Dagmar
So, tell me about Karin. I don't know her very well.
Lars
Oh, she's wonderful. Gus and I are very lucky with women - she's wonderful. But she...
Dagmar
That's okay, let's find you something to read.
Lars
No, it's just... between us?
Dagmar
Of course.
Lars
I'm worried about her. I think she has a little problem.
Dagmar
Oh, well, maybe you shouldn't tell me.
Lars
No, that's okay. It's just, and I think it's because she's insecure, it's just, she's just always trying to hug everybody. You know, some people don't like that. Some people don't like to be hugged. But she doesn't realize that. She takes it personally, and, it hurts her feelings. I don't know what to do about that. Do you?
Dagmar
It's such a comfort sometimes, just to have somebody's arms around you. Don't you think?
Lars
No.
Dagmar
It feels good.
Lars
It does not feel good. It, it hurts.
Dagmar
Oh, like a cut, or bruise?
Lars
Like a burn. Like when you go outside and your feet freeze and you come back in and then they thaw out? It's like that. It's almost exactly like that.
Dagmar
Same with everyone?
Lars
Uh, not really with Bianca. But everyone else.
Dagmar
Have there been any changes in the family in the last year or so?
Gus
[while Karin simultaneously nods "Yes"]
No, everything is pretty much exactly the same except Karin is pregnant and Lars is nuts.
Dagmar
You know, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. What we call mental illness isn't always just an illness. It can be a communication; it can be a way to work something out.
Gus
Fantastic. When will it be over?
Dagmar
When he doesn't need it anymore.
Karin
How can we help?
Dagmar
Go along with it.
Karin
Oh, no. No, that's... No.
Gus
Oh, my. No, no, no. No. No, I mean, pretend that she's real? I'm not gonna do that. I mean, I can't. I'm just not gonna do it.
Dagmar
She is real.
Gus
Well...
Dagmar
She's right out there.
Gus
Right, right, I get that, but I'm just not gonna, you know...
Dagmar
You won't be able to change his mind, anyway. Bianca's in town for a reason.
Gus
But - but...
Dagmar
It's not really a choice.
Karin
Okay. Okay, all right, we'll do it, whatever it takes.
Gus
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And everyone's gonna laugh at him.
Dagmar
And you.