Backyard Village (2021) Movie Script
[ATMOSPHERIC SOUNDS]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Backyard Village
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[WALKING STICKS]
[MUSIC: JFDR'S "BEST INTENTIONS"]
[WALKING STICKS]
[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]
[ATMOSPHERIC SOUNDS AND AMBIENT MUSIC]
[WIND CHIMES AND WATER SOUNDS]
[WIND CHIMES CONTINUE
WITH SOUND OF WATERFALL]
[CHIMES FADE OUSOUND Of WATERFALL TAKES OVER]
[SOUND OF WATERFALL INCREASES IN VOLUME]
[BUS ARRIVING]
[SIGHS]
[CHRISTMAS SONG ON RADIO]
[LYRICS ON RADIO:
IT'S CHRISTMAS EVA AND WE'RE MAKING]
[AN ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE BY NIGHT.]
[BRYNJA: Mmm...]
[WOKE UP LATE AND MISSED THE CHECK-IN]
[HAD TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER FLIGHT.]
[WE'RE ALL TOGETHER IN THIS...]
[RAIN]
[RAIN]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[DOOR OPENS]
[SCOFFS]
[DOOR OPENS]
[ZIPPER]
[TURNS ON TAP WATER]
[ZIPPER]
[KETTLE STARTS BOILING]
[TURNS TAP ON AGAIN]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
[GIRL TALKING INAUDIBLY]
[MUSIC AND BOILING
KETTLE RISING IN VOLUME]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[CURTAIN ROLLS UP]
[OPENS DOOR]
Hello. Sorry for disturbing.
Ok.
Did I wake you up?
- Yes.
Really sorry.
I wondered if you have any paprika powder.
Paprika powder?
I'm cooking and
according to the
recipe all it requires now
is a pinch or two of
that queen of all spices.
I don't live here.
No, me neither. I'm
staying in the other one.
The houses have spice-racks
in the kitchen drawers.
Just one moment.
[CLOSES DOOR]
[RATTLING SOUND OF CUTLERY]
[OPENS DOOR]
Great. I'm Mark, by the way.
Thanks for this and enjoy your evening.
And you your dinner.
[LOCKS DOOR]
[CURTAINS ROLLING]
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
[OPENS DOOR]
Sorry, just me again.
I just found it ridiculous that
are you alone?
Why do you ask?
I'm alone and cooking and
well I thought if you fancied coming over
then I'd be very happy
to have you for dinner.
Ok, nice I...
You can bring a knife if you want
or indeed a
a weapon of your choice.
It just thought I'd offer,
that's all, no pressure.
Thanks again for this.
[LOCKS DOOR]
[OPENS DOOR]
[WIND CHIMES]
[PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]
[MARK STIRRING POT]
[BRYNJA SIPS TEA]
[OPENS DOOR]
[WIND PICKING UP]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[WATER]
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[OPENS DOOR]
Hello.
[MARK: EHHH]
Come in.
Welcome.
Perfect timing.
- Thank you.
Welcome.
Would you like some wine,
beer, kombucha maybe?
You don't look like a kombucha man.
Really?
Not sure if I should be relieved or not.
I don't really know.
I'll give you a...
Glass.
Here we go.
And, yes.
For you.
[BRYNJA OPENS BOTTLE]
Why don't you make
yourself comfortable, sit down.
Are you cooking fish?
[MARK: EHHH]
Yes. Yes, I am.
What kind?
[POURS INTO GLASS]
The processed beyond all recognition kind.
[CLEARS THROAT ]
So.
Who goes first?
What do you mean?
Well, you know.
Our stories.
What are you doing here?
[SCOFFS]
What are you doing here?
Me? Ok.
I'm traveling, for fun I guess.
Actually...
Actually no, not...
I travel for work a lot, see,
but this is...
[MARK CLICKS TONGUE]
This is more personal
I guess, yeah more
more personal, yes.
Not fun at all actually.
Interesting.
[WIND AND RAIN PICKING UP]
Yeah, why don't you come
and make yourself comfortable
at this fantastic... table, yes.
Table, that's what it is Mark.
It's a table.
[MARK INHALES]
Voil.
What have you done?
Well, you know.
When I'm traveling I like to
try local dishes from wherever
I am in the world and,
so, this is
fish balls in a pink sauce.
A staple of Icelandic cuisine.
I used to have this all the time.
Oh, right, you've had this before?
Yeah, twice a week until I left home.
Ok. So they have this in
Finland as well, do they?
Do you think I'm Finnish?
Just my best guess since I
don't even know your name.
Oh, sorry. My name is
Brynja and I'm Icelandic.
Right.
Ok, how perfectly embarrassing.
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC IN BACKGROUND]
Somehow you don't expect
to meet locals at a guesthouse.
Shall I?
Thank you.
There you go.
[SPLASHING SOUND]
[MARK CLICKS TONGUE]
[CUTLERY SCRAPING DISHES]
Oh, right. Ok.
Right.
[CUTLERY SCRAPING DISHES]
When in Iceland...
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES]
[CUTLERY SCRAPING DISHES]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
[BRYNJA SIGHS AGAIN]
Bad?
Just familiar.
Is that good?
So why Finnish?
Well, just the...
The accent, you know.
And don't take this the wrong way,
it's just you look a bit Finnish
when you've just woken up.
OK.
Sorry, was that a bit racist of me?
Not racist.
[BLOWS AIR]
Xenophobic maybe, yeah.
Anti-Finnish-isterian-ism.
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Moominbasher.
What is a Moominbasher?
You know, those weird
little pig things with a...
They wear hats.
Mmnlfarnir.
Yeah. You've added
a bit at the end. Yeah.
Those.
[MARK SCOFFS]
So, come on then, what
do you do for a living?
I'm a chef.
A chef?
Yeah.
Christ, right. I get it now.
So this is like a car crash
on a plate to you it must be?
No, this is wonderful.
This is what food can be all about.
My father used to make this.
Well, what are the odds?
Pretty high for a single
parent thirty years ago.
[PUTS DOWN CUTLERY ON PLATE]
So.
Why are you here?
In this town?
In that house, over there?
I'm on my way home.
And where is that, exactly?
