Taking Sides Page #13

Steve enters the club, makes his way to the bar, orders a

drink.

Steve turns to survey the room, almost at once spots David

and Emmi, their backs to him. He observes them.

David and Emmi at their table: They have finished their

meal. Emmi is silent now, staring at her empty plate.

Steve is suddenly at their table.

STEVE:

Well, what is this, the office

party?

David and Emmi are frozen with embarrassment.

STEVE:

May I join you?

(sits down, beams.)

So, what have you two been up to

tonight? Hey. Don't I owe you a

bottle of French champagne?

Tries to get a waiter's attention but fails. • No response.

STEVE:

You know, David, you're a lucky

guy. I invited Emmi here but she

turned me down. You must've hidden

depths, David...

he band starts to play; he stands, holds out a hand.

STEVE:

C'mon, Emmi, let's dance. I'll

teach you how to jive.

She is horribly embarrassed, doesn't move. David suddenly

stands and takes Emmi by the arm.

DAVID:

I'm very sorry, Major, but I

promised her mother, we have to

go.

They leave quickly.

Steve watches them. He sinks down, angry and jealous.

INT. HALL, STAIRWAY, STRAUBE APARTMENT BLOCK - NIGHT

David and Emmi enter the hall, each locked in their own

thoughts. They reach the foot of the stairs and pause.

They want to kiss but both are too awkward. She starts up

the stairs.

EMMI:

Don't see me to my door, there's

no need.

DAVID:

But I promised your mother.

She stops, turns.

EMMI:

Well, sleep well.

She continues on her way.

INT. ARCHIVE ROOM - DAY

Steve and Emmi at work on the files. One or two BRITISH

OFFICERS present, and David, who is working at the far end

of the table. He has a cold.

Emmi, who also has a cold, opens a file and is immediately

alert. She reads. She blows her nose. She is uncertain.

She looks up at Steve. She makes a decision. She rises,

takes the file to Steve.

EMMI:

Excuse me, Major. I found this on

Helmuth Rode. You remember? The

second violinist? Look, he's

Austrian not German. But it's this

that's more important, I think...

She points to something. Steve laughs loudly.

AN OFFICER:

Sssh!

David looks up at them, puzzled. Then a British SERGEANT

comes into the doorway.

SERGEANT:

Lieutenant Wills, telephone -

David rises and as he goes:

THE OFFICER:

(exasperated)

What is this, a railway station?

INT. LOBBY, ARCHIVE BUILDING - DAY

In a booth near the front desk, David is on the telephone.

DAVID:

(into telephone)

David. Wills. Hello? Who? Who in

Wiesbaden?

Irritated, he taps the receiver but the line's gone dead.

EXT. LAKESIDE, BERLIN - DAY

Steve lies, shirt off, taking the sun. Children playing.

Noise behind him of someone in the bushes. Steve doesn't

move.

Rode, carrying a slender leather case, pushes through to

Steve, who remains with his eyes closed.

RODE:

Major.

STEVE:

(eyes still closed)

Helmuth.

RODE:

Guess what I am holding in my hand.

You like guessing games?

STEVE:

Love 'em, Helmuth. I give up. What

are you holding in your hand?

Rode takes from the case a conductor's baton. Steve opens

one eye.

RODE:

It's Dr. Furtwängler's baton, which

I stole.

STEVE:

The one he kept in his right hand.

Yes, you remember.

RODE:

Yes, you remember.

STEVE:

How could I forget?

Sits up, takes the baton. Somewhere a child laughs; suddenly

Steve thrusts the baton at Rode.

STEVE:

Show me.

RODE:

Show you?

STEVE:

Yeah, show me, I want to see you

do it. Pretend I'm Adolf. You're

the maestro, and you have the baton

in your right hand, but you give

me the salute just the same.

RODE:

Not here, Major, there are people,

if anybody should see... please,

please, Major...

STEVE:

Do it, Helmuth.

After nervous looks over his shoulder Rode, salutes half-

heartedly.

STEVE:

Do it right.

Rode thrusts his hand out in the Nazi salute.

People by the lake:

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