Man on a Tightrope Page #7

fight with him?

We always fight,

just for old time's sake.

Even when

there's no cause for it.

Why are you

so nervous, Cernik?

Well, sir, it's difficult to

be completely at ease in the

presence of the police.

It's so easy to imagine

all sorts of crimes

that do not exist.

You are right, Cernik.

It is easy to imagine.

What is not easy is arriving

at the precise facts.

But you need not worry.

We wish no harm to you

or your circus.

We are fully aware that

you are performing a service

to the party by

promoting morale.

We are not as rigid

as we seem to be.

We know that

there must be a place

in the system for circuses,

as well as doctrines.

You will go outside and wait.

But I've got to

have that permit,

sir, and right away.

If we don't get

on the road soon...

You were told to

go outside and wait.

A highly unskilled liar.

In fact, he's what used

to be known as an honest man.

Do you agree?

Yes, Comrade Fesker.

An honest man.

And therefore dangerous.

I am now convinced

that this Cernik

is on the verge

of making a serious,

perhaps fatal mistake.

The thing to do is

to let him make it,

and then we can take

appropriate measures.

So give him his permit.

But I'm not sure, sir,

that I have authority

for that.

Don't worry, Captain.

I'll take full responsibility.

Get me the Commissar

Sergeant at 42-M, Plzen.

Margaret, take the baby.

Thank God he's there.

Come on.

Give you the permit?

They gave it to me.

I don't know why.

Did they question you?

They questioned me

for the last time.

Do they suspect something?

Yes, but I don't think

they're sure just what

it is they suspect.

Get a little gas put in this,

and have it coupled

to my trailer.

Krofta all right?

Conscious but helpless.

I hope

he has a safe

journey to Bavaria.

Isn't that

overdoing it a little?

Get into your other outfit.

Rudolf. Why aren't you ready?

We're about to roll.

I'm ready, sir.

Leo, the cages.

All right, Rudolf.

By the way,

we must be prepared

for some trouble today.

Trouble?

I swear to you

there is nothing between

Madam Cernik and me. Nothing.

I know there isn't.

That isn't what

I'm talking about.

We're going to cross the path

of the Circus Barovik today.

I want you to put live

ammunition in your pistol.

There may be shooting.

(SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

If any of Barovik's men

should take a shot at you,

threaten to open the cage

and let the cats out.

But don't, under any

circumstances, do it.

We can't afford to

lose them, or you either.

Don't worry, Mr. Cernik.

I haven't learnt

to use the whip for nothing.

(EXCLAIMING)

(WHIP CRACKING)

Huh?

Just stay in the cage

with the lions.

You'll be safe in there.

I know you're

a miserable coward, Rudolf.

Outside of the lions' cage,

of course.

What's the matter, Karel?

You look happy.

I look that way because

that's the way I feel.

I want some coffee.

I'm starving.

You sit down.

I'll make it for you.

Where's Tereza?

Somewhere about.

I saw her a few minutes ago.

What are all the flags for?

Is it some kind of holiday?

That's what it is.

Give me some bread, Zama.

There's something

going on here,

and you're very

pleased about it.

What is it?

I'm disobeying

my own orders.

You remember

how I'd listen

to the broadcasts?

About all those

people who've escaped?

About that railroad train

that broke through?

I knew that was what

you had in your mind.

I've known it

for a long time.

But I never dreamed

you'd ever have

the courage to do it.

Karel, when do we go?

Few minutes.

I'll be ready.

The tent wagons

left two hours ago.

I know.

You'll never see them again.

I know, I know.

I couldn't risk the frontier

with all that heavy stuff.

Of course you couldn't.

I sent Vosdek with them

so he'd be out of

our lives forever.

No.

He's gone for good.

(GROANS) Oh!

Tereza went with him

on the tent wagon.

You told me

you'd just seen her.

I know I did. I was lying.

She went with Vosdek?

Yes.

Tereza?

I...

Oh, boy.

I...

Oh, my God.

Karel. Karel,

how could she know?

How could I know?

Get out. Get out.

Don't be cruel to her.

Understand her.

KONRADIN:
We're ready.

Are you giving the

signal to roll?

KAREL:
Roll. Roll.

Roll. Roll.

Where are you going?

Going to go over

the Mikulov road

to the tent wagons.

Why in the name of...

Tereza. She went with Vosdek.

Cernik.

KONRADIN:
Let's go.

Come on. Let's roll.

Cernik.

You'll proceed as planned

to the bivouac point.

Wait there.

What is this?

Tereza. She went with Vosdek.

Water the horses, feed them.

Do anything to

make it look normal.

You can't leave us now.

I'll be back in time.

We're rolling.

I'll be back in time.

Let the girl go.

What did you say?

Take your hands off me.

We're rolling.

Let them roll. Come on.

Roll them.

Roll them.

Let them roll.

Let them roll. Come on.

(HORN HONKING)

Where is she?

Who?

Tereza.

She's not here.

Don't play jokes

with me, Vosdek.

Where is she?

She's not here, Mr. Cernik.

Not here, eh?

Mr. Cernik, I didn't know.

I didn't...

(JOE GRUNTS)

Joe. Joe. Joe,

are you all right?

Are you all right?

Joe, I'm never

gonna leave you.

Never.

You're coming with me now.

Joe.

He'd have given us

all to the police.

He's an American soldier.

He's hiding from the police.

You don't know what

you're talking about.

He's an American. Look.

There's the proof.

He's going

across the frontier.

He's going

back to the Americans,

and I'm going with him.

(CRYING) Oh!

Is that true?

I'm going to try.

Then get into the jeep.

I told you,

get into that jeep.

I can use you.

I'm gonna try it myself.

TEREZA:
Come on. Come on.

(BAND PLAYING FUNERAL MARCH)

(DOG BARKING)

We're going.

I'll be ready.

Don't gather.

Keep at your work.

I'll talk to you

one at a time.

Everything in order?

I hope so.

Have you decided if

the situation's right?

Yeah.

The road down there is clear.

We're going.

But what are we going

to do about this guard?

Would you

take a chance

on firing a shot?

Talk to Vosdek.

He'll attend to it.

It's starting.

Don't seem to

be watching.

He's trained in

this kind of thing.

Here, Heidi. Come, Heidi.

Here, Heidi. Come.

Get away. Get away.

Get this dog away.

JOE:
Yes, sir.

Right away, sir.

Come on. Come, Heidi.

Get out. Get this dog away.

Take this dog away.

Take the...

(PUNCHES LANDING)

(BARKING CONTINUES)

(SHOUTING) Get

into his uniform.

(PLAYING LIVELY TUNE)

On your horses. Help her up.

Tereza, why aren't you

dressed? Hurry.

Bratislav, load them in.

Give the instructions about

taking cover behind

the sandbags.

If there's shooting,

they must keep down,

even if they're piled

on top of each other.

Tell them to make

the children keep down.

Konradin, have you got

my trailer at the end

of the line?

It's there, Cernik.

We're not taking

the commissary.

We're not taking

any of the trailers

except the animals.

Ditch the others.

Right.

You know you won't

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