Reykjavik.
Ok. So you're traveling.
I was in the health spa.
This is like an orientated health town.
So I've heard. Yes.
Are you feeling better?
I'm actually dead.
[FORK SCRAPING BRYNJA'S PLATE]
[MARK PUTS DOWN BOTTLE]
[BRYNJA PUTS FORK ON PLATE]
Sorry, why would you...
Why would you say something like that?
Are you a psychologist?
No. God, no, no, no.
I'm a sales agent for an
international distribution company.
But I have exchanged a portion
of my youth and happiness,
for a small amount of wisdom.
[BRYJNA SCOFFS]
So what do you sell?
What do I sell?
[MARK INHALES TRHOUGH TEETH]
[MARK: Ehm.]
OK.
You're going to love this.
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES]
[PAPER RUSTLES]
There is nothing on it.
Well I beg to disagree.
You see, that there is a clean sheet of...
French writing paper.
A fresh start.
Maximum potential.
Infinite possibilities.
[MARK SCOFFS]
Keep it if you want.
Thank you.
What are you doing?
You need to roll it... up.
Oh, sorry.
No, sorry, I'm...
I'm joking. It's fine.
[MARK SCOFFS]
Honest, no, it's fine.
It's just a piece of paper.
[BRYNJA SCOFFS]
Honestly. Sorry.
[PAPER RUSTLES]
[CLASSICAL PIANO
INCREASING IN VOLUME]
[LIGHTER CLICK]
[OFF-SCREEN CLANK]
[MARK BREATHES OUT]
Don't worry, I didn't put any milk in it.
Thanks.
[MARK CLOSING DOOR]
I'm fully aware that when
it comes to milk in tea,
us British are very much on our own.
[MARK SIPS TEA]
I hope you don't...
It's just something you said, earlier on.
Why did you say that you were dead?
I don't know.
No, I do know but I
don't know why I told you.
Maybe you want to tell me more?
No need.
I seem to look at things
from the wrong angle.
That's my problem.
OK.
Well. There you have it then.
[MARK SIPS TEA]
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
Do you know anything about kidnapping?
Kidnapping?
Like stealing another person?
Yeah.
Strangely enough, no. Why?
I think that's the only
way I can meet my mother.
She left when I was five.
And just few months ago she sent me
and my sister a message.
And what, she... And
she was kidnapped? No.
No, no.
I just feel like that's the
only way I can meet her.
To put a mask on.
Kidnap her.
Take her someplace.
Talk to her as someone else.
I think I will explode as soon as she
looks at me as her daughter.
Well, I think you should just...
start by talking to her on the phone.
I'm afraid to.
I was a strong independent person,
a daughter of a single parent.
But as soon as I got this message
I turned into this mess.
This chicken-shit-person.
Well, what does your dad think?
He died.
[MARK SIGHS]
Sorry to hear that.
Six months ago, already.
I think you just need
to be clear and just
send her a message
saying you don't feel like
having her in you life at the moment.
And then... you can go from there.
I did that already but it
didn't change anything.
Didn't change anything?
No, she came anyway.
To meet my sister and her family.
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
And she's here now.
In Iceland.
[BRYNJA BREATHES OUT HER NOSE]
Look, Brynja, I think...
[MARK PUTS DOWN TEACUP]
You just...
Look I just want you to know that...
I am happy to say that
from where I am sitting,
and without being a medical doctor or
indeed any doctor of any kind.
You are very much full of life.
Not dead.
Thank you.
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Definitely not dead.
Thanks.
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
[OPENS DOOR]
You're not thinking of leaving
early tomorrow, are you?
No, I don't think so.
Great, well...
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
[BRYNJA'S FOOTSTEPS RECEDING]
[CLOSES DOOR]
[ZIPPER]
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
[LIGHT CLICKS OFF]
[RUSTLING OF SHEETS]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC]
[CHURCH BELLS]
[ROBINS SING AND RAVENS CAW]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MARK KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[RAVEN CAWS]
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[LIGHT SWITCH]
[OPENS WINDOW]
Mark!
Morning, Finland.
Sorry, I keep waking you up.
Are you leaving?
Yes, just on a short
trip, I'll be back later.
OK. Have a nice one.
Do you have anything planned?
No.
I was just wondering if
you wanted to join me.
Where are you going?
It's not far.
I guess I'm essentially asking
if you fancy being my free
tour-guide to Iceland for the day.
What is this?
GPS-coordinates.
Pretty specific.
Yup.
So, where is it?
Ah, it's just on the other
side of the mountain there.
Yeah, you can't really see it from here.
OK.
I was also wondering...
In your professional opinion,
are capers a good thing
to put in a sandwich?
Maybe.
Well I started making tuna-sandwiches
and remembered that you are a chef,
and so I threw a few
capers in there as well.
So you made sandwiches?
I did. Yes.
I also put some sweet
mustard in there, just a thin layer.
You might have outdone yourself.
I wouldn't get too carried away.
[BIRDS SINGING]
You know, it would be
nice to get some fresh air.
[ENGINE RUNNING]
Do you mind?
It's just, I would really like to
look at the landscape as we go.
Sure.
Do you have your seat belt?
Yes.
Clunk, click. Every trip.
Sorry. Forget it.
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
[WIND BLOWING]
Have you been to this place before?
I have, yes.
As I said, it's just on the far
side of the mountain there.
Although... You can't really see the
mountain at the moment with this...
Well, blizzard, I guess you would call it.
We would call it a blizzard.
Anyway. It's probably...
Not such a big deal for you.
See, if you were in England now
the whole country would
just be paralyzed by this.
That would be it.
Just. "Everybody stay inside,
there's some snow. Don't come out!"
Really?
- Yeah.
You see here, there's a lot of
accidents that happens on this road.
This is Inglfsfjall and on the top
of it there's a gravel mine.
And they have machines on top of it.
And then they just push everything down.
Here is a river with salmons.
So, if you like fishing,
you can get really big ones.
Well, I do like salmon
but I do not like fishing.
In that order.
OK.
It's just a bit further now.
- OK.
It's just... sorry, it's just...
It's here?
It's there.
[SHIFTS GEAR]
Yeah. Here.
