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[dramatic music playing]
[music stops]
I was sworn in as a lawyer today.
You won't like it, but I've been sworn in, and this is the last time I'll come here.
Farewell forever. You no longer exist to me.
[Dreverhaven] Congratulations.
You congratulate me?
I can't take your hand.
Not when you've always worked against me.
Or worked for you.
[dramatic music playing]
[dramatic music continues]
[thunder rumbles]
[dramatic music playing]
[grunts]
[door opens]
[thunder rumbles]
[officer] Good evening. Are you doing the autopsy?
[man] The victim congratulates you.
He says "congratulations," extends his hand,
you take it and then leave. That must have been a warm handshake.
- On my way downstairs... - [inspector] You fell down the stairs.
Have you seen this before?
You don't recognize it? A lovely knife. But not as lovely as this one.
Grab it. Go on.
- Grab it. Does it feel familiar? Does it? - Ow! [grunting]
[door opens]
Call a doctor.
Would you like something to drink? To eat? For me too, please.
Mr. Jacob Willem Katadreuffe.
Is that the right pronunciation? "Katadreuffe"?
You are suspected of murder or manslaughter of Bailiff...
Arend Barend Dreverhaven.
That name sounds like imminent thunder, hm?
You admit to visiting Dreverhaven this afternoon,
but claim nothing unusual happened.
You could start by telling us what your relationship to Mr. Dreverhaven was.
Mr. Katadreuffe?
[ominous music playing]
[Jacob] Dreverhaven.
The name was a legend long before I heard it.
- [men yelling] - [children screaming]
[baby crying]
[man 1] Open up.
[man 2] Open up!
It won't be long, sir, maybe tonight.
God bless you, sir, you're a good...
[townsfolk yelling indistinctly]
[gasps]
[woman] Bastard.
Dirty bastard.
You dirty, filthy bastard.
- Let me go! - [crowd laughing]
Don't touch me. Let me go!
Scumbag!
[Jacob] Dreverhaven, bailiff.
Law without compassion.
Executioner of the poor.
I know Dreverhaven's reputation...
but what was your relationship to him?
You did business with him?
You worked for him?
He worked for you?
- When did you first meet Dreverhaven? - [Jacob] At home.
He had a housekeeper.
- Jacoba. Joba for short. - [ominous music playing]
A surly young woman who barely spoke, but he didn't mind.
He didn't say much either.
She had been working there for a year, when one evening...
[opera music playing on gramophone]
[Jacob] It happened only once, and nothing changed between them...
but six weeks later she broke her silence.
I am pregnant.
Well?
I'm leaving.
The father has to support the child.
- You will make him pay, won't you? - [Joba] No.
- Have you written to him? - No.
You will, right?
No!
- No! - [thunder rumbles]
Dreverhaven is your father.
I am named after my mother.
You mean, Dreverhaven wouldn't take responsibility?
[scoffs] No.
It wasn't that.
After I was born, we moved into a room on the east side of town.
Far away from him.
[baby crying]
[man] She moved to the east side.
She's renting a room at 142 Zeilstraat for seven guilders a week.
She keeps house for three families in the Schilderswijk
and a doctor on the Handelskade.
- And the child? Does it have a name? - Jacob.
Jacob Willem.
[ominous music playing]
[Jacob] Dreverhaven's message was three words.
WHEN ARE WE GETTING MARRIED?
The proposal was accompanied by a postal order for a suitable sum.
[man] "Return to sender."
[Jacob] Dreverhaven took the money back...
and sent it again a month later.
She sent it back again...
and he sent it again the next month.
[man] "Return to sender."
[Jacob] The postal-order duel lasted more than a year.
Would you like to come in?
[Jacob] After the 13th time, she decided it was time to write him.
[man] Sideboard and linen closet, 37.50.
Forty guilders. Sideboard and linen closet, 40 guilders.
Forty-two guilders and fifty cents.
Sideboard and linen closet, 42.50 guilders.
Forty-two guilders and fifty cents, going once.
Forty-two guilders and fifty cents, going twice.
WILL NEVER BE ACCEPTED
Going once.
Going twice.
[thuds]
[baby crying]
- [man speaking indistinctly] - [ominous music playing]
- [boys] Psst! - [students reciting indistinctly]
Psst!
BASTARD
[school bell rings]
[students chattering]
[grunts]
Your mother is a whore.
[children chattering and laughing]
[Jacob] It wasn't the first time my father's absence was mentioned.
When I asked who or where he was, she always answered:
We don't need anything from him.
[Jacob] "We don't need anything from him."
Then she was silent, as always.
[knocking on door]
I live across the road.
Am I intruding?
My wife died.
She passed away.
Well, I thought, from observing you...
that you may want to know that I'm available.
You don't have to decide now.
I'll consider your proposal.
[Jacob] My mother wasn't sure.
I thought it was a good idea to marry him.
Unfortunately, it wasn't long before we moved away because of me.
[tense music playing]
- [young Jacob grunts] - Your mother is a whore!
[grunting]
[children yelling] Jacob, Jacob...
[children booing]
Kees!
Jacob! Jacob!
- Go home. - Filthy whore!
Murderers!
Go away.
[woman 1] Whore!
Whore.
[woman 2] Let me go.
[Jacob] That same day,
my mother packed her bags and tried to find us other lodgings.
[indistinct chatter]
My mother said nothing all evening...
but I knew I had hurt her...
because I had completely lost control during the fight.
