It`s so easy to laugh
It`s so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind

Morrissey

Prologue

[interior] AGNES' ROOM

A young girl - AGNES - writes on her computer. Letters appear on the screen:

My secret wishlist:
1. that I will not have to have a party
2. that Elin will notice me
3. that Elin will fall in love with me

I LOVE ELIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday

[Int.] KITCHEN: MORNING

We find ourselves in a kitchen in a flat in Åmål's tallest place. The fourth floor. They get to their houses by using an elevator/lift. The house was built in the late 1960s. People living in this area do not have much money. Despite Åmål being such a small place (the town has 13,500 residents) there is some housing segregation, but the separation is of course smaller here than in a big city. And the difference from a big city is that there is not a big geographical distance among the various housing areas. We are at home with ELIN and her sister JESSICA. Elin goes at eight, Jessica at nine. If there were a poll of who is the school's prettiest girl it is likely that Elin would win. Jessica would probably get fifth place. Jessica is dressed in a t-shirt and tights. Elin has only a shirt on. She has just come out of the shower. Her hair (blonde, but darker at the roots) is wet. Around her neck is a necklace with letters: E-L-I-N. Jessica sits at the kitchen table and mixes a glass of chocolate milk. Elin is standing by the stove holding an empty chocolate milk box.

ELIN (screaming): What the hell are you doing? I hate you!

She throws the chocolate milk box at Jessica.

JESSICA: Calm down ...

ELIN: You are such a bloody moron!

Elin rushes out towards Jessica, grabs her glass of chocolate milk and pours it all over her. Jessica attacks Elin, they are rolling around on the floor together, wrestling, shouting.

JESSICA: You bloody idiot, what the hell are you doing? I hate you!

ELIN: Oh!

Then suddenly their mother BIRGITTA is standing in the doorway. She's wearing a t-shirt and panties, just now up from bed.

BIRGITTA: Oh, stop. What are you doing?

The sisters stop. Jessica gets onto her feet. She is wet with chocolate milk and mad.

JESSICA: Ask Elin!

She runs from the kitchen, past Birgitta who turns around after her. Elin stands up calmly. Jessica slams the door.

BIRGITTA: I don't understand... I'm so tired of this! I have been working all night!

ELIN: I'm sorry. It wasn't meant to wake you up.

JESSICA (shouting, not in picture): And what the hell can I wear now?

BIRGITTA: Well, what was it this time then?

ELIN: She took the last of the chocolate milk.

BIRGITTA: She took the last of the chocolate milk?

ELIN: Mmm.

Birgitta sighs, enters her bedroom again and closes the door. Elin tears off a bit of paper towel, drops it on the floor and starts wiping up the chocolate milk with one foot. Not very effective.

[Int.] AGNES ROOM: MORNING

It's early in the morning. Agnes lies in her bed and sleeps, or pretends to sleep. Her room is quite the opposite of the cliché 'girl's room'. Nothing is pink. No pictures of Leonardo di Caprio. Instead she has children's drawings, Morrissey posters and photographs that she has taken herself on the wall. Her room is on the other floor. Suddenly we hear a faint song beyond the room.

FAMILY: Yes, may she live ...

The door to the room opens and her family marches in. Mamma KARIN, pappa OLOF and little brother OSKAR. Her mamma is pretty and stylish. Pappa looks kind. Upper middle class. Olof is an architect, Karin is a textile artist. They carry presents and a cake with sixten little candles. It is Agnes' 16th birthday.

OLOF: A fourfold be living for Agnes on her sixteenth birthday! She be living:

FAMILY: Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!

Agnes smiles and rubs the sleep from her eyes.

OLOF: I'll open the blinds.

KARIN: Will you blow out the candles, darling?

Agnes blows out all the candles on the cake.

KARIN: Good!

OLOF: Birthday hug.

Olof hugs Agnes and then is it mamma's turn.

KARIN: Congratulations to you. Just imagine - you are sixteen year now. Not fragile.

[Exterior] OUTSIDE A HOUSE: MORNING

Outside an apartment sits JOHAN HULT squatting by his moped. Johan is a kind and insecure seventeen year old. He picks at something on his moped, but it seems to be so it lookslike he's doing something. He looks all the time towards the doors. After a while Elin comes out through the doors, dressed in a short skirt and a buttoned up jacket. Under the jacket she has a tank top. It is not particularly warm. Elin is well known for dressing quite daringly. A big vulgar and cheap. Strong colours, high heels, fashionable, but no expensive labels, mainly H&M.

JOHAN: Hi.

ELIN: Hi. You live here?

Johan stands up.

JOHAN: No, I'm just passing by. It something I should... Do you want a lift?

ELIN: No.

JOHAN: But you can use my helmet, I don't need...

ELIN: Oh I am going.

Elin starts to go. Johan is left standing with a helmet in his hand.

JOHAN: Will you be up at Christian's tonight then?

ELIN (without turning around): Maybe.

JOHAN: OK, we might see each other there then? OK. Bye bye.

Elin says nothing, she only goes. Johan looks after her.

[Int.] AGNES ROOM: MORNING

On the writing desk in Agnes' room are opened presents, among others a Bob Hund CD. There is the half eaten cake and a Aladdinisk. Agnes sits on the bed and is fixing her school bag. In the beauty competition that Elin presumably would win, Agnes would not get a single vote. Not that she's ugly, but because she doesn't fit in. She's wearing military pants and a shirt that she probably bought second hand. She is putting her school books in her bag. Olof sits by the writing desk. He picks up the CD.

OLOF: Was it the right one?

AGNES: Yes. Thank you very much.

OLOF: I was listening to it when I was in the shop. I think it was ... It was really good.

Agnes smiles. She thinks that her father is sweet.

OLOF (carefully): Have you given any out?

He looks at the invitations that are also on the writing desk.

AGNES: No, but I will ...

OLOF: You, you don't need to. I did them if you would ...

AGNES: You did them because mum said so.

OLOF: Yes, I did. But you, it's your party.

AGNES: It is mum's party.

OLOF: No, it's not. It's your birthday, it's your party. If you don't ... If you don't want to entertain a few so... No.

AGNES: Yes, but I will ...

She stands up and picks up a textbook.

OLOF: It's not strange, when we're fresh in a place, that it's not so easy to make friends here initially.

AGNES: Here initially?

OLOF: Yes.

AGNES: But dad, we have lived here two years.

OLOF: No ... We moved here in June - it's one and a half.

AGNES: I will, I will hand them out!

She stands up abruptly. She grabs the invitations and goes.

OLOF: No, but you don't have to... Agnes. Agnes.

[Int.] SCHOOL: MORNING

A typical Swedish high school. We find ourselves in a large cloackroom with a lot of lockers, three minutes before the first class starts. It's full of people everywhere. Agnes stands by a locker.

She's collecting her school books from a locker, shuts it and locks it and goes a metre towards a girl who sits in a wheelchair - VIKTORIA - who gets a book that was sitting in a locker.

AGNES: Here.

She hands an invitation to Viktoria, entirely without enthusiasm, as if she were forced.

VIKTORIA (very happily and maybe surprised): Thank you!

AGNES: I'm clearly having some sort of party.

CAMILLA: Will you havve a party?

Agnes turns herself around and looks at CAMILLA, one of the school's coolest girls.

AGNES: No.

CAMILLA: I want to see.

Camilla grabs an invitation.

AGNES (annoyed): Stop.

CAMILLA (is not really serious): Wow! Then I come! Wow! Then I have to come!

VIKTORIA: Lay off, you always ... Give me my card!

CAMILLA: Please, can't I come then?

VIKTORIA: Stop!

CAMILLA: Please!

Agnes has stopped worrying about her. She looks towards at another direction, namely:

Elin comes running and throws herself around the neck of Jessica.

ELIN: Jessica! I'm Sorry!!

VIKTORIA: It is my card!

ELIN: I will never again pour chocolate milk on you! I am so awfully stupid!

JESSICA (out of picture): Yes, that's you.

Agnes drags her gaze away from Elin.

[Int.] CLASSROOM: DAY

Agnes sits and dreams in a maths lesson.

She's writing: ELIN ELIN ELIN. Viktoria sits next to Agnes. She looks at what Agnes writes. Then she looks away. Agnes comes to and covers what she has written with her hand.

Viktoria is deeply absorbed in the class. Agnes crosses out the letters, then scribbles them out.

[Int.] CLASSROOM: DAY

Another classroom. Elin is lying across her desk, her eyes shut. Distantly, in the same classroom a lession is going on, but Elin does not care.

TEACHER (out of picture): Turn to page 48. Then you do a test and then we will read from chapter six up to chapter eight. Elin? Are you asleep?

Elin sighs, sits herself up.

TEACHER (out of picture): These lessons, I can only say that to ...

[Int.] HALL: DAY

The school cafeteria is full of pupils. Agnes and Viktoria sit next to each other. No one else sits by their table. Agnes eats vegetarian food. Lying before her on the table are the invitations. They rattle off French words before the afternoon test. Viktoria makes a mistake and Agnes corrects her.

AGNES: Escape, disappearance.

VIKTORIA (pronounce word wrong): "Fug".

AGNES (corrects): No. "Fuge". Buss.

VIKTORIA: Puss?

AGNES: Buss.

VIKTORIA (enunciation wrong): Oh, yes, "buss".

AGNES: "Bus".

Agnes looks away at another table. Elin and her friends: Camilla, SARA, MALIN and others are sitting there.

ELIN: ... I will not.

CAMILLA: Are you on the rag or something?

ELIN: What period?

CAMILLA: But you are so bloody whiny, you whine and whine!

ELIN: I don't whine at all!

CAMILLA: Yes you do.

ELIN: I won't go to Christian's party. Can't we go somewhere else?

MALIN: Where?

ELIN: I don't know.

By Agnes' table they are continuing to study.

AGNES: It is mild weather.

VIKTORIA: Hmm ...

ELIN: I'll go to a rave.

GIRLS: Go to a rave?!

SARA (ironic): Where then, at your grandmother's or something?

ELIN: Or we can rob a pensioner.

CAMILLA: You are sick in the head.

Elin sighs and groans.

ELIN: Aaarghh! You are so boring!

CAMILLA: You can of course go to Agnes' party instead, if you think it'll be fun.

ELIN: What Agnes?

CAMILLA (shout to-Agnes): So you're having a party?

Agnes looks spitefully towards Camilla.

VIKTORIA: Don't worry about her!

AGNES: I hate her.

ELIN: Everything is so boring!

Elin shoves away her tray and lies herself out over the table, puts her arms over her head

ELIN: Everything is so boring ...

VIKTORIA: Don't worry about her.

Agnes stands up, grabs her tray and goes away to the counter. Lying in the tray are the invitations.

ELIN: I hate my life!

CAMILLA: Agnes!

ELIN: I'll stop breathing

Elin draws in a deep breath and holds it in.

CAMILLA: But Agnes, we're coming to the party!

Agnes empties the whole tray, with plate, knife, spoon and fork, invitations and everything, into the garbage. She turns herself around to the Elite table and gives them the bird. They all cheer and clap, except Elin who still lays on the table and is holding her breath. At last she releases it, at the same time her friends gabble about how wimpy Agnes is.

[Int.] BOY'S ROOM: DAY

Johan Hult searches and rummages in a room that appears to belong to a barely teenage boy. NHL-wall chart on the wall. In a chest he finds what he's looking for: a school yearbook. He picks it up and shuts the chest. He hears steps and voices outside the door and quickly puts the yearbook inside his sweatshirt. At the same instant the door opens.

LITTLE BROTHER: What are you doing in my room?

Johan turns himself around and goes towards the door. In the doorway stands his thirteen year old brother and his buddy.

JOHAN: I was only looking to see if my skates were here.

LITTLE BROTHER: What would your skates be doing in my room?

Johan doesn't answer. He gives his brother a shove and goes out from the room.

[Int.] JOHAN'S ROOM: DAY

Johan sits on his bed and looks at the yearbook. He looks at Elin. With scissors he cuts out her picture from the school yearbook and puts it in his wallet.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: DAY

In another room another person lies on her bed looking at Elin's picture in the school yearbook. It is Agnes.

[Int.] ELINS BATHROOM: NIGHT

Elin stands on the toilet seat and turns and turns herself around, looking in the mirror above the sink. She's very made up, dressed in tight pants and a tank top. Her stomach is bare. Elin mutters and sighs, dissatisfied with something. She jumps off the toilet seat and goes quickly out from the bathroom.

[Int.] ELINS STAIRCASE: NIGHT

Elin comes out of her flat, on the stairway. She goes out to the lift/elevator and presses the button. Behind her she has left the door wide open. The elevator comes. The door opens. Elin goes in.

[Int.] ELEVATOR: NIGHT

The mirror in the elevator is much bigger - much more suitable than that small bathroom mirror. We see her whole dress. She examines herself in the mirror, turns around, doesn't seem satisfied. She sighs and groans, takes off her pants and hands them out in the stairway.

ELIN: Jessica! Get my skirt, I can't have them here!

Jessica comes out from the apartment and into the elevator. She is holding her hair.

JESSICA: Ooh, so, I don't know how to have it.

Jessica looks at herself in the mirror, doesn't look satisified. Elin also looks in the mirror, poses as a model, puckers her lips.

ELIN (half serious, half joking): So, I am so fucking pretty!

JESSICA (dissatisfied): And the stomach...

Elevator door closes again. Elin presses the button so that it opens again.

ELIN: I am going to be miss Sweden!

Jessica looks at her sister in the mirror.

JESSICA: You are too short for that.

The elevator door closes again. Elin opens it.

ELIN: What? How old must we be?

JESSICA: But so, you are too short... You are too short!

ELIN: But, I WILL be Miss Sweden!

The elevator door goes again without Elin able to stop it. She repeatedly presses various buttons, but in vain. The elevator is going down.

ELIN: What the hell? Where is the skirt?

JESSICA: Which skirt?

ELIN: The skirt? Didn't you take the skirt?

The elevator stops on the ground floor. Elin huddles behind her older sister. Elin is dressed only in panties and a little top. And she is barefoot. The door opens - and there stands Birgitta, the girls mother, with full bags of food in her hands. She is taken aback when she sees how Elin is dressed.

BIRGITTA: Elin! Are you completely... You think you're going out?

ELIN: No, so it ... I was looking in the mirror and so...

BIRGITTA: But men ...

[Int.] ELINS SITTING ROOM: NIGHT

Jessica sits on the sofa and Elin is in an armchair.

Birgitta stands up.

BIRGITTA: Now stay here.

ELIN: But we can't go only because I didn't have any pants on ... ?

BIRGITTA: Are you so immature that you can't understand that you can't go about dressed like that? Think about if there had been others? You'd be disgraced before the whole...

ELIN: Yes, think! Think about it was a joke! If we had a decent mirror we wouldn't have to go out there and use that one every time!

BIRGITTA: We had a very good mirror, but someone broke it...

ELIN: You nag.

JESSICA (appealingly): But mum, it was only the elevator. She wouldn't go out like that ...

BIRGITTA: It may be a lesson, this. It won't hurt you to be at home a little. I don't think that you should go to raves and such things.

JESSICA: But mum, it's not a rave! It's only an ordinary party! It's only Elin who talks about and nags about her bloody raves the whole time.

BIRGITTA: Yes.

JESSICA: But we haven't been to a rave! (to Elin:) You know by the way that raving is out? I read it in the Weekly-Review. It was on the out list.

ELIN: Where does it say that it's not out?

JESSICA: It says it somewhere here.

Elin stands up and goes to the sofa, sits down and starts leafing through the pages in a Weekly-Review.

ELIN: Aah! Why must we live in fucking damned Åmål! When something is in in the rest of the world, it takes so long before it comes here. Then it's already out in the rest of the world because we are so bloody behind here!

Elin comes across the place: "Out: Fast-food, Pasta, Rave, Spice Girls."

ELIN: We can't live here! We must move!

BIRGITTA: I'm working tonight, so you may stay here and be comfortable. I've bought chips and soda.

She sets a Estrella-bag, sour cream and onion, and a Coca Cola bottle on the table and then goes out from the room.

JESSICA: Good work, Elin. It's going to fun at home tonight.

BIRGITTA (out of picture): Bye bye!

ELIN (whispering): We'll go when she's gone to work, she can't see us.

[Int.] AGNES' SITTING ROOM

Agnes' Mother Karin is setting a long table in the sitting room. She wipes it with a brightly coloured cloth with her hand. On the wall hangs oil paintings and textile pictues. Agnes stands in the doorway and looks in.

KARIN: How many have you invited?

AGNES: Some. But I'm not entirely convinced that they'll come.

KARIN: I'm here setting everything, so we can seat people.

AGNES: What's that smell?

KARIN: It's the roast beef that I have in the oven.

AGNES (Acidly): Oh yes, how great. So appropriate.

KARIN: I was thinking that maybe some of your friends would appreciate...

AGNES: Your daughter is a vegetarian and you serve meat on her birthday. Brilliant.

KARIN: But little darling ...

Agnes leaves.

[Int.] ELIN'S AND JESSICA'S ROOM: NIGHT

Jessica's and Elin's shared room. There are clothes on the floor. Posters on the walls. Two beds. A chest of drawers. Elin's half is messier than Jessica's. Jessica's bed is made, but not Elin's. Absolute Dance XX is on the stereo. Jessica sits on her bed and is examining her nails. Elin comes in with medicine in her hands.

ELIN: You, you! I was thinking that we could get something from these! (She sits down besides Jessica.) Look! Can't we get something from these? Nova ... lucol.

JESSICA (reads on packaging): "Novalucol Novum".

Elin takes a fistfull of pills and tries to wash them down with Coca Cola.

ELIN: They're not going down.

JESSICA: "Thirty chewable pills. For heartburn and acid indigestion."

Jessica laughs. Elin doesn't take any.

ELIN: But what if we take a lot?

JESSICA: No, it doesn't work.

ELIN: But we have nothing to drink! This then?

JESSICA (reads on another packaging) "Longovital, plant extracts and vitamin tablet" ... But, so Elin...

ELIN: Alvedon then?

JESSICA: Leave it alone. This won't do anything.

ELIN: Yes.

JESSICA: No.

ELIN (throws herself on Jessica's knees): But I wanna get high!

JESSICA: But Elin, nothing will happen.

ELIN: Yes.

JESSICA (strokes Elin's hair): No.

ELIN: Yes.

JESSICA: No, it won't.

ELIN: Yes.

JESSICA: No.

ELIN: Then I may try something else. Fall in love or something.

