01x03 - Part 3

[bunniefuu]

Inspired by Karen Blixen's life and
letters with excerpts from The Dreamers.

- You already speak some English.
- Yes, I've had classes for two years.

Tell me about your trip to Switzerland.

- Well, the nature is beautiful.
- It must be.

She's very good at English, Karen.
You want some coffee?

Yes, please.
Thank you.

We were in Switzerland for a year
when I was your age.

You were?

There was a fire here. The stable burned
down, and Mother took us to Lucerne.

- Ingeborg rescued all the animals.
- That's true.

Your grandmother. We watched
as she ran in and out of the flames.

The women are strong
in the Westenholz family.

Do you know that your Aunt Bess -

- was the first woman to speak
from the rostrum in Parliament?

I heard about it.

Women didn't have the vote and certainly
not access to the halls of power.

But Aunt Bess marched
straight into Parliament -

- and walked straight up
to the seat of the Speaker -

- and took his bell
and rang it like this.

And she looked at all the men ...

... and then she said:

"You should know -

- that the women of Denmark
despise you! Cowards!

Stateless hirelings!"

I thought they would arrest me.

The next day ...



- They came to thank Aunt Bess.
- And she was in the papers.

And Elle and I ...
We were in awe of her.

THE DREAMER

BECOMING KAREN BLIXEN

Girls, mind the chickens.

What do you think Grandmother will say
if she sees you chasing her chickens?

- Welcome, Jonna.
- Thank you.

It's very nice of you
to invite us to stay.

But of course.

I know the girls can be disruptive,
so please say so if it's too much.

Karen?
There's a letter for you.

- Is it from Dorothy Canfield?
- Perhaps. Are you interested?

A heartfelt welcome to Jonna and Tommy.

I hope you will have some wonderful
months with us here at Rungstedlund -

- while your new house
is being renovated.

- I'm sure we will, Mother-in-law.
- Undoubtedly.

Please.

It's just like in the old days,
Ingeborg.

The house filled with life and laughter.

How is everything with you, Bess?

Thanks to you and Elle
it was a merciful year.

And thank you for Canfield's Bonfire.

I just reread it.
It's an extraordinary novel.

Tommy is reading
Her Son's Wife to me.

Oh yes, it's wonderful.
So rich on human insight.

Yes. I must admit,
it's my favorite novel.

It's been a while since
you heard from Dorothy Canfield.

She's a busy woman,
involved in so many things.

I just received a letter from Dorothy.

She ... read my stories,
and she's very enthusiastic.

- Dorothy did?
- How did that come about?

We sent her my stories,
and she read them.

Did you know that, Bess?

No.

She showed my stories
to a publisher in New York.

- New York, really?
- Yes.

Which publisher?

It's Robert Haas. He's supposedly
among the best in New York.

And he's considering
publishing my tales.

I have the letter right here.

She writes: "The unusually
fine quality of the writing -

- and of the reflections contained
in these really extraordinary tales ..."

I don't understand you, Karen.

Did you really write Dorothy
behind Aunt Bess's back?

We should have mentioned it.

We thought she might be able to help.

Dorothy is Aunt Bess's friend.

- Bess ...
- Bess ... Listen, Bess ...

There's something about you, Karen,
that I have never understood.

And that's your dishonesty
and deceit!

Shame on you!

- To think you got Tommy to do that.
- It was my choice.

But you know how important
Canfield is to Aunt Bess.

Well, today is a celebration
for Tommy and Jonna.

Exactly, Knud.

- Let's hope the publisher works out.
- Yes, let's hope so.

If Robert Haas takes on the book,
she'll be published in New York.

What if Robert Haas
doesn't understand my book?

Nonsense.
Your way of writing is so original -

- and the stories are -

- like labyrinths
of layers and references.

You can get lost in them.

And one is left
to the mercy of the author -

- hoping she'll bring you back on track.

And what do you know, she does.

And superbly so.

It was past midnight
on the Indian Ocean.

But Lincoln Forsner's story
kept his listeners awake.

The tale had taken a new turn.

Lincoln's search for Olalla had brought
him to a hotel in the Swiss Alps -

- where he met an old acquaintance,
Friederich von Hohenemser -

- also known as Skipper.

Have you heard of Madame Lola?

- No.
- She's a famous hatmaker.

My mother and sisters
told me specifically:

"Bring back hats
from Madame Lola's boutique."

So of course when I arrived in Lucerne
three weeks ago -

- the first thing I did was
to go to Madame Lola's shop.

But when I approached the store,
I could hardly make my way through.

The street was crowded with rebels.

And inside, Madame Lola
was standing on a table -

- urging everyone to fight.

She looked at me as if she knew me.

And she put her arms around me
and shouted:

"Finally, your heart
has driven you the right way!"

Then she dragged me into the street
with her.

And the rebels followed.

What's going on?

New York rejected me.

Robert Haas ...

His review is impressive though.

"Your stories have impressed themselves
upon my mind and have moved me deeply."

It's still a rejection.

