Grand Hotel Page #22

The boys sit down on the bench.

THE CAMERA MOVES TO KRINGELEIN.

Kringelein and the police officer move towards the desk in

ear shot.

KRINGELEIN:

Please, officer.

OFFICER:

That will be sufficient for the

present, sir, you may travel in peace.

Kringelein exits.

CUT TO:

CORRIDOR BY ELEVATOR

As Kringelein emerges from the elevator, Suzette speaking to

the Floor Clerk.

SUZETTE:

And they've taken him away.

FLOOR CLERK:

Yes -- it's terrible.

SUZETTE:

Madam must not know -- you understand --

Madam must not know.

FLOOR CLERK:

I will tell the maids. I cannot answer

for downstairs --

Suzette hurries down corridor. By this time Kringelein has

arrived at his door, he opens it.

CUT TO:

KRINGELEIN'S ROOM

Kringelein opens the door and enters. Flaemmchen is looking

into space. A lovely picture. Morning light over her hair,

she is dressed.

KRINGELEIN:

What's the matter?

FLAEMMCHEN:

Oh -- I was thinking -- Poor Baron --

Lying there, his eyes so open.

KRINGELEIN:

You loved the Baron, didn't you?

FLAEMMCHEN:

Yes --

KRINGELEIN:

So did I. He was friendly to me as

no man ever was.

FLAEMMCHEN:

Perhaps he really was a burglar --

But they don't kill a man for that.

KRINGELEIN:

He was in desperate straits. He'd

been trying to raise money all day.

He laughed -- Poor devil! And then a

man like Preysing kills him.

FLAEMMCHEN:

(naively)

I didn't like Preysing right off.

KRINGELEIN:

Then why did you have anything to do

with him?

FLAEMMCHEN:

(simply)

Money!

KRINGELEIN:

Yes, of course, -- money!

FLAEMMCHEN:

You don't understand that do you?

KRINGELEIN:

Of course I do -- I never knew what

money really meant till I started

spending it. Do you know --

(he is silent a moment)

I can hardly believe that anything

so beautiful should come to me from

Preysing -- I'll take care of you.

Will -- will you let me?

FLAEMMCHEN:

What?

KRINGELEIN:

You'll have a good time with me.

Want to? I've got enough money. Ten

thousand two hundred in my pocketbook.

Three thousand four hundred that I

won. It will last a long time. I can

win more -- we'll travel.

FLAEMMCHEN:

Yes -- to Paris? I wanted to go there

always.

KRINGELEIN:

Wherever you like. Here I'll give

you the money I won, three thousand

four hundred. Later you can have

more.

FLAEMMCHEN:

Later?

KRINGELEIN:

When I -- I'm ill, Flaemmchen -- It

will not be long -- I'll not last

long. Will you stay with me until...

FLAEMMCHEN:

Nonsense! We'll find a great doctor,

he'll cure you. They can cure anything

these days.

KRINGELEIN:

Do you believe that you will have a

better time with me than you would

with Preysing?

FLAEMMCHEN:

Oh yes, of course.

KRINGELEIN:

(takes her hands)

Do you like me better?

FLAEMMCHEN:

You're a good man, Mr. Kringelein --

a very good man.

Kringelein straightens, happy, inspired, a smile on his face.

He assumes in his gestures. Takes the telephone.

KRINGELEIN:

(into telephone)

When is the next train leaving for

Paris? -- Yes... Get two tickets for

me... and my bill please... and the

lady's -- Miss Flaemm's.

(puts down telephone)

(to Flaemmchen)

We have to hurry let's pack -- we'll

have breakfast on the train.

CUT TO:

CORRIDOR:

The figure of Grusinskaya is standing at her door, there is

no one with her. Suzette steps out.

SUZETTE:

Madam, it is Mr. Meierheim -- he is

waiting downstairs.

GRUSINSKAYA:

Where is Pimenov? Where is Pimenov?

(she looks off.)

FLASH OF PIMENOV

coming out of the elevator.

Grusinskaya hurries down to Pimenov -- they meet.

PIMENOV:

(breathlessly)

He will be on the train.

GRUSINSKAYA:

But when did he go? How do you know?