JESSICA: I believed you already were.

ELIN: With who then? The Italian?

JESSICA: But he was not Italian.

ELIN: But he said that he was. I have always wanted an Italian.

JESSICA: Where was it he came from? Bosnia?

ELIN: Yes.

JESSICA: Then he wasn't Italian.

ELIN: No, no.

JESSICA: Why aren't you in love with him any more then?

ELIN (playful): No, that was yesterday.

JESSICA: I think you will think about your story.

Elin stands up and goes to her bed.

ELIN: Stop complaining, you are the same. You have been with exactly the same as me.

JESSICA: I have not at all.

ELIN: Yes you have.

JESSICA: I haven't at all.

ELIN: No, OK. But you sleep with them. I don't do that.

JESSICA: Just one.

ELIN: There is no one who's been with me.

JESSICA: Just one.

ELIN: Fingers maybe, but nothing else.

JESSICA: And there is Markus.

ELIN: Ah, Markus! What you nag.

JESSICA: I have slept with one guy and you know that.

ELIN: I have never slept with anyone.

JESSICA: No, but you have made out with about 70,000.

ELIN: It's all shit.

JESSICA: Do you know that people are talking about you?

ELIN: Oh, yes? Don't you know that it means nothing? So I don't care that people are talking about shit. I don't think about what they will make of me when I am the world's greatest film star. They will be bloody proud and say that they knew me and we went to the same school... So here: "Ooh, look at - there's the house she lived in" and so on.

[Int.] ICE SKATING RINK, LOCKER ROOM: NIGHT

A locker room in an ice skating rink. A lot of high school age guys are showering and talking. It's after a practice session. Hockey sticks and skates are everywhere. MARKUS, Jessica's boyfriend, a cocky seventeen year old who is going to become an automobile mechanic, is holding his clothes. He shouts to Johan Hult who is still in a shower.

MARKUS: Johan! You owe me a hundred kronor!

JOHAN (shout): Yes, you'll get it!

Johan hurries out from the shower. Markus rummages in Johan's pants, comes across his wallet, opens it and gets a view of the picture of Elin. He is standing looking at it when Johan comes over to him.

MARKUS: So you?

Johan blushes and takes the wallet.

JOHAN (am mumbling): It must be my brother's so ...

MARKUS (smile): sure...

JOHAN: sure, the hell ...

MARKUS: Elin ...

JOHAN: Ssch ...

There are a lot of other guys in the room, a lot of life and excitement, but no one has noticed what Johan and Markus are talking about.

[Ext.] OUTSIDE ICE SKATING RINK: NIGHT

To a bicycle rack outside the ice hockey rink. Johan sits on his moped with a large hockey stick on the holder. Markus stands beside him, with his hockey stick on the ground.

JOHAN (embarassed): But I just think that she's sweet.

MARKUS: It's clear that she's sweet, but... Do you know how many guys she's been with?

JOHAN: No.

MARKUS: She's been with all of them. All of them have been with Elin.

JOHAN: Not me.

MARKUS: She is nothing to have.

JOHAN: I think that... I think that she is something to have.

MARKUS: Man, you are seventeen, she is fourteen. That is three years.

JOHAN: Yes, Jessica is of course ...

MARKUS: Jessica is sixteen, yes. That is a year between us. That's three years between you.

JOHAN: Well that makes no difference. We only think about goods.

MARKUS: Will I call her? I can ring her up. Check if she'll be at the party.

JOHAN: No, I don't know...

[Ext.] OUT ICE SKATING RINK: NIGHT

Markus calls from his cell phone.

MARKUS: You, there's something ... Johan is wondering about Elin ...

JOHAN: Are you stupid or?

Johan Hult rushes up from the moped where he was sitting and kicks Markus in a half-hearted attempt to get him to stop, but he only continues a little farther away.

MARKUS: Will Elin be at the party?

AGAIN TO ELINS AND JESSICAS ROOM

Elin lays on her bed. Jessica stands beside her.

ELIN: Johan Hult?

JESSICA: He is wondering if you will be at Christian's tonight. He's in love with you.

ELIN: Aaahhhh...

She hides her face behind a Weekly-Review.

LATER TO OUTSIDE ICE SKATING RINK

JOHAN: What did she say then?

MARKUS: She said that Elin would come.

JOHAN: Did she say anything else?

MARKUS: That she was interested. She thinks you are cute.

JOHAN: Jessica said that? That Elin thinks that?

MARKUS: Yes.

JOHAN: Sure?

MARKUS: Yes.

JOHAN: Jessica said that Elin thinks I'm cute?

MARKUS: Yeah.

AGAIN TO ELINS AND JESSICAS ROOM

ELIN: What did you say then?

JESSICA: Nothing. I said that you think nothing of him. Well, at least not as far as I know.

ELIN (despairing): Ooh, God, how stressful! "Do you want a lift ... " He will hang around me the whole evening. I'm not going to go there.

JESSICA: But you said you wanted to fall in love.

ELIN: Not with Johan Hult.

JESSICA: But I think Johan is kind.

ELIN: Come on! He goes to the gym and rides a moped...

JESSICA: Yes, but maybe it would be good for you.

ELIN: Hardly.

[Int.] JOHANS ROOM: NIGHT

Johan looks at himself in the mirror and tests various cool poses, various expressions and exercises before the evening.

AGAIN TO ELINS AND JESSICAS ROOM

ELIN: Can't we go anywhere else?

JESSICA: And where should we go then?

ELIN: I don't know. I'd rather go to Agnes'.

JESSICA: Agnes?

ELIN: Yes, in 9A, she's having a party. Camilla said so.

JESSICA: Are you stupid?

Elin throws her hairbrush at Jessica.

JESSICA: Oh!

ELIN: But think of guys who may be there?

JESSICA: At Agnes'?

ELIN: Maybe she knows cute guys.

JESSICA (ironic): Sure.

ELIN: Maybe she knows people from elsewhere.

JESSICA: Who?

ELIN: But do not be so negative! Säffle, Bengtsfors, Mellerud ... Please?

JESSICA: Yes, yes ...

ELIN (is hugging the sister): Thank you!

[Int.] AGNES SITTING ROOM: NIGHT

The table is laid in Agnes' sitting room: roast beef, various pies, potato salad, olives, green salad, mousse, wine, soda. In the corner the whole family sits and are waiting. They're prepared. The atmosphere is stifled and embarassing.

OSKAR: I'm hungry!

KARIN: Yes, but now we wait a while.

OSKAR: I've waited. When are they coming?

KARIN (to Oskar): You don't have much patience.

AGNES: Mother, they're not coming.

The doorbell rings.

KARIN (to Agnes): Now they are!

[Ext.] BY AGNES DOOR: NIGHT

Karin opens the door - where Viktoria sits in her wheelchair. Viktoria is prepared and has a little present on her knees.

KARIN (heartily): Hi! Welcome!

VIKTORIA: Thank you.

KARIN: You, I'll get Olof, so he can help you up.

AGAIN TO AGNES' SITTING ROOM

Viktoria sits in her wheelchair. The others sits at the sofa. Agnes opens her present, a bottle of perfume: "Robyn perfume".

AGNES (polite, hardly delighted): Thank you.

OSKAR: Can we have some food now?

KARIN: You wait a bit, lad.

VIKTORIA: The packaging is a bit stupid with Robyn, but I think it smells very good.

KARIN (favourably): Can I look?

Agnes gives the bottle to her mother.

KARIN: Well, she has her own perfume?

OLOF: It's good.

KARIN: Have you seen Oskar?

OSKAR: Mmm. Can we have some food now?

KARIN: Yes, maybe that's a good idea. What do you say, darling?

AGNES (calm): I can't accept this. I'm sorry but I have to refuse this.

Everyone looks at Agnes. She doesn't say anything else.

OLOF: What is it that you can not accept?

AGNES: That my birthday is like this. If this is the best you could do, you can just forget it.

KARIN: Agnes!

AGNES (to Viktoria): You can go home and take your perfume with you. We are friends only because no-one else wants to be our friend. We are friends only because we feel sorry for each other. Isn't it like that? Do you know what the most boring thing I have done in my life? It was when you and I were at the wheelchair basketball game in Karlstad. You know what? I will not be friend with a palsied idiot who listens to Backstreet Boys, Arvingarna or I don't know what shit you listen to.

KARIN: Agnes, stop ...

AGNES (to Karin): Blame yourself! It's all your fault! I would never have had a party! It was your idea.

KARIN: Now stop.

AGNES: It was you who wanted the party, not me!

KARIN: Now I won't hear a word... do you understand!

AGNES: You can of course sit here and enjoy that wonderful roast beef.

She stands up and walks away.

AGNES (out of the picture): Have fun!

VIKTORIA (sadly): I want to go home now.

[Ext.] STREET: NIGHT

Viktoria rolls fast in her wheelchair to get home quickly.

[Int.] AGNES ROOM: NIGHT

Olof has sat himself on the edge of the bed besides Agnes, who lies in a fetus position with her face in towards the wall, away from him. It is pitch black in the room. Agnes is crying.

AGNES (is screaming): No one likes me! Why am I alive? I don't want to live!

OLOF: Now now, love.

Olof strokes Agnes' back, but Agnes slaps his hand.

AGNES: I want to die!

OLOF: I am sorry about the party.