It's difficult to see with the snow.
- Yeah.
But this is definitely it.
I hope that's the
worst of it... it's just...
Just at the top here.
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
It's just... just here.
Here?
Yeah. Just...
It's OK to just park here.
[ENGINE STOPS]
Hey, you mentioned
something about sandwiches.
Can't you wait?
I haven't eaten anything.
It's, it's just over here.
[DARK ATMOSPHERIC SOUNDS]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[SCRAPES SNOW AND ICE]
Who recommended this place?
My son.
My son did.
- OK.
This...
This is where they found his body.
He went missing. See.
And, turns out... This is...
This is where he was all along.
I'm sorry.
Are you sure you want me to be here?
Absolutely. Yes.
Yes, you help make
this feel... More real.
Less nightmare-ish.
Come on. Sit.
I'm just so sorry.
Have a sandwich.
Here you are.
And...
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
Drink.
[MARK SIGHS]
Was he adventurous?
No.
I mean, he liked nature, but...
I guess all of us do, really.
This happens almost every year.
People just don't know how
bad the weather can be here.
Wasn't the weather.
We know that.
It was early October, and...
He bought himself a one-way ticket.
And when they found him, he'd been...
Laying here for almost... two years.
And, when they found him...
They found an empty
packet of pills. In his pocket.
They said he wouldn't have suffered.
I hope you don't mind
me bringing you here.
I don't.
It's just, I feel so close
to him. When I'm here.
Like he's...
Sharing some great
secret with me, you know.
Something, deeply, deeply personal.
As if he's saying...
You know: "This... This dad,
is where I chose to end it all."
[MARK SNIFFLES]
I don't know, I just...
Nobody really knows,
yeah, but our minds...
They...
They're just...
When I was younger, I used
to really love motor-racing.
Formula 1 especially and
those magnificent cars
they break down very often
because the engines, you see, they're
at the very limit of engineering,
and I think that our minds are also
at the very limit of something.
There's just too much
power for what we are,
for the society that we're creating.
And Alex...
Alexander, he was so smart, you know,
so smart and talented and...
Yes, silent often, but his mind...
Was always...
always at full throttle.
[MARK BREATHS HEAVILY]
It's just...
Nobody saw the blue smoke.
Sorry, eh...
Blue smoke is what you see on a
racetrack when an engine breaks down.
I wish they...
No, Mark, no.
It was a good thing they found him.
It was good they found him, but...
I just...
I miss expecting him.
You know?
Even though we knew
he hadn't left the island...
On the best days, I
could just imagine that...
That he somehow...
Found his way onto a boat.
Bound for... Norway.
And from there just, "poof", off.
Travelling the world for two years.
Then they... They found him.
Here?
Just right here.
The whole time, just...
Right here.
In this perfect pocket of silence.
[MARK INHALES THROUGH NOSE]
[AMBIENT MUSIC STARTS]
What's next for you, when you get home?
Worried friends.
Past lovers. "Griddling" job.
A "griddling" job?
Yes.
That sounds... horrible.
It's not so bad.
And for you?
I don't know, really.
I feel like staying here
for, you know, a bit longer.
Are you married?
Yes.
Yes, I am. There's
just two of us now.
Our daughter, she...
She started University back in September.
What is she studying?
Medicine.
Yeah. Medical school.
She's a great healer.
Do you like comedies?
Yeah, yeah I do like comedies, actually.
The most famous Icelandic
comedian lives here.
THE most famous?
Bjarni is more like a legend,
than famous, you know.
Would you say he was more of a
Rowan Atkinson or Ricky Gervais?
Are they different?
Yes, very but probably equally famous.
Yes, he was probably doing
more like Monty Python stuff.
Ooh, I see, yeah. OK.
He's not a comedian,
he's a very naughty boy.
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Do you know him?
No, but I feel like getting to know him.
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[DOOR OPENS]
Hello, sir.
Hello.
- Great honor.
Thank you.
He wants to know about
your days in comedy.
My days in comedy?
Yeah. When you had a stand-up in
London before you went into business.
OK.
[MUSIC ON RADIO IN BACKGROUND]
Sorry, sir, we don't
want to be any trouble.
That's OK. She's just checking food.
Cakes for you.
Oh, great.
He's a musician now.
He builds his own instruments.
Oh, right.
[DOOR SLAMS]
And who are you then?
I'm Mark.
[CAR BRAKES]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[WATER]
Perfect!
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
[TURNS ON SHOWER]
[BRYNJA SCREAMS]
[BRYNJA SCREAMS]
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Sorry.
No shame in losing your
shit in a freezing, cold shower.
That's true, but I'm talking
about the comedian thing today.
Don't worry about it.
What was the wife talking
about, out of interest.
You're not famous,
are you? Like Nigella.
No, I don't have the tits for that.
No comment, your honor.
Oh, yeah, that was all her.
She really let it rip.
OK.
OK.
Hey, Matti!
Yeah.
Is it alright I have a sauna, later?
Yeah, Master Class at eight.
Let's do it.
He keeps threatening to teach me.
Maybe tonight?
But I'm leaving tonight.
You're leaving? What...
Leaving, leaving?
All right.
Well...
I guess this is goodbye then.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
Thank you, Brynja,
for making today extra special.
Same to you.
Good luck.
[WATER]
[AMBIENT MUSIC STARTS]
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
Come on.
[MOBILEPHONE BEEPS]
[LOCKS DOOR]
[GUNN EXHALES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[KNOCKS ON WINDOW]
[CURTAINS ROLLING]
[KNOKS ON DOOR]
[OPENS DOOR]
[CLOSES DOOR]
[SLAMS DOOR]
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
[MARK CLOSES DOOR]
Thought you were leaving.
But...
I...
I see that you've got guests.
- Yeah.
Mother and sister, yeah?
Nice.
Not so nice.
[DOOR OPENS]
Hello.
Hello.
- Hello.
Don't mind the half-naked Englishman.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[GUNN EXHALES]
[POURS SODA INTO GLAS]
[FILM ON TV]
That makes sense.
[OPENS DOOR]
Right, ladies. You're
all coming with me.
What are you doing?