I firmly resolved to control myself at all times from now on.
That is a good resolution, Mr. Katadreuffe.
But did you stick to it today?
- Yes. - [inspector laughs]
You could have fooled Dreverhaven.
That's what you say.
Anyway, you saw Dreverhaven this afternoon.
I assume it wasn't the first time?
No.
Our move took us closer to him.
By the harbor.
My mother bought a sewing machine to earn the rent.
And I found something in the house that would play a major role for me later.
[ship horn blows]
[door slams]
The books were in a foreign language.
The previous inhabitants had moved abroad, so I could keep them.
From then on, it was a lot easier to sit in silence with her.
I studied the wonderful pictures for days...
and the strange words were less alien than I thought.
- [pensive music playing] - [sewing machine whirring]
[in English] "Elephant."
[in Dutch] Olifant?
[Jacob] My mother's eternal silence
made me think she could not bear my company.
Only later did I realize that our characters clashed.
We did not get along easily, and it would stay that way...
because we were opposites.
[ship horn blowing]
[seagulls cawing]
Jacob.
[Dreverhaven] Joba!
[tense music playing]
Come.
Jacob.
Jacob!
[ominous music playing]
[school bell ringing]
[students chattering]
[crates thudding]
[ship horn blowing]
[ominous music playing]
- There's a boy at the door. - Looking for his father.
[police whistle blows]
Here.
[tense music playing]
[whistle continues blowing]
- Name? - Jansen.
Jansen.
- Jansen. - Shh!
[chuckles]
- [gasps] - [cell door opens]
[ominous music playing]
[cell door closes]
- [cracks] - [screams]
[groans then whimpers]
- [guard] Name? - De Beer.
Maas.
Verkerk.
Dreverhaven.
Dreverhaven, from the Zuidkade number 11.
[dramatic music playing]
[tense music playing]
I'm sorry, but I've never seen this boy before.
[both grunting]
- [growls] - [guard screams]
[guard yelling indistinctly]
We don't need anything from him.
Wait.
[Jacob] From then on, I decided to leave Dreverhaven alone.
I can understand that.
Care for a smoke?
Thanks.
How did you get on then?
You're a lawyer, so you must have studied.
After school, Mother didn't let me learn a trade.
There was no money. I had to fend for myself.
I had one job after another.
Van Zwavel, Huizing...
Kerk...
Katadreuffe.
I'm sorry. Try again next month. Off you go.
[poignant music playing]
[Jacob] Work was usually temporary, with weeks of unemployment in between.
I filled the time reading my encyclopedia.
It only went up to T, but I didn't care.
I used a dictionary to decipher it.
I absorbed the knowledge page by page.
[static whirs on radio]
[radio shuts off]
Meanwhile, we increasingly got on each other's nerves.
I wanted to leave and earn my own living.
She apparently wanted exactly the same.
It's small but dry and warm.
My son is moving to the back room.
- [Jan] How much? - [Joba] Seven guilders, full board.
I'd rather you didn't smoke in the room.
Jan Maan.
[Jacob] Jan Maan was a Communist.
A lathe operator...
who moved in after a fight with his parents
about his fiancée.
Trudy.
I met her in a lunchroom.
My mother said, "Lunchroom? She lives off tips. That's no good."
[Jacob] Four weeks later, the engagement was off.
But Jan Maan stayed with us.
I looked outside this morning. Summer is late this year, ma'am.
No sign of it yet.
It could be a while.
- She never speaks. - I thought you were fighting.
[Jacob] She thinks I should leave.
[Jan] Look for work.
Be independent, climb the ladder.
This society doesn't want climbers.
- You're going to change that? - The Party is growing steadily.
Because of unemployment.
Everyone will be a Communist by the end of the century.
So you have time to come with me.
Good afternoon. We're here because of your advert.
- You have a shop for sale? - You're standing in it, Mr...
Katadreuffe.
- The name's Lucas Meijer. - How much, Mr. Meijer?
Nine hundred, 200 for the stock...
and 700 for the goodwill.
Bye.
I don't know, but 700 for the goodwill? I don't think he has any customers.
- I see something in it. - You see any customers?
It's early and about to rain.
And who's going to pay for it?
CASH
- I would like to take out a loan. - [teller] For how much?
- Nine hundred. - [teller] Nine hundred guilders.
I assume you have enough collateral?
Do you have collateral?
You have no collateral?
I don't think we can do business.
We're very sorry.
FAST CASH PEOPLE'S CREDIT SOCIETY
[jazz music playing over radio]
[rings]
[Jacob] Good afternoon.
- I wondered if I could... - Yes.
How much?
I borrowed 900 guilders to take over a cigar shop.
I'm moving out.
You could say something.
Do as you please.
"Do as you please." She's in for a surprise. A big one.
- It's very quiet here. - It's early.
- And it's about to rain, right? - You might be right.
Look, if you need me, you can always find me.
- All the best. - All the best, and thank you.
Well, here you go. Good luck.
Oh, and tell my mother not to worry.
[thunder rumbles]
[rain pattering]
[jazz music playing over radio]
CLOSED
[man on radio] And with the music of the Savoy Hill Dance Hall Orchestra,
2LO London, a station of the British Broadcasting Company,
is closing down.
We wish you a very good night. Good night.
[water dripping]
[chimes]
LUCAS MEIJER ZOUTSTEEG 4 ROTTERDAM
I'm here for Mr. Meijer, it's urgent.
