A Time to Love and a Time to Die Page #3

It's first class vodka,

don't you want it?

I told you to get out of here,

we're trying to play cards.

Get away from him! Leave him alone.

-Sauer!

-ln a minute!

Oh, getting dressed

to go out already, huh?

Listen, do I tell the Sergeant

you refused...

Tell the Sergeant anything!

Just put them down and get out!

-Same girl?

-Yep.

Gentlemen, let's drink a toast to the man

who is smart enough to take my advice.

-Sauer, you're holding up the game.

-Quit yelling.

No you don't.

All right, idiots.

Do what you want.

Oh, thank you, Doctor B?ttcher.

Will you do me a favour?

That won't stop the rest of us

from drinking our part.

I want to go somewhere special tonight.

Berning?

Do any of those wonderful places

where you spent your time still exist?

(Indistinct chatter)

There is a law. In war time,

luxuries are not permitted.

-Wagner?

-No, go away.

Of course, the officers

who are supposed to enforce these laws

Drink it yourself and stop bothering us.

Maybach, see what's on the radio.

sometimes need a little luxury.

So there is such a place.

I was once its best customer!

(Crackly music)

The Germania in Lindenplatz.

Oh, but you see?

You cannot get in with this.

Turn it off!

Turn that thing off!

It's patched, it's not even pressed.

They're like old women,

they'll be at each other's throats next.

You have to at least look like

a rich private to be admitted.

It's always that way after an execution.

Turn that back on!

I'll loan you my uniform, it's brand new

and it was made by a general's tailor.

You do and you'll be wearing it

on your head!

It won't fit. Besides, I'm in a hurry.

There's an official news broadcast.

Don't you know it's an order to listen?

Now, nothing starts at the Germania

before 9 o'clock.

I'm not in the mood.

We will have plenty of time to fix you up.

And don't waste your breath

informing on me, Steinbrenner.

Feldmann here used to be a tailor.

Feldmann! Get out of your sack!

Times have changed.

Our primitive Casanova needs

some help - he is going to the Germania!

I'm a crack machine gunner, the sort

of talent that's needed round here...

more than yours.

I open for twenty.

Ah! Ha ha ha! Yes!

I pass.

That's the way

it was supposed to look on me.

(Gunfire and explosions)

Of course, you do lack

my air of distinction.

I said twenty.

Drum fire. If it keeps building

we can expect company.

But I should think in the dark

you'll be able to get away with it.

(Laughter)

Are we artillery observers

or are we playing cards?

Now remember,

the old head waiter's name is Heinz.

I opened for twenty.

The wine you are to order is

Johannisberger Kochsberg '37.

Tomorrow we will be back in the lines.

If there's a line left anywhere.

'37.

-From the cellars of G.H. von Mumm.

-Von Mumm.

Stop worrying about your furlough.

Not too chilled mind you.

At the rate we're going back, we'll all be

in Germany soon without furloughs.

And order it as though you are

accustomed to bathing your feet in it.

Either play or tell stories,

make up your mind.

Now, remember my boy,

it's easier to die than to live.

Are you telling me to shut up?

If he isn't, I am. Shut up!

So, you do us all proud tonight.

Why don't we all shut up.

Thank you.

If you need anything, send for me.

Yes, you tell her tonight is

your last night, for tomorrow you die!

(Shouting)

What's going on here?

Tell her anything

except your right name!

We'll be waiting for a full report.

Nothing.

I'm available if you need help!

And if her husband comes...

Argument over cards.

(Door slams)

On with the game.

Ha! Good vodka. Wasted.

Cut.

I'm not the man I used to be. In France

I could spit in a high, beautiful arc.

Now I spit like a civilian.

I wouldn't care how I spit

if I was a civilian.

-Gr?ber.

-Yes, Sergeant.

(Elisabeth whispers) Ernst!

Report to the captain.

You can't come up. She has visitors.

Old crocodiles.

Your furlough's come through.

Why aren't you dressed?

(Cheers)

I had to see you first.

-Hey, finish the hand.

-Save it. I'll be back in three weeks.

Gr?ber! What is the first thing

you will do at home?

What a question!

Which? This one's mine.

I can be ready in five minutes.

Get deloused. Take a hot bath.

Sleep in a clean bed.

Forget for three weeks there's a war.

This was my mother's.

-That's all?

-Yeah, I got better ideas.

I'm not finished making it fit but it will

only take another 30 minutes. All right?

I'll wait.

You knew I would.

Why aren't you inside?

They're drinking the Sergeant's vodka,

aren't they?

No, they're not.

And what if they were?

Not drinking it won't change anything.

And it won't bring anyone back to life.

Hirschland, don't think because

you stood there disapproving

with your big baby eyes

that you're any better.

It's not that easy.

Good evening. Quickly, please.

What are you staring at?

Is old Heinz still in charge here?

Yes, of course. Er...

But, er...

Why don't you stop thinking about it?

Drive it out of your mind.

(? Woman sings, accompanied

by orchestra)

I don't know how. Do you?

No.

I don't.

And I don't want to talk about it.

I don't want to talk or think about the war

for a long time.

Herr Reuter sent me.

That's an elegant new uniform.

Where did you get...

Oh, Gr?ber. At ease.

? It's much too late

to debate what's right or wrong...?

Here it is.

Thank you very much, sir.

There's no such place, Ernst.

Not anymore.

When was the last time you were home?

Is there a war going on or am l...

Over two years ago, sir.

Two years!

Good evening, Heinz.

(Single gunshot)

Table for two, please.

A great pleasure to see you again,

I have a very nice table for you.

?...and make this lovely time

? A time to love ?

(Applause)

Hirschland, sir.

We'd like something

that's not on the menu.

I have only what is on the menu.

Pity. In which case, bring us a bottle

of Johannisberger Kochsberg 1 937.

He's dead.

From the cellars of G.H. von Mumm.

-Must have been an accident, sir.

-No, the coward shot himself.

Von Mumm.

Not too chilled mind you.

Certainly not. I can see you are

a connoisseur in all things.

Muecke!

Yes, sir.

Make out a report.

For you I have a fine Ostend sole,

absolutely fresh,

Death by accident.

with a few parsley potatoes

and a Belgian salad perhaps.

Yes, sir.

Take the boy to the church.

And a little Strasburg goose liver

for hors d'oeuvre.

-We are entirely in your hands, er...?

-I am Otto, sir.

-Thank you, Otto.

-Madam.

Gr?ber.

Ernst, where did you learn all that?

If I were you, I'd leave at once.

The barracks.

From a man named Reuter.

The whole front's coming alive,

leaves may be cancelled.

He's such a gourmet

he even has the gout.

If you're gone, you're gone.

This is his uniform,

made by a general's tailor.

(Distant explosions continue)

Until I mentioned Reuter's name

that doorman was going to throw us out!

Places like this

aren't supposed to be open anymore.

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