- Tie them up.
- No.
Yes, yes, yes.
- You're drunk, Mark.
Yes, you will be driving.
Everything is OK.
- No, not OK!
No talking.
I said, no talking!
No talking!
- Everything is OK.
No, everything is not OK.
All right. It's not OK.
That's why I'm here.
I'm gonna take you all out
right into the heart of that icy hell
and then I'm gonna leave you there.
So that you have to work together.
You have to find a way out
of the darkness and the cold.
Sitting on a mountain top, watching
the sun rise, holding hands,
and you will be happy
that I kidnapped you,
and that, ladies, is how
this story is gonna end.
So come on let's go, chop, chop.
This is bullshit.
You know, if bullshit is what you
need then bullshit is what you get.
No need, we're eating
pizza and watching a movie.
And she's pregnant, you retard.
All right, well.
You...
[GRABS A CHAIR]
You must be the mother.
Yes, I am.
Do they call you that, do they?
Do they call you mother?
It's up to them.
Do you think me kidnapping you will help?
Of course not.
Mark, would you like a pizza?
No.
No!
I just...
I wanted to... to bring that back.
[KNOCKS ON TABLE]
Thank you.
[FALLS OVER A CHAIR]
All right, I'm all right.
Just come.
This was all her idea, by the way.
I need my flip-flops.
[BRYNJA SOBS]
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
[WIND PICKING UP]
[WATERFALL]
[BRYNJA EXHALES]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
[LAUGHS]
BRYNJA: Fuck.
[KITCHEN SOUNDS]
[DOOR OPENS]
Hi.
- Hi.
Mark!
[DOOR OPENS]
Hi.
Thanks for trying to kidnap us last night.
It was really nice of you.
Would you like to come
for a brunch with us?
No, thanks. My stomach
is not quite there yet.
OK, then.
But I know you've been here for a while.
You can't stay here forever.
Yeah. Yeah, I know.
Good. That would be
extra sad, you know.
I mean, yeah...
Your family must miss you and...
People are running out
of paper all over the place.
Hey, one moment.
Hi there.
How are you today?
[DOOR SLAMS]
Hi, Mark.
Hey, Johanna. Really
nice to see you again.
So, you know my name?
Yes, we are in a dream.
Nice.
It might be a nightmare.
Well, you did scare me last night.
I scared myself last night.
That makes two of us then.
Two scared people.
So sorry about your son.
Yes. Thank you.
Where are you going?
So, you left your family?
Yes.
How can someone do that?
I was really young.
With two children.
And I felt like my life was over.
Like, really over.
That, if I didn't
concentrate on breathing.
I would just stop
breathing... and die.
I got horrible panic attacks.
And I was so afraid to be with my girls.
And to die in front of them.
And I wanted to get away
before that happened.
All the doctors could do back then
was to give me tranquilizers.
So I couldn't breastfeed my younger one.
And I was numb all the time.
Or asleep.
So my husband couldn't go to work
unless his mother came
to be with me and the girls.
[GUNN EXHALES]
So, I left.
And I went to an asylum in Germany.
And they were supposed to be able to help.
But...
I never got better.
I always felt that they deserved better.
OK.
But you were... very wrong.
[GUNN SOBS]
[BREATHS HEAVILY]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
[AMBIENT MUSIC STARTS]
[HANDBRAKE]
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
[CHATTER]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
Mark!
Mark!
Mark.
Mark.
No.
[BRYNJA CRIES]
[MARK CRIES]
I don't understand it.
Why I want to live.
I don't understand it.
[MARK SOBS]
I think about dying.
I'm sorry.
I know that he's here.
That's OK.
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[MARK BREATHS HEAVILY]
I'm sorry.
It comes in waves.
It comes in waves and they're strong now.
They're strong. I'm so...
I'm so sorry.
I'm here. Daddy's here.
[BRYNJA SOBS]
Sorry, I'm so sorry.
It's OK.
I'm sorry.
[MARK BREATHS HEAVILY]
I'm so sorry, Mark.
Daddy's here.
[BRYNJA SOBS]
I'm here.
I'm not going anywhere.
I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here.
[PIANO MUSIC STARTS]
I'm right here.
Daddy's here.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
OK.
Good luck.
Yes, you too.
Since everybody's doing it.
[MARK SNIFFLES]
Don't do anything stupid.
[CAR DRIVES AWAY]
I won't.
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
You know about the twenty-second-rule?
No.
Apparently it's the length
of time one should embrace
for in order to achieve a
true human connection.
[OPENS CAR DOOR]
[CLOSES CAR DOOR]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
[WIND CHIMES WITH SOUND OF WATERFALL]
April 11th, 2020.
Dear Brynja.
Thank you for your last letter and
thank you for the mystery seeds.
We followed your directions and
wait with sanguine expectations.
Simone hopes for a Venus flytrap
or a magical strain of marijuana.
I don't share her disgust in insects,
so I put all my faith in the latter.
Now, to the issue at hand:
We had booked five nights at Backyard
Village in July, both houses.
The ceremony was going to be a
small gathering of friends and family
and blossoming nature, perfect weather but
well, that all has to be
postponed for now, I'm sorry to say.
However, I won't even
contemplate complaining.
We have Mary home,
early from University,
and I found a couple of
unassembled model cars,
whilst going through the deep storage.
I'm currently working
on a '67 Ferrari, 275 GTB.
Perhaps the most beautiful
automobile ever built.
Thank you for your thoughts on
current affairs and I do agree:
Lessons about our true needs
tend to have curious origins.
Last time it was sub-prime loans,
now it's a mindless
speck of organic matter.
Now is not the time for
big decisions, we need
only to be resolute and steadfast.
Keep calm. Stay put.
We'll know more soon.
Much love, Mark.
PS.
This paper might seem
sheer and cheap but...
I can assure you that it's anything but.
It's called Tomoe River and it's
produced by Tomoegawa of Japan.
It's only 52 GSM and meant for
pen and ink, fountain pen, that is.
So, when you eventually decide
to retire that ultra-fine
roller ball of yours...
I'll send you a packet.
