The Day the Clown Cried Page #18

CLOSE SHOT - LITTLE BOY

He is a completely delighted boy of perhaps seven. Each

time Helmut does something he particularly enjoys he hugs

himself and spins around.

CLOSE SHOT - BROTHER AND SISTER

The girl is no more than four; the boy about eight. He

clings to her hand as they watch Helmut, unsmiling, perhaps

not understanding. The boy looks at his sister, and a tiny

smile tugs at her mouth. The boy smiles back. The girl

giggles. The boy laughs outright. They have re-discovered

happiness.

They look back at Helmut, both laughing.

CLOSE SHOT - SISTERS

The older girl is ten or eleven; her sister five or six,

tugs at her arm, and the older girl bends down to her. The

younger girl whispers to her, pointing to Helmut, and the

older girl picks her up. The little one puts her arms

tightly around her sister's neck. Both laugh merrily.

MED. FULL SHOT - HELMUT

He is putting on Franz's too-small jacket. He tries to

button it, but it won't go around him. He sucks in his

belly, but then his pants begin to slip, and he grabs at

them with an embarrassed look at the laughing children.

Deciding that the only way to button the coat is to hunch

his shoulders, he tries that, but now his shoulders must

remain hunched. He manages to pick up the broom and puts it

over his shoulder, playing soldier. But when he tries to

snap to attention, the coat pops open again, bringing

another roar of laughter from Helmut's audience.

Now he marches a few steps toward the CAMERA, stops,

snappily puts the rifle down at rest position and salutes --

knocking himself flat. Another roar of laughter. As it

swells, we --

PAN SHOT - JEWISH PRISONERS

The laughter o.s. continues to swell as the CAMERA PANS

across the faces of the adult Jewish prisoners huddled near

their huts. They smile, fearfully at first, then break into

timorous laughter.

ARYAN PRISONERS - PAN SHOT

As the laughter swells even more, the CAMERA MOVES over the

faces of the political prisoners on Helmut's side of the

camp. They, too, are laughing -- some tolerantly; some at

Helmut rather than with him, but they are laughing.

As the laughter continues to SWELL, the CAMERA PANS over to

yard-guard. He is trying very hard not to laugh. The

result is a self-concious giggle.

As the laughter grows even louder, the CAMERA PANS as though

wafted on the waves of laughter, up to a guardtower, and we

see two rifle-armed soldiers in the tower watching the

performance below them. They gesture in Helmut's direction

and laugh.

The CAMERA continues to PAN over to the administration

building and UP to an open window on the second floor.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE - FULL SHOT - DAY

LT. SCHARFF, handsome, mid-30's, stands with his back to

CAMERA at an open window in a small, but luxuriously

furnished office. The window through which he is looking

opens onto the prison yard. An AIDE pokes his head in the

doorway.

AIDE:

(in a loud whisper)

He's coming back down the hall.

Scharff nods, quickly closes the window, gives a look around

the room, and follows the Aide out.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMANDANT'S OUTER OFFICE - FULL SHOT

As Scharff comes through the door from the adjoining room.

The Aide is standing in front of a small desk. Scharff

takes his position beside the door into the outer office.

They wait. After a beat, the room's other door opens and in

comes COL. HEINRICH BESTLER, a slightly built, pinch-faced

SS officer in his 50's. Scharff and Aide spring to

attention and give him the salute.

SCHARFF AND AIDE

Heil Hitler.

BESTLER:

Heil Hitler.

(striding into his inner office

as he passes Scharff)

BESTLER:

(continuing)

Come in.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE - FULL SHOT

Bestler goes directly to the desk and sits down. Scharff

stands at attention just inside the door.

BESTLER:

Oh, stand at ease.

And, close the door.

Scharff closes the door and movesover to stand near the desk.

BESTLER:

I don't have to tell you why your Commandant

was relieved of his command here. This prison

is a disgrace. Disgrace! The latitude allowed

by him will not be tolerated by me. Understand?

Scharff nods his head. Bestler gets up from the desk and

walks around it.

BESTLER:

That includes the staff. I'm going to

turn this place into a model prison, a

credit to the Reich. Understand?

Scharff again nods his head.

BESTLER:

Speak up.

SCHARFF:

Yes, Colonel.

Bestler returns to his desk, sits, and opens a folder. He

glances up to study Scharff.

BESTLER:

This isn't the first prison the SS has had

to take over from the military. Military

men are too soft to deal with those ...

(he nods toward the window)

Scharff starts to speak but quickly changes his mind.

SCHARFF:

Yes, sir.

BESTLER:

You were about to say something?

SCHARFF:

Oh ... I ... was just going to say that I didn't

hold with the soft treatment of the prisoners.

BESTLER:

Good!

(taking papers from folder)

Our first order of business is to prepare ...

He is interrupted by the SOUND of laughter o.s. He turns

slightly and looks curiously at the window, then turns back

to read from the papers in the folder.

BESTLER:

Our first order of business is to prepare all

non-Aryan prisoners for shipment in two weeks.

SCHARFF:

Where are they being sent, Colonel?

BESTLER:

Work camps.

Again the SOUND of laughter from o.s. and Bestler looks

quickly at the window, irritated. Scharff, uncertain of his

superior's reaction, tries to cover up.

SCHARFF:

(speaking a little louder)

But we have about 40 children, some only

babies, with more scheduled to arrive

tomorrow or the next day. They're

not going to be much use in a work camp.

BESTLER:

(his attention diverted back to Scharff)

I'm aware of that. This order covers only

the adult prisoners over fifteen. We won't

have to wet nurse the children for long.

Other plans are being made for ...

Again he is interrupted by the laughter o.s.

BESTLER:

What is that?

Before Scharff can answer, Bestler goes to the window and

opens it.

PRISON YARD - LONG SHOT

SHOOTING PAST Bestler through the window, we can see Helmut

performing for the children. Bestler watches for a moment.

BESTLER:

What is that supposed to be?

BESTLER, SCHARFF - MED. SHOT

Scharff goes to the window and looks over Bestler's

shoulder.

SCHARFF:

That! Well, you see, sir, one of the

prisoners used to be a circus clown.

Sometimes he gives a little ... well ...

a sort of show -- for the children.

BESTLER:

(turning away from window)

A show! Is this a prison camp

or a traveling circus!

(he looks out window again)

Am I correct in assuming that

those children are on the

non-Aryan side of the camp?

SCHARFF:

(almost in whisper)

Yes, sir.

BESTLER:

(leaving window)

And the ... buffoon? A German?

SCHARFF:

Yes, Colonel.

Bestler sits on the side of the desk and looks at Scharff,

who tries very hard not to show how uncomfortable he is.

BESTLER:

Am I to believe you aren't aware

of the general order absolutely

forbidding fraternization?

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