Original subtitles

I WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION.

CAN I DO IT HERE?

WITH KIND REGARDS, E. ROTHNER

I WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION. CAN I DO IT HERE?

So…

Let's go… Yeah. Back a bit.

When we talk with each other,

we always react reciprocally to one another.

That reaction happens within 200 milliseconds.

That's about as long as a blink.

That's astonishing, considering how long it takes

to deliver one word, if you will, namely 600 milliseconds.

Or even more. So there's a significant overlap between these two actions.

Between listening and preparing one's own answer.

This phenomenon is already found in toddlers, or if you go back even further,

well, way back,

in our primates' relatives, as you can clearly see here.

Has she? Have you?

Maybe you're just not a good conflict-potential sharer.

Well, anyway, we're not monsters because we have a single child, are we?

No. We weren't even sure about having the first one.

- Oh, you weren't sure? - When you got pregnant…

Of course when I got pregnant. Definitely not after I had given birth.

Of course we wanted her once she was born.

- I still had doubts though. - Paul.

She was so ugly.

- With her pale skin, sticky eyes. - Just like her dad.

She looked like Gollum. It was… Yes, what?

- He sees us as his guinea pigs. - Nonsense.

Come on, you do have a tendency.

Actually, I was just thinking how much I enjoy this.

Cute.

You look happy.

- You see this? They still kiss each other. - What? Well…

Come on, please, get a room. This is gross.

You don't kiss me at all anymore.

Enough. Give me the glass.

- Make fun of it. - Pass the wine.

You've had too much wine.

Well, yeah.

That's it again for a couple of weeks.

Your place? Or my place?

- Yours is closer, right? - Yeah.

You can sleep in at your place. I've got to leave early.

Yes, that's…

- Are you okay? - My shoes.

What about Christmas? Is your brother flying in?

Because if we want to go away, we need to book soon.

Yes, Adrienne wanted to ask Mom if Marc is coming since his wife is pregnant.

I'm seeing someone else.

Another man. I'm seeing another man.

How?

Seeing, how?

Well, seeing.

He's Spanish, a pilot. It's been going on for three months.

- Well, say… - What am I supposed to say?

I don't know. Say something for once.

No. Okay. I don't know either.

Marlene.

Stop for a moment.

Just wait.

I think about him all the time.

He's at his hotel. He wants me to leave you,

to go to Madrid with him.

And then?

I told him I can't just do that.

- Good evening. - Excuse me. She's staying.

Leo, I just don't know.

- I'm sorry. Please let go. - Marlene!

Damn.

Marlene, answer the phone!

Marlene, answer your phone. Answer it. You can't do this. Let's…

Is this a diamond?

Yes, this is a diamond with a round brilliant cut.

Personally, I like the traditional ring.

While engaged, you wear it on the left side,

and once you're married, on the right.

This one.

An inscription maybe?

A date? A few personal words?

CANCELLATION

DEAR LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AT "LIKE" PUBLISHING,

IF YOUR PERSISTENT IGNORING OF MY ATTEMPTS TO CANCEL A SUBSCRIPTION

SHOULD SERVE THE PURPOSE TO SELL MORE ISSUES OF YOUR PUBLICATION,

WHICH IS CONTINUOUSLY DECLINING IN STANDARDS, I AM HEREBY ADVISING YOU:

I WILL NOT PAY ANYTHING ANYMORE!

WITH KIND REGARDS, E. ROTHNER

You've got the wrong email. Mine is wörter@leike.com.

You want wörter@like.com.

You're the third person trying to cancel. The issue must be really bad.

This is a contest of fucking depressing looks.

Who's winning?

The rubber tree is ahead.

Yeah.

The Christmas lights rob it of its last shred of dignity.

Hey, you should be glad that she left you.

- Stupid bitch. - You don't even know her.

Maybe that's because she was never here when I came to visit you.

Maybe that's because you never wanted her to move in with you.

Do you have any friends at all?