AGNES: Yes, what were you thinking? That all my friends would come? But I don't have friends! Can't you understand that? I don't have one. Mother can't understand that, because she has always been so awfully perfect and has always had it so good.

OLOF: But little darling...

AGNES (scornful): I know exactly how she was, I know exactly; she was someone they liked... And now she thinks it's so awful that her daughter has become so strange and ugly and disappointing and nasty.

Olof lies over Agnes and hugs her.

OLOF: But love, you're not at all disappointing and nasty! You are wonderful!

AGNES: No, I'm not!

OLOF: You are a wonderful human being.

AGNES: No, I'm not!

OLOF: Yes, you are wonderful. Wonderful, Agnes. Are you listening to what I'm saying?

[Ext.] BY BRIDGE: NIGHT

Elin and Jessica go out to a bridge: Path to Säffle.

JESSICA: So, I don't understand why I'm going here.

ELIN: But don't be so negative. Maybe it'll be fun.

JESSICA: Yes. Be careful!

Jessica shoves Elin.

ELIN: What did you do that for?

JESSICA: An A manhole cover.

She points to a A-marked manhole well that Elin almost stepped on.

ELIN: Shit! Thanks.

They go forward, up to the bridge.

[Int.] AGNES' SITTING ROOM: NIGHT

The whole family sits and gathered to eat. The atmosphere is of cohesion and grief. Oskar eats a lot. Agnes only pokes at her food. Her eyes are red from crying. Silence.

KARIN (softly, at Agnes): It doesn't taste good?

AGNES: Yes, it was good, I am just not hungry.

OLOF (gaily, at Oskar): What do you think about it?

OSKAR: Mmm.

Silence. Olof looks for something to say.

OLOF: Shall we go and rent a film? Or is too late?

[Ext.] BY AGNES' DOOR: NIGHT

Jessica and Elin stand by Agnes' door.

JESSICA: What the hell died here. Do we have to do this?

Elin rings at the doorbell.

AGAIN TO AGNES' SITTING ROOM

Agnes, Karin and Olof stiffen at the sound of the doorbell. Oscar doesn't care, he's continuing to eat.

AGNES: I won't.

OLOF: We can't just sit here ... What?

AGNES: They can go. The party is over.

Karin stands up.

AGNES: But wait.

KARIN (to Agnes): Go and fix yourself a little, so I can invite them in and wait here.

Karin goes away to the door. Agnes stands up and runs away to the bathroom.

[Int.] AGNES' BATHROOM: NIGHT

Agnes stands before her bathroom mirror. She daubs her face clean and rinses it with water. She stresses. She listens to her mother welcome the guests.

KARIN (out of the picture): Hi! Welcome!

[Int.] AGNES ROOM: NIGHT

Elin sits at the edge of Agnes' bed. Jessica stands up and closes the door. Elin has a bottle of wine in one hand and two wine glasses in the other. She pours the wine into the glasses.

JESSICA: So, what are these for then?

ELIN: Here. Take it.

She gives a full wine to Jessica. Jessica takes it.

JESSICA: But what is this party for? Is it just us two here or what?

ELIN: What are you complaining about. She's really good, we get wine and everything.

JESSICA: Yes, but... OK. We'll drink the wine and then go.

ELIN: Ok. Cheers.

JESSICA: Cheers.

They toast and drink.

AGAIN TO AGNES' SITTING ROOM

Just now Agnes comes into the sitting room where the family sits and eats. But Elin and Jessica are not to be seen.

AGNES: Was it nobody?

KARIN (a little jealous): Yes, but they weren't hungry. So they went up to your room.

AGNES (disapproval): In my room?

KARIN: Yes, I gave them some wine.

AGNES: Who was it?

KARIN: Jessica and Elin, they were called. Yes, it was no one who I knew.

AGNES: Jessica and Elin?

[Int.] OUTSIDE AGNES' ROOM: NIGHT

Agnes goes to her door and presses down on the handle, but the door is locked.

AGAIN TO AGNES' ROOM

ELIN (to Jessica): Did you lock it?

AGNES: Hello?

JESSICA (shouting to Agnes): I am holding only to and ...

ELIN (whispering): But why did you lock it?

JESSICA (whispering): So I didn't have to see her. We'll drink up now and then go.

JESSICA (shouting): It's only locked because I'm changing pants.

ELIN (laughs, silence herself): You have a skirt on!

JESSICA (is whispering): I don't want to see her. I only want to get drunk!

AGAIN TO OUTSIDE AGNES' ROOM

Agnes stands and is waiting, looking embarassed. Her mother stands on the stairs.

KARIN: Elin! You can go in the sitting room if you want.

AGNES: We'll come out soon ...

AGAIN TO AGNES' ROOM

Jessica looks around Agnes' room, looks at the black wall, at the books on the bookshelves Jonas Gardell, Inger Edelfeldt, Edith Södergran. Elin reads a postcard and when she sets down the wine glass on the desk she it knocks the computer mouse. The computer - is off since the screen is off - turns on.

ELIN (alarmed): Oh ...

We see what Agnes has written:

You are my sun
you shine over me
you warm me
but I can't touch you!
You are so far out
I am a little planet
which turns around you
round round round
by all the planets
which you never see

JESSICA: Have you heard that she is lesbian?

Jessica pretends to be sick.

ELIN: What? Is it true? (Shout to Agnes): Agnes? Is it true that you ...

Jessica puts her hand over Elin's mouth.

JESSICA: Ssch ....

AGAIN TO OUTSIDE AGNES' ROOM

AGNES: Aren't you getting out soon?

AGAIN TO AGNES' ROOM

ELIN: I think it's cool.

JESSICA: Cool?

ELIN: Yes, I'll become one too.

JESSICA: Ah, lay off!

ELIN: I will.

AGAIN TO OUTSIDE AGNES' ROOM

AGNES: Open it now!

She pulls hard on the door handle.

AGAIN TO AGNES' ROOM

ELIN (to Jessica): Open it now. She is good.

JESSICA: If you think she is so bloody good you can go out and make out with her.

ELIN: Ok. What do I get if I do that then?

JESSICA: If you do what?

ELIN: If I kiss her?

JESSICA: You will probably get AIDS!

ELIN: If I kiss her? Do I get a hundred kronor?

JESSICA: You wouldn't do that.

ELIN: A hundred kronor?

JESSICA: But I don't have a hundred kronor. You get twenty.

ELIN: Ok.

JESSICA: But you would never dare to do that.

Jessica takes a big gulp of the wine. It looks as if she doesn't think it's good.

ELIN: You have to go out.

Elin goes to the door and opens it. Agnes rushes in.

ELIN: Hi.

Agnes goes quickly to the computer and shuts it off. Jessica shuts the door behind her, but leaves it a little open so she can secretly see. Elin sits herself on the edge of the bed. Agnes turns around.

ELIN: You?

AGNES: Yes?

ELIN: Coudl you sit here?

Agnes becomes altogether flabbergasted.

AGNES: What? Why there?

ELIN: But there's something that I want to say to you.

AGNES: Can't you say it from there?

ELIN: But I don't want Jessica to hear.

AGNES: But ... Why there?

ELIN: Please, so she won't hear.

Elin nods. Agnes sits beside Elin, but not as near as Elin indicated. Elin is looking intensely at Agnes, and she doesn't look away. Agnes looks away.

ELIN: But ... it's just that... you are so... sweet.

Elin takes Agnes' head, draws her up to herself, presses her lips on hers, and kisses her hard. Jessica is watching. Elin stops the kiss, shoves Agnes away and rushes out. Jessica opens the door. They run down stairs.

JESSICA: Hell, you're not sane! Here, have your twenty kronor.

Karin comes up the staircase.

KARIN: They're going? Why aren't you going with them?

AGNES: They're going to a party and I'm not able to. I'm tired.

[Ext.] ROAD: NIGHT

ELIN: Why the hell did I do that? We have to go back and apologise!

JESSICA: No, stop. We'll have some fun now. We are drunk!

[Int.] PARTY, KITCHEN: NIGHT

Loud music, laughter and screaming. The house is jacked up, soft drinks and beer. We find ourselves in the kitchen. Elin, Jessica and their friends stands in a group by the kitchen sink.

JESSICA: ... then they kissed.

SARA: No, is that true?

Markus comes out to Jessica with a beer in his hand.

JESSICA (disgusted): Hi!

MARKUS: How is that?

JESSICA: Good.

They hug each other.

CAMILLA: How did it feel?

ELIN: Beautiful.

CAMILLA (surprised): Are you joking with me? Was it beautiful?

ELIN: What the hell are you thinking? It was disgusting!

CAMILLA: Yes, I was thinking that. Oh hell. We all know that you're not like that, but still.

Jessica and Markus go off.

[Int.] PARTY, KITCHEN: NIGHT

Girls are speaking.

A GIRL: Think about her dad arriving at school.

Camilla stands with a telephone receiver in her hand.

CAMILLA: Ssch!

[Int.] AGNES ROOM: NIGHT

The telephone rings in Agnes' room. Agnes lifts the receiver.

AGNES: Ahlberg.

AGAIN TO THE PARTY

CAMILLA: Is it Agnes?

Elin turns around and leaves the kitchen. She doesn't want be part of this.

CAMILLA: I just wanted you to know that I'm so damned horny for you. Can't I come to your house so we can lick each other or something?

AGAIN TO AGNES ROOM

Agnes lies down.