[MUSIC STARTS]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Backyard Village
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[WALKING STICKS]
[MUSIC: JFDR'S "BEST INTENTIONS"]
[WALKING STICKS]
[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]
[ATMOSPHERIC SOUNDS AND AMBIENT MUSIC]
[WIND CHIMES AND WATER SOUNDS]
[WIND CHIMES CONTINUE
WITH SOUND OF WATERFALL]
[CHIMES FADE OUSOUND Of WATERFALL TAKES OVER]
[SOUND OF WATERFALL INCREASES IN VOLUME]
[BUS ARRIVING]
[SIGHS]
[CHRISTMAS SONG ON RADIO]
[LYRICS ON RADIO:
IT'S CHRISTMAS EVA AND WE'RE MAKING]
[AN ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE BY NIGHT.]
[BRYNJA: Mmm...]
[WOKE UP LATE AND MISSED THE CHECK-IN]
[HAD TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER FLIGHT.]
[WE'RE ALL TOGETHER IN THIS...]
[RAIN]
[RAIN]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[DOOR OPENS]
[SCOFFS]
[DOOR OPENS]
[ZIPPER]
[TURNS ON TAP WATER]
[ZIPPER]
[KETTLE STARTS BOILING]
[TURNS TAP ON AGAIN]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
[GIRL TALKING INAUDIBLY]
[MUSIC AND BOILING
KETTLE RISING IN VOLUME]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[CURTAIN ROLLS UP]
[OPENS DOOR]
Hello. Sorry for disturbing.
Ok.
Did I wake you up?
- Yes.
Really sorry.
I wondered if you have any paprika powder.
Paprika powder?
I'm cooking and
according to the
recipe all it requires now
is a pinch or two of
that queen of all spices.
I don't live here.
No, me neither. I'm
staying in the other one.
The houses have spice-racks
in the kitchen drawers.
Just one moment.
[CLOSES DOOR]
[RATTLING SOUND OF CUTLERY]
[OPENS DOOR]
Great. I'm Mark, by the way.
Thanks for this and enjoy your evening.
And you your dinner.
[LOCKS DOOR]
[CURTAINS ROLLING]
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
[OPENS DOOR]
Sorry, just me again.
I just found it ridiculous that
are you alone?
Why do you ask?
I'm alone and cooking and
well I thought if you fancied coming over
then I'd be very happy
to have you for dinner.
Ok, nice I...
You can bring a knife if you want
or indeed a
a weapon of your choice.
It just thought I'd offer,
that's all, no pressure.
Thanks again for this.
[LOCKS DOOR]
[OPENS DOOR]
[WIND CHIMES]
[PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]
[MARK STIRRING POT]
[BRYNJA SIPS TEA]
[OPENS DOOR]
[WIND PICKING UP]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[WATER]
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[OPENS DOOR]
Hello.
[MARK: EHHH]
Come in.
Welcome.
Perfect timing.
- Thank you.
Welcome.
Would you like some wine,
beer, kombucha maybe?
You don't look like a kombucha man.
Really?
Not sure if I should be relieved or not.
I don't really know.
I'll give you a...
Glass.
Here we go.
And, yes.
For you.
[BRYNJA OPENS BOTTLE]
Why don't you make
yourself comfortable, sit down.
Are you cooking fish?
[MARK: EHHH]
Yes. Yes, I am.
What kind?
[POURS INTO GLASS]
The processed beyond all recognition kind.
[CLEARS THROAT ]
So.
Who goes first?
What do you mean?
Well, you know.
Our stories.
What are you doing here?
[SCOFFS]
What are you doing here?
Me? Ok.
I'm traveling, for fun I guess.
Actually...
Actually no, not...
I travel for work a lot, see,
but this is...
[MARK CLICKS TONGUE]
This is more personal
I guess, yeah more
more personal, yes.
Not fun at all actually.
Interesting.
[WIND AND RAIN PICKING UP]
Yeah, why don't you come
and make yourself comfortable
at this fantastic... table, yes.
Table, that's what it is Mark.
It's a table.
[MARK INHALES]
Voil.
What have you done?
Well, you know.
When I'm traveling I like to
try local dishes from wherever
I am in the world and,
so, this is
fish balls in a pink sauce.
A staple of Icelandic cuisine.
I used to have this all the time.
Oh, right, you've had this before?
Yeah, twice a week until I left home.
Ok. So they have this in
Finland as well, do they?
Do you think I'm Finnish?
Just my best guess since I
don't even know your name.
Oh, sorry. My name is
Brynja and I'm Icelandic.
Right.
Ok, how perfectly embarrassing.
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC IN BACKGROUND]
Somehow you don't expect
to meet locals at a guesthouse.
Shall I?
Thank you.
There you go.
[SPLASHING SOUND]
[MARK CLICKS TONGUE]
[CUTLERY SCRAPING DISHES]
Oh, right. Ok.
Right.
[CUTLERY SCRAPING DISHES]
When in Iceland...
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES]
[CUTLERY SCRAPING DISHES]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
[BRYNJA SIGHS AGAIN]
Bad?
Just familiar.
Is that good?
So why Finnish?
Well, just the...
The accent, you know.
And don't take this the wrong way,
it's just you look a bit Finnish
when you've just woken up.
OK.
Sorry, was that a bit racist of me?
Not racist.
[BLOWS AIR]
Xenophobic maybe, yeah.
Anti-Finnish-isterian-ism.
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Moominbasher.
What is a Moominbasher?
You know, those weird
little pig things with a...
They wear hats.
Mmnlfarnir.
Yeah. You've added
a bit at the end. Yeah.
Those.
[MARK SCOFFS]
So, come on then, what
do you do for a living?
I'm a chef.
A chef?
Yeah.
Christ, right. I get it now.
So this is like a car crash
on a plate to you it must be?
No, this is wonderful.
This is what food can be all about.
My father used to make this.
Well, what are the odds?
Pretty high for a single
parent thirty years ago.
[PUTS DOWN CUTLERY ON PLATE]
So.
Why are you here?
In this town?
In that house, over there?
I'm on my way home.
And where is that, exactly?
Reykjavik.
Ok. So you're traveling.
I was in the health spa.
This is like an orientated health town.
So I've heard. Yes.
Are you feeling better?