Funny you should mention that because I do, in fact, have a friend,

- Clara, clever, pretty and a vegetarian. - Oh, no, please.

Hey!

Say, don't you have to be somewhere?

Right, it's already late.

Hey.

I'm sorry.

Forget it.

But if you're still a couch potato

listening to this depressing song next time,

I'll torch you.

No!

Well, Christmas in Paris.

And your family?

As long as Adrienne is there, Mom's happy.

On the 19th.

How about staying for New Year's?

- What are you doing? - I'm hungry.

You too?

Now?

What did she write exactly?

"Leo, it doesn't work, I can't.

Paris would be just another lie. Please forgive me."

I answered, "Marlene, I want to marry you.

I now know that I can do it. Please, let's talk about everything in Paris."

Adrienne?

- Are you crazy? - Adi!

Give yourself a deadline so you have a bit of control.

Yeah, good, 9:00.

- If she doesn't reply by 9:00, then… - Yes.

Yep.

LEO, IT DOESN'T WORK, I CAN'T.

PARIS WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER LIE. PLEASE FORGIVE ME! MARLENE

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR, EMMA ROTHNER.

Dear Emma Rothner, thank you for your inspired mass email.

Best wishes, Leo Leike.

Passive-aggressive idiot.

Poetic.

The lack of charm and imagination in your previous festive email doesn't correlate

with your natural eloquence.

Blah, blah, blah.

That's great. Why use words when sounds will do?

Exactly. Why?

The world would keep turning even if we didn't put names on things.

You really believe that words are useless?

I think that words are elusive, unpredictable.

As a linguist, I'll have to disagree.

As a passive-aggressive idiot, you have to.

Words are both…

a mask and a revelation.

You're a happy man.

She didn't call.

- You can spend Christmas with us, then. - Forget it.

Come on, you still haven't told them about Paris anyway.

- Mom thinks… - No. No.

Jeez.

YOU ARE A HAPPY MAN.

It's so magical here.

The ocean, the sky…

Ocean. Sky.

Would the world be the same if we'd never found words for this?

Really? Are you listening to yourself?

No!

- Wait! - You'll track sand into my house again.

- No, no! - You're such kids.

Oh, please, Mom.

Into the water now, right?

So who's faster?

And go!

- Wait up, girls! - Come on, Mom!

I think I'll walk some more.

It's so beautiful here.

Don't be late for the gift exchange, okay?

Dear Emma Rothner,

what did you mean by saying that I was a happy man?

Were you being ironic?

- Phyllis, brush your teeth. - No!

It'll be okay again.

Cleaning up always signals the end of the evening.

I never liked it.

That's right.

It's like after a concert, when the lights come back on.

I'll be done in a moment.

Why are you still wearing the ring after all these years?

He divorced me, not the other way around.

Leo!

Is that you?

Are you leaving?

- Hey, wait. - I didn't want to wake anyone.

No worries. Here.

I wanted to light them at the beach.

What am I supposed to do with this?

Have some fun.

Thank you.

My pleasure.

Dear Mr. Leike, it wasn't meant ironically.

Your job, linguistics, seems to be a calling.

I like your way of defending language so passionately.

Either that, or you're a loner

with nothing better to do than share philosophical thoughts with a stranger.

Says the woman writing a stranger at dawn.

Bullseye.

Are you always this direct? Or just with me?

Just with you.

Dear Ms. Rothner…

May I call you Emmi?

An unusual question for someone whose name is Emma.

Sorry, big thumbs…

small keys.

But Emma doesn't sound right somehow.

You seem like an Emmi to me.

Please elaborate, Mr. Linguist.

The name Emma somehow seems…

ethereal, from another time.

You seem to be very much in the present. Real. Robust.

Emmi, that is.

Robust. Thank you.

Like a strong red wine or Siberian buffaloes.

It's just my opinion.

Like your scathing opinion of my Christmas email?

Exactly.

And the freedom that comes with this…

anonymous exchange feels good.

Do you agree?

Best wishes, Leo.

