A Generation Page #2

Don't call me mister.

The "misters" around here

have all fled the country.

Hell, I gotta run!

- Where to?

- School.

Berg says I've got to attend.

Says it's mandatory.

So I go... but not often.

- Skipping classes?

- Well...

Don't do it, Stach. Study.

What kind of school can it be

if the Germans allow it?

It is what it is.

Don't waste your chance.

Don't be a smart-aleck.

Learn wherever you can.

In these sad times,

our Catholic faith,

refuge and mainstay for us all,

ought to shine in our souls

with special strength.

Because we know

neither the day nor the hour

when only our faith will remain

of the things we now possess.

I'd like to get to know all of you.

I'm going to ask a simple thing.

I'd like someone to recite

the Apostles' Creed.

You, perhaps.

Jacek, isn't it?

The Apostles' Creed.

I believe in God...

I believe in God...

I believe in God...

You can do it.

I don't know it.

I can learn it if I have to.

On your papers

there's a box marked "religion. "

Doesn't it say "Roman Catholic"?

- Yes.

- Well, then?

- What?

So tell me about your religion.

There's a box for it. You fill it in!

Class is over!

Stop, friends!

We've got something to tell you!

Wait!

Friends!

Friends, the Union of Fighting Youth

is being formed,

the combat organization

of Polish youth.

We will not lay down our arms!

We have blood, tears

and destruction to avenge.

And now,

not sometime in the future!

They murder us!

They send us to rot in camps!

Let's take revenge!

Let's fight for a free Poland!

For a just Poland!

Young workers, make contact

with the Union of Fighting Youth!

Join the People's Guard,

the militant arm of the Polish people!

Don't wait to be liberated!

To arms!

Death to the occupiers!

Miss! Miss!

Hey, you! Listen!

That's not her.

"Make contact. " But how?

"Make contact. "

Nice words.

But just try to do it.

There was no one to help me.

I groped in the dark a long time

before I found a friendly hand.

Clear out!

"Clear out," and we scatter.

That's right, brother.

That's right.

They slap our faces

and we do nothing.

We take it like sheep.

If only we had guns.

What? Guns?

So long.

That piece in the storeroom

was calling out to me.

That would be a start.

I burst with pride thinking

I could join them already armed.

Their eyes would pop

out of their heads.

What are you

tinkering with there, Stach?

A chest for my tools.

When I went in the army,

I had a tool chest too.

A painted one.

A recruit's chest.

That was in the czar's day.

I was stationed

at the Manchurian border.

Nothing but mountains and steppes.

You could breathe freely then.

I was young in those days,

and strong as an ox!

It felt like if I just got

a solid footing,

I could carry the world

on my shoulders.

I bet you feel the same now,

young man, eh?

Where are your dogs, Krone?

The boss gave them to the dogcatcher.

He turned me out

and gave my dogs to the dogcatcher.

You see, Stach...

this is my last day here.

Tell me, how does a man live

without work?

Old age isn't treating you well, Krone.

You'll be old one day too.

Not that I wish it on you,

because I've taken a liking to you.

But as it was, so will it be.

Come now.

Not necessarily.

Sekula!

What's up?

Quick, I'm in a hurry.

There was a meeting at school.

A girl spoke. I ran after her.

She stood up on a barrel and spoke.

- What are you babbling about?

She told us to join

the People's Guard.

I want to join.

Hold on now. Slow down.

Sekula, I know you can help me.

I don't have time right now.

Meet me Sunday at 11:00.

- Where?

At the Bem-Wolska crossroads.

You got that?

But not a word to anyone.

If they ask about me at the shop,

you know nothing.

I'm not going back to the Bergs.

- Really?

I'm coming, Szymon.

You said there was a girl?

And what a girl!

Well, so long, Stach.

See you on Sunday.

Don't forget:
I wasn't here.

You didn't see me. So long.

There were two boys with her.

I ran after them,

but they vanished like ghosts.

Right.

We have to notify Kaczor.

I'll do it now.

- Christ, it's her!

- Take it easy.

Hello, Dorota.

I'd like you to meet this young man.

A new recruit,

and not a bad one, I believe.

Time will tell.

What shall we call you?

Tiger? Panther? Poppy?

Animal, vegetable or mineral?

This is no laughing matter.

Give me an ordinary human name.

You have a bit of the country about you.

I'll call you "Bartek. "

Then Bartek it is.

Well, so long, kids.

Stay well.

Please, not "kids. "

Take my arm or something.

Do you know what the People's Guard is?

Our Workers' Party?

You know who it is

you want to join?

I do.

Well, maybe not exactly, but -

Please don't laugh.

But I feel it.

I'm not laughing. You may make

a good member of the guard.

You remember where we're to meet?

Yes.

Till tonight, then, at my house.

WAIT FOR ME. I SHALL RETURN.

My name's Bartek.

Kaczor.

The Germans say,

"Rder mssen rollen fr den Sieg. "

"The wheels must roll for victory. "

It's up to us to stop those wheels

from rolling eastward.

Paralyzing the enemy's

troops and transport

is our most important task.

They say there's only a handful of us.

But we don't care

what those people say

who turned our country

over into the hands of criminals.

We are the soldiers

in the great army of the people

fighting the Nazi invaders

in the sacred cause of freedom.

No one ever stands alone

in a just war.

The Red Army is with us.

I'm using big words,

but you and I know

how to translate those words

into everyday work for the resistance.

The stone walls of the city

are our battleground.

With pistol in hand

we'll roam that battleground.

And to those who say we're mad,

we'll tell them,

"Even so, it's the way it must be.

There is no other way. "

They're having fun.

Saying good-bye to the day.

I have a friend named Janek,

but I'm not so sure about him.

And Jacek - he doesn't believe in God.

And I've known Mundek since childhood.

I just ran into him again by chance.

Good, Bartek. You can form a squad

of the people you know.

Stand at attention, comrades.

You're going to take an oath.

Attention.

"I, antifascist son

of the Polish people, hereby swear...

to fight valiantly

and with all my strength...

for the freedom of our homeland...

and the liberation of our people. "

Hey, do you know

what the People's Guard is?

I'm gathering some guys together.

Will you join us?

No.

I can't.

The boss gave my father the sack.

"Too old," he said.

"Can't cope any longer. "

I have to feed my father.

If I got killed,

he'd have to go begging.

No, I can't.

But don't think

I'm just trying to weasel out of it.

No one's forcing you.

Join us if you like.

If not, keep your mouth shut.

Don't worry.

I'm a communist too.

You're a fool, not a communist.

Better be careful what you say.

A communist!

Communists fight!

Get a move on, girls!

Gate!

Be careful at the gate.

Gate!

Inspection.

- They already checked in the yard.

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