Red Light (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript

Hi, Syl.

Hi.
- Very beautiful, darling.

Really?
- Yes, it was really good.

Hey, sweetheart.

Daddy.
- Well done, my girl.

Yes?
- Especially towards the end.

Was the start not so good?
- It was great.

I also felt that it was better towards
the end. I was more into it.

Are we going for a drink?
- Esther wants to go to bed.

I hope you don't mind, Dad.
I'm very tired now.

Are you ready?
- What? Aren't we going home?



I have to give a short interview
for Radio 4.

I'm sorry, honey.
I can't skip it. I tried.

I told them you have 15 minutes.
- See you in a bit.

I assume this is the last time
we'll see each other.

And we're here.

Yes. Come, follow me.

This is Rocco. And the two dogs.
- They don't bite.

They don't bite.

This is Imana. Dika and Lovina.
- Welcome to Antwerp.

This is your new home.

This is sweet, right?

And you have a fridge.
Tea, water, coffee.

If you need something,
Imana can help you.

Because we have to go now
but we come back tomorrow...



...and then we'll see each other.

Good night. Sleep well.
- Bye.

Until tomorrow.
- See you.

Shut the fuck up.
That thing is fucking noisy.

Are you finally go to tell me
more about Tenerife tonight?

We're working on it.

Look, she's up for it.
- Come on, girl. Try a little smile.

She has problems adapting.
- Look at them.

It's nice and busy.

The same old faces.

She can use a boob job.

That guy is sitting by himself.
- I'll have a talk with the girls.

Your right shoe is not working.
Go and charge it. It looks ridiculous.

How old is she?
- Just 18, according to her passport.

She was clearly a prostitute.

Stop, sir, you can't come in here.
- My apologies.

He's the receptionist.
He checked her in.

She's been here a fortnight,
but she never went outside.

Didn't you talk when she checked in?
- No, she only spoke Romanian.

Did she get many guests?
- Men came and went.

I just rent rooms.
What they do is their business.

You thought she was just being social.
- That's illegal prostitution, sir.

We're sealing off the room and hallway
for further investigation.

The rest can stay open for now
if you cooperate.

Drop by Human Trafficking.
Give them a ring first.

Why don't you just examine me?
- Those tests are more invasive.

We want to do it step by step,
so first we'll examine the semen.

We'll get the results in 14 days
and then we can move on.

But after trying naturally for two years,
it seems unlikely that it will still happen.

We want to avoid medical procedures.
- That's understandable.

But you have to be realistic.
You started relatively late.

That's completely my fault.
- Esther.

It's true, right?
- Don't talk about it.

Why not? We can discuss it.
- It's none of his business.

It has everything to do with this.

I think I'm already pregnant.

Why is that?
- I can just feel it.

When is your next period?
- This week.

We're here, darling.

Thank you.

Have fun in Antwerp.

Welcome, colleagues.
- Hi. We found a girl in Lux.

We suspect illegal prostitution.
Perhaps you know her.

Can I have a look.
- I know her.

She's probably one of...
- Ingmar Leka's girls.

Does the name Ingmar Leka ring a bell?
- No.

Let me introduce you to Ingmar Leka
with his wife Sylvia Steenhuizen.

They own Club Tropicana
in the Red Light district.

Every month they pick up new girls
to work for them.

This was last night.

The girls come here legally.
We can't stop it.

This is from three months ago.

Recognize her?

That's her.

That's definitely her.

In that case,
let's have a look in Club Tropicana.

See who's at the door.

Poor girl.

She worked for you, didn't she?
- Yes, she...

Yes, that's Afina.
She worked here behind the bar.

I'm bad at remembering faces.

You brought her here from Romania.
- She worked behind the bar there.

You twisted your ankle outside.
- The roads are awful there.

Under what false pretenses?
- She knew the deal.

Prostitution?
- Yes. She did that there too.

She's better off here.
We applied for a permit. Remember?

He's already forgotten that as well.

When did you last see her?
- A month ago.

And after that? Nothing?
- No, she just disappeared.

You can't force them to stay with us.
They choose their own path.

They think they can do it on their own,
but you've seen what happens then.

Are you familiar with Hotel Lux?
- Not really, I've heard the name.

Does she have relatives in Romania?
So we can inform them.

How should I know.
- You don't know much, do you?

You went there to get her.

She didn't strike me as a family person.
- No, my thoughts exactly.

Okay, thanks.
- Bye. Good luck with your investigation.

Come here and take a look at this.

Half of the guys that enter,
leave after an hour. Take a look.

And they're all men.
That's no hotel, that's a whorehouse.

Stop the tape. What's that?
- Penguins.

Where did they come from?
- Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia.

The departmental meeting
is rescheduled to 10:00 tomorrow.

Will the whole department be there?
Yes? That's great.

That's fine.

In this book Kierkegaard lets her
write a letter to him.

Cordelia writes: 'I won't call you mine.
I realise that you never were...

...and I've been punished
forever cherishing the thought.

And yet I call you mine.

My seducer. My deceiver.
My enemy. My killer.