Are you offering a virtual friendship?

I think so.

Total anonymity? No googling each other at all?

No e-stalking of any kind?

No WhatsApp, QQ, WeChat, Qzone, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, nothing?

I was born before 2010,

so I only understood half of that, but, yes, deal.

Do you know anything about plants?

Not really. Why?

I have a sick rubber tree. It's fine. I'm at the garden center now.

Good idea. Surely they'll only need to take a look at one leaf.

You brought the entire tree, didn't you?

These are three flavors already.

- Yeah, I love olives. - Seriously?

What?

- Tomatoes? - That look again.

May I introduce myself? I'm your wife, who's allergic to tomatoes.

- This again? - Yes, exactly.

Imagine I'm in a coma after an accident, and the hospital needs my information.

Before they give you a tomato infusion?

Can you be serious for once in your life?

Are you saying my daughter and I can't have tomatoes for the rest of our lives?

You can eat tomatoes with your next wife.

And with your daughter, who'll visit you on weekends.

And if you were allergic to the sun, I'd have to lie in a dark room with you?

Why not? You only want to watch porn and jerk off, anyway.

- You don't need any sun for that. - Please!

You were hiding and observing your friends fighting?

Why?

Don't know.

Identifying similarities in behavioral patterns seems to help me.

How so?

I shouldn't have told you.

Why not? You're just an antisocial voyeur hiding in the freezer aisle.

Okay. Enough.

Now you share a secret of yours.

Well, I couldn't be more normal and robust.

I'll never live that down, will I?

Did I trigger something?

Emmi?

Yeah, can I just have a minute to think?

Okay.

When I close my eyes while taking a shower, I'm not sure

if I'll still be there once I open them again.

So…

I shouldn't have told you.

Don't say that.

It's just the two of us. On our virtual island.

The most honest version of us.

Dearest Emmi,

if life were that simple…

Dear Leo, here's my idea of a simple life.

And where am I?

Exactly what my husband keeps asking.

You're married?

Yes.

Happily, even.

Leo, are you offended?

Don't you like chatting with married women?

Sure, I do.

Just wondering why married women like chatting with me.

So you're not married?

I wouldn't share my most secret thoughts with you if I were.

How do you know? Being married is not always what you expect.

I don't expect anything, Emma.

So now I'm Emma again. Let's start over, then.

What else would you like to know?

Nothing.

Please don't tell Adrienne, okay?

She's been trying to hook us up forever, and I promised not to drink too much.

No, I won't tell her anything.

I can't take it anyway.

So that should be enough for both rides.

Shouldn't I come upstairs?

Just a second.

I'll be right back.

I'll be quick.

Writing each other makes me feel like a chocolate kiss in the microwave.

Wait. Is that a good thing?

Leo!

I thought I'd lost you.

Well, I'm glued to you like…

a barnacle to a humpback whale's ass.

You should really work on your metaphors.

Like a tongue to the freezer.

Like an eyelash to a wish.

Slow down, Rilke. If you're gonna drop poetry, I'll need more wine.

Get yourself a bottle too. This might be a long night.

I'll get a glass.

- Hello? - Hey. It's me.

Could you call Clara and ask her to come to you right way?

- Are you crazy? - I know that I wanted her number, but…

Okay, the truth,

I can't stop thinking of Emmi and she's online right now.

Really? Right now?

You know you're choosing a virtual nothing over a real fuck?

I'm sorry, but she seemed really agitated.

She probably has a problem with some woman she hooked up with.

- You know your sister. - Yeah.

We'll write?

Ciao.

Have I told you that I hear your voice in my head?

And that's a compliment?

Are there other voices?

Do they tell you how to rule the world via your TV?

Seriously, lately I've been wondering what might Emmi think about some random person.

Would she like them?

Do I like the same people that you do?

Not always.

When I read your emails,

I guess what mood you're in.

I feel the pauses between your words.

And I see men on the street, wondering if that's you.

Maybe it was me.

No.