[woman] Meijer!
Mr. Lucas Meijer?
Yes, what do you want?
Hey.
Hey!
[Jacob] When I was back at my mother's, I realized I never wanted my own business.
Certainly not a cigar shop.
It was just an attempt to escape her.
But with serious consequences.
"Dear sir, you were not home, but your bankruptcy has been requested."
Damn.
"This was requested by the People's Credit Society."
That bank?
"Your property has been inventoried today."
My books.
[Jacob] "Please report to my office tomorrow
with a summary of your bookkeeping, bank debts and rent,
and a list of other debtors.
Yours truly, Mr. J.A. De Gankelaar, receiver."
[trolley bell chimes]
[hopeful music playing]
- Do you have an appointment? - Yes, with Mr. De Gankelaar.
[boy] Mr. Katadreuffe? Mr. Katadreuffe for Mr. De Gankelaar?
[hopeful music continues]
- [telephones ringing] - [lively chatter]
[boy] Sir?
Follow me.
Jacob.
Well?
"Come back in two days."
I told them all about the business, the bank, everything.
I go back in two days.
They can't get money if you're broke. Listen.
They need someone there. I said you had experience.
They know that you don't, but they'll see that you're smart.
Yes, but wait.
I have a job.
- I will have a job. At that office. - What office?
- The law office. I'll work there. - You asked for work there?
- I'm going to ask. I'll work there. - At a law office?
Lawyers work there.
Yes.
- How...? - I'm sure. I'm going home to think.
Jacob.
Jacob!
[man] Your property is worth 15 guilders.
That is the value of your books. That's all you have, correct?
Fifteen guilders is not nearly enough for a bankruptcy.
I will advise the court to suspend your bankruptcy due to lack of funds.
- I assume you don't object? - You mean...
I mean that I will ask the court to suspend your bankruptcy, agreed?
Good.
Sir, I would like to ask you something else.
[Gankelaar] What will you do? Your plans for the future?
- I have been looking for work. - Work, terrible.
Office work.
- Even worse. Don't do it. - I thought of an office like this.
Don't, boring.
I could use an assistant, of course.
Do you mean that?
It's been nice meeting you. Don't let me keep you.
- You want to know my qualifications. - Excuse me?
I don't want to sound arrogant, but I know more than you would think.
You mean your books?
Your encyclopedia?
It may be outdated and incomplete. It only goes up to T...
Then you can't type, but can do bookkeeping and shorthand?
There are things I'll have to learn...
What are your skills, Mr. Katadreuffe? You are zealous, but what else?
Could you come down? One of Mr. Stroomkoning's clients is here.
Mr. F. from E.
[Gankelaar] I'm coming. Mr. Katadreuffe...
I admit that you've fascinated me, but you haven't convinced me.
Please excuse me. You will find your way out.
[in English] Mr. Forester! What a surprise.
Ah, Gankelaar. What on earth is going on?
Mr. Stroomkoning was supposed to meet me at the station.
Completely failed to turn up,
and apparently now he can't be found here either.
[in Dutch] There must be an explanation, Miss Sibculo...
Mr. De Gankelaar?
Mr. Stroomkoning accidentally went to the station an hour late.
We're trying to reach the station and I'm calling his house.
Right.
What? What, what?
[in English] Excuse me, sir.
[indistinct chatter]
It seems that the gentleman who was going to meet you at the railway station
was mistaken.
And...
[chatter stops]
And was led to believe that he was to meet you at a later hour.
As we speak, the staff are doing the utmost to reach him,
either at the railway station or at his home.
I see. And, uh, who might you be?
[in Dutch] Mr. Stroomkoning has let us know that he's on his way.
[in English] Sir?
We've just been informed that Mr. Stroomkoning is on his way.
And should be here any minute now.
[in Dutch] Young man, who are you and what on earth are you doing?
[in English] Geoffrey, I'm terribly sorry for the mistake.
All right, it's all right. I really don't mind.
Tell me, who is this eloquent young man? I don't think I've met him before, have I?
[in English] Um, I'm sorry, sir.
Mr. Katadreuffe here is here to look for a job.
[in Dutch] He applied for a job as my personal clerk.
A clerk, did you say?
Well, the young man certainly does speak English very well, doesn't he?
Now, come on, Geoffrey, you must tell me all about your trip.
[in Dutch] Sir.
To be honest, I think we could use him.
Right now?
May I be allowed to comment?
In fact, I think he will be an asset.
Well... Sixty guilders a month, not a cent more.
[in English] Come on, Geoffrey.
[in Dutch] Sir.
Congratulations.
[pensive music playing]
[Jacob] My mother said nothing about me leaving.
Nothing. Not even, "Do as you please."
- You will drop by, won't you? - And you know where to find me.
[Jacob] I decided not to worry about it.
I rented a room with the office caretaker.
Above the office.
I was free, and we were free of each other at last.
[hopeful music playing]
Thank you.
If you need anything, just ask.
[Joba] Jacob Willem, here are two new shirts.
Take good care of them. Mother.
[Jacob] My work would begin in five days.
At night, I taught myself to type at the office,
and during the day, I practiced shorthand in my room.
[Gankelaar] Mr. Katadreuffe, Miss Sibculo,
Mr. Carlion, Mr. Rustenburg,
Miss Van den Born, Mr. Sprengers, and the Burgeik brothers,
and, of course, Mr. Rentenstein, meet our new colleague.