[Int.] PARTY, SITTING ROOM: NIGHT

Elin sits on a sofa and drinks white wine.

Johan sits on the floor below her. Besides him sits Markus and another guy.

MARKUS: But she's looking at you!

JOHAN: Are you stupid?

MARKUS: You are in love with her!

JOHAN: No! Are you stupid in?

Markus and that second guy lift Johan by his legs and shove him towards Elin so that he crashes down on the sofa. Elin looks with disgust at Johan who is lying in her lap.

JOHAN: Hell! Sorry! ... I didn't mean to!

He moves off her. Elin carries on drinking. She doesn't stop until she feels ill. She rushes to the bathroom with one hand over her mouth. Johan looks after her.

[Int.] PARTY, LAVATORY: NIGHT

Elin is on all fours, leaning over the toilet, vomiting. The music we hear is lowered from the sitting room. Behind her the door opens. It's Johan.

JOHAN: Do you feel bad?

ELIN: Go!

JOHAN: Wait, I'll give you something to drink.

He takes a toothbrushing glass, pours out the toothbrush in the sink and fills the glass with water. Elin flushes and puts down the lid. Johan gives the glass to Elin who greedily drinks from it.

JOHAN: Here.

ELIN: Thank you.

JOHAN: Hell, you are pretty.

Elin looks up.

JOHAN: Hell, you're pretty. You're the prettiest I know.

ELIN: You are drunk.

JOHAN: No, it's true.

ELIN: You are drunk.

Elin stands up. Johan holds her, not heavy-handed but he still exceeds the limit.

JOHAN: No, but it's serious. But ...

ELIN: What the hell!

Elin turns around to get away, looks at a toilet brush besides the toilet. She takes it and puts it in front of Johan's face. He backs up.

ELIN: Move away! Move away!

She holds the toilet brush like a weapon in front of him. He moves away.

JOHAN: Take it easy.

ELIN: Move away!

Elin goes towards the door, throws the toilet brush at Johan and leaves the bathroom.

[Int.] PARTY, HALL: NIGHT

Elin comes out into the hall, and searches in vain for her jacket among a pile of coats. Johan comes out after her.

JOHAN: But I didn't mean anything. But you ... please.

Elin opens the door, goes out and slams the door. Johan stands left in the hall and stares at the closed door.

[Int.] IN PARTY, KITCHEN: NIGHT

Markus and a friend, the same guy who helped to shove Johan, are standing and comparing their cell phones the way only guys can do. Jessica stands next to Markus and tries to get his attention by climbing on him. A girl talking on the telephone is crying.

MARKUS: ... mine is so much smaller.

BUDDY: Smaller, maybe. But ...

MARKUS: Smaller and much smaller.

JESSICA: Markus, can't we go now?

WEEPING GIRL: What have I done?

MARKUS: How much standby-time do you have then?

[Int.] AGNES' LAVATORY: NIGHT

Agnes rummages in her bathroom cabinet. She reads the labels on varoius bottles. She notices a bag of razors. She takes a razor and leaves the bathroom.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: NIGHT

Agnes stands by her stereo, presses play and then repeat. She has the razor in her hand. She's waiting for the music. The music comes. It is Albinoni's Adagio. It's sad music. There's a knock at the door.

OLOF (out of the picture): Agnes?

Agnes hastily places the razor behind the stereo. She unlocks the door and takes out the first good book: it is poet Edith Södergran. She sits down by her desk, opens the book and starts to read, or correctly: pretends to read.

AGNES: Come in!

Olof opens the door and looks in. He has with him a big cup of tea.

OLOF: Hi. I have made some tea.

He comes in and sets the cup on the desk. Agnes is looking down at her book.

OLOF: How is it?

AGNES: I'm reading.

OLOF: You aren't sorry?

AGNES: No.

OLOF: What is it you're reading? Oh, yes, Edith Södergran? (Recites from memory.) "The day cool at evening." How is it now? "Take my hand, take my arm, take my plea ... small shoulder yearning ..."

AGNES: Dad ...

OLOF: Alright. Okey dokey. Good night.

AGNES: Goodnight.

Olof puts the tea cup on the writing desk, his hand goes towards Agnes' hair. He'd like to pat it, but he stops himself about a centimeter away, because he won't intrude when she so distinctly turns away from him.

OLOF: Goodnight.

Agnes stands up again, locks the door after her dad and turns up the music. She takes the razor out from the bookshelves.

[Ext.] BRIDGE: NIGHT

Elin goes on a path over Säfflevägen. It's night. She goes quickly but her balance is not too good. Under her cars pass by. She only has a skirt and high heels. She's freezing.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: NIGHT

Agnes sits on her chair. She forces the razor as hard as she can against her bare hand. She concentrates and gathers courage. She drags the razor across her wrist, hard and quick. It hurts, you can see it in her face. It's bleeding, two small red lines (it's a razor with twin blades). But it's not at all life threatening, just superficial. It tingles and hurts. Agnes grimaces as if she bit a lemon. But she doesn't die. Suddenly she hears the sound of a stone hitting the window. Agnes looks up. She turns herself towards the window. Another stone has hit the pane, clear, hard. Agnes takes away the razor blade from her wrist.

Slowly and carefully she glances through the window. We see what Agnes sees: Elin, standing in the garden, looking up at her window.

[Ext.] GARDEN: NIGHT

We see what Elin sees: Agnes' head in the window.

ELIN: Agnes ... ?

AGAIN TO AGNES' ROOM

Agnes gets up from her chair. She thinks frantically.

ELIN (out of the picture): Agnes? Agnes?

Agnes looks at the drops of blood on her wrist. She quickly picks up a striped wrap and winds it around her wrist. She thinks. Then she opens the balcony door and goes out.

ELIN: Hi.

Agnes doesn't answer.

ELIN: Hi. So ... I didn't mean to do that there. It was very stupid. Can I use your bathroom? I'm almost wetting myself.

She hops up and down.

AGNES (after long hesitation): Yes. Ok.

ELIN: Thank you.

[Int.] AGNES' BATHROOM

Elin stands beside the toilet. She flushes. After a second she turns on the faucet.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: NIGHT

Elin comes into the room. Agnes is standing by the stereo. She's turning of Albinoni, whichhas been on repeat until now.

ELIN: No. No, don't turn it off. It was very good.

AGNES: I'm bored with it.

ELIN: But can't you put on something else then. Aha, this is good. Can I have some?

She is holding the Robyn perfume.

AGNES: Of course.

Elin sprays a little perfume on her neck.

AGNES: What do you want to hear then? I don't know if I have something that....

ELIN: Is it true that you are a lesbian?

AGNES (Surprised): What?

ELIN: Because if you are, I understand, because all the guys are so bloody nasty. I'll become one too, I think.

There is an awkward silence.

ELIN: But ... Maybe I'll go home now.

Silence again.

ELIN: But, ah what the hell! We're going to the party! I must because I still have my jacket there. We'll go there.

AGNES: No, I don't know... I'm not invited.

ELIN: Come, we'll go and burn down the whole house.

AGNES: No, I don't know.

ELIN: Come again, please...

AGNES: Will you say that I'm with you?

ELIN: Yes!

AGNES: Ok then.

[Ext.] BRIDGE: NIGHT

ELIN: What will you be when you get older?

AGNES: I don't know.

ELIN: I'll become a model or psychologist.

AGNES: Me, too. It'd be exciting to dig in other people's brains. perhaps it's a bit stupid, but I think I want to be a writer.

ELIN: It's not stupid at all. Then you can write the mental things. Mass murderers and things. But I'll become a model. Do you think I can do it?

AGNES: Yes, you can. But I think it's going to be fun to be a psychologist.

ELIN: Am I pretty enough to be a model?

AGNES: Yeah, you are. You're very pretty.

AGNES: I think I don't want to go to the party. I think I'll go home.

Agnes and Elin stop at the bridge railing.

ELIN: Why are you so weird? I mean, you're not stupid or anything, just different.

AGNES (smiling): You are weird too.

ELIN: Am I? I mean, I want to be weird. Or not weird, but I don't want to be like all the others. Though sometimes I think I'm just like everyone else.

AGNES: But you aren't.

ELIN: Do you know what my nightmare is? That I'll live here in Fucking Åmål and have a family and children and a car and a house... all those things. And then my husband will leave me for a younger and prettier girl, so I'm just left with screaming children. It's completely meaningless! (pause) Where are you from? I mean, where did you live before you moved here?

AGNES: Mariefred.

ELIN: Was it nice there?

AGNES: Not special.

ELIN: Better than here in Åmål?

AGNES: Maybe.

ELIN: can I ask you something?

AGNES: Yes, what?

ELIN: Have you been with many girls before?

AGNES (little bit insulted): What, why do you ask?

ELIN: I'm just wondering.

AGNES (little bit angry voice): I have not been with any, if you need to know.

ELIN: None?

AGNES: No, you know when you kissed me today...

ELIN: Ahh, I'm so ashamed about that... Sorry.

AGNES: It was the first time.

ELIN: Was it?

AGNES: Yes, the first and last time.

ELIN: But it shouldn't be like that. It's only because you live in fucking Åmål! It's so unfair. If you lived in Stockholm for example, you would have as many girls as you wanted.

AGNES (laughing): Do you think so?

ELIN: Yeah. You, let's go to Stockholm.

AGNES: What? You're serious?

ELIN: Of course.

AGNES: OK, but you're standing on the wrong side.