I'm actually dead.
[FORK SCRAPING BRYNJA'S PLATE]
[MARK PUTS DOWN BOTTLE]
[BRYNJA PUTS FORK ON PLATE]
Sorry, why would you...
Why would you say something like that?
Are you a psychologist?
No. God, no, no, no.
I'm a sales agent for an
international distribution company.
But I have exchanged a portion
of my youth and happiness,
for a small amount of wisdom.
[BRYJNA SCOFFS]
So what do you sell?
What do I sell?
[MARK INHALES TRHOUGH TEETH]
[MARK: Ehm.]
OK.
You're going to love this.
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES]
[PAPER RUSTLES]
There is nothing on it.
Well I beg to disagree.
You see, that there is a clean sheet of...
French writing paper.
A fresh start.
Maximum potential.
Infinite possibilities.
[MARK SCOFFS]
Keep it if you want.
Thank you.
What are you doing?
You need to roll it... up.
Oh, sorry.
No, sorry, I'm...
I'm joking. It's fine.
[MARK SCOFFS]
Honest, no, it's fine.
It's just a piece of paper.
[BRYNJA SCOFFS]
Honestly. Sorry.
[PAPER RUSTLES]
[CLASSICAL PIANO
INCREASING IN VOLUME]
[LIGHTER CLICK]
[OFF-SCREEN CLANK]
[MARK BREATHES OUT]
Don't worry, I didn't put any milk in it.
Thanks.
[MARK CLOSING DOOR]
I'm fully aware that when
it comes to milk in tea,
us British are very much on our own.
[MARK SIPS TEA]
I hope you don't...
It's just something you said, earlier on.
Why did you say that you were dead?
I don't know.
No, I do know but I
don't know why I told you.
Maybe you want to tell me more?
No need.
I seem to look at things
from the wrong angle.
That's my problem.
OK.
Well. There you have it then.
[MARK SIPS TEA]
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
Do you know anything about kidnapping?
Kidnapping?
Like stealing another person?
Yeah.
Strangely enough, no. Why?
I think that's the only
way I can meet my mother.
She left when I was five.
And just few months ago she sent me
and my sister a message.
And what, she... And
she was kidnapped? No.
No, no.
I just feel like that's the
only way I can meet her.
To put a mask on.
Kidnap her.
Take her someplace.
Talk to her as someone else.
I think I will explode as soon as she
looks at me as her daughter.
Well, I think you should just...
start by talking to her on the phone.
I'm afraid to.
I was a strong independent person,
a daughter of a single parent.
But as soon as I got this message
I turned into this mess.
This chicken-shit-person.
Well, what does your dad think?
He died.
[MARK SIGHS]
Sorry to hear that.
Six months ago, already.
I think you just need
to be clear and just
send her a message
saying you don't feel like
having her in you life at the moment.
And then... you can go from there.
I did that already but it
didn't change anything.
Didn't change anything?
No, she came anyway.
To meet my sister and her family.
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
And she's here now.
In Iceland.
[BRYNJA BREATHES OUT HER NOSE]
Look, Brynja, I think...
[MARK PUTS DOWN TEACUP]
You just...
Look I just want you to know that...
I am happy to say that
from where I am sitting,
and without being a medical doctor or
indeed any doctor of any kind.
You are very much full of life.
Not dead.
Thank you.
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Definitely not dead.
Thanks.
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
[OPENS DOOR]
You're not thinking of leaving
early tomorrow, are you?
No, I don't think so.
Great, well...
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
[BRYNJA'S FOOTSTEPS RECEDING]
[CLOSES DOOR]
[ZIPPER]
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
[LIGHT CLICKS OFF]
[RUSTLING OF SHEETS]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC]
[CHURCH BELLS]
[ROBINS SING AND RAVENS CAW]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MARK KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[RAVEN CAWS]
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[LIGHT SWITCH]
[OPENS WINDOW]
Mark!
Morning, Finland.
Sorry, I keep waking you up.
Are you leaving?
Yes, just on a short
trip, I'll be back later.
OK. Have a nice one.
Do you have anything planned?
No.
I was just wondering if
you wanted to join me.
Where are you going?
It's not far.
I guess I'm essentially asking
if you fancy being my free
tour-guide to Iceland for the day.
What is this?
GPS-coordinates.
Pretty specific.
Yup.
So, where is it?
Ah, it's just on the other
side of the mountain there.
Yeah, you can't really see it from here.
OK.
I was also wondering...
In your professional opinion,
are capers a good thing
to put in a sandwich?
Maybe.
Well I started making tuna-sandwiches
and remembered that you are a chef,
and so I threw a few
capers in there as well.
So you made sandwiches?
I did. Yes.
I also put some sweet
mustard in there, just a thin layer.
You might have outdone yourself.
I wouldn't get too carried away.
[BIRDS SINGING]
You know, it would be
nice to get some fresh air.
[ENGINE RUNNING]
Do you mind?
It's just, I would really like to
look at the landscape as we go.
Sure.
Do you have your seat belt?
Yes.
Clunk, click. Every trip.
Sorry. Forget it.
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
[WIND BLOWING]
Have you been to this place before?
I have, yes.
As I said, it's just on the far
side of the mountain there.
Although... You can't really see the
mountain at the moment with this...
Well, blizzard, I guess you would call it.
We would call it a blizzard.
Anyway. It's probably...
Not such a big deal for you.
See, if you were in England now
the whole country would
just be paralyzed by this.
That would be it.
Just. "Everybody stay inside,
there's some snow. Don't come out!"
Really?
- Yeah.
You see here, there's a lot of
accidents that happens on this road.
This is Inglfsfjall and on the top
of it there's a gravel mine.
And they have machines on top of it.
And then they just push everything down.
Here is a river with salmons.
So, if you like fishing,
you can get really big ones.
Well, I do like salmon
but I do not like fishing.
In that order.
OK.
It's just a bit further now.
- OK.
It's just... sorry, it's just...
It's here?
It's there.
[SHIFTS GEAR]
Yeah. Here.
It's difficult to see with the snow.
- Yeah.
But this is definitely it.
I hope that's the
worst of it... it's just...
Just at the top here.
