Counterpoint Page #2

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A performance, a concert

for you and your orchestra

could serve to dispel that boredom.

No.

Mr. Evans, please.

You and I are men who

have learned our skills.

There can be no reason not

to practice one's skills.

You skills may be for sale to

the first bidder, but

mine aren't.

Take an American stance. All

men are created equally immortal.

Go to hell.

You're amusing.

That is part of the artist's cause.

To amuse, to divert, dispel boredom.

But the artist like art,

must also be functional.

Utilitarian. Don't you think?

Louis XVI, intrinsically priceless.

It's utilitarian value...

It can warm us.

I burn very slowly.

Colonel Arndt!

You will perform.

You will play the concert.

I am not a whore.

- There are degrees of prostitution.

- Like pregnancy.

Take the prisoners

to the cellar and stand guard.

You'll need your musicians

for the concert.

Captain Klingerman,

escort the prisoner.

Prostitution isn't the only

profession ruined by amateurs.

Ladies and gentlemen, listen to me.

- Maestro, are they going to kill us?

- No.

Don't lie to us. We're not children.

They're going to murder us all.

I made it perfectly clear to the

general we are not soldiers.

First, I want everybody to put

on the warmest things you have.

Stay as close together as possible.

This cellar doesn't have heating.

We've all toured with corrupt concert

managers. This shouldn't be different.

- Right here, Lionel.

- Thank you, Victor.

That was a nice tune. It sounded

like you were whistling in the dark.

What's going to happen?

What's he like?

Professionally,

he must be something of a genius.

He's a general, hardly

looks old enough to be a major.

Personally, General Schiller is

an arrogant, egotistical martinet

with all the classic symptoms

of a god complex.

That should be a familiar experience.

You're too angry.

He makes you too angry.

I remind you that the orders

about the prisoners are definitive.

Let me remind you that

I can read perfectly well.

Colonel Arndt, don't forget this:

I respect you highly as an officer,

but don't be my military conscience.

The orders from Berlin. Commanders

are removed for lack of execution.

I'll execute them at my own

discretion. Rank has its privileges.

I will have my concert from this man.

You're dismissed.

Thank you.

Send a message to Berlin.

He must not be

allowed any other conduct.

Directly to Berlin.

I understand, Colonel.

Lionel,

forgive the venom.

You remembered my name.

That comes as a shock.

Deathbed recollection.

They say you remember the strangest,

most trivial things.

Lionel.

I have a surprise for you.

These men were under the bus.

I'm Lieutenant Long, this is

Sergeant Calloway. US Infantry.

But you're out of uniform.

Well if they catch us, they shoot us

instead of just plain shooting us.

Meanwhile, you're endangering

the lives of 70 innocent people.

- Is anybody a musician.

- I played the trombone in College.

But just by ear.

Nobody could read music.

Ladies and gentlemen,

it seems the US Army is taking

a cue from the musicians' union.

They've saddled us

for a couple of stand-bys.

Jordan, hide them, quick.

May I come in?

Close the door.

This place is uncomfortable

enough as it is. You will forgive me.

And for taking me so long to

welcome you. Profession obligations.

I'm General Schiller.

I demand that we be given

adequate food and shelter.

These conditions are unlivable.

Naturally, Mr. Evans, you demand.

You always demand!

That is your way.

And you will have your way.

Food has been prepared for you.

And quarters have been made ready

in the chapel.

I'm sure you'll find

them more livable.

There's even an imitation of plumbing.

Whenever you're ready,

my men will help you move.

Mr. Evans, will you introduce me

to these talented people?

This is Victor Rice,

my concert master.

Yes, the orchestra's First Sergeant.

- Fraulein.

- That's my wife.

A beautiful woman.

Especially designed for our winters.

No, thank you.

- Your instrument?

- The Cello.

Charming.

Ladies and gentlemen, there's

one consideration I would ask.

In exchange

for these small hospitalities.

I would be most grateful if you

would provide us with entertainment.

Perhaps a concert.

No.

I won't allow it.

For the product of a democracy,

you are an outrageous autocrat!

A symphony orchestra is not

a democracy.

No?

Perhaps there's a difference

of opinion from them.

I can only hope so.

Ladies and gentlemen,

there's hot food waiting for you.

I hope you'll enjoy it.

One concert, maestro. Is it so much?

Don't you see, this is a Panzer move.

Divide and conquer.

We can't give in to them.

These people are gangsters.

They're the enemy of everything...

Never mind. It's all right.

Go on. Play for him.

It really makes no difference.

Let's get with the group.

Hold this horn as high as you can

and stay with the group.

A hot meal won't kill you.

It just might.

- I can understand your point of view...

- Go look after your wife.

Go sing for your supper.

The general seems

terribly friendly for an enemy.

Let's not kid ourselves. The general's

the kind that wants what he wants.

That makes him so different?

I know what I want. I want to live.

I don't want to die. Let's play

for him. What does it matter?

Poor Mr. Evans, he must be freezing.

I bet he's warm as toast.

He's got his burning ego

to keep him company.

You heard him, Victor.

The rest of us aren't important.

It's a fight of two vanities.

Why should we get in the crossfire?

Mind the bow exactly as I would,

you understand?

Urgent, for colonel Arndt.

One moment.

- Are you sure Evans hasn't gone?

- Completely.

What does he want?

An urgent message

from Berlin to Colonel Arndt.

Give it to me.

This is incredible.

- Where is the Colonel?

- In the motor pool, general.

Simply incredible.

Nothing else.

Not you.

- Is this the full message he sent?

- Yes, general.

Wonderful.

Listen to this.

"This division authorized

to make personal exceptions

to prisoner policy as

practiced by all other combat units

throughout this present offensive?"

He's given Berlin the choice

of one possible answer.

I thought only Dr. Goebbels put

words into the mouth of High Command.

Your concept

of the Shubert is most adequate.

But my desire is

for Mr. Evans interpretation.

May I?

A lovely rehearsal.

But make no mistake.

My concert must be played under

the baton of Lionel Evans.

I suggest you prevail upon

your maestro to conduct you.

If he will not, you, his musicians

have no function.

And no reason for being.

He's going to kill us.

No, it's Evans who's killing us.

You were right. That

egomaniac expects us to die for him.

And for those soldiers.

Calm down.

Just a minute now. Calm down.

I'll get him in here if I have

to drag him.

Wish me luck. I'm about to do my

imitation of a team of wild horses.

You're not good at imitations.

I'm going alone.

Wait. What'll you take with you? A

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