ELIN: What do you mean with "wrong side"?

AGNES (pointing): Stockholm is that way.

Elin runs a little with her high heels. Agnes follows her.

ELIN: OK, we see ten cars. If any stop, we'll ride there.

AGNES: Five cars.

ELIN: Ten

AGNES: Five.

ELIN: OK, five cars. But if any stop, that's like God's will.

Elin get it, but nobody stops for them.

ELIN: Ahhhhhrggg. Idiot!

AGNES: Be careful!

The fifth car, a Saab 9000 Turbo, stops.

ELIN: Shit!

AGNES: Come on, we're going.

ELIN: Will we?

Agnes goes to the car.

AGNES: Come on now then!

[Int.] CAR, PITCH DARK: NIGHT

AGNES (to driver): Hi... Ehh... We're going to Stockholm. We live there. We were looking after our grandmother, then she gave us money for a train ticket, but we spent it all on records and now we can't get home.

The driver studies Agnes and Elin before he replies.

DRIVER: Aa, I'm going to Karlstad, but after there you are on your own.

AGNES: Thank you! Very kind!

Agnes and Elin get into the car and the driver tries to start the Saab, but it won't.

DRIVER: Ajjhh! This happens sometimes. I'll jsut get out and check.

The driver gets out of the car and closes the door behind him.

ELIN: What the hell are we doing? We're not in our right minds!

AGNES: Yes, I know.

ELIN: But we are so fucking cool.

Agnes and Elin start making out intensely with each other.

The driver surprises them when he sticks his head in from the door.

DRIVER: What are you doing in here? Is there a hidden camera or something?

The driver gets into the front seat. Driver sits himself into the front seat.

DRIVER: Out of the car!

Agnes and Elin get out of the car.

[Ext.] CAR ROAD TO SÄFFLE: NIGHT

ELIN: Hell, it's cold! I think that I have to go home now. Mother comes home soon, and... But I can call you tomorrow!

AGNES: Will you?

ELIN: Yes, it's a definite yes!

Agnes walks over and kisses Elin on the mouth, then she goes.

[Int.] IN ELIN'S HOME: NIGHT

Jessica eats chips. She hears the door unlocking. It's Elin.

JESSICA: Hell, I thought you were mum. Where have you been?

ELIN: No where special.

JESSICA: Have you been with a guy?

ELIN: No, or yes. What are you doing?

JESSICA: I have to eat all the chips, or mum will know that we haven't been at home.

ELIN: We can still have been at home even if we didn't eat all the chips.

JESSICA: Yes, but...

ELIN: Look here... give me that.

Elin pours the chips out.

JESSICA: Elin... stop.

[Int.] ELIN'S DREAM, in THE CAFETERIA IN SCHOOL: NIGHT (DAY in THE DREAM)

Some girls are discussing the party.

ELIN: But he was floating! Have you seen his arms.

GIRL: But your mascara then? It was everywhere.

ELIN: But it was!

GIRL: It wasn't.

Elin sees Agnes come over to her. She's smiling and they hug.

[Int.] ELIN AND JESSICA'S ROOM: MORNING

Elin is moaning.

ELIN: Mmm... mmm... mmm...

JESSICA: Elin! Elin! Ahh! Elin!

ELIN: What is it?

JESSICA: What were you dreaming?

ELIN: It was only... it was only a nightmare.

JESSICA: It didn't sound like any nightmare to me.

ELIN: Yes, it was a nightmare like I said. Someone tried to kill me.

JESSICA: It didn't sound like a nightmare.

ELIN: I dreamt it, not you. I should know what I dreamt.

ELIN: What did I say then?

JESSICA: What then "what did I say"?

ELIN: Yes, but what did I say in the dream?

JESSICA: No. But you moaned and carried on. You said: "mmm... mmm... mmm..."

Elin throws a pillow at Jessica, and Jessica smiles.

[Int.] VICTORIA'S ROOM: DAY

Viktoria's room is not at all like Agnes' room. It's filled to the brim with boy posters (Backstreet Boys, BoyZone)

AGNES: I don't know why I called you CP damaged. I know that you aren't. And the wheelchair game...

VICTORIA: Basketball.

AGNES: Aa, it was not the most boring thing I have been to in my life.

VICTORIA: But why did you say that then?

AGNES: I don't know.

VICTORIA: But you know what? I don't care about that anymore. I never thought about you and I won't ever have fun with you. It's going to be nice to not have to be with you because you have started to make me sick. You know, the whole school is going to know about you.

[Ext.] ROAD: DAY

Agnes goes home from Viktoria's.

[Int.] ELIN'S ROOM: DAY

Elin picks up the telephone and reads Agnes' telephone number. She dials the number.

[Int.] IN AGNES' HOME: DAY

Agnes comes in just as the phone rings. She answers.

AGNES: Ahlberg?

Back to Elin.

Jessica comes in just as Agnes replies.

JESSICA: Am I disturbing you?

ELIN: Nah.

JESSICA: Was it him?

ELIN: Who?

JESSICA: The guy you were together with yesterday.

ELIN: Yeah, I called him, but no one was at home.

JESSICA: You?

ELIN: Aa?

JESSICA: Come along with me for a smoke?

ELIN: Yes, OK.

[Int.] IN AGNES' HOME: DAY

AGNES: Hello....? Hello....? Hello...?

[Ext.] PLAYGROUND: DAY

JESSICA: Who was it you called?

ELIN: Ahh, no one special.

JESSICA: No one special? You are in love, I see it in you!

ELIN: I am not at all!

JESSICA: Yes, say now who it is.

ELIN: No, I can not, you'd only...

JESSICA: But now then!

ELIN: But it's so bloody stupid. You wouldn't talk anymore with me in your whole life.

Jessica thinks a little, before she throws herself over Elin and they fall down.

JESSICA: You fucking cunt!

ELIN: What the hell?

JESSICA: You are after Markus! It's Markus!

ELIN: It's not! Calm down!

JESSICA: Say who it is!

ELIN: Calm down! Calm down!

JESSICA: Say who it is! Say who it is then!

ELIN: If only you calm down!

JESSICA: OK, no! Say who it is!

ELIN: Calm down! It's Johan!

JESSICA: Johan Hult?

ELIN: Yeah.

JESSICA: But I thought you said you were not in love with him.

ELIN: It's just that I want him.

Elin goes away, straight to the door.

JESSICA: Sorry for what I said!

ELIN: Go to hell! Fucking cunt!

Elin goes into the door.

[Int.] ELIN'S HOME, COTTAGES: NIGHT

Birgitta and Elin watch the bingolotto on TV. Elin is not really happy.

ELIN: Mother?

BIRGITTA: Yes?

ELIN: I am a lesbian.

BIRGITTA: What?

ELIN: Yeah, homosexual.

ELIN: No, I'm only joking.

BIRGITTA: Aren't you going out tonight?

ELIN: Me? No.

BIRGITTA: Are you enemies again now?

ELIN: Yes, it's only because we are so different. She's so hopeless, and I am so cool. Are you sure we have the same father?

BIRGITTA: Yes! But we don't talk about him.

ELIN: Haven't you got a lottery ticket?

BIRGITTA: No.

ELIN: But why are we watching it?

BIRGITTA: No, just for the music and things. And they're winning. It's fun to see how much they're winning.

ELIN: And I thought we would win a car. This is completely meaningless.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: DAY

Agnes lays on her bed and looks at the picture of Elin in the school yearbook. She puts her hand down her pants and starts groaning. She masturbates.

[Int.] ELINS ROOM: NIGHT

The telephone rings. It looks as if Elin is thinking it's Agnes and she rushes to pick it up. It's Jessica. Elin gets sulky.

JESSICA: Hi, can't you come down here?

ELIN: No, I don't think I have the energy to.

JESSICA: Sorry for what I said. I really thought it was Markus.

ELIN: I would never fall in love with your Markus.

JESSICA: But can you come down then.

ELIN: I don't think I have the energy to, like I said.

JESSICA: But please...

ELIN: I don't know...

JESSICA: Johan is here.

ELIN: OK, I'll come.

JESSICA: Good, we'll see then!

The camera pans. We see all the cool youth in Åmål standing besides a sausage kiosk and hanging out. They're not doing anything special.

[Ext.] SAUSAGE KIOSK:/EVENING/NIGHT

Elin and Jessica sit on a bench by the kiosk. Jessica looks over at Johan.

JESSICA: Should I go over and talk with Johan?

ELIN: No, lay off.

JESSICA: Don't be shy now then. I'm going over.

ELIN: No...!

We see Johan standing around with his friends.

JOHAN: I pump iron every day.

GUY: How much?

JOHAN: 98 kilos.

Jessica gets a hold of Johan.

JESSICA: I have to talk with you about something. Elin is sitting over there. I think she wants to talk to you about something.

JOHAN: With me?

JESSICA: Yes.

JOHAN: She wants to talk with me?

JESSICA: Yes, can't you go off and... just talk to her?

JOHAN: Yes.

Elin sits on the bench, Johan comes and sits down.

JOHAN: Hi!

ELIN: Hi.

JOHAN: Jessica said that you'd like to talk to me.

It becomes very quiet.

ELIN: Do you have any alcohol?

JOHAN: Aa, I do.

ELIN (surprised): Have you?

[Ext.] UNKNOWN PLACE JUST BY SAUSAGE KIOSK: EVENING/NIGHT

Johan finds alcohol in a hedge and Elin drinks it up quick.