Source of my misfortune.
Grave of my happiness.

Abyss of my ruin.'

Is this romantic nonsense or...

Because I see a sparkle
in some of your eyes.

Did Kierkegaard have the girl say
something substantial about love...

...so we can better comprehend
his philosophy about love?

How many pairs of shoes do you have
in your closet? Be honest.

Two.
- What?

Sam, Evi could you take over some
of our missing persons files?

We don't have the manpower and
we haven't gotten any replacements.

That's fine.
- I can do it, you have...

No, it's fine. We'll do it.
- Thanks a lot.

Gust won't like it.
- I know.

How long have you been on the wagon?
- I haven't been keeping track.

Keep looking at Gust.

Take a guess.
- Three months and two days.

So, you are keeping track.
That's really good.

You don't have to be ashamed.
- Who says that I'm ashamed?

Keep looking, Evi.
Perhaps you're ashamed of the shame.

Come on,
I'm not that complex of a person.

I think what you said is accurate.

Can we talk normally?
This is awkward.

This is making me feel uncomfortable.

Betty.
- Hi.

New barkeepers. Bulgaria?
- Romania.

Hello.
- Yes, hello.

They're needed upstairs.
The boss wants to see them.

How adorable.
- Câine.

Is that his name?
- Câine.

You mean dog?
That's how we say it.

Dock?
- Dog.

Dock?
- Close enough.

You have a dog?
- No, no dog.

Want to smoke a little bit?
It's good to relax.

How's that?

We call comun.
- Do you want some comun?

Comun.

Nasdrovje.

No, no, no, this way. This way.
Come, follow me.

This is my room.

Hey, ladies. How are you?
Are you good? You're beautiful.

Come with me and sit on the bed.
Sit on the bed. Sit.

Police.

We know Ingmar was in Romania
yesterday.

Yes?

He picked up two girls who think
they're going to work behind a bar.

Two vulnerable girls.
- Vulnerable? They know how it works.

Why do all your barkeepers
become prostitutes?

Why work hard for minimum wage
when there's an easier way?

And the girls that disappear?
- No idea. It's a free country.

In Belgium and Holland we're conducting
a joint investigation into human trafficking.

Human trafficking? What's that got
to do with me? We're a family business.

A family business that employs
30 to 40 women?

Antwerp and Amsterdam combined.
- It's all legal.

Prostitution is peanuts,
I'm talking about human trafficking.

Exploitation, coercion, abuse.
- I get it. It's horrible. Truly horrible.

You still do your part?
- Yes, so?

How old are you now? 40?
In sports that's when your career ends.

This is a bleak room.
- You think so?

It's not a nice workplace.
- Suggestions are welcome.

I'd add a bit of red
to brighten up the place.

Do you know what I'm going to ask?
- Probably the same as always.

We're looking for women
who want to help us and testify.

I get that it's hard
when your husband is your pimp.

'My pimp.' You don't understand
that some women do this voluntarily.

Do you enjoy your job?
- No, not every day.

Some days I just can't be bothered.
How about you?

Does Ingmar have a girlfriend
in Amsterdam?

No, that's not true.
- I'm sorry, but we have our doubts.

That says nothing.
He knows a lot of women.

Should I consider you as an accomplice
or a victim?

Don't you ever desire a normal life?
- Normal? What's wrong with my life?

What's wrong with my life?
Who are you to judge me?

How about your own life?
- Do you want to end up like your mother?

Are we done?

We can offer you a new identity
and an income.

I can make my own money.
I make more than you.

We're only interested in Ingmar. You can
go into a witness protection program.

Protection from who?
- Just think about it.

Can I smoke in here?
- You know you can't.

You also ask me the same questions.
- Thanks, Sylvia.

Are we done now?
- Yes, I'll have someone take you home.

I'll take a cab.
- We'll take you home.

I'd rather take a cab.
- Stay here. We'll take you.

Are you sticking to your statement?
- Yes.

They work behind the bar.

What's wrong?
- Your father is in the hospital.

Now?

Esther?
- I'm sorry.

Hello. Where to?
- The Academic Hospital, please.

Where are the new girls?
- With Rocco. They're fine.

Everything all right?
- Were you worried?

No. Why should I be?

Is my right wrist thicker than my left?

What?

They had a photo of you with a woman
in Amsterdam.

I also have a photo.

Come with me.

Tenerife?
- That's a club with a restaurant.

They want to get rid of it,
but they're still asking too much.

With a restaurant?

I'm working on it.
I didn't want to tell you anything yet.

For us?
- Of course it's for us.

Come on, get to work.
Otherwise you won't get paid.

I thought I was the manager?
- You're a top whore and the manager.

Jeroen.

He got unwell at a meeting
and collapsed.

Where's my father?
- You can see him shortly.

Will he be all right?
- He's stable, so we're hopeful.

He had a minor heart attack.
There's no permanent damage.

It seems to be not that bad.

It was fortunate
that Jeroen, his colleague, was with him.

They're still treating him,
but I can see him soon.

It must've been a shock.
- Yes, it was intense.