I would have noticed if it had been you.

You think you'd recognize me in a crowd?

Want to bet?

WANT TO BET?

Could we meet up?

At Café Huber.

For example, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

In the crowd,

we wouldn't notice that we're trying to find each other.

I don't want to know what you look like.

Neither of us may give a signal. I don't want to talk to you.

I only want to…

recognize you.

Hi, Leo, were you there?

- Hi! - Hey! Hi.

Leo, were you there?

Emma?

Emma?

Emma? Are you even listening? Everyone's going.

Of course I'm listening.

Everyone.

- Lucy and Käthe and Bella. - That's only three.

Yes. Three of my best friends are going on vacation together. And Sophie makes four.

And I have to go to the damn Alps and share a room with you.

You think I like this, huh?

Your dad and I look forward to this time together.

And you only have two more years at school.

Who knows how much more we'll travel together?

Of course I was there.

Shit.

Every man who could have been Leo Leike was out of the question.

Emma.

I'll die if they go without me.

Let me talk to your dad.

- Really? - Yes.

- You have to persuade him. Promise? - Promise.

What men were worth considering?

Who are you texting?

No one you know.

Damn. They want me to finish my project sooner.

I can ask Karl to take care of it.

His dad worked for the CIA.

Loser.

Hey, no fighting!

Don't take it personally,

but just the thought of writing one of these single men makes me sick.

Time for a pedicure, then.

- Hey. - Hey.

Sorry I'm late.

- How was the rehearsal? - How do you think?

The substitute they found for George seems to be 12 years old.

And how does he play?

Like a young god.

Sounds promising.

Not really a team player, but I'll get him there.

I hope so.

I still have work to do.

We can download a movie later.

I still have work to do as well.

It's fine.

I knew you wouldn't recognize me.

Leo, who were you? Tell me.

Really?

You think it's funny to keep me in suspense?

Forgive me. I'm about to leave.

He does think that's funny.

- Bye, Emma. - Bye.

Jonas!

Here's the rhubarb cake…

and the chocolate cake. You're welcome.

I got it.

You're friends with the boss, and he let you be the waiter for two hours. Correct?

And did you like what you saw?

I mean, my looks.

I don't think you're beautiful,

I don't even think you're ugly, I just think you're…

Well, that sounds really brutal.

I'm glad that wasn't me.

I wasn't a deliveryman or a kitchen assistant either.

I wasn't…

a police officer in uniform, and neither was I the restroom lady.

Stop telling me who you weren't. Tell me who you were.

I can tell you who my sister is.

She's a model,

and she was wearing a red sweater.

I don't remember your looks.

I just got a glimpse of you.

You're such a piece of shit.

I'm so…

smart.

Considering what you've told me, I think we're dealing with…

A, the prototype of Emmi.

A funny felt purse, green shoes,

fine features,

a bit uptight.

B, the polar opposite: blonde Emmi.

Height about 5'8",

long legs,

washed-out jeans, black T-shirt,

and big boobs.

And third?

The anti-type. Surprise me.

Dark hair, green eyes,

feminine, sensual, cautious.

And which of the Emmis would she like best?

There was one where my sister said, "This could be her."

Of one, she said, that's most likely her,

and with the third one, I would fall in love.

And?

Who would you fall in love with?

Hey.

What? Why?

Okay. We'll meet there.

Great, but think of the forte.

Take it again from the last forte.

Yes!

- Where are you? - I'm still in traffic.

What did the doctor say?

- I didn't go in yet. - Jeez, Leo!

I'll wait for you.

Just go in and I'll meet you inside.

An early night for once?

Yeah, a crazy day.

Before I forget, Fiona doesn't want to come to the mountains.

I told her we'd love her to come, but you should talk to her too.

What should I tell her?

How about, "Fiona, I want you to come with us"?

- But you already told her. - Bernhard.

Okay. She's upstairs. I heard her.

Then I'll talk to her now.

Fiona.

- Sleep well. - You too.

