A Promise Page #3

Father wouldn't let me learn the piano.

He made me learn fencing instead.

He said it'd be more use

to me when I grow up.

What for?

For fighting duels with people who

dishonour my wife. Or my mother.

Oh! A rat! A mouse!

It just ran under there...

Where is it?

It's a horrible thing

with a big fat face.

I see it, I see it!

Quick! It's up...

No, Otto!

Don't!

Thank you!

The bankers in Frankfurt are

interested in the project.

They're waiting to see

our investment plan.

What will you do with your sunday?

I don't know.

Probably go to the caf, play a few

rounds of billiards with some friends.

Chase the girls?

Ah!

- Do you have a sweetheart?

- I'd rather not talk about it.

Ah, a secret fiance.

So I'll see you at lunch then.

Frau Hoffmeister.

She wouldn't miss the 10 o'clock

service if the world was on fire.

- Don't you accompany her?

- No time for all that humbug.

But if you enjoy church

don't let me stop you.

Me? No. No, no, thank you.

Only the passion that

touches its abyss

can light the tinder of

your utmost truth.

Only to him who loses his

whole self will self be given.

Blaze that.

For only by catching fire will you learn

to know the world deep inside you.

Only where mistery

works does life begin.

Please, be seated.

One, two, three, freeze.

Back to the start.

Yes, I saw you.

One, two, three... freeze.

One, two, three, freeze.

- Back to the start again.

- No, no, no. I'm here.

One, two, three...

I won, I won!

I get to give you a dare.

You cheated!

What?

Oh, Otto!

No, I didn't. I didn't cheat. Oh, no,

don't give me that grumpy face. Smile.

I didn't cheat, did I, Friedrich?

You're not cheating.

Stop.

Enough!

So will you, please?

Really... I can't, I have

too much work to do.

- Well, even on the sunday?

- Even on the sunday.

Don't you ever go to church?

My husband can't stand any

noise of any kind anymore.

He even gets cross

when I play the piano.

I can't keep Otto cooped

up in this monastery.

He'll be very upset

if you don't come.

Otto!

Come.

What a lovely boy.

Just like his parents.

Hey man, come in here,

look at these potatoes!

- I do like your scent.

- Thank you.

What is it?

Young man, don't you know better

than to ask a lady her scent?

No, I'm afraid, I didn't.

But if I don't ask

how can I find out?

It's L'Heure Blueue, by Guerlain.

It suits you so well.

I'm not sure Guerlain may have

made it especially for you.

Ready, smile! And!

Otto! Where is he?

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

Otto!

I would hate to

appeare indiscreet...

...but my husband has told me...

- Yes?

...that you have a...

...a friend in town, a...

...lady friend.

I didn't expect him

to tell you about it.

Oh, we tell each other

everything, it's only natural.

Oh, I assure you

that's all I know I...

Especially since I understand that

it's a secret affair.

Yes, it is.

It's very romantic idea,

a secret love affair.

Like a novel.

How gentlemanly of you not

to disclose her name.

One day I'll tell you who she is.

Stop. Stop.

- So you're top dog now, are you?

- Don't be silly.

I asked the man on the gate and he

said you'd taken over from the boss.

I'm only his private secretary.

- What about the car?

- He lets me use it.

What about his wife?

You forgot this lot.

Washed and ironed.

Thank you.

You promised to come back

and see me, you remember?

Sorry, I haven't had time.

There's a young couple living

in your old room now.

They're going to have a baby.

They're going to be happy together.

Anna, I've got to go.

You did that a long time ago.

Carry on!

Go on then!

Go back to your mistress!

Anyone would think

it was made for you.

- I'll lend you a top hat too.

- Is that really necessary, sir?

Indispensable.

In that case, thank you.

No, I thank you for relieving me

of these dreary obligations,

a Sunday in the country

and then an evening in town

listening to some fat woman

take forever to die.

- I prefer to walk back.

- As you wish.

Alone.

Why?

Because...

You know very well.

No, I don't. Please, tell me.

Because we can't keep doing this.

Doing what?

Lying to each other.

Lying to each other?

What on earth are you

imagining, Herr Zeitz?

Who do you think you are?

And what do you think I am?

Help! Help!

Come! Quickly!

Don't just stand there!

Help me!

Let's try and get him to sit up.

It's another seizure.

Karl, can you hear me?

Listen to me! Yes?

I'm going to call Doctor Meyer.

I'll give you one of

those injections.

I don't need that.

I feel better already.

Right.

Now. Tell me all about it.

About what?

Your night at the opera.

Thank you, Doctor.

It was a serious heart attack.

The doctor says he might not

recover unless he keeps lying in bed.

It was fortunate that you

were there last night.

If my husband hadn't survived I...

Dread to think what would

have become of us.

The new machine is being

installed but it can't be

brought on stream until it's been run

in for months. - Never mind about that.

Friedrich, all our hard

work is paid off.

Tomorrow the bankers sign up

for our Mexico venture.

- I had no idea.

- No? I wonder that surprise you.

The wheels will be turning

fast from now on.

I shall need a man on the spot

to oversee the money operations.

- On the spot in Mexico?

- Where else?

And you're the man for the job.

What?

Me?

I want you out there

as soon as possible.

Why me?

The whole idea of this wonderful

scheme was yours, wasn't it?

Just think, travelling halfway across

the world, building and running

a mining town, exploring the

depth of the earth.

What a prospect, what

a life for a young man.

So should I take this proposal

as a... kind of exile?

Exile from what?

Alright.

If you want me to go I'll...

I'll go.

If you have any personal

reasons that I'm not aware of

that prevent you or

deter you from going...

...I shan't force you into it.

No, sir, there's nothing.

And no one.

The dinner's on the table.

Aren't you coming down?

Are you unwell?

Hasn't your husband told you?

What?

That I'm to go to

Mexico for two years.

For two years?

No... You... You... You can't!

No, you can't!

You can't! You can't!

When do you need to leave?

Ten days.

No. Please, don't...

Don't... I... I...

I can't live without you.

Why didn't you tell me?

Tell you what? You already knew.

No. Not here, no.

Not now.

Mother! Mother?

No. You mustn't.

Not here, not now.

Please, I told you.

No!

When then?

- When you return.

- In two years? - Yes.

- Will you still want me in two years?

- Will you still want me?

We'll make a...

A vow to each other.

A promise to love each other.

Do you see?

No.

Friedrich!

Friedrich!

Where the devil are you?

I was just arranging some flowers.

And one of those horrible creatures

from the garden came in.

You know, one of those...

...fury ones. It knocked

over the vase.

I was frightened, I screamed.

Friedrich came to my rescue

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes