it?

Of course you care about what happens to people and about world peace.

I'm no politician.

But, as I'm in this play now and she's trying to do something...

How do you see it? What do you consider we should do?

What do you ask of an audience wanting a nice evening at the theater?

I had hoped that it wasn't just nice having a nice time.

I thought it might be nice... Discussing one's thoughts.

Didn't you get it across in the play? Wasn't the play sufficient?

- You expected them to answer? - Where are you, girls?

All you aunts and grannies, sisters and sweethearts!

Knock them, sock them, kick them, fix them! Do your worst!

What do you want me to say? What do you want me to do?

- You demonstrate else where as well? - Yes.

Do you srgn petitions?

Now and then.

- —But why ton/ght? - Thatis beside the point.

Then why react ton/ght? Was it something personal?

- Has anything special happened? - No... but of course its personal.

I feel personally involved in this.

Politically in vol ved?

I want people to understand each other and stop fighting.

Are you politically in vol ved?

Yes, but not well informed

don't you like the play as it is?

- Yes, its wonderful - your part, you mean?

- No, the play. - Yet you want to change it?

No, its myself / want to change.

That's my wife!

Don't you understand? What on earth's come over her?

Get them, e veryone!

Stop! No more!

Enough!

We needn't go too far, though it is fun.

My men are defeated.

Exceedingly embarrassing.

Didn't you know that women like success too?

You gasbag, you so-called politician!

Why negotiate with mad women?

What did Liz actually do to cause all that fuss in the papers?

She began taking things seriously.

-Seriously? —yes... almost!

I've never had anything against women.

No, never!

But they obviously had a lot against us.

Liz really knew how to cause a commotion.

- Marianne always wanted change. - You don't say.

- Gunilla was never content. - Not her either?

Do you know what I think?

I don't think women ever existed!

Whatever the case, we've always behaved as if they didn't.

Oh! What's the matter with you?

- —I loved her. - Nonsense!

- —Didn't I love her? - Of course not.

Well, in that case...

Gentlemen!

After today's joyful ceremony,

we are once again free men!

At some point in history — I won't bother you with details...

We put women in their place.

They gave up and henceforth did as they were told.

We thought that that would all continue.

But we had nurtured a viper at our breast, if you'll permit the expression.

We thought they were tamed, but they started to revolt again.

They started to speak, and have opinions.

But now, gentlemen, that's all done with!

What you now see are the remains, a beautiful corpse.

So, you are now at Liberty to behave precisely as you wish.

And they won't be nagging and interfering in our doings, eh?

You may wage war whenever and wherever you like!

- You may kill, betray, cheat, exploit... - Yes! Yes! Yes!

And destroy, as much as you fancy!

Silence!

You gasbag, you so-called politician!

Why negotiate with mad women?

Well?

- What are you proposing to do? - —me?

I shall take over the treasury.

You? Look after the treasury?

What's so funny? I manage the housekeeping money.

- —Hardly the same thing. - What's the difference?

The treasury is for military funding.

That's exactly the point. We don't want any more wars.

Ooh... then who's to defend our city?

We shall defend you.

- You? - Exactly.

Monstrous!

Whether you like it or not.

Nonsense!

Why the anger? That's how things will be.

Preposterous!

We must defend you.

- —In the corner there. - Isn't it noisy there?

Miss?

"Miss"... there's room here.

The fiat-titted blonde's okay.

The big one's not bad either, if you take her glasses off.

Or her pants.

Good evening. A table near the band?

- We just want a quick meal and then leave. - Just eat and leave. This way.

- —A boring bunch of birds! - Not up for it. Let's go.

We really must do something.

-Right! —but what?

- —We... - Excuse me.

We could give a performance exclusively for women.

Followed by a debate.

- Debates are boring. - What?

- I said debates are boring. - You've got to start somewhere.

We'll organize something at home.

I won't have time.

Bengt's been so kind, looking after everything. I can't.

We wondered if you ladies would like to come over to our table for a drink.

No, thanks.

You can't just refuse.

Why not?

It's nice of you, but we're fine here.

Surely he'd understand if you want to do something...