Oh, and, Bernhard, the trampoline…

They're not using it anymore. It just sits there.

- Sure, let's get rid of it. - You want to check with them first?

It was a gift from you and Sarah.

Well, yes.

What are you doing?

Shit. Quiet. You'll wake her up.

You're like a junkie testing the gold content

- of Mom's wedding ring. - Just help me find it.

The way you stood at the light…

I was looking for an inscription from Dad.

Okay.

Found it.

And?

Nothing.

Why don't you just text your Emmi and ask her to come here?

I know you're thinking about her.

Emmi is my escape.

I don't want to ruin it by making it real.

Give it to me.

It'd be tricky to explain a broken finger once she wakes up.

She said that of the three of us, you're most like her.

Café Huber has changed something between us, hasn't it?

Yes.

Emma, did you ask Dad?

- What? - Did you ask Dad?

Dad!

Emma!

Did you ask Dad?

Emma, did you ask Dad?

You know how much he works and how he values our time together.

And if I don't have time? Does he care at all?

To be fair, you have 12 weeks of vacation per year, and he gets four.

How about I rent a country house in the summer

and you can bring all your friends?

With a pool?

With a pool.

Hey, the boy I saw you with yesterday? He looked nice.

Do you think he likes you?

He's so cute, and I get these damn red spots everywhere.

Fiona, you know you're gorgeous, right?

How was it when you met Dad?

I couldn't breathe.

He took my breath away.

Hi, Leo, did you have a good day? I didn't have a good day.

No message from Leo.

Good evening. Good night. Emmi.

Bernhard?

Bernhard?

Bernhard!

- Yes? - So you did hear me?

Yes. What did you want?

You didn't talk to Fiona about the vacation.

That's why you called me so loudly?

- I'll speak with her now. - No. I sorted it out.

That's weird somehow.

Peekaboo!

Leo, if this is some kind of scheme, it's a mean one.

I'm starting to worry about you.

At least text something.

Asshole.

You forgot "passive-aggressive."

Lookee here, the missing person.

I hope you have a good excuse for not texting for an entire week.

My mother died.

Shit.

Oh, no.

Of what?

Basically, of being unhappy.

In the hospital, they said a malignant tumor.

Fortunately, it happened fast.

Were you with her when she died?

Almost.

My sister and I were in the waiting room.

And the doctors said it wasn't a good time.

I wonder when it would have been better.

- Could you? Can you remove this? - Nurse?

Please remove the tube.

We'll leave you alone now.

My condolences again.

Were you close?

Just a week ago, I would have said…

no.

I didn't have any kind of relationship with her.

But maybe that's just it.

I think…

I've always waited for that to change.

We can meet if you'd like.

Maybe I'm the perfect person to be with in this situation.

Would you like to meet? Like two close friends?

Yes, okay.

Thank you, Emmi.

Let's meet tonight?

But I'm warning you. It might not be very funny.

My dear Leo, sorry, but I can't do tonight.

But tomorrow night. Would 7 p.m. work for you?

7 p.m. should work.

Tomorrow is the funeral.

I'll be there for you tomorrow.

Real. Robust.

Your…

Emmi.

- There, I think. - Here?

It's fine.

Yeah.

Please turn off your cell phones.

How long do we have to sit here?

Try to keep an open mind. It's a beautiful piece.

I'd piss my pants if I were Dad.

- Would you like a drink too? - Yes, white wine.

Emma.

That was wonderful. You must be proud.

- Where is he? - He's still with the director.

My goodness, I didn't see you.

- Hi. - Darling…

you look so much like your mother.

Don't you think so too, Vlad?

Your mom was the most beautiful woman in the world.

There he is. Hello!

My condolences.

- She was a wonderful woman. - Thank you.

Thank you.

- My sincere condolences. - Thank you.

I'm so sorry.

It was so sudden.

My condolences.

- Dad's bringing sushi in a bit, okay? - Yes.

You look cool.

Thanks.

Dear Emmi, sorry, I have to cancel today.

