The Chambermaid Lynn (Das Zimmermädchen Lynn)

When I was a kid, I once found a mussel on the beach.

I showed it to my mother and she said,

"You have to hold it up to your ear, Lynn, then you can hear the ocean."

The waves are caught in the mussel.”

I thought to myself,

"How can something so small and fragile

catch something so vast and indestructible as the ocean?”

I took the mussel back to the hotel and kept holding it up to my ear.

Even at night, because I couldn't sleep because of the ocean and the waves.

Then I drank a glass of water and held the glass up to my ear.

Just so.

I heard the same sounds,

the same waves, the same wind.

OK. And then?

Then I knew that life is a big lie. All of it.

Do you still think that way, that life is still a big lie?

Maybe not all of it.

THE CHAMBERMAID

Hi, Mum!

Hello, Lynn! Nice to hear from you!

Thanks for cleaning.

I wanted to call earlier.

I had to turn in my mobile.

But you have it back?

Yes, but it's always turned off.

Will you come visit me?

It's quite the trek. I dunno.

What about you?

I can't complain.

The garden?

Yes, that'll be starting up again soon.

So, I have to go now.

Do you need money?

No.

You can tell me, if...

I'll tell you, if anything comes up...

OK. Keep it up.

Keep it up.

You?

It's over, Lynn.

I know.

I won't cover for you again. Got it?

Got it.

I'll keep an eye on it for 3 weeks.

Tuesday and Wednesday: work, 8-hour shifts.

Thursdays I meet with an old friend, always for an hour around noon.

Just talking, there's nothing going on between us.

Friday, back to work. Saturday I'm off, so I work out.

Sundays I call my mother, always at 10 to 8:00.

Right before the news airs. She's always watched the news.

All her life.

And Mondays?

Monday... I am here.

- I got my shopping done. - Really! And?

- Good. - Well that's just great!

- Was that hard for you? - No.

Hello, my darling!

Good.

We arrived a bit early, so we took a look around the city.

The meeting was good. Everything went as planned.

Rolf told me that they want to get a bigger house. Did you know that?

I don't know, he will probably take out a loan.

Hey, changing topics: Mi-mi-mi-mi-mi.

Who does that?

I can't figure it out either. It's been stuck in my head all day.

Is that the chef from The Muppet Show?

The assistant does it?

You're right, but...

There was one that was always going "mi-mi-mi-mi-mi."

Who was that again?

OK. Not important.

Sleep well.

Love you, too.

OK?

Oh, God, the suitcase is heavy.

And my feet hurt.

How does this work?

Me and technology.

I will really need to get a hold of myself,

when we are sitting in the theater.

I just met the guy and now my feet are in constant pain.

That won't do.

But we aren't 20 anymore.

He's probably also got his bumps and bruises. It's completely normal.

Lynn!

Lynn!

- What are you doing? - Cleaning.

- I just got a call. - What kind of call?

It's your mother.

It's my heart. I'll probably need a bypass.

I collapsed while mowing the lawn.

I couldn't hold on to it anymore and fell face first in the grass.

I nearly kicked the bucket.

- I'm glad you're here, Lynn. - Yeah.

I can't really stay long though.

- Was it something I did? - No.

How's the job going?

Everyone is really friendly.

What do you clean first?

- The bathroom. - Always?

First the bathroom, then the bedroom. I vacuum the floors, too. Every day.

Yeah, so much dust can collect in a day.

You can only see it when the sun hits it.

Do you change the linens every day?

If a guest only stays at night.

- What if one stays at week? - Every third day.

How was it at the clinic?

I told you, they think they cured me.

What did you do while you were there?

Therapy.

Do you have a boyfriend?

I have to get going, Mom.

Will you come again?

It's a long way.

Keep it up.

Keep it up.

Chiara.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Ludwig? - Yes.

We spoke on the phone.

Room 212, please.

- Was that it? - Yes...

Really? That was fast.

I'll leave you my card.

- Maybe I'll call you again next week. - As you like. Easy. Ciao.

- Hello? - Hello.

Hello, I wanted to ask, if you also do house calls.

Sure, no problem.

I am a woman, however.

I've noticed.

What about next Saturday?

Saturday's fine. Don't be so formal. What time?

Five o'clock?

Where do you live?

Kohlhaldenstrarße 7.

The name on the buzzer?

Zapatek. Lynn Zapatek.

Where did you get this number?

Does it matter?

From a client?

Yes.

From whom?

I'll tell you Saturday.

An hour.

I know.

OK then.

5 o'clock. Kohlhaldenstrarße 7. Zapatek.

Ciao.

Ciao.

Hi, come in.

Hello.

What's going on here?

Why do you dye your hair?

How did you get my number?

- How much time do you have? - What do you want?

How long have you been doing this?

You think I'm a whore?

If I say "hit me," would you do it?

If I want to.

I'm paying.

I choose my clients. I have clients, not johns. Understand?

But you do it for money.

How did you get my number?

Wait a sec.

You were in Eden. Recently. With a guy. Room 212.

I wrote down your number from your card. I work there as a maid.

At Eden?

I lie down under the guests' beds.

You like old movies.

It's not illegal.

I like your nose.

You stayed longer.

A little.

Will you call me again?

Maybe...

Up to you.

Money's on the table.

Next Saturday?

For example.

- Ciao. - Ciao.

How was it?

OK.

Thanks.

Don't you want to stay for a coffee?