In a Glass Cage

IN A GLASS CAGE:

"Dear Mom and Dad...

since Klaus' accident

things have worsened.

He hardly speaks--

and more than his wife,

I seem his slave.

I think that I must

hire a nurse.

I'd like her to be

from our country--

people here are awful.

You could speak

to our old doctor--

the one who helped us bring

the iron lung to this country.

He helped Klaus experiment

on children during the war.

He owes him favors.

He'll help you.

I need help badly.

With this paralysis

caused by his fall,

Klaus could go on living

for years

always dependent

on the machine.

I need time

for myself and Rena.

I worry about her.

She should be going to school.

Since we went into exile

eight years ago

we've been shut up

in this house.

I have never felt worse.

At times, I think it would be

better if he died.

Thanks for the money you sent

to us. Don't forget the nurse.

Love, your daughter,

Griselda.

Mom.

Ma'am!

Ma'am, come here!

Where are you going?

Ma'am!

- What is it?

- Like the devil himself.

- Who?

- He went inside.

- Where?

- In your husband's room.

Rena--

get some cigarettes.

Klaus--

Are you all right?

Hush up.

Tell me who's inside.

- I don't know.

- Is it a man? A woman?

I don't know.

I'll get the other key.

Time is running short.

You must decide.

It's up to you

to give me the job.

After what I've told you,

you should take me.

Who are you?

I'm a nurse.

I've heard he was sick

and I've come...

to take care of him.

Is this the way

to ask for a job?

In any case,

we don't need anyone.

I think that your husband

needs me.

We met in the town hospital

before you came here.

No, I'm sorry.

Griselda...

I want him to stay.

I don't think...

Leave us, please.

What is it?

I'd like him to stay.

He's much too young,

don't you think?

I prefer someone

who is young.

We don't know

who they would send us.

Someone better

than that idiot.

Besides, I've written--

Send them a cable today.

Yes, but it's not that.

Griselda,

I'm the one who's sick.

No. I don't see.

- Griselda.

- What's his name?

Angelo?

Mom says for you

to come and eat.

- It's pretty.

- It's Mom's watch.

What happened to your eye?

Nothing.

There's always food ready

on the stove.

The maid comes

three times a week.

You just have to reheat it.

Eat whatever and whenever you

want to as long as you do your work.

Everything must be neat.

You'll wash him daily.

Sometimes more if need be.

You understand me?

You must amuse him.

Eat.

The machine

works on its own.

Make sure the battery

is always charged.

There is a small gas tank

underneath.

If all else fails,

do mouth-to-mouth respiration.

You push on his ribs.

Anyway,

you must know how.

I'll explain

in detail tomorrow.

Good night.

Rena?

Time to go to bed.

It must be pretty boring

for you.

It's like being

in a glass cage.

But don't worry.

I can do

many things for you.

I can tell you about my walks.

I can bring you things.

I can describe a movie.

I can do everything...

except thinking for you.

Today the sun is shining.

The sea is quiet.

There's a dog...

close to the trees.

A little further...

a bit further...

a man wearing a raincoat

walks with a child.

He wears a raincoat

in this heat?

People are very...

strange.

He's offering

a cigarette to the child.

The boy--

yes--

takes it.

It seems that

they've made friends.

They're leaving.

Anyway, I'd better finish.

Look.

Blood.

Angelo?

Come with me, please.

You must give a shot

to the maid.

But I'm not finished.

It doesn't matter,

you'll do it later.

It won't take you long.

But I must wash him.

I said, later.

The needle is boiling.

I was going to do it,

then I thought about you.

I mean, it's yourjob.

You do it then.

I want you to do it.

- It's boiling.

- Lean over here.

- Will it hurt?

- Don't worry.

No alcohol first?

And the air bubble?

You finish,

I don't feel well.

You've never worked

in a hospital.

Tell me the truth.

I know you haven't.

You've never given a shot

to anyone.

I was nervous.

Besides, I didn't give shots

in the hospital.

I was an attendant.

What does that mean?

Nothing.

Angelo...

why does my husband

want you to stay?

I took very good

care of him.

They even told me--

Enough.

I can't believe your lies.

But I need to work.

Well...?

What about that shot?

I'm sick of that boy.

I'm throwing him out.

You can't convince me.

He's never been in a hospital.

Why do you want him?

I'm sick and tired

of this life--

isolated here,

never seeing anyone, alone.

I can't stand it

and he isn't any help.

Don't you understand?

I want him to stay.

Why?

I see.

You prefer a moron

who can't even care

for a sick man

in your state.

Very well.

I want him to stay,

is that clear?

It is.

What is it?

I heard the pump stop.

- Rena, can you help me?

- I can't reach it.

Hurry, we'll all fall down.

It smells good.

Let's dry him.

Careful.

Please, Angelo,

can we play with it now?

All right.

You and Dad against me.

- No. Me against you two.

- All right. I'll start.

This one's going to jump.

I hide.

This one will get you.

This one helps the other.

Now he's got us for sure.

Tic-tac-toe. I won.

Rena, stop being silly

and go to your room.

I'll be right there.

- But, Mom--

- To your room.

Every time I have fun,

you stop me. It's not fair.

Do you get it now?

Be quiet.

Pick this up.

It's not a pleasant sight.

"It was night.

As usual, that morning

they had brought

a trainload of boys

between 6 and 12.

We were supposed

to analyze their blood

to divide them

according to blood type.

But most of them already

showed signs of contagion.

We simply eliminated them.

My assistant

tied them to chairs

with large leather straps.

Then, I'd fill

a syringe with gas--

war shortage of course--

and stick a long needle

in their heart.

I had never felt anything

special while doing it.

Later,

I understood why.

I never looked

into their eyes.

I had never bothered

to watch those long agonies

that could last

five whole minutes.

Horror, like sin...

can become fascinating.

I still had not discovered it.

That night, three boys

were still alive.

I don't know why,

but they were.

Motionless, tired.

The youngest one, perhaps

His frightened eyes

were inside of me.

I felt uncomfortable,

yet, it was also pleasurable.

I separated him

from his companions,

and took him to another room.

It was small.

- I closed the door and--"

- Angelo, stop it.

I know a lot, don't I?

I took it the day

of the accident.

I also hid the boy's body.

Ever since, I've spied

on the house as if--

This is not a game.

At least, not to be

talked about.

Only you and I know it.

Unless your wife--

She knows nothing.

We never saw each other

during the war.

When I went into exile...

I managed, even if not

completely--

at least to stop-- killing.

- Don't you think about it?

- Always.

If you could,

would you do it again?

I don't know.

Wouldn't you like

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