She crosses and looks in the Baron's room. A maid is there

changing the bedding. The room is unoccupied otherwise.

GRUSINSKAYA:

Baron von Gaigern has left?

The maid nods.

GRUSINSKAYA:

When? How long ago?

Maid shrugs her shoulders.

VOICE OF FLOOR CLERK

The Baron left about half an hour

ago, Madam.

PIMENOV:

Oh -- Gru -- come, come -- we'll

lose the train.

While they are waiting for the elevator Grusinskaya is like

a live electric wire.

The elevator arrives. They are stepping in.

CUT TO:

LOBBY:

General activity. We hear the cry go up:

VOICE:

Madam Grusinskaya's car...

Grusinskaya comes out of the elevator followed by Suzette

and Pimenov. Meierheim meets her.

MEIERHEIM:

Come along, oh, Madam, come along.

The train will be going.

GRUSINSKAYA:

Wait a minute. I've got to ask myself.

PIMENOV:

What's the use of asking, Gru -- he

is at the train -- He will be there.

MEIERHEIM:

The troupe, the scenery, everything --

all on board, waiting. You have a

rehearsal in Vienna tomorrow morning.

Come, Madam, are you mad?

Grusinskaya crosses to the desk. She speaks to Senf.

GRUSINSKAYA:

Have you seen Baron von Gaigern?

ROHNA:

(comes over quickly)

The Baron is not here, Madam.

GRUSINSKAYA:

He is gone?

ROHNA:

Yes, Madam.

MEIERHEIM:

Four minutes past. Please come.

PIMENOV:

Come, Lisaveta, he will be there --

he will be there.

MEIERHEIM:

(calling)

Madam Grusinskaya's car.

Grusinskaya, followed by the others, sweeps out towards the

door.

CUT TO:

EXTERIOR HOTEL:

Grusinskaya emerges, followed by the others. The sunlight

hits them.

GRUSINSKAYA:

Oh, the sun -- it will be sunny in

Tremezzo --

MEIERHEIM:

Every seat for the opening has been

sold at Vienna. Sold out for three

days.

GRUSINSKAYA:

I know -- I know -- but it will be

sunny in Tremezzo. We'll have a guest

then.

SUZETTE:

(knowingly)

Yes, Madam.

VOICE:

Madam Grusinskaya's car.

Grusinskaya moves forward.

CUT TO:

LOBBY:

SENF:

(at telephone)

Grand Hotel, Head Porter. What?

There's been -- a child born? A boy!

Yes! My child born! It is healthy...

and my wife? Doing well -- all well!

(to Clerk)

The child has come. They are both

alive. My child...

CUT TO:

BY ELEVATOR:

At this moment Kringelein and Flaemmchen are coming out of

the elevator, Kringelein is carrying his suitcase.

A bellboy attempts to take his bag but Kringelein, still

confused draws his hand with the suitcase away from the

bellboy.

FLAEMMCHEN:

Let him take it.

BELLBOY:

Your bag, your Excellency --

Hearing the word 'Excellency' Kringelein goes through a

transformation. He stands and with a flourish hands the

suitcase over to the boy. He is a big man now.

KRINGELEIN:

(very definitely to

boy)

Cab please!

BELLBOY:

Cab, for his Excellency, Mr.

Kringelein!

KRINGELEIN:

(to Flaemmchen)

And now we travel, Flaemmchen...

Glad?

FLAEMMCHEN:

Am I!

KRINGELEIN:

(to Senf)

Is the bill ready -- the lady's too?

SENF:

At once. Any forwarding address, Mr.

Kringelein?

KRINGELEIN:

Yes, Paris -- Grand Hotel.

FLAEMMCHEN:

How do you know there is a Grand

Hotel?

KRINGELEIN:

Oh, there must be one in Paris...

They have everything in Paris.

SENF:

Your bill, Your Excellency.

Kringelein pays and taking Flaemmchen's arm starts to move

away from the desk, General business ad lib of tipping. Boys

line up, making a deep bow. There is almost a triumphant

march as Kringelein and Flaemmchen move towards the door.

SENF CLERK BOYS:

(in chorus)

Come again, your Excellency.

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