I'll explain later. Please don't be mad.

And thanks for offering to be there for me.

Best, Leo.

- Oh, hey. - Hey.

- Aren't you running late? - Yes, I'm terrible.

- See you later. - See you later.

Sushi!

Fuck.

I heard an old song in the car.

Weird, how a song can transport you to another time.

It reminds you of how you felt and who you were.

So far away from who you are today.

But you're still the same person.

You're just these…

various versions of yourself all at the same time.

Interesting thought.

Do you think about how it would be if Sarah were still alive?

Let's sleep.

It's Malu's entrance exam tomorrow.

I didn't want to go, but I think she might need my support.

Dear Emmi,

I want to tell you something about my life now.

Her name is Marlene.

We were each other's loves of our lives.

Never when we were together though.

Only when we were trying to make up again.

Yeah, and at the end of last year, she finally started seeing someone else.

A Spanish pilot.

When I found out, I was suddenly certain that she was the one.

I won her back.

It all felt right again.

I even wanted to propose to her on our trip to Paris. I'm such an idiot.

- The day I wanted to propose… - The third floor.

…I received an email from her.

- Thank you. - My pleasure.

"Leo, I can't."

I wrote back immediately.

"I want to marry you. We belong together."

Well, and then I waited for a reply.

Nine minutes past 9 p.m.

and suddenly a text.

I collect all the sad residue of my positive thinking,

focus on the desired message, and I read:

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Emma Rothner."

Dear Emmi, I spent last night with Marlene.

She also came to the funeral.

She had some kind of connection with my mother.

My mother didn't care much for me.

More so for my sister.

My father emigrated to America and took my older brother with him.

I kind of fell…

through the cracks.

Emma!

Hey, you.

I didn't want to miss this.

This is beautiful.

Hello.

I'd love to show you photos of my family,

of me when I was a kid.

Share my story with you.

And I didn't want you to see me yesterday. And how I look right now.

Stop.

I'm longing for intimacy.

Let's drink to us again.

I don't want to think of my mother.

I don't want to think of Marlene.

I want to kiss Emmi.

Emmi.

Emmi.

I enjoy writing "Emmi."

I could write "Emmi" a thousand times.

To write "Emmi" is to kiss Emmi.

Emmi.

Emmi.

Emmi.

Hey, can you talk right now?

Just wanted to say it's good to be away.

No, I mean, it's nice to think of you and of us from afar.

I'll be home around 5 p.m.

I love you, Bernhard.

Subject: "Life and Marlene."

Good morning, Leo. May I be frank?

We're all hostages of our childhood,

and then we realize it's time to grow up and move on.

This may sound harsh right now,

but it would be unfair to not reply to your email with honesty.

So, regarding Marlene,

you're one of those guys who are only interested in a woman

at the beginning and at the end?

But the time in between, aka being together,

is too boring or too exhausting or both for you.

But in order to kick a Spanish pilot out of your ex's bed,

you wouldn't mind getting married.

Yes, and then my fateful email pops up in your inbox,

where it's all about "to be or not to be."

Shit.

Shit, man, shit.

Have a great Monday morning. Emmi.

Hello, Emmi.

Let it all out, all your frustrations about men.

Be uninhibited, self-righteous, cynical, gleeful.

And if you feel better, my address has done its job. Have a nice afternoon. Leo.

Thanks for your offer, but there seems to be only one frustrated person,

who can't go five minutes without an ex massaging his ego.

Also, I have a few single, lonely girlfriends.

Maybe you feel like forgetting your ex and going for something new.

Can you really only see your point of view and miss the irony of our situation?

Do I have to feel guilty for spending one night

with my ex-girlfriend at this difficult time

while you spend your entire life with Bernhard?

Say one word and I can meet you anywhere within an hour. And you?

If you met me tonight, what exactly would you tell your husband?

Maybe, "Honey, I'm meeting a man I've been emailing daily for six months.

On many days, he's the first and last one I talk to."

I never say "honey."