No introduction necessary. I saw his show last week.
I hope we shall be spared more of such performances.
"I invite you to consider a mutually acceptable solution.
Sincerely, and so on..." What are you doing?
- Counting the syllables per minute. - It could be faster, huh?
- I think so. - You think so.
Do you realize the consequences?
If you get faster, I will eventually have to get faster as well.
[knocking on door]
I don't mean to rush you, sir.
Miss Te George, just in time.
My new clerk is too fast. Please take over. You have met?
Nice to meet you.
Mr. Katadreuffe, Miss Te George is Mr. Stroomkoning's secretary.
Don't worry, she only came to take down some French.
You don't speak French too, do you?
- No. - That's a relief.
Go find a machine downstairs to type up this morning's dictation. No rush.
What a gem, huh?
[hopeful music playing]
[Jacob] I knew I had found my destiny.
Here, in this place, in this office, the whole world would open up to me.
No one could stop me.
Mr. Katadreuffe, that was mean of Mr. Rentenstein earlier.
Don't let him get to you.
[Jacob] Nobody.
Not even Mr. Rentenstein.
[ominous music playing]
Miss Sibculo, the man who just went to see Mr. Rentenstein...
- What's he doing here? - You don't know Bailiff Dreverhaven?
- Does he work here? - No, thank goodness.
That bloodhound only comes for Rentenstein.
Or when we need a bailiff.
- What did you say? - When we need a bailiff.
[dramatic music playing]
[Jacob] "Bankruptcy, J.W. Katadreuffe. Books, most in bad condition.
Encyclopedia, incomplete, value 15..."
A.B. DREVERHAVEN BAILIFF
He came to our house.
Good afternoon. De Gankelaar, receiver. I'm here to see Mr. J.W. Katadreuffe.
[in English] Where is it?
[Gankelaar] Unfortunately, the People's Credit Society wants his bankruptcy.
He borrowed 900 guilders in April 1923.
It is now September,
and you probably know that his cigar shop was not particularly successful.
- [continues speaking indistinctly] - [tense, pensive music playing]
Mr. Dreverhaven has to determine the value of your son's possessions.
Would it be okay if I took a look myself?
Oh, I see that Mr. Dreverhaven is already done.
[ominous music playing]
- [Rentenstein] Mr. Dreverhaven. - Goodbye.
[tense music playing]
[music fades]
[pensive music playing]
Mr. Katadreuffe, come with me.
"Dear sir, we inform you that the People's Credit Society
has again requested your bankruptcy. Please appear in court next Wednesday.
Yours truly, Mr. Schuwagt."
We should have thought of that.
- They can't get money if you're broke. - But I have income now.
They'll take your wages unless we can make a deal,
but Dreverhaven will never agree.
Dreverhaven?
- Why him? - You borrowed from him, didn't you?
The People's Credit Society is Dreverhaven. You didn't know?
Everybody knows. We won't get rid of him that easily.
I'll be right back.
[Jacob retching]
It's his bank.
I borrowed the money from him.
He pronounced me bankrupt.
- Well? - A debt is a debt.
Why didn't you tell me that he was here?
Why don't you ever say anything?
I'm going out for an hour. Will I see you later?
I'll go with you.
- Why don't you go there? - Where? To him?
I did once. It wasn't a good idea.
[men chattering indistinctly]
So you do nothing?
I'll go bankrupt and I'll lose my job. And I'm going to drink to that.
[man] The first shots were fired.
The situation could escalate further tonight.
Do we watch helplessly as our comrades are beaten and thrown in jail?
[men] No.
Or...
do we go to the Ruigbroekstraat tonight?
- To show the enemy we're not afraid. - [ominous music playing]
To look him in the eye and fight for our rights.
[officers yelling]
[police whistle blows]
[all yelling]
[grunting]
[thunder rumbles]
BAILIFF
[ominous music playing]
[door slams]
Jacob Willem.
Are you here to pay your debt?
Did she send you?
- No, she wouldn't. - Why are you doing this?
- This? - This, yes. To me, to her. Why?
- You didn't come to do business? - No, I came to say...
I came to say I'm not afraid of you.
[Dreverhaven] Good. I'll see you tomorrow in court.
[Jacob yells]
Stop!
Stop.
Tell me why you're doing this.
Good.
We'll come to terms.
I suggest payment in 36 installments on the same conditions as the loan.
- This is a onetime offer. - I didn't ask for that.
If you don't like it...
Never mind.
Take him home. He can think about my proposal.
I don't need anything from you. I'd rather go bankrupt!
Bailiff Dreverhaven with an eviction order for the Ruigbroekstraat.
Bailiff Dreverhaven with an eviction order.
Tonight? He can't be serious.
That's suicide. Come back in a week. Dreverhaven...
[whistle blowing]
Dreverhaven!
[guns cocking]
[tense music playing]
[knocking on door]
[knocking continues]
[gunshot]
[man] Filthy fascists!
[men yelling]
[man] Fascists!
[gunshots]
Don't shoot. Don't shoot!
Stop!
[ominous music playing]
[gunshot]
Don't shoot!
[clicking]
[gunshot]
[indistinct chatter]
[Jacob] Dreverhaven was not in court for my bankruptcy.
His interests were represented by Mr. Schuwagt.
One De Wever was appointed receiver.
[Schuwagt] 12, 13, 14,
15 guilders from your wages.
