Memories: Being Simple Scene Summary

Scene Summary: Memories: Being Simple

Memories: Being Simple
Chronicle	Stockholm Chronicle
Game Date	August 22nd, 1941
Real Date	March 6th, 2017
Characters	Casper Iversson Frederik Nilsson Hanna Lindholm
Locations	Stockholm
Previous Scene	Memories: Rising Tension (Casper, Hanna)
Next Scene	Memories: Being Simple (Casper, Hanna)
Content Warnings	Ableism
Original Scene	Memories: Being Simple

Memories: Being Simple is a scene from the Stockholm Chronicle featuring Casper Iversson, Frederik Nilsson, and Hanna Lindholm. It depicts Hanna arguing about Casper's academic progress with his school's principal.

Scene Summary

Casper sits on a bench in the hallway of his school, impatiently waiting as his mother and the school's principal argue loudly in the next room. He is uncomfortable in his ill-fitting clothes and wishes that he could leave to spend time with his father instead of accidentally overhearing their fight.

In the office, Hanna accuses Frederik of implying that Casper has an intellectual disability, swearing repeatedly, which Casper repeats to himself in the hall in order to feel more grown-up. Frederik attempts to explain that Casper is not keeping up with the other children and suggests holding him back a year, but Hanna continues swearing and threatens to pull Casper out of school to teach him herself. Frederik gives in, agreeing to keep Casper at his current grade level and to re-assess his progress later in the year, which mollifies Hanna. Casper thinks to himself that Hanna often shouts, but that he believes she isn't truly angry, merely trying to make sure she is taken seriously.

Later, Casper and Hanna walk home together, and Casper asks if he really does have a disability, admitting that he overheard the argument and comparing himself to a brain-damaged dog that he once played with. Hanna denies this, although Casper does not believe her, and tells him to try harder to succeed, forcing him to promise to do his best. When he does, she emphasizes the importance of keeping one's promises, then kisses him on the forehead before they continue on toward home.

Script Summary

The script summary for this scene pares it down to only dialogue and action directions, allowing for a quicker and easier read through what was actually said and done by the characters. Click on the "Expand" tag to the right to view the entire script summary for this scene.

Memories: Being Simple Script Summary

Casper sits on a bench at his school, impatiently bumping the back of his head against the wall occasionally. In the next room, Frederik and Hanna can be heard arguing.

HANNA: So what are you saying?! Are you saying he is simple or something?!

She swears. Casper repeats it aloud to himself.

50px FREDERIK: I am not saying that, Mrs. Lindholm... just perhaps it would be better for the boy to be held back for a year, just to give him a chance to catch up with the other kids. He is a sweet boy, but Casper is a little... slower than the other children, is all.

Hanna swears again.

HANNA: My boy is bright, and I won't have some bureaucrat saying anything different, you hear me?! If you're not teaching him properly, then that is your fault! Maybe I will just pull him out and teach him myself, since you seem to not be up to the task!

Frederik sighs.

50px FREDERIK: That isn't necessary. It's still early. Tell you what, we will proceed as normal and re-evaluate later in the year. I will speak to his teacher and we will try to do what we can, okay?

The argument subsides. Later, Casper and Hanna walk down the street together.

CASPER: Mama...?

HANNA: Hm? Oh, what is it, little one?

CASPER: I... um... heard you and Mr. Nilsson talking - I know I shouldn't listen but it was awful loud and... Am I... am I really simple, like the Johansson's dog?

HANNA: No, no, sweetheart.

She tries to stroke Casper's head, but he pulls away.

HANNA: My little one, come here. You just... have to try even harder, okay? You promise me this - that you will always try your hardest, yes?

Casper looks at the ground, then nods.

CASPER: I promise, Mama.

HANNA: Casper, what does a promise mean - really?

CASPER: A promise is something you cannot break - even if it's really hard - you do it because a promise is a bond.

Hanna kisses the top of Casper's head.

HANNA: That's my little one. Now come, let's not keep your father waiting.

Trivia

• All dialogue in this scene takes place in Swedish, but is translated to English here for ease of reference.
  
  
• It is unclear whether Casper actually has a learning disability or is simply behind in his studies.
  
  
• The Felix Casper mentions in passing is his pet dog.
  
  
• The undescribed symbols on a passing truck that distress Hanna are Nazi party symbols.