In Our Time Page #9

Not only to his class, but

to his country, as well.

What I have done is

only decent and just,

And how I run my farm

is my business.

There I have to disagree

with you, Stephen.

You don't realize the

implications of what you have done.

Democracy is a powerful

but dangerous weapon, my boy.

You must be sure that

you give it to those

Who can use it

wisely and carefully.

Unfortunately, the people

are neither wise nor careful.

Witness our present

difficulties.

If we had

a strong government,

They would ignore

the people and negotiate

A peaceful settlement

with Germany.

Instead, they have listened

to the voice of the mob,

And nothing but

disaster can result

Unless I can force them

to change.

I'm sorry, uncle,

i don't agree.

Someday you will.

In the meantime,

i must insist

That you consult me

about your actions.

If you don't,

You will cut yourself off

from your family and friends,

And you will

leave me no choice

As to my future

consideration for you.

I advise you

to think it over.

And if your wife has

your interest at heart,

I advise her to

think it over also.

I will, Count Orvid.

[Boom]

Sounds like thunder.

[Boom]

Stephen, I think I saw

a flash of lightning.

[Boom]

Did you hear,

Count Orvid?

Thunder!

It means rain!

Our prayers

have been answered!

[All cheering]

[Booming continues]

Stephen...

Stephen:
they're

bombing Warsaw.

Stephen:
Pyotr,

turn the lights out.

Leopold:
Jenny! Zofya:

what's happening?

Jenny!

Stephen!

Where's Stephen?

Stephen,

what is it?

Pavel! What is it?

It's war.

War!

[Telephone ringing]

Hello? Yes?

Speaking.

What's that?

Hello!

Hello!

Hello!

Yes. Yes,

we were cut off.

I see.

How soon?

I'll be ready.

Thank you.

What is it, Stephen?

My regiment

has been called.

When?

2 hours.

I'd better

get ready.

Well, I'll help you,

darling.

Do you think

you'll need these?

Not part of

regulation equipment.

Well, that seems

to be all.

I hope I haven't

forgotten anything.

I don't think so.

Jenny, I'm worried about

the wheat in the north field.

It ought to be cut

and stacked.

Oh, I'll take care

of that.

But you may be

shorthanded.

Most of the men

will be called.

Well, we'll have

to do it without them.

[Distant explosion]

I've never seen you

in your uniform.

You look nice.

It's a little tight,

isn't it?

Well, darling...

[Knock on door]

Yes?

Pyotr:
the car is here,

Count Stephen.

I'll be

right down.

[Door closes]

Please don't come

to the car.

All right.

Good-Bye.

Stephen...

La lechka.

I'll be with you

every minute.

Man, on radio:
a reuter

dispatch just received in Warsaw

Says the french bombed

berlin last night

And left the city

in flames.

Meanwhile, a heavy french

offensive has begun in saarbrucken.

Aah! For a week

and a half

Since the war started,

Every day, french offensive

begins at saarbrucken!

Still no rain

and no word from Stephen.

And now Pyotr goes on an

errand, and no sign of him yet.

Man, on radio:

today, our polish cavalry

Exceeded even

yesterday's advances,

Charging westward as far

as the town of verushev.

Impossible!

Only 5 minutes ago,

They were

800 kilometers east!

My map is as full of

holes as the news.

Why don't they

tell us the truth?!

Leopold, please!

My head!

My dear Zofya, I'm trying to

find out what is happening.

But I'm losing

my mind!

And we are losing

the war.

These pins!

I could sit on them, for

all the comfort they give me.

Janina, please, try to

reach your uncle Pavel again.

But, mother, I've tried.

The lines are all busy.

But where is Stephen? I

must know where my son is!

Uncle Leopold,

what shall we do?

I'll tell you

what you can do.

You can go out in the

fields like Stephen's wife

And harvest the wheat that

will help keep him alive.

[Distant explosions]

Leopold:

is that you, Jenny?

Yes, uncle Leopold.

Good.

I was beginning

to worry about you.

You shouldn't have

worked so late, Jenny.

Well...there was a lot to do.

Yes, I suppose.

[Distant explosions continue]

Where are mother

and Janina?

Oh, they have gone

to Warsaw.

Poor Zofya.

She's sick

with worry.

Will you eat

something, darling?

I'll fix it for you.

No, thanks.

Any word of Stephen yet?

No. Nothing, Jenny.

One minute

the news is good,

The next it's bad.

I can't figure it out.

Oh, uncle Leopold,

what's happening to him?

What's happening

to Poland?

Jenny,

we must have courage.

All day long,

I've been talking

To the women

in the fields,

Trying to give them

courage.

One of them was killed this afternoon.

It's not easy.

I know.

Jenny, this war's

inevitable.

The world couldn't

go on as it was.

Before this war is over,

Every country

will be involved.

Other wives and husbands

will be separated.

But whatever the fate

of Poland might be,

We must consider it

a great privilege

To make the first stand against

mankind's greatest enemy.

There, I'm making

another speech.

I know that's no comfort.

You need a drink.

Thanks.

Na zdrowie.

Na zdrowie.

Get some sleep.

Good night.

Good night.

[Distant explosions continue]

[Boom]

[Glass shatters]

Stephen.

Stephen!

[Crying]

Oh, darling!

Oh, thank god

you're alive!

[Sobbing]

Oh, darling.

Darling,

you're hurt!

Oh, come on,

darling.

La lechka...

Come on, darling.

Jenny...

Stephen!

Stephen!

Uncle Leopold!

Uncle Leopold!

[Distant bombing continues]

La lechka.

You'll be all right,

darling.

Stephen.

Philosopher.

What's happened

to your regiment?

There is

no more regiment.

Every man was killed

or wounded.

No more army.

Stephen, please, try

not to think of it now.

That's all I think about.

16 mechanized divisions...

Against one.

5,000 planes against 500.

Men against machines.

Horses against tanks.

They came in a column

of fire and steel...

20 miles wide.

We charged...

But each time,

men and horses

Were ground up in

the tracks of the tanks...

Thousands of them...

Wheels going around...

Torn flesh between them...

The horses screamed...

But it closed in on us...

Like a wall of steel.

Stephen...

We prayed for rain...

But the roads were sunbaked,

hard as concrete...

The rivers dry.

It was slaughter.

Well, darling,

how did you get home?

I don't know.

I jumped on a tank...

Threw a hand grenade

inside...

That's the last

i remember.

Then I found myself on a

wagon not far from here.

The driver had

been killed.

The horse was gone.

Man, on radio:

attention. Attention.

Attention.

Citizens of Warsaw...

Citizens of Poland...

The order of the day of

the commander of Warsaw

Has just been released.

It reads as follows:

"The commander in chief

has entrusted us

"With the defense

of the capital.

"He has demanded that

the attack of the enemy

"Be stalled

at the gates of Warsaw,

"At that the devastation

of polish territory

"Come to an end.

"The only report which

we can submit must be,

The order of the day

has been carried out."

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