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
It's just... just here.
Here?
Yeah. Just...
It's OK to just park here.
[ENGINE STOPS]
Hey, you mentioned
something about sandwiches.
Can't you wait?
I haven't eaten anything.
It's, it's just over here.
[DARK ATMOSPHERIC SOUNDS]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[SCRAPES SNOW AND ICE]
Who recommended this place?
My son.
My son did.
- OK.
This...
This is where they found his body.
He went missing. See.
And, turns out... This is...
This is where he was all along.
I'm sorry.
Are you sure you want me to be here?
Absolutely. Yes.
Yes, you help make
this feel... More real.
Less nightmare-ish.
Come on. Sit.
I'm just so sorry.
Have a sandwich.
Here you are.
And...
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
Drink.
[MARK SIGHS]
Was he adventurous?
No.
I mean, he liked nature, but...
I guess all of us do, really.
This happens almost every year.
People just don't know how
bad the weather can be here.
Wasn't the weather.
We know that.
It was early October, and...
He bought himself a one-way ticket.
And when they found him, he'd been...
Laying here for almost... two years.
And, when they found him...
They found an empty
packet of pills. In his pocket.
They said he wouldn't have suffered.
I hope you don't mind
me bringing you here.
I don't.
It's just, I feel so close
to him. When I'm here.
Like he's...
Sharing some great
secret with me, you know.
Something, deeply, deeply personal.
As if he's saying...
You know: "This... This dad,
is where I chose to end it all."
[MARK SNIFFLES]
I don't know, I just...
Nobody really knows,
yeah, but our minds...
They...
They're just...
When I was younger, I used
to really love motor-racing.
Formula 1 especially and
those magnificent cars
they break down very often
because the engines, you see, they're
at the very limit of engineering,
and I think that our minds are also
at the very limit of something.
There's just too much
power for what we are,
for the society that we're creating.
And Alex...
Alexander, he was so smart, you know,
so smart and talented and...
Yes, silent often, but his mind...
Was always...
always at full throttle.
[MARK BREATHS HEAVILY]
It's just...
Nobody saw the blue smoke.
Sorry, eh...
Blue smoke is what you see on a
racetrack when an engine breaks down.
I wish they...
No, Mark, no.
It was a good thing they found him.
It was good they found him, but...
I just...
I miss expecting him.
You know?
Even though we knew
he hadn't left the island...
On the best days, I
could just imagine that...
That he somehow...
Found his way onto a boat.
Bound for... Norway.
And from there just, "poof", off.
Travelling the world for two years.
Then they... They found him.
Here?
Just right here.
The whole time, just...
Right here.
In this perfect pocket of silence.
[MARK INHALES THROUGH NOSE]
[AMBIENT MUSIC STARTS]
What's next for you, when you get home?
Worried friends.
Past lovers. "Griddling" job.
A "griddling" job?
Yes.
That sounds... horrible.
It's not so bad.
And for you?
I don't know, really.
I feel like staying here
for, you know, a bit longer.
Are you married?
Yes.
Yes, I am. There's
just two of us now.
Our daughter, she...
She started University back in September.
What is she studying?
Medicine.
Yeah. Medical school.
She's a great healer.
Do you like comedies?
Yeah, yeah I do like comedies, actually.
The most famous Icelandic
comedian lives here.
THE most famous?
Bjarni is more like a legend,
than famous, you know.
Would you say he was more of a
Rowan Atkinson or Ricky Gervais?
Are they different?
Yes, very but probably equally famous.
Yes, he was probably doing
more like Monty Python stuff.
Ooh, I see, yeah. OK.
He's not a comedian,
he's a very naughty boy.
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Do you know him?
No, but I feel like getting to know him.
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
[DOOR OPENS]
Hello, sir.
Hello.
- Great honor.
Thank you.
He wants to know about
your days in comedy.
My days in comedy?
Yeah. When you had a stand-up in
London before you went into business.
OK.
[MUSIC ON RADIO IN BACKGROUND]
Sorry, sir, we don't
want to be any trouble.
That's OK. She's just checking food.
Cakes for you.
Oh, great.
He's a musician now.
He builds his own instruments.
Oh, right.
[DOOR SLAMS]
And who are you then?
I'm Mark.
[CAR BRAKES]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[WATER]
Perfect!
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
[TURNS ON SHOWER]
[BRYNJA SCREAMS]
[BRYNJA SCREAMS]
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
Sorry.
No shame in losing your
shit in a freezing, cold shower.
That's true, but I'm talking
about the comedian thing today.
Don't worry about it.
What was the wife talking
about, out of interest.
You're not famous,
are you? Like Nigella.
No, I don't have the tits for that.
No comment, your honor.
Oh, yeah, that was all her.
She really let it rip.
OK.
OK.
Hey, Matti!
Yeah.
Is it alright I have a sauna, later?
Yeah, Master Class at eight.
Let's do it.
He keeps threatening to teach me.
Maybe tonight?
But I'm leaving tonight.
You're leaving? What...
Leaving, leaving?
All right.
Well...
I guess this is goodbye then.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
Thank you, Brynja,
for making today extra special.
Same to you.
Good luck.
[WATER]
[AMBIENT MUSIC STARTS]
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
Come on.
[MOBILEPHONE BEEPS]
[LOCKS DOOR]
[GUNN EXHALES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[KNOCKS ON WINDOW]
[CURTAINS ROLLING]
[KNOKS ON DOOR]
[OPENS DOOR]
[CLOSES DOOR]
[SLAMS DOOR]
[BRYNJA EXHALES SMOKE]
[MARK CLOSES DOOR]
Thought you were leaving.
But...
I...
I see that you've got guests.
- Yeah.
Mother and sister, yeah?
Nice.
Not so nice.
[DOOR OPENS]
Hello.
Hello.
- Hello.
Don't mind the half-naked Englishman.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[GUNN EXHALES]
[POURS SODA INTO GLAS]
[FILM ON TV]
That makes sense.
[OPENS DOOR]
Right, ladies. You're
all coming with me.
What are you doing?
- Tie them up.
- No.
Yes, yes, yes.
- You're drunk, Mark.
Yes, you will be driving.