[De Wever] Can you spare that much every month?
The sooner the debt is paid off.
- You have no other possessions? - No.
Mr. De Wever, may I speak to you in private?
Mr. De Wever.
The books. I was hoping we could avoid them being seized.
The value is 15 guilders. What do you suggest?
Then the boy is in your debt.
[Jacob] Based on my current wages,
my bankruptcy would last at least 18 months.
It was a miserable time, but there was one ray of hope.
Good evening.
[typewriter keys clacking]
Don't work too hard.
You don't look too good.
It's good to study, but in moderation.
- How do you know I'm studying? - We all know. You read books.
- I do. But I don't have much time now. - What are you working on?
A plea. And you?
I'm translating a contract for Mr. Stroomkoning.
In French?
Yes. Is your room satisfactory?
- Yes. I'm satisfied with it. - May I see it?
Not now. When we're done.
It was already there.
This doesn't open?
To be honest...
[birds flapping]
I never tried.
Your own rooftop terrace.
Not bad.
Where do you live?
At home, with my parents.
In South. Do you know De Groene Zoom?
I lived with my mother too, but I wanted to move out.
Do you have other relatives?
I bear my mother's name. I'm her only child.
But a friend of mine lodges with her.
He's like a son to her.
He's a Communist. We have heated debates about it.
Who? You and him, or you and your mother?
He and I. My mother never says much.
It's good if people can be quiet together.
Aren't you afraid of heights?
It's getting late.
[piano playing whimsical melody]
[audience laughing]
[Jacob] On February 1st, 1924, my debt was paid.
I took my mother and Jan Maan out to celebrate.
I was free of Dreverhaven, but did not feel at all satisfied.
[tense music playing]
[man] The whole sum.
Including interest, paid punctually in 12 installments.
Exceptional.
I'll drink to that.
To you, Jacob Willem.
Because you are exceptional.
[music turns ominous]
- [dramatic music playing] - [yelling indistinctly]
A.B. DREVERHAVEN BAILIFF
[yelling stops]
Tomorrow morning...
at 8 o'clock exactly...
you'll be evicted.
In the name of the law.
[woman] You don't have the right.
You don't have the right!
[grunts]
Filthy bastard!
- [Dreverhaven grunting] - [crowd yelling]
[screaming]
[gasps]
[door slams]
I want another loan from you.
I need money.
How much?
Two thousand guilders.
Tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the bank.
You wanted to take out another loan?
You were free of him at last.
You didn't need to see him again.
- But you went back and started again? - I wanted to challenge him.
To defeat him.
Sir, there's a lawyer for you, and the coroner wants to talk to you.
Mr. Katadreuffe, you get your militancy from your mother.
Your birth was a fight too.
I remember, she suffered strange contractions.
- As if she didn't want you born. - Good.
You went back to Dreverhaven because you wanted to defeat him.
I can understand that, but do you have any idea...
why Dreverhaven accepted?
Dreverhaven didn't need to. He had already won. Several times.
What do you think he wanted?
At first I thought it was business.
The next morning he lent me the whole sum.
The interest was only 8%.
But there was one condition.
You realize that Mr. Dreverhaven can reclaim his loan at any moment?
- You mean that...? - Tomorrow, next month, in three years.
At any time, we can reclaim the money, whether it suits you or not.
- Agreed. - Are you sure?
The contract.
The signature?
[speaking in German]
[Jacob] Despite Dreverhaven's condition, I was sure of myself.
I used his money to dedicate myself to private lessons for two years.
[speaking in Latin]
- [in Dutch] It is not truth that counts... - Truth doesn't count in law...
- But proof. - But that which can be proven.
[both speaking in Latin]
[both speaking in French]
[in Dutch] Miss Te George.
You are leaving, but...
would you have time, perhaps...
to show me Mr. Stroomkoning's library?
Go on in.
It's lovely.
- That's where you work? - You can go in.
I'll be off starting tomorrow.
Until the end of July.
That sounds nice.
I'm not so sure.
The prospect of staying home all day...
I like working here.
I like being here.
Yes. Me too.
You know, I want to tell you something.
But I'm not sure I should.
You may think I'm silly.
When I first came here...
and saw the office from the outside...
[poignant music playing]
the sun shimmered...
and I saw my own name on the building.
Between Mr. Carlion...
and Mr. Rustenburg.
Strange, isn't it?
[door opens]
Miss Te George, still at work?
Mr. Katadreuffe wanted to see the library.
That's fine, of course,
but I want to lock up.
Don't let us stop you, we're done.
Good evening, Mr. Katadreuffe. Mr. Rentenstein.
Mr. Katadreuffe.
You've worked here for some time now.
And I noticed that you are still just as ambitious.
I even heard from Mr. De Gankelaar that your study is progressing very well.
Mr. De Gankelaar overestimates me.
I don't think you can be overestimated.
I feel that I should warn you that people of your class...
have opportunities here, of course,
but they are not unlimited. Understood?
[speaking indistinctly]
Understood.
I'm very grateful for your reminder, Mr. Rentenstein.
You're welcome.
I assume you speak from experience.
[man on radio] ♪ Gee, but I'm blue ♪
♪ And so lonely I don't know what to do... ♪
[Jacob] The encounter with Miss Te George, her reaction to my vision...
she kept me up a few nights.
She was still on my mind
when Jan Maan introduced his new fiancée three weeks later.