- Didn't you hear what I said? - Please leave us alone.

Be grateful you're not left alone. That won't last long.

Would you please go away?

No social graces, you sourpusses!

-Pretty soon no man will want to — -go to hell, you stupid fat ape,

before I bash you so not even your own mom will recognize you.

Scram!

But we're friends, olle. Tell me honestly why you're here.

Carl sent me to talk to you.

Is he too busy to come himself?

He didn't think you'd listen.

- What do granges cost? - —buying atlas.

- Selling granges. - —buying ericsson.

- Atlas on offer. - —selling ball bearings.

I understand you, Liz. But Carl is under pressure.

His work is important and he needs your full support.

Isn't my work important, then?

He doesn't take my work seriously. Why should I take his seriously?

Why do you have to fight each other all the time?

Throughout that long war — Oh, what a war...

We endured, despite what you men were up to.

We were patient. We didn't even complain.

We disliked what you were doing, but had to grin and bear it.

But you were always complaining about the gravity of your problems.

Buying ball bearings!

With a forced smile we asked:

"Is peace any closer?

What was decided at the meeting of foreign statesmen?"

And you snapped:

"It's beyond you. It's a serious matter.

Politics is men's business." And we had to keep quiet.

Selling lm ericsson. —buying!

You're unfair to him, Liz. You know how involved he gets in his work.

- I too get involved in my work. - But, honestly, is it as important?

He needs a representative wife

who can see to his guests and his home and who is interested in his work.

- —Selling three. - 89:50... 90:00.

Buyer: Handelsbanken.

Sellers: Savings bank, Scandinavian, gotabanken...

Then you'd make an even sillier decision, and we'd sigh and say:

"How could you permit such insane behavior?"

And with a frown you'd reply:

"Mind your own business, or else!

- War is men's business." - Indeed! That's correct!

What did you say?

He thinks you want him to be a failure.

We must, simply, protect you from yourselves.

That's why we called a meeting of all women.

We can wait no longer.

Now you have to listen to us. It's our turn to talk.

It's your turn to listen, just as we've had to listen in the past.

We are putting things right.

- —Selling at 40. - I need 150 of them.

-I'd like 50. —selling at 20.

Don't you understand?

Yes, I understand.

I call every nrght, nobodyis home. Ica/I the ofifice. Engaged all day.

Would he call me? Oh, no!

The doctor sent me a polyfoto today.

Did you pay for it yourself?

Dishy!

Let's have a look.

Jesus! A polyfoto indeed!

- —How old is he? - Why?

You may not be handsome, but you're kind.

- Isn't he sweet? - Oh, heavens.

How would we manage without them?

I think they're bastards, all of them.

Aren't they sweet!

Aren't they sweet!

How would we manage without them?

How would we manage...?

- They're right old bastards, all of them! - Bastards, all of them!

- This nonsense is to stop. - It's monstrous!

- Preposterous! - Ridiculous!

Stop this!

We're now descending the so-called panic steps.

The panic steps comprise one of four entrances to the air-raid shelter.

Another is a lift, which can take ten people.

The total width of the entrance is 20.2 meters.

The entrances are protected by button-operated bombproof doors.

There are six of them.

The doors vary in weight between 12 and 20 tons.

The shelter has its own supply

of water, electricity and central heating.

But, in peacetime, the municipal grid and water supply are used.

There is also a youth club here, too.

And education and hobby facilities.

We've got a small bar and even a small theater.

Remarkable!

Air conditioning is ample.

60,000 cubic meters of air per...

How do you intend sorting this out?

- Thatis easy. - —really? Explain! I'm all ears.

Do you know anything about knitting?

If the wool gets tangled,

we sort all of it out, untrl its all been unraveled.

We 7! Unravel the war, too.

"Knitting"? Are you mad?

War is a serious business.

So serious that we need more talk about its "knitting."

It's probably just measles or something.

We'll get the doctor.

We'll get through this.

You ha ven't the faintest idea what war really is.

Marianne.

Marianne, come and have a look.

What is it?

I don't know.

- —They're waiting for something. - We'll soon find out what.

What is it? —nothing.

- Something's going to happen here. - It's just an aimless crowd.

