Drehbuch  

19) Ext. Vänersborg - orphanage Smödhelm - garden - day

As Runa comes outside Björn is nowhere to be seen. She looks around and finds him absorbed in his gardening in the backyard. He notices her and looks up.

Björn

Ah, the young Lady again. Was Mrs. Borg able to help you?

Runa stretches out her hand.

Runa

Mr. Svaberg, my name is Runa Eskleth.

Björn

Please, call me Björn.

He shakes her hand.

Björn

So... what can I do for you, Runa?

Runa

I'm... I am looking for one of your former kids and...

Björn

Well.

He points to a bench.

Björn

Let's take a seat first.

They sit down.

Björn

Who are we talking about?

Runa

Lasse Ljandi... He was living here years ago.

Björn

Lasse, hmmm, Lasse...

Runa

Did you know him?

Björn

Well, it's impossible to remember all the kids who have lived here...

Runa

Yes, yes... but Lasse... do you remember him?

Björn

Not so fast young Lady.

Runa

Sor...

Björn

(laughs)

No offence...

(smirks)

Calm down a little bit. There's no hurry. Just let me finish speaking first.

Runa sighs with relief.

Björn

Well, Lasse I can remember. Very well indeed. I believe everyone who comes across Lasse remembers him.

Runa

Oh yes... that may be so.

Björn smiles knowingly.

Runa

Do you know where he might be?

Björn

No, I haven't heard anything from him for 7 years ... or has it been 8? ... he fled from here.

Runa

He escaped?

Björn

Yes. Here one day, gone the next! No one knew why... He was happy here. And he was extraordinarily popular among everyone.

Runa listens mesmerized.

Björn

A child brimming with joy... Our little prince, in a manner of speaking. But somehow I saw it coming...

Runa

Saw what coming?

Björn

That he couldn't stay here any longer. He had always lived in his own little dream world. But the older he got, the more ... Yes... I think he was about 16 years old, when he left us...

Runa

The more... what?

Björn

(smiles)

The cagier he got. At least towards the people here. There has been reached a point when no one could get through to him anymore. Even the former psychologist of our orphanage said that it seemed a bit eerie to him. And he surely was used to all kinds of problematic cases.

Runa

Yea, but just because he didn't talk much. That's no case for a psychiatrist at all!

Björn

This I cannot judge. I mean ... don't get me wrong. I liked Lasse.

Runa

How did it actually happen that he came here?

Björn

One day he was just standing in front of our door... Probably his parents dropped him here.

Runa

But isn't this an orphanage?!

Björn

Yes, that's right. But the management weren't able to locate any relatives.

Runa

What else do you know? Do you have any idea where Lasse could be now, or who else I could talk to?

Björn

No ... I'm afraid not. I really cannot tell you anything more.

Runa

(disappointed)

Nothing? Not even a clue?

Björn

No... no...

Pause. Björn is deeply in thoughts.

Björn

Yes, I know! Yes... There was another boy. I just cannot remember his name... Ari! Yes, that was his name... Ari Kjelva.

Runa hastily takes a piece of paper and a ball pen out of her purse to write down the name.

Björn

As far as I can remember, he was the only one who had close contact with Lasse in the end.

Runa

What has become of him?

Björn

Hmmm, the usual career. He did some training and then left the orphanage.

Runa

Yes, but does he still live in the area?

Björn

I think he went to Gothenburg... But I can't be more precise...

Runa becomes aware of that she probably won't obtain any more information.

Runa

Okay. Thank you very much for your help Mr. Sva... Björn. Maybe I can find this Ari... Hopefully.

Björn

(smiles)

Well, I wish you all the best and good luck, young Lady.

Runa stands up and walks away.

Björn

(shouts)

Wait a moment! ... Tell me, What is Lasse like, I mean now?

Runa

(shouts)

He's still living in his dream world... And he's writing a lot. Mostly poems. Good bye.

Hastily she into the direction of the gate.

Björn

(laughs)

Good bye!

(quietly to himself)

Well... Lasse... that's our Lasse.

Fade Out