♪ Still I can't keep from dreaming Dreams of you ♪
♪ That's all I do... ♪
- There's not enough space. - That's not true.
You'd forget to feed him. She forgets everything.
Listen to him.
Scoundrel.
So temperamental.
[Coby yelling]
Ja, Coby.
I met her at a department store.
My parents didn't like it.
[Coby laughing]
"All kinds of people go there. That's no good," said my mother.
[Jacob] Coby.
Two weeks later, she ran off with another guy.
[Lorna] Mr. Katadreuffe!
Mr. Katadreuffe!
I know what you think, that we're meeting each other here by coincidence.
- But there's no such thing. - Says who?
I do. But I'm sure there are theories. I'm over there.
- Have you been swimming? - No, I just got here. And you?
This morning, briefly.
But if you take a dip later, I'd love to join you.
Unless you object.
No, not at all, it's just...
You can swim, right?
I don't have a bathing suit.
Just books.
- You came here to... - Just to study, yes.
I should have known.
- How about a stroll? - A stroll. Do you have time?
Yes. Yes.
[man] Lorna?
- Hello. - [Lorna] Changed already?
Yes. And who's this?
- He's from the office. - Ah! Van Rijn's the name.
Katadreuffe.
- Right. Cigarette? - No, thank you.
- How about you, Lorna? - No, thanks.
Lovely here, isn't it?
[Jacob] Lorna. It was the first time I heard her first name.
This guy called her Lorna.
[Coby] Jacob!
Jacob!
- Friends of yours? - We're back, hello!
Cheerful types.
- I should go. Nice to meet you, Mr... - Van Rijn. Likewise.
Strange fellow.
- Who are they? From the office? - [Jacob] I'm going home.
- Already? We just got here. - Sorry, I have a headache.
Jacob?
[Jacob] Van Rijn.
Jacob?
[Jacob] She never mentioned him before.
Never.
She was never picked up or dropped off by a Mr. Van Rijn.
[Lorna] Mr. Katadreuffe?
Mr. Katadreuffe?
I'm sorry to bother you. Mr. Stroomkoning is expecting you in half an hour.
- [indistinct chatter] - [piano playing classical music]
[Rentenstein] This is outrageous!
You haven't seen the last of me.
Mr. Katadreuffe, maybe you've heard
that there have been some cash deficits recently.
This is why I have just dismissed Mr. Rentenstein.
I assume you're not sad about this.
I'm not.
- Do you really not want anything to eat? - No, thank you.
Then I'll get to the point and make a proposal.
[ominous music playing]
[Jacob] I was appointed office manager...
but we'd not seen the last of Rentenstein.
[Gankelaar] Mr. Katadreuffe,
congratulations on your well-earned promotion.
Secondly...
Dreverhaven wants his money back at once.
The whole sum within three days.
Now? Just before my exams.
He's already applied for your bankruptcy.
But that's impossible.
Last time, I was in debt to the bank and the landlord.
Now I only have one creditor. You can't go bankrupt with one debt.
But Dreverhaven knows that too.
So what? He's bluffing.
I only have one debt, to him and no one else.
If you go bankrupt, Stroomkoning can't keep you. You'll lose everything.
Dreverhaven doesn't stand a chance.
- I'll represent you. - Thank you, but that's not necessary.
The People's Credit Society v. Jacob Willem Katadreuffe.
- I see Mr. De Gankelaar represents you? - Yes, Your Honor.
Very good.
- This concerns a debt... - [door opens]
- This concerns a debt to... - [door opens]
To the People's Credit Society.
Is this debt recognized?
Certainly, Your Honor.
- Does the petitioned have other debts? - No, Your Honor.
I have just one debt.
Sorry, Your Honor. My client has no other debts.
Is that correct, Mr. Schuwagt?
That is incorrect.
- You are misinformed, sir. - [judge] Mr. De Gankelaar.
Your Honor, let me state that the petitioned has been bankrupt.
That did end with repayment,
but the petitioned has since incurred other debts.
That is not true, Your Honor.
Mr. De Gankelaar, I will have your client removed.
Not necessary, Your Honor.
I have my information from the best source.
[ominous music playing]
The list of your previous bankruptcy includes an entry under "assets":
"Private sale of books, 15 guilders."
Mr. De Gankelaar paid the 15 guilders to prevent seizure of the books.
Your Honor...
The petitioned still has the books, so...
Your Honor...
Mr. De Gankelaar is a creditor for the sum of 15 guilders.
I would like a brief adjournment, Your Honor.
May I?
I'm sorry. He's right. I bought your books to prevent seizure.
- I'll give you the 15 guilders. - No.
You don't understand. I give it to you and the case is closed.
- I can't possibly accept it. - Excuse me?
Dreverhaven has won. I should never have taken him on.
Are you crazy? I give you the money and it's over.
- That's very kind, but I can't accept. - What?
A debt is a debt.
[Gankelaar] Who taught you that?
Who taught you that senseless self-chastisement?
I give you the money and you take it.
People who can't accept a gift have nothing to give themselves. Nothing!
And you have so much to give, boy.
I won't let them take it away from you.
[Jacob] De Gankelaar decided the case in our favor.
The second debt is irrelevant and the bankruptcy is rejected.
[Jacob] The loser could take two more steps.
He can force Stroomkoning to deduct it from your salary, or appeal.
[Jacob] But Dreverhaven didn't do anything.
He didn't really want me bankrupt either.