- Have you nothing better to do? - Have you?

No, but you're not much company. I'm going for a walk.

Yes. Do that.

Why so sad, I ysistrata? What's the problem?

It is womenis nature.

- /t has me feeling despair. - — why on earth?

Its just the way / feel

what has happened that's so ternb/e?

We 're your fiiends. You can talk to us about anything.

Women! Put away your knitting and your fish slices!

Stop bringing up your sons as well — Paid slaves in our welfare state.

We can demonstrate!

There are at least a million women in this country between 20 and 60.

If we're united, what a gigantic demonstration it would be!

It would scare our rulers stiff...

What? Nothing to complain about? That mustn't stop us complaining!

So you think everything's all right the way it is?

How about our day-care centers and housemaids?

When will they be tax-deductible? How about wages for housewives?

How many of you housewives get that? Plus holiday pay!

Silence!

It's the principles that count.

Those principles are far more important than private life.

But we haven't formulated them yet.

We've had too much to do. Too many diapers to change.

But the woman of the future will do it for us.

She's not been born yet. But just you wait!

This is only a beginning!

Marianne! Marianne! Mari, mari, marianne!

I know what you all want. Something you can never have.

That's life, girls. Isn't it just great?

Let's go on torturing ourselves, the more the better.

Let's seek out our unhappiness and make the most of it.

Let us live as miserably as we can, so we can always blame the men.

Let us never take responsibility.

Shout and scream all you want, no one listens to us anyway.

Let's compromise as we always do.

Let us always be sure to do our duty as mothers.

As mistresses. Even as wives.

So we go down in history as the sex that always says,

"yes, yes, yes,"

when we should be saying "no! No! No!"

Women... I'm starting to side with the men.

They're right.

We're ignorant, lazy, easily scared,

and conservative.

And scatterbrained, too.

How will we ever be capable of improving the situation?

What are we so scared of?

We're just as responsible as the men for the world.

But, if we refuse to take action, we should at least admit why we don't.

- It's because we're frightened. - —oh?

- And stupid. And dull-witted. - What!

Afraid of losing the security we're sure to lose anyway.

Come here so I can talk to you!

But we have to do something!

Like what?

Maybe we can't manage much better than the men.

But they're no good at honesty. They've proved that.

This is our chance to act, so why don't we?

Tell us what to do then!

- Standing there yelling won't help. - —rubbish!

Shut up!

- You see? Something did happen. - It always does, if you're patient.

Hello, darling.

How lovely to see you. I've missed you so.

And now I'm staying here until you come to your senses.

I've come to take you home.

This nonsense has gone on long enough.

You've had your bit of fun.

Now it's my turn.

You have your duty to me...

And I can't live without you, I admit it.

My work suffers.

What about my job?

Yes, dear, your work may be very nice. But it's nothing to take seriously.

It's got nothing to do with reality.

So I can be your housekeeper?

No, I have no wish for you to become a boring old housewife.

I want you to be fun, cheerful

and understanding.

I want you to take care of me because I need you.

I want you to be representative and like having my friends home.

And your other women?

What other women?

You know as well as I do that I'd never look at another woman.

Stop lying!

You want your men! And they want you just as much!

Don't give up. Stick it out a bit longer.

The oracle predicts victory for us if we do.

-Who goes there? —me.

- Heavens, a man! - For god's sake, get myrrhine.

I'll see if she wants to talk to you.

Kalonike.

Leave!

Of course I love him, but he doesn't love me.

Myrrhine! Why this?

You know I love you. Come out, beloved.

No. —not even when I call for you, myrrhine?

You call, yet care nothing for me at all.

I wrl/ get a divorce, I promise.

At least listen, for our son's sake. Have you no feelings?

- Don't you worry about the lad? - Yes, I do. But you don't.

Come and fetch him, then!

It's hell being a mother. Yes, I'm coming!

Why treat me like this?

What have those damn cows shoved into your brain?

Darling, come home.

I don't want to.

No! Only if you and the other men promise to stop the war.

If that's all you want, I'll do everything I can.

If you really want me back, promise!

Darling... it's been so long.

