25.5.2009
ACT 6
ACT 6
http://www.netsaga.is/media/files/Ss%C3%B3-in%20everland.lnk
Although Kalli Sandfeldt had had a hard time getting through the Reykjavik Gymnasium, he steadily picked up steam which indicates that he actually had as high an IQ as people said. Now Kalli Sandfeldt had three children with his Didi Stina while John and Violet had only had one (that is, Paul). This was, in other words, before Steina was born. Didi Stina blossomed. No matter where you looked, she was a model person?a complete genius and a bulldozer in getting things done. As a registered nurse, she was number one in the Surgery Department, and if friends or relatives got colic, they called Didi Stina. If someone had to give a party, they yelled for Didi Stina. Then there were the children; they always looked as if they came out of fashion magazines. And their behavior?yes, indeed! Kalli Sandfeldt had started working on undersea research in Helgavik. There was an interview with him on television when the research began. It was newsworthy that an Icelander, Kalli Sandfeldt, directed the research from a mini-sub which had been imported especially for the purpose.
Madame Sigrid, John's mother, felt compelled to call Didi Stina to say that she and her husband had seen the interview with Kalli Sandfeldt on television.
"Isn't that dangerous," asked Madame Sigrid. "Heavens, I'd get claustrophobia. Stein says that it's like being in a space ship."
"It's all perfectly safe," said Didi Stina, "and he also has experience from his stay in America."
"Isn't he the only one in the country who knows how to handle such a thing?"
"He's writing an article that's supposed be published in an international journal of science. He's also supposed to give a lecture at the University of California this fall. And he's been urged to apply for a professorate at the University of Iceland. The one who is quitting genuinely wants to get Kalli. He says that Kalli is a world-class scientist."
There was, to be sure, one thing that cast a shadow on Kalli Sandfeldt's climb, at least in Didi Stina's mind. The assistant. Kalli Sandfeldt had hired an assistant who played a key role. It was not possible to operate a mini-sub without an assistant. Kalli Sandfeldt actually had been working several days in the mini-sub before Didi Stina discovered that the assistant was a woman. Her name was Pia Leifs, and she had recently completed training in handling mini-subs.
Madame Sigrid had heard about Pia Leifs and the mini-sub, but said nothing about it to Didi Stina. Director Stein and John had joked about it one day when they met for afternoon coffee. As they put it, Kalli Sandfeldt had gotten a mistress, a mermaid, with whom he had a rendezvous at the bottom of Helgavik Bay. Then, there was no help for it. Madame Sigrid had to get more information about this mermaid. From that moment, everyone in the family knew about the adventure of Kalli Sandfeldt and Pia Leifs. Violet said: "I don't believe it." Bertha said: "He's like that, Kalli Sandfeldt. Yes, I swear. I think so. Naturally, he's immersed in this mini-sub business." And Solla friend said: "It's just so." When Rev. Pauline heard the story, she said: "Boy, are you childish."
A little later, Didi Stina paid Violet a visit: "You know what, Violet, Kalli is having an affair!"
"Oh?"
"Yes, I'm sure of it."
"Really?"
"You know he's has this mini-sub down South in Helgavik."
"Yes."
"So what do you think?"
Violet listened.
"I know you don't believe it."
"Yes."
"He has got a woman next to him?in the mini-sub."
"Well, I never."
"They sit there side by side like in a luxury car, but that's not enough. They can recline the seats. They could, for all of that, go to sleep."
"Have you seen this?"
"I should say so?I've been there inside." Didi Stina was really steaming. "I think it's gross."
"Have you seen this woman?"
"Woman? She's a girl."
"Is she something to be concerned about?"
"Violet, don't talk like that. You know how men are."
"It may not be what you think."
"Of course it is."
"Have you talked to him about this?"
"Yes, indirectly."
"What are your plans?"
"Well, what can I do, really?"
"I'd talk to him straight out about this."
"Well, maybe."
"Does he seem to feel differently about you?"
"Yes, by God, I think so."
"Do you think that he is fooling around with the girl?"
"I wouldn't trust her for a nickel?and not him. This sure is a pickle. If this doesn't scream affair, then I don't know what."
But there was no solution. Didi Stina continued to be jealous, and Kalli Sandfeldt continued working in the mini-sub with Pia Leifs at the bottom of Helgavik Bay. So the summer passed.