He practically promises
to publish you if you write a novel.

But I cannot write a novel. He must
publish my stories as they are.

Yes, well. What can you do?

He's clear about the fact
that it's due to the Depression.

Perhaps he can be persuaded.

- Now you're going to America.
- No.

But you could write
Dorothy Canfield again.

Absolutely not.

- Because of Aunt Bess.
- Yes.

And because I won't beg
Dorothy Canfield -

- to beg her publisher to publish a book
he doesn't believe will sell.

Perhaps you could ask Aunt Bess
to write Dorothy Canfield -

- so that Dorothy can persuade
Robert Haas to publish my book!

No, Karen!

Yes?

- Dinner is served.
- We'll be right there.

Do you miss the w*r?

No.

I've been thinking about you.

About what it's like to be
on a b*ttlefield.

Having to fight with
every fiber of your body -

- so as not to succumb.

I'm glad it's over.

But I'm still at w*r.

Skipper was the sort of man who had
absolutely no imagination of his own.

In this way, he truly resembled
the pet he was named after.

Just like a dog,
he needed a master -

- to give him direction and purpose.

Take it! Go out there, sh**t!

Vive la révolution!

Your niece is here.
Shall I show her in?

Oh, one moment ...

Alright, alright. Sit.

You may show her in.

Please.

I've hurt you, Aunt Bess.
And I'm sorry.

You must consider -

- that your judgment has always
meant the world to me.

Your words and opinions have always
carried such weight -

- because I value them so terribly much.

But I cannot let you read my tales
before they are published.

Simply because your opinion has too
great of an impact on my own judgment.

I hope you can forgive me, Aunt Bess.

I appreciate your honesty, Karen.

It's merely sad
that it comes at this late date.

I would have taken great joy
in writing Dorothy on your behalf.

Perhaps you can do that now.

I should have asked you from the start.

I know how greatly
Dorothy values your opinion.

And now I'm in a situation
where only you can help.

What exactly is it
you want me to do?

I'd like to show you what Robert Haas
has to say about my tales.

And I'd like to show you
what Dorothy wrote about you -

- in her letter to Tommy.

"Any connection
of my dear Mary Bess Westenholz -

- would never be forgotten by me,
you can be sure of that.

And I will do anything in my power
to help her niece."

May I see?

Bess ...

You're the only one
who can help me.

Well then ...

... we'll just have to see
what we can do about this.

"My dear, dear Dorothy.

I want to tell you a little
about my niece, Karen.

She was extremely talented,
original and promising.

But all she cared for was to live
dangerously, heroically, excitingly.

At the age of 29 -

- she married her cousin, Baron
von Blixen, against her mother's will.

A fine sportsman, alive and courageous -

- but heartless and unreliable."

I've waited for you for days.

"After a humiliating divorce,
Karen struggled to save the farm.

In spite of all her misfortune
Karen managed to pull herself up -

- and write the stories
you have read.

If you can help her in any way -

- perhaps by persuading your friend Haas
to consider a publishing deal -

- I will be forever in your debt."

- Why are you so cheerful today, Karen?
- Well, Knud. I'll tell you.

It is because I have a contract.

A publishing contract
from Robert Haas in New York.

- Congratulations, Karen.
- You're full of surprises.

Wonderful!

Elle, Elle, Elle.

And a special toast to you, dear Bess.

Without your letter to Dorothy Canfield,
this would never have come about.

- Cheers.
- Cheers.

Now I need to finish the last tales
and come up with a good pseudonym.

Why not publish under your own name?

With a pseudonym
you can take on a different persona.

It allows you more freedom
to follow your fantasies.

As a debutant, you should consider
who should write the foreword.

The right foreword can be the decisive
factor in the sales numbers of a book.

Perhaps Bess might help? You've already
written about Karen's background.

Yes, if Karen thinks
it's a good idea ...

At first glance it's not a very good
contract you've received from America.

Robert Haas mentions it should be viewed
in the light of the crisis, but ...

They make it a condition
that all expenses must be covered -

- before they pay out royalties,
and there's no down payment.

No payment in advance.

So I risk not making any money
on my book.

They estimate 4000 copies,
and only when 3000 copies have sold -

- will there be a profit.
So it's a very small percentage.

I've worked a whole year on that book.
And I haven't even finished.

And Dorothy who wrote it was more
profitable to be published in America.

But something
is more profitable than nothing.

- You could make subsequent printings.
- What do you mean?

- Tommy, will you tuck in the girls?
- Yes, of course.

Tommy has a point.

If the book is well received
the 4000 copies will sell in no time.

Sinclair Lewis's latest book
sold 300,000 copies.

Could you try to negotiate a higher
percentage on the next printing?

I'm sure you can find someone
with more experience in these things.

I don't think so, Knud.

I don't think there is anyone
better than you. Will you please try?

Higher.

Oh!? That's it!
No ...

Tickle-time!

And what is it that you do
here in British East Africa?

Besides big-game hunting,
my idea is to buy and sell land.

"Je responderai."
I will answer.

