Escape Page #4

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- You say it out loud just once too often.

- Please, girls.

If I feel better I'll join you later.

Otherwise you come back here.

- All right, yes.

- Goodbye.

Are you sure there haven't

been any messages for me?

Countess!

Countess. I'm Mark Preysing.

Remember?

Yes, of course.

- Have you... Have you any news?

- I'm sorry.

I knew you'd telephone me

if you found out anything.

- Will you have some tea?

- I was just on my way to the parade.

I would like to talk to you.

You seem so sort of shocked at seeing

me, almost like you'd seen a ghost.

Like I got dirt on my

face or something.

- I'd love some tea.

- Good.

- Doesn't seem to be any waiters around.

- It's a very important parade.

One isn't supposed to

be interested in teas.

Tell me what has happened.

I've been swinging like a pendulum

from one office to the next.

American on the flying trapeze.

One official catches me, gives me a little

twirl, then tosses me on to another.

Officials are the same all the world over.

It's heartbreaking.

And I have that creepy feeling

of being continually watched.

I'm sure my room's been searched.

It's like trying to fight shadows, or clutch

at water running through your fingers.

I know.

I know.

It's such a relief sitting here,

talking to someone you can trust.

I can sort of kid

myself that I'm happy.

I know I oughtn't to, but...

Nobody can be unhappy all the

time without a moment's relief.

I remember I felt like you once.

When my husband died and I was left

all alone in a strange country.

Terribly young and wretched

with no one to turn to.

But there were things, simple things...

almost too small to speak of.

A walk in our forest one

September evening...

a smile of a neighbor's child...

firelight, music.

At times, I too had the illusion

of happiness and felt guilty.

- But you're not listening.

- No, I was thinking.

You talk so simply and yet you're not simple.

There's a sort of mystery.

A kind of unknown fear in your eyes.

You talk as if you were doing it just to

kill time, in preparation for something.

I'm not sure what

you're really thinking.

I'm thinking that...

if 12 years ago I had

not come to Europe,

had stayed at home,

married an American,

perhaps a boy like you,

you wouldn't find me

very extraordinary.

I wish I had met you 12 years ago.

You know, there's a thing

of Kipling's that says...

We meet in an evil land,

near to the gates of hell...

I wish I could get you out.

Out and away.

Perhaps I don't want

to get out and away.

That's because you've forgotten

what it feels like to be free.

I've forgotten so completely that...

that I'd be almost afraid.

I'd be with you.

- Would you?

- Countess!

- Countess!

- How do you do, Baron?

Baron Von Reiber, may I present Mr Preysing.

How do you do?

Will you be sure to give the General

my congratulations for a tremendous

success of today's parade.

You're most kind, Baron.

And don't forget, you and he are

dining with us on Thursday.

The General... a relative?

No, no, he's just a

friend of long standing.

The Baron exaggerated his importance.

Many army officers are not directly

connected with the political police and...

even if they were, why...

I see.

After all I've lived here many years.

It's only natural that I'd have a few friends.

Don't... it's all right.

It's just that I'm an incurable fool.

- I must be off, Mr Preysing.

- Just a minute.

Since this General is such a trusty old

friend and I'm in such desperate trouble,

why couldn't you have asked him for help?

That is, if you really wanted to help me.

Mr Preysing, you must believe me.

I have not the slightest influence.

- It would only make matters worse if I were to...

- Goodbye, Countess.

Well, what did you think of the parade?

Wasn't it wonderful?

- Everybody seemed very enthusiastic.

- They did indeed. I never heard such cheering.

The Marshall must have enjoyed it.

Oh, well, he's a good fellow.

A little bit crude, of course,

but he was certainly

very appreciative.

Wants me to sit at his right

at the banquet tonight.

It means, of course, I shan't

be able to go to the concert.

I'm very, terribly sorry, my darling.

Oh, that's all right.

What's the matter, Ruby?

This show today has been a

rather personal triumph for me.

I thought you'd be pleased.

Oh, Kurt, I am.

It's just that crowds always

give me a headache.

I apologize for the crowds.

Come, sit down.

I like to have you beside me.

Oh, do play something else, Kurt.

I thought Tristan was our favorite opera.

Well, perhaps I've heard it too often.

So...

By the way, I have news of

the Emmy Ritter affair.

I'll tell you tomorrow when

your head feels better.

Have they pardoned her?

No, no, no, of course not.

It's only about a son of hers.

From America.

Did you know she had a son?

Well, this boy has been going around

making an infernal nuisance of himself.

So they tell me.

- And?

- And...

Oh, it's 6 o'clock. I must be off.

Dinner's at seven.

But you were telling me that...

Oh, yes, about this boy.

Well, he's an American citizen...

More's the pity, however, if

he goes on bothering us...

- it can be taken care of.

- Taken care of?

Yes, taken care of.

I see.

I'm sorry, Ruby. It's just, you see,

there are moments that I cannot

resist the impulse to tease you.

To hurt me, you mean.

- It's not that I want to, it's just...

- No need to explain.

You're tired.

Be sure to have a rest before the concert.

Here are the tickets.

Oh, I don't feel like going. I...

I am very tired.

Do you go to hear music?

Take one of the girls, or

telephone some friend.

Yes, that might be an idea.

Then good night, dear.

Enjoy the concert.

The concert's almost over.

I was afraid you weren't coming.

Well, I was away from the hotel.

I didn't get your message until just now.

I was awfully unfair

to you this afternoon.

Someday I'm going to tell you how much

it meant to me getting this message.

I should have known you'd

find some way to help me.

- You're going to help me, aren't you?

- I have something to tell you.

- I want to be your friend, believe me.

- What do you know?

- Tell me!

- Keep your voice down.

Then answer me.

My mother, if she's dead, say so.

If she's alive, tell me

where I can find her.

Please, be quiet.

It's dangerous for you here.

What are you talking about?

- I don't care about myself.

- But I do.

You must get away from here.

Go home.

Go back to America at once.

- You say that to me too?

- Quiet. It's the only thing that I can say.

If you stay here you'll only get

into terrible trouble yourself.

I've done all that I can.

All that you've a right

to expect of me.

Yes, you've been wonderful.

You've told me to go home,

to forget I have a mother.

Why, you're worse than they are.

I was ready just now to tell you

that I'd found everything I ever

thought a woman should be.

I was wrong.

I haven't found anything except

a woman who wants to play safe

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