[Ext.] UNKNOWN PLACE JUST BY SAUSAGE KIOSK, BY A WALL: EVENING

Johan and Elin stand close. Elin is obviously drunk, she's losing her balance. She smiles, and they begin making out with each other.

[Ext.] BY SAUSAGE KIOSK: EVENING

Markus is mad at a guy because he's jealous that he's been speaking with Jessica. Jessica tries to calm him down.

JESSICA: Markus! Markus! Get off now. Markus!

MARKUS: But he began to touch you!

JESSICA: No, we were only talking.

[Int.] AGNES ROOM: NIGHT

Agnes lays on her bed and looks at the telephone on the floor.

She looks over at the lamp, and she switches it off.

[Int.] AGNES ROOM: MORNING

Agnes looks at the telephone. She picks it up and dials Elin's number.

[Int.] ELIN'S ROOM: MORNING

Elin is changing. Someone might be waiting for her. The telephone rings.

ELIN: Elin?

AGNES: Hi, it is Agnes.

Elin presses a button and hangs up on her. She carries on dressing.

BACK TO AGNES' ROOM

AGNES: Hello? Hello? Hello...?

[Ext.] OUTSIDE : MORNING

Johan sits on his moped and has his helmet in his hand. He is waiting for someone. It's Elin. She comes out of the door.

ELIN: Hi!

JOHAN: Hi!

Elin goes over to Johan and they hug.

[Ext.] A PASSAGE IN A PARK: MORNING

Johan drives the moped without his helmet. Elin is using his, and Johan has his hands on the handlebars. They drive somewhere.

[Int.] AGNES' HOME: MORNING

Agnes lies on the sofa. She's sad. Her father, Olof, sits on a second sofa. He is sorry for Agnes.

OLOF: Little darling... How are you?

AGNES: Good.

OLOF: But you won't talk?

AGNES: No.

OLOF: I feel like you are so much like me when I was your age. I didn't have any friends and girls didn't think about me. But... But it suddenly turned around.

Karin comes into the doorway, listens to what they're talking about then goes into another room.

OLOF: When our class met, I think it was our 25-year reunion, when they found out that I'd done well for myself. Bengt, who was then the class king, he didn't become anything. And the girls who were considered the prettiest, they weren't special any longer. So I think you'll be glad that you don't have it so easily. Because those who have it easy often become quite uninteresting.

AGNES: But you're speaking in about 25 years. I'm sorry, but I'd rather be happy now than in 25 years.

OLOF: Yes, I know that it is not much consolation now, but...

AGNES: Yes, for 25 years, it's not.

[Ext.] PLAYGROUND ON TWO SANDBANK BY A SANDBOX: DAY

ELIN (to Johan): Do you and Markus go to the same class?

JOHAN: No, I go to electricity.

MARKUS (to Jessica): But I saw that he was touching you.

JESSICA: He wasn't!

MARKUS: No?

JOHAN: Will you go?

ELIN: I don't know, but Jessica will have a baby. She's going to be a hairdresser, but I don't think she will be that.

JESSICA (to Markus): Hell, you are embarassing.

MARKUS: You're stupid.

JESSICA: Yes, perhaps I am, but I associate with you, and we become what we associate with.

ELIN (to Johan): But I'm thinking perhaps I'll become a psychologist, but I don't know.

JESSICA: Psychologist? You never said that.

ELIN: I don't tell you everything.

JESSICA: Why would you be that?

ELIN: Because I want to.

MARKUS: But you have to have a very good grades to become one.

ELIN: How do you know that?

MARKUS: I only know, or how Johan?

JOHAN: Yes, you have to have good grades to get into that.

MARKUS: See, you don't have a chance.

ELIN: No, I will become an automobile mechanic then. We must have very good grades.

MARKUS: That would suit you.

JESSICA (to Markus): You're embarrassing.

MARKUS: How then?

[Int.] SCHOOL, in THE CAFETERIA: DAY

Elin sits down at an empty table. Agnes stands over by the cafeteria and gets some food.

She goes over to the table where Elin sits.

AGNES: Is this seat free?

Elin doesn't answer. She just looks down. Agnes stands for a moment, then sits at another table.

Jessica comes and sits down next to Elin.

JESSICA: What did she want?

ELIN: I don't know.

JESSICA: But what did she want?

ELIN: I don't know!

The other girls come and sit at the same table as Elin. Agnes looks over at Elin. Then Elin stands up and goes out. Agnes follows after her, then comes Camilla.

AGNES: Why don't you call? Have you forgotten?

ELIN: What are you talking about?

Agnes slaps Elin hard in the face and then she runs from there.

ELIN: Ahh! What the hell did you do that for? Are you stupid or something?

CAMILLA: Why?

ELIN: Bloody lesbian!

The other girls come and are asking what happened. Viktoria also comes rolling.

VICTORIA (to Elin): She's in love with you. Don't you know that? She's been so for so long!

Elin and the girls run from there.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: DAY

Agnes has on very loud music and she trashes her room. She's ripping out all the books, pictures, CDs, everything she has. A little later she is sitting by her computer and is typing in her diary about how she loves Elin but Elin is only hurts her, but Agnes still loves her.

[Int.] JOHAN'S ROOM: DAY

Elin is lying in the bed and it looks like she's alone, but then we see that Johan is beside her. They have had sex.

(this picture is not from the DVD)

JOHAN: Did it hurt?

ELIN: Aa, a bit.

JOHAN: Was it nice?

ELIN: Aa, it was nice too. It was very nice.

Johan strokes Elins hair.

JOHAN: I am so bloody happy. I can't believe that this is true.

Elin is smiling.

[Int.] ICE HOCKEY RINK: EVENING

It is hockey practice. The coach gives a peptalk.

COACH: I'll have a good game here today. I'll not have an old woman's game.

Elin and Jessica sit on a platform and watch the practice.

JESSICA: Did it hurt?

ELIN: No, I only said it so he would pity me. He stopped just when it became nice. He came in only like five seconds.

JESSICA: Markus is also weak, but he's better now. Initially it was only "pfft".

ELIN (laughing): "Pfft"?

MARKUS (shout from the ice to Jessica): Jessica! Jessica!

COACH: Markus!

JESSICA (to Elin): Are you happy now then?

ELIN: I am!

JESSICA: If I had not been with Markus, I would...

ELIN: Jessica!

JESSICA: I mean, he is so kind. Markus is the coolest of everyone.

ELIN: Johan thought I slept with a lot of guys, but when I said I was a virgin he was surprised.

JESSICA: Why did he think that?

ELIN: Markus had said so.

JESSICA: Arghhhh. Markus talks such shit. I'm going to talk to him.

ELIN: No, you don't need to. It doesn't mean anything.

JESSICA: I am so bloody tired of you.

ELIN: What?

JESSICA: Only if you weren't with Johan, since you fell in love with him.

ELIN: What the hell!

JESSICA: But you are never satisified! You always get what you want!

ELIN: What the hell do you know about that? How the hell do you know that I get everything I want?

[Int.] ELINS HOME, COTTAGES: EVENING

Elin lays on the sofa with loud music and is thinking. We believe that it's Agnes.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: EVENING

Agnes lays on her bed. She's thinking. We're able to believe that it's Elin. They are thinking about each other at the same time!

[Int.] SCHOOL, A HALL WITH LOT OF LOCKERS: MORNING

Three guys sit near a locker just above Agnes'. They have hung up a page from a porno magazine. It's a picture of a naked woman with huge breasts. She looks at the picture, but just goes to her locker and opens it.

ONE GUY: What do you think? Is she pretty?

AGNES: Not too good. Fair. Good looking breasts.

GUY: What do you think about her cunt?

Agnes looks at them. She doesn't answer.

She only goes. The guy shouts after her:

GUY: What do you think about her cunt?

Victoria rolls into the picture.

VICTORIA: She is completely bad. One time she began to stroke my thigh.

ANOTHER GUY: Really?

VICTORIA: Good picture you hung up.

A GUY TO ANOTHER GUY: Idiot.

Victoria rolls away.

[Int.] AGNES' HOME: EVENING

Karin sits and weaves, Oscar stands beside.

OSCAR: Mother, what is a lesbian?

KARIN (surprised): But why do you wonder?

OSCAR: Kalle says that there is one who is one. One who...

KARIN: It means that a girl, or a woman, as I, who likes other girls or women like a mother and father liek each other. Lesbians, or homosexuals, are women who like each other.

OSCAR: Do they go to the mental hospital?

KARIN (smile): No, there's nothing wrong with them. They're just ordinary people like everyone else. But who is a lesbian?

OSCAR: Kalle says, that his brother says, that Agnes is lesbian.

KARIN: She is not!

Oscar nods his head.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: EVENING

Karin has turned on the computer and reads Agnes' diary. She reads the diary entry from Monday. It says that Agnes loves Elin.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: LATER IN THE EVENING

Agnes sits in her chair, Karin sits on her bed.

AGNES: I don't understand this. That... that ... you've been in my room. In my computer and... and... read...

KARIN: I know, and I regret it so terribly. But can't we talk about it?

AGNES: No! You can go now! Out.

Agnes goes to the door and opens it. She shouts to her mother.

AGNES: Go now!

Agnes takes Karin and drags her out to the door. Oskar stands on the staircase. Agnes closes the door again.

