The Day the Clown Cried Page #24

HELMUT:

Now, now, there's nothing to cry

about. We're going to have fun.

(disengaging himself and

picking up the sack)

Here. I brought you something.

(he tosses it into the car)

The children pounce on the sack and tug at it, unsure what

it is except that it's a gift from Helmut.

HELMUT:

Wait now. Don't open it yet.

Wait'll I get in. You help me.

He backs up a few steps, the CAMERA PULLING BACK with him.

Then he runs toward the car and, with strength he really

doesn't have, jumps up so that he gets his arms on the floor

of the boxcar. He heaves himself forward partially into it,

and the children grab his clothes to help him inside. A

couple of the older boys seize the seat of his pants and

finally pull him in.

INT. RAILROAD CAR - DAY

FAVORING Helmut as he rolls over and jumps up, waggling his

head from side to side in the manner of a Jack-in-the-box.

The children watch him big-eyed. A few giggle.

HELMUT:

Look, I'm a Jack-in-the-box.

He gestures around to indicate that he is, indeed, in a box.

HELMUT:

We're all Jacks-in-the-box -- the same box.

The children laugh, and some begin imitating Helmut's head

movements. Others do the same, and still others, including

the Czech youngsters, until all are waggling their heads at

each other and loving it. Then, out of sheer adoration, the

youngest of the children close in on Helmut and hug him

around his legs. Slowly he stops waggling his head and

stretches out his arms to embrace as many of them as he can

-- almost as if trying to protect them. Suddenly the gaiety

dissolves, and the children go solemnly silent. Helmut

reacts.

HELMUT:

Well ... who's hungry.

Almost in unison, the children shout "I am", again

forgetting their unhappiness.

HELMUT:

All right, I want everybody to sit down.

When I count three, everybody sit.

Ready? One, two ...

On the count of two, many of the youngsters sit down.

Helmut feigns surprise.

HELMUT:

Oh, you're too fast. Three!

This brings a burst of giggles, and the remaining children,

sit down ... the Czechs following the example of the others.

Helmut opens the burlap sack and begins handing out pieces

of black bread. The children grab at the chunks and gnaw it

voraciously. When all of the youngsters have been given the

bread, Helmut takes a piece and bites into it with great

relish. After a few chews on the bread:

HELMUT:

Now ... what'll we do?

There is a long moment of silence, then the little blonde

girl with the rag doll speaks up timidly.

LITTLE GIRL:

I want to see my Mommy.

Helmut is brought up short. For a beat he searches his

brain frantically for an answer. Then he goes to the child

and kneels beside her.

HELMUT:

You would? All right.

LITTLE GIRL:

You know where she is?

HELMUT:

She's right here with you.

LITTLE GIRL:

I don't see her.

HELMUT:

That's because you don't know how to look.

I'll show you. Close your eyes.

(to the other children)

All of you ... close your eyes.

The little girl closes her eyes and one by one the other

youngsters do also. The Czech children look at each other,

then at the other children, then they too close their eyes.

HELMUT:

Everybody's eyes shut? Now, think about

yyour mommys and Daddys ... There, don't

you see them? Can't you see their faces?

The children, marvelling at this feat, ad lib expressions of

assent.

HELMUT:

So you see! They're right here with you.

All you have to do is look in your hearts.

LITTLE GIRL:

(putting her hand over her heart)

Does Mommy see me, Doork?

HELMUT:

(deeply touched)

Yes, she does. She has you

safe in her heart, too.

The silence in the car tells Helmut that sadness has

returned to the children. He brightens quickly and rises.

HELMUT:

(continuing)

I've got an idea. You all know my

name, but I don't know yours. So let's

find out everybody's name, shall we?

He points to a boy of about ten in the group.

HELMUT:

(continuing)

You ... come here and I'll show you what we'll do.

The boy, honored at being singled out, rises and comes to

Helmut, who takes a stubby pencil from his pocket.

HELMUT:

(continuing)

What's your name?

BOY:

(timidly)

Willie.

HELMUT:

Willie. That's a good name. How do you spell it?

BOY:

W-I-L-L-I-E.

HELMUT:

Fine. I'll just write that on top of your head.

Using the eraser end of the pencil, Helmut carefully traces

the letters on top of the boy's head. The youngster peers

upward, wondering.

HELMUT:

(continuing)

There. See, this way we'll all be able

to tell everybody else's name just by

looking at his head.

CLOSE SHOT - BOY

still looking up, but now doubtful.

BOY:

Did you really?

MED. SHOT - THE GROUP

HELMUT:

Of course I did. Here ...

He pulls an older boy to his feet, winks at him and points

to the first boy's head.

HELMUT:

(to the older boy)

Tell him what it says.

OLDER BOY:

(giggling)

It says Willie.

BOY:

(impressed)

Really? Truly?

He puts his hand to his head.

HELMUT:

Be careful. Don't smear it.

(he glances around)

HELMUT:

(continuing)

Let's see now ... Yes. You shall be next.

He points to a Czech girl of about six. He motions for her

to

come over to him. She shyly bows her head. Her friends

push

her forward. Helmut holds out his hand to her, she grabs it.

HELMUT:

What is your name?

She looks at him, then at the other Czech children. They

all giggle.

HELMUT:

(squatting down beside her)

Forgive me. I don't speak your language.

He gently plants a kiss on her cheek and she puts an arm

around his neck.

HELMUT:

(continuing; to others)

See! We understand each other. Now ...

(he points to Willie)

Willie.

(he points to himself)

Doork.

(points again to Willie)

Willie.

(pointing to himself)

Doork.

The child's eyes light up and she whispers into Helmut's

ear.

HELMUT:

A beautiful name! Now you tell all the children.

CZECH GIRL:

(almost a whisper)

Inga.

HELMUT:

It's such a pretty name ... say it again.

CZECH GIRL:

(more sure of herself)

Inga!

She quickly bows her head for Helmut to outline her name on

the top of it.

HELMUT:

(with a flourish of his pencil)

I-N-G-A. There it is.

The little girl gives a quick curtsy and hurries back to her

group. Helmut glances around at the children.

HELMUT:

Let's see now. Who wants to be next.

The little girl with the doll presses forward.

HELMUT:

You?

Shaking her head she holds up the doll.

HELMUT:

Her?

LITTLE GIRL:

So the little children will know her name.

HELMUT:

Of course. That way she can't get lost,

can she? What's her name?

LITTLE GIRL:

Frederika.

HELMUT:

(mock dismay)

Frederika?

He studies the top of doll's tiny head. Then he holds up

his hand and measures off a distance of about three inches

in the air with thumb and forefinger.

HELMUT:

Frederika!

Next he puts the doll's head between his thumb and

forefinger, illustrating that the head is too small for the

name.

HELMUT:

Couldn't we just make it Freda?

LITTLE GIRL:

(solemnly)

Oh, no! Frederika.

Helmut shrugs, closes one eye and begins writing in tiny

letters on the doll's head. The children laugh delightedly.

EXT. RAILROAD SIDING - FULL SHOT - DAY

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