He wanted to show me who was in charge.
What?
[whispers indistinctly]
[ominous music playing]
[Jacob] Three months later, I took my exams.
When I came home, there was no one to congratulate me.
On the way home, I decided to visit the enemy.
The closer I got to him...
the more I realized I had nothing to say to him.
But it was too late.
Jacob Willem...
What do you want?
I came to say that you didn't defeat me in court.
And that you'd better leave me alone.
[Dreverhaven] Or else?
[ominous music playing]
Do something to me.
[gasps]
Do something to me.
[Jacob grunts]
Do something to me!
[yells]
Do something to me!
[Dreverhaven screams]
Mr. Katadreuffe.
Would you come in?
Miss Te George?
- Miss Te George? - Surprise!
What? You didn't fail, did you?
Bravo!
[indistinct chatter]
This is the latest edition.
And complete...
all 24 parts.
- Knowledge up to Z. - [laughing]
Most is from Mr. Stroomkoning,
but everyone contributed. It's from all of us.
[excited chatter]
[man over phonograph] ♪ That's all I do... ♪
I think I startled you just now.
You looked very shocked.
- It's a strange evening. - I had my doubts.
You mean...
About tonight.
Whether I should do it.
I really appreciate it.
That afternoon, by the sea...
I owe you an explanation. You should know...
You don't need to.
I'm the one who should explain.
I didn't know what I really wanted then.
But tonight, I think I know.
Mr. Katadreuffe, if I may...
[dance music continues over phonograph]
[music stops]
[Jacob] Friends...
I want to thank you all again for the wonderful evening.
And I have something else to say.
Some of you may have already suspected.
In September, I plan on starting law school.
[woman] Bravo.
Bravo.
Everyone has certain gifts.
Everyone. And everyone has to discover them.
And then he has to develop them, so he can make progress.
I'm sure each of us can make progress,
no matter where you came from or how late you start.
Anyone who has just one goal and fights for it...
and is willing to sacrifice other things,
shall overcome all resistance and setbacks.
[poignant music playing]
As long as just one goal remains...
and he is not distracted...
and puts everything else aside.
Of that I am convinced.
I just wanted to say...
that I hope we will all work together in harmony in the future.
I fear it was more of a sermon.
Thank you.
[music resumes]
Well said, sir.
Are you tipsy?
Mr. Katadreuffe?
Time for bed.
There you go. Good night.
I couldn't see it.
I didn't understand the signs.
I was so full of myself...
of my future.
Miss Te George?
Miss?
I have to show you out.
[woman] Come back in, the party's not over yet.
♪ Just dream of you... ♪
[wistful music playing]
[Jacob] Miss Te George did not come to the office anymore.
The next day, she wrote to Stroomkoning...
offering her resignation without stating a reason.
She was never heard of again.
[man] Mr. Katadreuffe, you are not well.
You are very nervous and physically exhausted.
You have no resistance.
- But do you think I...? - I don't think you can work.
You are mentally burnt out...
and you're a wreck.
- Is that all? - No, one more thing.
Your mother is not well.
You know that she has weak lungs. That got worse recently.
There is no immediate cause for concern.
Her illness is slow and she could remain stable for years.
I just thought you should know.
- She never mentions it. - No.
One day I may have to leave her,
but it won't be because I'm getting married.
I'm not the marrying type. You aren't either, Jacob.
[Jacob] A quiet period ensued, the calm before the storm.
I was still in debt,
but for two years, I heard nothing from Dreverhaven.
His business was ailing,
and there were rumors about alcohol abuse and fights.
But one thing is certain.
One rainy afternoon in March, he made a decision.
[pensive music playing]
[music stops]
When is the wedding, Joba?
When will we marry, Joba?
Why don't you leave our boy alone?
That boy...
I'll strangle him for nine tenths and the last tenth will make him strong.
I will never marry you.
But I can tell you, there has never been another.
Maybe I'll strangle him for the last tenth too.
[ominous music playing]
[door slams]
[organ playing somber melody]
This is your notice.
You have three days to move out.
This is your notice! You have three days!
You have three days to get out!
AUCTION HOUSE
[tense music playing]
[crowd yelling outside]
The eviction. I'll call the police.
Tomorrow morning...
at 8 o'clock...
you'll be evicted.
In the name of the law.
Come on. Let's go home. Come.
Yes, be sensible, folks. Go home.
Go home quietly now. Be sensible.
Go home quietly now.
[ominous music playing]
- [dramatic music playing] - [indistinct chatter]
[officers yelling indistinctly]
[Jacob] Dreverhaven had his floors removed for an elevator...
he would never install.
He had cooled his anger on his tenants. Not on me.
But the longer he left me alone,
the more he haunted my thoughts.
That first seizure was quite something.
The ship had to be chained up that afternoon.
So we went looking for a bailiff.
When we finally found Dreverhaven, the ship had already sailed.
We chased it in a dinghy and saw it heading down the river.
It had not picked up much speed...
so Dreverhaven ordered our dinghy to the bow.
- Guess what he did. - [Jacob] He jumped.
He jumped in the water.
Well, yes, but how did you know?
Oh, I must have told the story a hundred times.
Indeed, he jumped right into the water.
Everyone shouted, "Man overboard."
We steered our dinghy to the other side of the bow,
so they were forced to hoist Dreverhaven aboard.
When he showed the captain his bailiff's badge...
[Dreverhaven] Joba!