KARIN (through the door to Agnes): But I am only concerned about you!

[Int.] IN ELIN'S HOME: EVENING

Elin, Johan, Jessica and Markus watch the bingolotto. They have their lotteries. Elin is irritated. We see on the TV there are many old men and women who are writing down the lottery numbers. It's not much fun.

ELIN: Arrghhhhh! I only got one mistake the whole time.

MARKUS AND JESSICA: Shut up!

ELIN: Can't we do something else? Damn shit!

MARKUS AND JESSICA: Shut up!

ELIN: Aaaaaaarghhh!

Elin goes and turns off the TV.

MARKUS: Idiot!

JESSICA: Hell, Elin!

Jessica turns on the TV again, Elin leaves the room.

The tv says "It was Gustav five three, five and three." Very boring.

[Ext.] ON THE BRIDGE OVER THE CAR ROAD: EVENING

Elin stands over the bridge railing. She spits on cars that drive under her. She's been there a long time.

[Int.] IN ELIN'S HOME: EVENING

Markus and Johan are looking at Markus' cell phone. Markus explains a function of it. It is SMS.

MARKUS: ... then you just type the numbers and send it.

JOHAN: What?

MARKUS: Yes.. then you just send it.

Elin enters the room.

JOHAN: Where have you been?

ELIN: What "Where have you been?". Can't I do what I want?

JOHAN: Yes, I was only wondering.

JESSICA (bored): Markus has demonstrated everything that can be done with his mobile phone.

MARKUS: But girls don't understand these sort of things.

ELIN: What sort of things?

MARKUS: Cell phones and that sort, sports, cars, porno... hehehe

Markus tosses himself backwards with his hands over his head. He thinks Jessica will hit him, but she doesn't.

ELIN (to Markus): You're so stupid. What are we good at, then?

MARKUS: I don't know... Make-up and such things...

JESSICA: So you think we just tease and put make-up on ourselves the whole day.

MARKUS: No, what the heck, I don't know

ELIN: What else then?

MARKUS: What 'what else then'?

ELIN: Other things we're good at.

MARKUS: I don't know, appearance, clothes, make-up, and those kinds of things.

ELIN: You are so bloody stupid!

ELIN (to Johan): But what do you think then? What? Why are just sitting there without saying anything?

JOHAN: Weeell, I don't know...

MARKUS: But hell Johan, don't we stick together?

JESSICA: Now come on, he can still think for himself. You are not supposed to say what he thinks.

ELIN: Yes, what do you think then?

JOHAN: I don't know...

ELIN: You are stupid too.

Elin walks out of the room and Jessica whines to Markus.

JESSICA: I'm so fucking fed up with you

MARKUS: What is it now?

[Int.] ELIN AND JESSICA'S ROOM: EVENING

Elin closes the door and picks up the telephone. She calls someone.

[Int.] ELIN AND JESSICA'S HOME: EVENING

Markus' phone rings, a strange melody.

MARKUS: Hello?

ELIN: Can I speak with Johan.

MARKUS (to Johan): It's for you.

JOHAN: Hello?

ELIN: Hi, we're not together anymore. It's over. You can go home now.

[Ext.] BENCH: EVENING/NIGHT

Johan sits on a bench with his moped besides him. He also has his helmet on the bench. He's crying and angry. He throws his helmet.

[Ext.] PLAYGROUND OUT BLOCK: DAY

ELIN: I hate my life!

JESSICA: I don't understand why you dumped him. Perhaps he is too good for you.

ELIN: I'll become celibate!

JESSICA: Move on you?

ELIN: What?

JESSICA: It's an A-cover! Acne, abortion, anorexia, anal sex, unemployed, asthma, AIDS.

ELIN: Grow up!

JESSICA: Lay off!

ELIN: But you are standing on manhole cover too.

JESSICA: But it's a K-cover. K for love

ELIN: Know you what K actually stands for? It stands for vomit... kardon, kancer.

JESSICA: Lay off it!

ELIN: But look here now.

She kicks over gravel from the A-cover.

ELIN: Look. Abortion, unemployed, anal sex. I feel no anal sex!

Elin leaves.

JESSICA: You are not normal. You aren't normal!

Elin goes.

[Int.] ELIN'S ROOM: DAY

Elin picks up the telephone. She calls Johan.

JOHAN: Hello?

ELIN: Hi, it is Elin. I have to say something to you. You are nice, but it's just that.... I am in love with someone else.

JOHAN: Oh, yes? Who is it then?

Elin doesn't answer, but just lies down.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: NIGHT

Agnes lies on her bed. She's thinking about someone. It's obviously Elin.

[Int.] ELIN'S ROOM: NIGHT

Jessica sleeps, but Elin is not. She's thinking of someone. It's obviously Agnes. They are thinking about each other again at the same time.

Elin looks at Jessica sleeping. Carefully, Elin leaves.

[Ext.] OUTSIDE AGNES' HOUSE: NIGHT

Elin looks up at Agnes' window. She sees the light is on.

She picks up a pebble and throws it to the window.

[Int.] AGNES' ROOM: NIGHT

Agnes hears the stone hit window.

OUT TO AGNES' HOUSE AGAIN

Elin throws another pebble. Suddenly it breaks the window.

ELIN: Shit!

She runs away.

[Int.] SCHOOL, THE CAFETERIA: DAY

Elin sits at the cafeteria with other girls. Agnes sits at a table alone, since Viktoria has stopped hanging out with her.

Agnes stands up and goes. Elin follows her. Agnes goes out into the hall, and you can hear Elin running after her. She grabs Agnes and pulls her into the "GIRL's TOILET".

AGNES: Stop, what are you doing?

ELIN: Come now, it is very important!

AGNES: Stop it!

ELIN: Please!

Elin gets Agnes into the toilet and closes the door.

ELIN: I just want to say one thing.

AGNES: What then?

ELIN: It was me who threw the stone. Sorry, I didn't mean to break the window!

AGNES: But you think I'm bad?

ELIN: No, it's not like that. I think you're good.

AGNES: Are you teasing me?

ELIN: No! I've thought a lot... about you...

AGNES: If you make fun of me one more time I'm going to kill you!

ELIN: I'm not making fun of you! But is it true? That you are in love with me? Because if you are... so I am... with you.

CAMILLA: Hello?

AGNES: Are you?

Elin nods.

CAMILLA: Come out now!

ELIN: I must only...

Elin opens the door and comes out, without showing that Agnes is in there.

ELIN: Hey, you have to use another toilet.

CAMILLA: What?

ELIN: Yeah, this one's broken.

CAMILLA: What broken?

ELIN: Yes, you can't flush it.

CAMILLA: Lay off now!

Elin goes into the toilet again and closes the door.

CAMILLA: Do you have a guy in there or something?

ELIN: What guy? Why can't you get the point.

Camilla turns around.

CAMILLA: Jessica! Elin has a guy in the toilet!

ELIN: I do not!

CAMILLA: Yes, it is Johan

JESSICA: No, it's over.

CAMILLA: Is it?

ELIN: What the hell do we do?

AGNES: I don't know, but we can't stay in here the whole day.

Other girls come over. They're asking why they're standing there.

CAMILLA: Elin has a guy in there, but she won't say who it is.

GIRL: But who is it?

CAMILLA: I don't know! I thought it was Johan, but that's over. It's Tomas!

ELIN: Tomas? Hell, you have bad imagination!

AGNES: But we can't stay in the toilet. This is sick. We're going out.

ELIN: Yes, we must go out.

Johan goes up to the door.

JOHAN: Where's Elin? I have to talk to her.

JESSICA: She's in the bathroom with a guy. We thought it was you.

Johan becomes very sad and goes away. He goes out and sits on his moped. Jessica follows.

[Ext.] PAST SCHOOL, PARKING LOTS: DAY

JESSICA: Wait!

She goes over to Johan.

JESSICA: Don't worry about her. She's stupid, you're too good for her.

She tries to make physical contact but Johan turns away from her.

JESSICA: You...

Jessica goes over to him and they hug.

JESSICA: Don't be sad. It's hard for her.

[Int.] PAST BATHROOM: DAY

A teacher comes.

TEACHER: Calm down. What's happening here?

[Int.] BATHROOM: DAY

AGNES: Come on, we are going out!

ELIN: But..

AGNES: Did you really mean what you said before?

Long pause...

ELIN: ...aa...

Agnes looks around a bit, then looks at Elin.

AGNES: You...

ELIN: Ok... Shall I open it?

Agnes nod.

CAMILLA: Come out now then!

Elin turns towards the door and unlocks it. She opens the door. It becomes perfectly quiet.

ELIN: Tada! Here I am, and here's my new girlfriend!

The camera pans a little, everyone is perfectly still.

ELIN: Could you please make way for us? We are going to fuck.

Everyone moves and Elin and Agnes go out from the school. They're truly happy.

[Int.] ELIN'S HOME: HER AND JESSICA'S ROOM: DAY

Elin gives Agnes a glass of chocolate milk.

ELIN: Is it good?

AGNES: Mm

ELIN: It's not too strong then? I always used to make it too strong. I used to have like, Jessica gets very mad, I used to have like two grams of milk and five thousand kilograms of O'boy and then it becomes very dark, ah, then I have to pour it into another glass and put in more milk, a bigger glass or a same size glass, if there isn't a bigger glass. Then there's too much O'boy then... but don't worry.