You're right. It's time for something new.

I'm done.

P.S. Thanks for the offer to hook me up with your girlfriends,

but it'll be less stressful for everyone if I just use Tinder.

What do you think?

Great idea. Have fun!

Keep playing.

Stop. Here.

Here.

This passage.

Did you hear the accent?

I have to check on the meat.

Have I told you about the north wind yet?

I can't take the north wind.

I can't sleep with my window open.

Like today.

It'd be nice if you texted me some more.

Just write:

"Then close the window."

Then I'll reply, "I can't sleep with the window closed."

Do you sleep with your head by the window?

Leo!

Yes, I sleep with my head by the window.

What if you turn 180 degrees to sleep with your toes by the window?

Then I'd miss the nightstand with the reading lamp.

You don't need a reading lamp while asleep.

No. But for reading.

Then read.

And then…

turn around and sleep with your toes by the window.

If I turn around, I'll be awake again.

I'd have to read again in order to sleep.

And I'd miss the nightstand with the reading lamp.

I've got it.

Just put it on the other side of the bed.

That doesn't work.

The lamp's power cord is too short.

Make sure you don't stumble over it at night.

Yeah.

I'll sleep too tight.

Thanks to you.

Then the north wind has no leverage.

Leo, I really like you a lot.

You're awesome against the north wind.

I like you too…

Emmi.

Everything okay?

Hey.

Fifi, don't even start. Jonas was here first and he can choose where to sit.

It's all good. I…

Casper can come and help me with my homework, if that's okay.

You do homework before going on vacation?

Yeah, no problem.

If he knows how to set the table, he can even stay for dinner.

I want to tell you about my life.

Bernhard's a bit older than I am.

I met him at the music conservatory.

I got it, thanks.

He already had two kids, Fiona and Jonas.

They're 16 and 11 now.

Hello?

They lost their mom in an accident when they were little.

And then we became a family fairly quickly.

Maybe things are not like they were, but the four of us make a good team.

You were right.

We're meeting here on our small virtual island.

But if we never share anything real, not this ping-pong here,

but experience the same thing at the same time,

how much longer will our island be enough?

Go to your roof and look into the sky.

Play this song at exactly 10 till.

Fuck.

I SEE YOU.

And you're sure this is okay for you?

How many times did we have to reschedule due to my work?

I stopped counting when it hit triple digits.

It's a rhetorical question.

But good to know you've been counting.

Bernhard?

Do you want me to come?

You'll like getting some work done.

We don't do this enough.

TO: LEO LEIKE SUBJECT: THANK YOU!

"Hey, Leo, would you like to meet with me? I…"

Shit.

"Hey, Leo, I asked myself if…"

Dear Leo, in return for your explosive sign of life,

I could treat you to coffee if you'd like.

I have a lot of time right now.

Bernhard took the kids on a trip for a week.

Dear Mr. Leike,

it's very difficult for me to write to you.

I am deeply ashamed.

Two days ago,

I secretly read the entire email exchange between Emma and you.

- Hello. - Everything okay?

- I thought I'd audit. - Okay.

She had changed so much.

I needed to understand it.

I thought I could bear it,

but on the trip, I fell apart.

Thank you for coming.

Sure.

Mr. Leike,

I urge you to meet with Emma.

Spend a night with her, if she wants that.

I have no chance as long as you remain a fantasy.

It's the only way to end your superiority.

Only then can I start fighting for Emma.

Is this okay?

Shall I wait?

No.

I'm fine, really.

Sleep well.

Sincerely,

Bernhard Rothner.

Leo, what's going on?

Please write me! Your Emmi.

Once you meet my wife…

Shit!

Shit!

Mr. Rothner, I can't answer this. And even if I could, I wouldn't.

You should've told your wife all of this.

You didn't reply to my last email.

Leo, this is really rude of you.

Please stop. It hurts like crazy.

Anything goes.

Anything except silence.

Like I said, we'll talk next time. Yeah?

Have a good one.

