Intrigo: Dear Agnes

The people of the world are more or less the same.

Though we may come in different shapes and colors,

we all share the same inheritance.

And we all have our backstories and our secrets.

And so has Agnes, walking her dogs on the beach.

Soon her life will change,

and the past will become the present, again.

Even though evolution might seem to mature us,

there are still parts of our brain

that belong to our reptile ancestors.

Although we've convinced ourselves that hate, revenge,

and nemesis belong to the past,

our ancient ancestors' blood still runs in our veins,

whether we like it or not.

Clara and Thomas...

are coming Thursday.

Will you be home then?

I'm in Altmaar on Thursday.

Oh, yes.

Damn.

Maybe it's just for the best.

Can't you just tell me his name?

The man that you love.

His name's Erich Neumann-Hansen,

and he's sitting right here next to me.

Do you want another painkiller?

I don't want anything.

The doctor said you can take as many as you want.

I just want you to be happy.

I want you to feel okay.

And I don't want you to argue.

I just find it strange...

the way they start turning up now.

It's all that matters to me, darling.

That you don't argue.

I don't argue.

I know.

Do you want me to prepare some food for Thursday?

Thomas can bring some Thai.

I love you.

I know.

Keats, Byron.

He always just... money, money, money.

He lives, breathes, sleeps money.

So I said to him, "Sure. You've got the money, Frank.

But you can't buy talent."

At least not your own.

Sorry.

- Am I right? - Yes, definitely.

Oh, we need more wine in here.

More wine, Henny.

Henny?

Right. Where was I? Uh, love and talent.

You can't do that.

I hate it like that. I'm not going.

Simple as that.

You would've done the same.

And then, then they wanted to transfer me

to the head office in London, and then the shit hit the fan.

I mean, I just thought, "No, not doing that. I've had enough."

Career change for me, within 12 months,

I bought this beautiful home.

I just said, "No, that's it.

You can take your job and you can stick it up your ass.

I'm gonna be one of the best TV producers in Europe."

- How old are the girls now? - Rea is ten and Betty is eight.

Oh, big girls now.

Haven't seen them in years.

How are things for you?

- For me? - Are you working at all?

I've a... I've got a few things in the pipeline

but nothing set in stone as yet.

I'm just the same.

I don't take anything for granted.

So shall I come pick you up later after riding, Betty?

I can take the bus.

Okay. So, I'll see you at dinner, all right?

Come on, Betty. We have to run.

- Bye, Mom. - Kiss goodbye.

- Bye. - Bye.

Come on.

No, no, no, no, no.

We can't accept that.

No. Not a chance.

Well, then I'll put Vera Kaufmann on it instead.

Yeah. Well, you know what that means, don't we?

So, do me favor, give her a call, or even...

All right.

Well, you stay strong, Agnes.

I'm so sorry.

God bless you.

I'll go with Thomas instead.

So, see you there?

Yes. Suit yourself.

Keep the...

What are you talking about?

Keep everything, and then

you could actually get a separate house there and there.

We could build two more houses.

That's a horrible idea.

We could easily get part of the commission.

- We're very close... - No.

It feels so strange now that Dad's not here.

How does it feel for you to be completely alone in this big house?

I'm not alone.

Byron, Keats, food.

What... what difference does it make

if I take it now or later?

It's mine anyway.

Let's wait until evaluation.

Fine, fine.

"And thus it follows that the estate,

both banking deposits and property

with its inventory in Maardam,

shall be divided into two equal parts.

The first part will go to my children, Clara and Thomas,

and the other part to my wife, Agnes.

Being of sound mind, memory, and understanding,

Erich Neumann-Hansen."

But hang on.

What happened to the property being left in marital trust?

According to the law, if we were both your children, that would be the case,

but it just so happens that we're not.

Luckily... for us.

Now, I know that these things can take some time, but...

both Clara and I would appreciate it if all of this

could be over and done with as soon as possible.

Clara.

We'll stay in touch.

I know you want to stay in this house, Agnes.

I know.

But surely there's nothing to prevent you from buying them out.

Neither Clara nor Thomas seem to want the house anyway.

How can I ever afford to on my salary?

I had lunch with Susanne Liebermann today.

- Oh? - Yeah.

And it got a bit embarrassing

when she asked if you got that part.

What part?

That's exactly what I said.

Apparently, you told her that you had a gig on the go.

Now, this autumn.

It wouldn't have hurt to tell me, would it?

I felt like a right idiot.

Okay.

- "Okay"? - What do you want me to say?

Well, what gig would it be, then?

You know we're opening a new office in Munich.

I'm gonna be gone most of the autumn.

Henny?

- Henny? - Don't you get it?

What is there to get?

That things aren't so fucking easy for me.

What do you suggest I should have said then?

I'm going to bed.

Peter's a bastard.

You don't love him anymore.

It's not that simple.

Get a life of your own, a job at the very least.

Divorce that waste of space.

Come on, it's not like he can't afford it.

You've always been so crass.

I was at a funeral the other day.

Anything for your own amusement.

His name was Erich Neumann-Hansen.

Erich Neumann-who?

He was married to Agnes.

Agnes? Your Agnes?

Shit.

How was she?

I don't know.

What, you didn't ask her?

Not really.

What's wrong with you?

You know, I never understood what happened between you two.

Just to the right,

just yellowish-brownish one.

Yes, I see it. Very yellowish-brownish.

That's a Sphyrapicus varius. It's impossible.

It's on the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean.

- Somebody pinch me. - No fucking way.

What the hell is he doing here?

Have you seen any others, any females?

No.

Cornell are gonna hear about this.

Please, don't fly away now.

It doesn't look bothered.

It's fucking brilliant.

From now on, you better come along every time, Agnes.

Ah.

Agnes...

Agnes, are you paying attention?

Yes. Sphyrapicus varius.

Shh. Shut up.

Also known as the yellow-bellied sapsucker.

- Shit! - Oh.

Are you nuts?

Do you realize what you've just done?

- No. - What's going on?

Better ask Agnes.