- It's a family motto.
- Is it?

A commitment to always respond to life
under any circumstance.

"Dear Dorothy Canfield.
I am writing you again.

This time on a slightly different matter."

Yes?

- Am I interrupting you?
- Not at all.

- How is it going?
- Well.

- Haas says seven tales will suffice.
- But that's wonderful!

I just wanted to show you the essay
I've written about you.

I've edited it a bit so that it can
be used as a foreword, if you like -

- but it would be easier
if you'd let me read the book.

It would allow me
to better tailor the foreword.

- Aunt Bess, that's very sweet of you.
- It's no bother at all.

I already asked Dorothy Canfield if
she would write the foreword to my book.

I see.

You don't think Dorothy
has done plenty already?

Yes. And I wrote back to her
that she knows -

- that when you give
the devil a little finger ...

Please don't be upset, Aunt Bess.

It is your contact with Canfield
that has paved the way -

- and I'm sure
you have written a beautiful foreword.

But at the moment I have to do whatever
I can to sell as many books as possible.

Then ... I won't disturb you any longer.

"These tales are like a strange
and sweet fruit, you've never tasted.

It is impossible to describe it,
you have to taste it yourself."

In Danish: "Disse fortællinger er
som en mærkelig og sød frugt -

- De aldrig har smagt.

Det er umuligt at beskrive det.
De må selv smage dem."

This will be in the foreword.

There, there.
Yes, Jonna. Take a deep breath.

- How did we get to 'N'?
- A, B, C, D, E ...

- How's it going?
- As it should, Tommy.

Gerda, would you please fetch
more hot water?

What does that add up to?

Thank you.

Yes, I know.

You are doing such a fine job.

There, Jonna.
There, there.

It won't be long now.

Yes, that's right.
Very good.

Tommy, come sit down.
Everything will be fine.

Okay. So what goes here?

- Do you have a cigarette?
- Yes.

- 4 plus 9 ...
- Oh, how clever you are!

And today,
Anne helped me find a pseudonym.

Really?

Yes, and it's a very fancy one
that promises success and prosperity.

And my number is 8.

Anne Arendse Dinesen is 8, and it means
I have a special spiritual power.

Well, well, how about that?

And I will be a great success
both in business and in society.

- Congratulations.
- Anne is very good with numbers.

So we must see to it that she gets
a proper mathematical education.

That's quite the hocus pocus, Karen.

It's Kabbalah numerology.

You don't find it improper to involve
a child in your occult experiments?

- Ah well, it's just a game.
- It is what you make of it, I suppose.

Tommy ...

- It's a boy. A big, strong boy.
- And Jonna?

- Congratulations, Tommy!
- Mother and child are doing well.

- A little brother.
- You can see him shortly.

I forgot to say.
There's a telegram for you.

- I left it on your desk.
- Thank you.

Let's go and say hello.

Isn't he lovely?

How beautiful he is!

Goodbye, Elle.

You can congratulate me as well.

My book has been selected
for the Book of the Month Club.

It will be printed in 50,000 copies
in America.

Oh, my!

- Haas sent an advance of 5000 dollars.
- God's blessing!

Karen, my angel.

They're here. The first copies
have arrived from New York.

- Hot off the printing machine.
- Hurry!

Isak Dinesen?
Is that your pseudonym?

It means "the one who laughs".

Aunt Bess, I want you to have
the first copy. I'll write a dedication.

"To Aunt Bess -

- without whom this book
would never have seen the light of day."

Thank you, dear.

- I'd like an autograph too, Karen.
- Yes, Mother ...

Want to hear the latest?

Putnam Books, who wouldn't even read it,
now wants to publish it in England.

Mein Herr, can you hear me?

Do you realize you are a hero
of the revolution?

You turned the tide of the battle.

You k*lled the chaplain of the Bishop.

For several days she cared for my wounds,
and she fed me soup -

- and she talked to me ...

... about the revolution.

Then one night I was woken up
by an old man.

He told me
Madame Lola had been betrayed.

She had gone underground.
He said I also had to flee immediately.

He took me to the outskirts of the city
where a carriage was waiting for me.

He asked me to forget everything
about Madame Lola. But how?

So you see, if I'm arrested ...

... I will be beheaded.

I was alarmed by Skipper's story.

I felt there was some resemblance
between his Madame Lola and my Olalla.

And then an old man turned up
in his story also.

Could that be a coincidence, too?

Before I had a chance
to ask him further -

- the Baron started to tell me
an adventure of his own.

That, too, was about a woman.

- Have you read it, Ingeborg?
- Of course.

Where is it all coming from?
All these atrocities and perversions.

It got excellent reviews in America, so
perhaps it's you who doesn't understand?

What is there to understand?

There isn't a single normal
relationship in the book!

- There are no genuine people.
- It's a world of fantasy, Bess.

But all these horrible characters!
Hollow, empty and depraved.

To think our Karen had this inside her.

The only beauty in this book
is Dorothy Canfield's foreword.

They are tales, Bess.