Leo, come in.

Dear Emmi…

It took me days to come to a decision that will change my life.

I'm moving to Boston.

I'll be leading a project at the university there.

I'll miss my sister, Adrienne.

And I'll miss Emmi.

Yes.

I'll miss her dearly.

I've made another decision.

I will end our email exchange.

I've got to get you out of my mind.

You're in a relationship. You've got a family.

I'm not planning on being with a woman who's only available in my inbox.

"I feel like meeting a woman the normal way again.

First I'll see her,

then I'll hear her voice, then I'll smell her, then I might kiss her.

And sometime later, I'll also send her an email."

- But now I'll log out… - "But now I'll log out

and I'll close my laptop.

I'm saying my goodbye to you."

I'm saying my goodbye to you.

- "Your Leo." - Your Leo.

And what's Emmi's take on this?

And your job?

I guess it helped with the transfer.

He knows the head of the faculty in Boston. Will this fit in your basement?

Is it dry there?

Jeez, Leo, yes.

Then I'll move to New York.

Nothing's holding me here, now that Mom's gone.

I could come visit you in Boston on the weekends.

Sure.

We can see Dad more often.

Don't know.

How would that work? I don't think I want him in my life.

He's practically a stranger.

I get now why Mom said that you take after her.

You're aloof. Just like her.

Nonsense.

You keep us all at bay, just like she did.

And what's your diagnosis, Dr. Leike?

Real intimacy scares the shit out of you.

LINGUISTIC FACULTY - LEO LEIKE

LINGUISTIC FACULTY, TEAM COMMUNICATION CONTACTS: PROF. RAGOSCH, LEO LEIKE

Professor Ragosch?

We had an emergency, and…

You need to make an appointment.

Okay.

I AM REAL EMMI

Dear Emmi,

I suggest that we meet tonight.

I, reason, feelings,

the hands, the feet, the eyes, the nose, the ears, the mouth, all of me.

All of me wants to meet you, Emmi.

The mouth?

What are you up to?

Nothing.

I just want to see your lips when you say, "What are you up to?"

I want to know how the corners of your mouth move,

how your eyes shine when you say these words.

I'm interested in hundreds of things about you.

Where will you tell your husband you're going tonight?

Leo, you can't stop like this.

I'll tell him that I'm meeting the linguist I told him about.

He'll say, "Have fun."

And if you come home in the morning? What will he say then?

You think I might not go home before the morning?

Anything's possible.

Wow.

Exciting.

I have a suggestion.

I'd like to leave the door ajar.

You'll ring Leike's doorbell.

You'll go to the top floor.

There's only one door.

You'll close your eyes and you'll just follow the music.

I'll kiss you with my eyes closed.

Just a single kiss.

Then I'm supposed to leave again?

No.

One kiss, and then we'll open our eyes and see whom we've kissed.

It's quite a risk.

I don't even know if I like the way you kiss.

How do you kiss?

I kiss the way I write.

There's a lot of variety in your writing.

Well…

I'll take the risk if you promise you'll kiss the same way you're writing me today.

Emmi, I think there's so much to explain, so much to understand.

Do you understand?

Let's kiss for now.

See you later, my dear.

- Loser! Loser! - Jonas!

- Dad, say something! - Jonas, get off the table! Get off!

Wow, you look hot.

Can I borrow the coat sometime?

Sure. I'm meeting a friend.

Do I know him?

Leo, the linguist I've told you about.

We've got a lot to talk about. It might get late.

Have fun.

Emmi…

I'm sorry.

One letter is to blame.

A single wrong letter at the worst possible moment.

"Have fun."

Yes, Leo, that's what he said.

Then he paused.

And then there was this "Emmi."

An "I" where there had always been an "A" all those years.

A breath. Nothing more than a breath.

Leo, something happened, and Bernhard senses it.

My feelings have left the screen.

I think I love you.

ATTENTION. CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS.

THE RECIPIENT CAN NO LONGER ACCESS THIS ACCOUNT.