No! We can't be having sex while that baby's here!

Take the baby, someone.

I swore an oath. I cannot break it.

Don't worry, I'll take the consequences.

But we need a bed.

- We can lie on the ground. - —no, darling!

You mustn't lie on the ground, you might catch cold.

I'll just get undressed first.

Oh, dear — we need a mattress.

I don't want a mattress!

-Of course you do. —kiss me.

Look, here's the mattress. Up you jump!

Oh, darling, you have no pillow.

- —I don't want a pillow. - But I do.

That's it — we've got all we need?

All but you, my love. Come on.

I'll just get undressed.

But promise not to cheat over the peace treaty.

I swear!

But, darling, you have no quilt!

I don't want a damn quilt. I want you!

There you are... up with you!

I'm already up.

Shall I spray you with perfume?

- —No, no_. - Oh, yes! Just a little.

Hell, do I have to be disinfected?

No more now.

Come under the covers and I'll show you what I've got saved up for you.

Come on then...

I'm coming.

I'll just get undressed.

And, darling, you promise to vote for peace, don't you?

For god's sake, she's done a bunk!

She's tricked me.

She just left me, in this state!

But I must have someone. Anybody.

Any-damn-body!

- —Is all this mine? - It's a present. You're back again.

Yes, I am.

Listen, I'll get divorced. I promise. —oh, no!

Hello, darling.

Hello, bearer of tidings.

Are you bearing a spear under your toga?

What did you say?

Oh, just a line from the play.

You actors always quote lines...

Always muddling drama with reality.

Oh, no, lknow exactly what reality is:

Ha vr'ng the dullest husband in the world.

Yes, I know. It can't be much fun.

What can I do?

Ein...

Sch wein...

Eur e.

Its me you're supposed to be interested in, you fool.

Do something!

How true it is: You're impossible to live with.

And impossible to live without! So now — a treaty, an everlasting treaty.

I'll never lift a finger against you, nor you against me.

Now's the time to start. Music!

They're not so bad, the girls.

Though I prefer them at a distance. A man has a right to a life of his own.

It's different for women.

Yet... they'll grow up one day, too.

They haven't grown up since aristophanes's day, so why now?

Has the tour been a success?

Yes, thank you.

As usual, we've been out, changing people is lives.

- —Ho w? - We've made them realize

how blind, stupid, selfish, idiotic, hopeless, bon'ng

and uninvolved they are.

How little they get out of life.

- — Yet the y're still blind. - Stupid.

- — Unin vol ved. - Silly.

- —Boring. - Bored.

-/mpossible. — irresponsible.

- Selfish. - Hopeless.

But now at least they know it.

- Did you hear what they said? - —no. I heard nothing.

- Cheers! - Cheers.

I ysistrata! Incomparable woman!

This is your greatest hour.

Make no compromises! Show your wisdom,

because now you hold the countryis politicians r'n your beautiful hand.

We entrust you with our destiny.

It is for you to settle, for all trme, each and e very conflict.

How splendid. 4ndeed.

Well, that was a charming play.

Glad you thought so.

But it's all over now, isn't it? You'll be coming home to me.

Now that we have so much r'n common r'n this world,

can we not stop all this fighting and bickering?

Let us make peace.

Say yes!

- You were fantastic on TV, darling. - I'm always fantastic.

You should see her in bed! And in the kitchen.

Dinner is served.

The flower arrangements are so frightfully beautiful.

- It's splendid. - —when was it built?

- Cheers! - Cheers.

- Oscar! Cheers. - Cheers!

- Your nose needs powdering. It's shiny. - I'd better fix it.

- While I take a sip. Here's to you! - —and you!

- Wasn't that cceur de fillet exquisite? - —exquisite!

What a splendid dish! Cheers!

Liz lindstrand!

There's such a lot I'd like to say and do.

And to begin with...

I'm getting a divorce!

But that's my wife! Don't you understand?

- What on earth's come over her? - You've been blind and selfish.

- Idiotic and irresponsible. - But I need her.

- Impossible and disinterested. - Not true!

- Hopeless. - Stupid.

Idontsee_.

Liz, I'll not stand for this.

This means war!