Everything is OK.
- No, not OK!
No talking.
I said, no talking!
No talking!
- Everything is OK.
No, everything is not OK.
All right. It's not OK.
That's why I'm here.
I'm gonna take you all out
right into the heart of that icy hell
and then I'm gonna leave you there.
So that you have to work together.
You have to find a way out
of the darkness and the cold.
Sitting on a mountain top, watching
the sun rise, holding hands,
and you will be happy
that I kidnapped you,
and that, ladies, is how
this story is gonna end.
So come on let's go, chop, chop.
This is bullshit.
You know, if bullshit is what you
need then bullshit is what you get.
No need, we're eating
pizza and watching a movie.
And she's pregnant, you retard.
All right, well.
You...
[GRABS A CHAIR]
You must be the mother.
Yes, I am.
Do they call you that, do they?
Do they call you mother?
It's up to them.
Do you think me kidnapping you will help?
Of course not.
Mark, would you like a pizza?
No.
No!
I just...
I wanted to... to bring that back.
[KNOCKS ON TABLE]
Thank you.
[FALLS OVER A CHAIR]
All right, I'm all right.
Just come.
This was all her idea, by the way.
I need my flip-flops.
[BRYNJA SOBS]
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
[WIND PICKING UP]
[WATERFALL]
[BRYNJA EXHALES]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[BRYNJA LAUGHS]
[LAUGHS]
BRYNJA: Fuck.
[KITCHEN SOUNDS]
[DOOR OPENS]
Hi.
- Hi.
Mark!
[DOOR OPENS]
Hi.
Thanks for trying to kidnap us last night.
It was really nice of you.
Would you like to come
for a brunch with us?
No, thanks. My stomach
is not quite there yet.
OK, then.
But I know you've been here for a while.
You can't stay here forever.
Yeah. Yeah, I know.
Good. That would be
extra sad, you know.
I mean, yeah...
Your family must miss you and...
People are running out
of paper all over the place.
Hey, one moment.
Hi there.
How are you today?
[DOOR SLAMS]
Hi, Mark.
Hey, Johanna. Really
nice to see you again.
So, you know my name?
Yes, we are in a dream.
Nice.
It might be a nightmare.
Well, you did scare me last night.
I scared myself last night.
That makes two of us then.
Two scared people.
So sorry about your son.
Yes. Thank you.
Where are you going?
So, you left your family?
Yes.
How can someone do that?
I was really young.
With two children.
And I felt like my life was over.
Like, really over.
That, if I didn't
concentrate on breathing.
I would just stop
breathing... and die.
I got horrible panic attacks.
And I was so afraid to be with my girls.
And to die in front of them.
And I wanted to get away
before that happened.
All the doctors could do back then
was to give me tranquilizers.
So I couldn't breastfeed my younger one.
And I was numb all the time.
Or asleep.
So my husband couldn't go to work
unless his mother came
to be with me and the girls.
[GUNN EXHALES]
So, I left.
And I went to an asylum in Germany.
And they were supposed to be able to help.
But...
I never got better.
I always felt that they deserved better.
OK.
But you were... very wrong.
[GUNN SOBS]
[BREATHS HEAVILY]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[BRYNJA SIGHS]
[AMBIENT MUSIC STARTS]
[HANDBRAKE]
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
[CHATTER]
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
Mark!
Mark!
Mark.
Mark.
No.
[BRYNJA CRIES]
[MARK CRIES]
I don't understand it.
Why I want to live.
I don't understand it.
[MARK SOBS]
I think about dying.
I'm sorry.
I know that he's here.
That's OK.
[BRYNJA BREATHS HEAVILY]
[MARK BREATHS HEAVILY]
I'm sorry.
It comes in waves.
It comes in waves and they're strong now.
They're strong. I'm so...
I'm so sorry.
I'm here. Daddy's here.
[BRYNJA SOBS]
Sorry, I'm so sorry.
It's OK.
I'm sorry.
[MARK BREATHS HEAVILY]
I'm so sorry, Mark.
Daddy's here.
[BRYNJA SOBS]
I'm here.
I'm not going anywhere.
I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here.
[PIANO MUSIC STARTS]
I'm right here.
Daddy's here.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
OK.
Good luck.
Yes, you too.
Since everybody's doing it.
[MARK SNIFFLES]
Don't do anything stupid.
[CAR DRIVES AWAY]
I won't.
[BRYNJA SNIFFLES]
You know about the twenty-second-rule?
No.
Apparently it's the length
of time one should embrace
for in order to achieve a
true human connection.
[OPENS CAR DOOR]
[CLOSES CAR DOOR]
[ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC STARTS]
[WIND CHIMES WITH SOUND OF WATERFALL]
April 11th, 2020.
Dear Brynja.
Thank you for your last letter and
thank you for the mystery seeds.
We followed your directions and
wait with sanguine expectations.
Simone hopes for a Venus flytrap
or a magical strain of marijuana.
I don't share her disgust in insects,
so I put all my faith in the latter.
Now, to the issue at hand:
We had booked five nights at Backyard
Village in July, both houses.
The ceremony was going to be a
small gathering of friends and family
and blossoming nature, perfect weather but
well, that all has to be
postponed for now, I'm sorry to say.
However, I won't even
contemplate complaining.
We have Mary home,
early from University,
and I found a couple of
unassembled model cars,
whilst going through the deep storage.
I'm currently working
on a '67 Ferrari, 275 GTB.
Perhaps the most beautiful
automobile ever built.
Thank you for your thoughts on
current affairs and I do agree:
Lessons about our true needs
tend to have curious origins.
Last time it was sub-prime loans,
now it's a mindless
speck of organic matter.
Now is not the time for
big decisions, we need
only to be resolute and steadfast.
Keep calm. Stay put.
We'll know more soon.
Much love, Mark.
PS.
This paper might seem
sheer and cheap but...
I can assure you that it's anything but.
It's called Tomoe River and it's
produced by Tomoegawa of Japan.
It's only 52 GSM and meant for
pen and ink, fountain pen, that is.
So, when you eventually decide
to retire that ultra-fine
roller ball of yours...
I'll send you a packet.
[MUSIC STARTS]