I was called away from rehearsal, so...

But anyway, how are things in Antwerp?
Did you have a good trip?

Hello? Are you still there?
- Yes.

What's up with you today?

You can see him now.
- Great.

I can see Daddy now.
- Okay.

I'll call you before I go to bed, okay?
- I'd like that.

Until tonight, darling.

I can't put my finger on
what's different about you.

You cut your hair. That's it.

Do you like it?
- Looks good on you. Fresh.

What's the plan for today?
Same as always?

Suck, fuck, change position? Yes.
Okay. Go ahead and get undressed.

You don't have to stay.

Yvet will be here soon.

If there is anything I can do for you,
you can always call me.

Your father will be fine.

Are the kids asleep?
- Yes.

I'd rather go to sleep now.

I have a full schedule tomorrow.

For Christ's sake.

Can't wait for you to work part-time again.

You're finally awake.
You really had me scared.

It was a minor heart attack, right?
- Yes.

You've been asleep for hours.
- I was so tired.

Are you in pain?
- No.

How long have you been here?
- A long time.

You still snore like you used to do.

You look good.
- You never say that.

Are you happy?

I am, to be honest.
Yes, I'm happy.

What's the matter?
- Nothing.

No, I shouldn't talk about it,
because I can't know for sure.

Tell me.
- I think I'm pregnant.

What's the matter?
You suddenly look very upset.

Did you do a test?
- No, not yet, but I can just feel it.

Are you all right?

Hello? Hello? Stay calm, Daddy.

Keep breathing. Stay calm.
Try... Do you feel...

Do something. He's in pain.
- Let them do their job.

What's happening?
- Come with me.

They're with him. Don't worry.

This is the voicemail of Eric Savenije.
Leave a message and I'll call you back.

Mrs Vinkel, your father suffered
another heart attack.

This time it was a major one
with arrhythmia as complication.

We tried to resuscitate him,
but your father has passed away.

I'm sorry.

You can go see him if you want.

Hey, sweetie.

I can't get in touch with Eric.
- It's already late.

I spoke to him earlier. He was supposed
to call me before going to bed.

But he didn't. That's not like him.
- Are you related?

No, I'm Yvet Derks.
I'm Mrs Vinkel's manager.

I'll take it over for her from here.

Have you called anyone yet?
- No.

How has she taken it?

I want to go to Eric.
- Eric will be here tomorrow.

No, I want to go to him now.
- Sweetie, you're in shock.

I know, but this doesn't feel right.
- Of course it doesn't. That's logical.

I just said that I want to go to Eric.

That's not that strange, is it?

You can't drive in your state.
- I'll take a cab.

There's much to be done.
We need to call a funeral parlour.

Can you do that, please? Thanks.

Take me to Antwerp, please.

This is the voicemail of Eric Savenije.
Please leave...

Eric?

Call Georges. 10:00.
Departmental meeting.

'Dear Esther, I don't know how
to tell you this. It's not you, it's me.

You've given me everything
a man could wish for.'

Hey, Esther. What a surprise.

Have you seen Eric?
- No, not for a while.

Doesn't he come here every week?
- He used to. Tell him that we miss him.

Everything all right, Esther?
- Yes.

What the fuck. Where is he?
- I don't know.

Sit down. Take a seat.
I'm going to kill him.

Put your clothes on.
Sylvia got beat up.

Did you see a short Dutch guy
in a brownish red suit? Hurry.

A brownish red suit. Nothing?

A guy in a reddish brown suit?

Have you seen a Dutch guy?

I'll take you to your bed.
- I don't want to sleep alone.

I'll wait until Ingmar gets back.

You can sleep with me tonight.
- Okay.

I really thought that he was a nice guy.
- There's no such thing.

No, apparently not.

You can't trust anyone.
- You can trust me.

Ingmar always says that too.

He also promised we'd open a club on
Tenerife. Do you see a club? I don't.

The club is a pipe dream.

What did the cops ask you?
- The same as always.

How about you?
- That I can get a new life if I testify.

That's what they claim.
- Yes.

You would be a great witness.

You know everyone.

They can give you a new identity
and money.

If I were you...
- What are you saying?

Are you saying you'd testify?
- No, I'm not.

Yes, you are.
You said it yourself.

Don't you get it, if Ingmar goes down
so will I. The club is in my name.

Do you think they'll see me as a victim?
-Sylvia, I'd never...

Did you think about that
when you sold me out?

I didn't do anything.
- You're my friend, aren't you?

Then you protect each other. Get that?
You don't talk to the cops.

I didn't say anything.
- Yeah right. I saw you. I'm not blind.

You're paranoid.
- I'm not paranoid.

First you say I can trust you
and then: 'I'd do it if I were you'.

Don't lie to me.
- Sylvia...

Don't lie to me.
You have to watch out.

Sylvia, wait.
- Dirty whore. You owe me everything.

Everyone outside.
Everyone outside.

Put her in the water so she won't bruise.

The peepshow is over.
Go back inside. Hurry up.

Go back inside.

I've known her for years.
She was going to betray me, us.