...it was all over. Yes.
That man was brave.
Dreverhaven?
Was he brave? Or tired of life?
[Stroomkoning] Tired of life? I suppose you could call it that.
He was afraid of nothing.
A man like that may know no fear, but isn't brave. He's indifferent.
And that makes him dangerous.
Dangerous? Come on.
If Dreverhaven hadn't stopped that ship, we wouldn't be here.
[Gankelaar] Jacob?
I'm leaving the office. I have applied for a position abroad.
- When? - In four weeks' time.
I'm just about to graduate.
You'll be all right. Right?
I wish I could come.
No, you still have unfinished business.
Will you take care?
[Jacob] A month later, De Gankelaar left for New Guinea.
He had been my mentor and I his protégé.
I would miss him.
- Goodbye. Take care. - Take care.
[Jacob] Now that he had left the office, I decided to celebrate my graduation
with Mother and Jan Maan.
You should thank God for giving you such a good brain.
God?
Since when is God mentioned here?
Mm.
- To the next round. - Jacob?
I'd like to go outside.
[pensive music playing]
A lot has changed here.
Those trees weren't there before.
They were planted after the war.
Mother?
When he first asked you,
why didn't you marry him?
You used to be able to see the eastern wharf from here.
It wasn't pretty. This is much better.
[Lorna] Mr. Katadreuffe?
Mrs. Van Rijn?
Mrs. Ten Have. But Miss Te George to you.
- Do you still live...? - No, but not far from here.
I persuaded my husband to move here.
He's a bookkeeper.
And how are you?
Fine. I start my doctoral studies tomorrow.
You'll pass, of course.
You always succeed.
And then you'll be a lawyer.
To begin with, yes.
Being a lawyer is only the start.
Then I must specialize, and then things really start.
- And then I'm still not there... - You haven't changed.
I'll never marry anyone else.
I've never forgotten you.
[wistful music playing]
You see that woman? That's my mother.
She's a special woman.
She must be...
if she's your mother.
Will I see you again?
By coincidence.
I will wait for that coincidence.
An old acquaintance.
She used to be Stroomkoning's secretary.
Was she already taken then?
No.
Well, Jacob Willem, then you've been a big ass.
[Jacob] Eighteen months later, my mother died in her sleep.
I hadn't seen Dreverhaven for six years.
All this time, he had left me alone.
I wondered if he had been waiting for this moment.
Without her between us, he could strike at any time.
But Dreverhaven did nothing.
When I was sworn in as a lawyer four months later,
I began to understand why.
You sit at the head of the table now, Mr. Katadreuffe.
- Yes, fine. One moment, please. - As you wish. Come, sit down, everybody.
[Jacob] I had achieved all I had ever wanted. Everything.
But at the same time, I had nothing.
Dreverhaven knew this.
He had known it all along.
Dreverhaven knew I would come to see him today.
[ominous music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[thunder rumbles]
Mr. Katadreuffe, may I congratulate...
[ominous music continues]
[music stops]
I was sworn in as a lawyer today.
You won't like it, but I've been sworn in, and this is the last time I'll come here.
Farewell forever. You no longer exist to me.
Congratulations.
You congratulate me?
I can't take your hand.
Not when you've always worked against me.
Or worked for you.
[tense music playing]
[footsteps thudding]
[thunder rumbles]
[Jacob grunts]
[ominous music playing]
[groaning]
[yells then grunts]
[dramatic music playing]
[yells]
[grunts]
[yells]
[Jacob grunting and groaning]
[gasping]
- [wheezing] - [Jacob sobbing]
- [Jacob grunts] - [Dreverhaven screams]
[groaning]
[Jacob yells]
[thunder rumbling]
[yelling]
- [ominous music playing] - [thunder rumbling]
[groaning]
[whispers] Help me.
Jacob.
Dreverhaven begged you to stab him, but you didn't.
You walked away.
You left Dreverhaven alive.
Yes.
Nonsense. [clears throat]
It's the truth.
Follow me.
Dreverhaven was found by his lawyer just before midnight.
Not in the attic but on the ground floor...
with the knife in his stomach and a broken neck from falling.
Several witnesses saw Mr. Katadreuffe leave at 5 p.m.
The report shows that the fatal wounds were not inflicted before 11 p.m.
I think he is telling the truth.
[pensive music playing]
Mr. Katadreuffe?
What do you think happened in the meantime?
[thunder rumbles]
You think it was an accident.
[pensive music playing]
[Jacob] Jan.
[Jan] Christ, you look awful.
I've been here all night. Almost thought you'd done something stupid.
- [de Bree] Mr. Katadreuffe. - Sir.
[de Bree] Oh, I have something for you.
Delivered for you personally by Dreverhaven's lawyer.
[Jacob] "To Jacob Willem..."
[thunder rumbles]
It's a list of his houses, the bank...
all of his possessions. That's all.
[Jan] That's all?
- You'll be a damned capitalist. - You expected more?
- Not from him. - I wish you all the best.
Holy cow.
"Estimated total value: 320,000 guilders.
Please contact my lawyer..."
Blah, blah, blah, signed A.B. Dreverhaven, bailiff.
No. That's not what it says.
[pensive music playing]
[Jacob] "Please contact my representative, Mr. Schuwagt.
Yours sincerely..."
YOURS SINCERELY
FATHER
[somber, poignant music playing]
[ominous music playing]
Translated by: Joséphine Runneboom