The Man Between Page #7

it was all as ancient and outmoded

as the bow and arrow.

Were you in the Army?

From the beginning I was an efficient

unit of the Military Machine.

Whatever orders were given to me,

I carried out--promptly.

Aren't you going to ask me

what I did as a soldier?

No.

I took part in the plunder

of Holland and France.

I saw hostages executed.

I was ordered to a village in Prague...

which we levelled to the dust

with everything in it.

That shocks you, huh?

You were ordered?

I was ordered.

I did not invite you to set yourself up

as my Judge and Saviour. I am innocent.

I tell you this to explain

why I don't practice the law.

How could I stand up in the court now,

adjust my gown and prattle

about the Rights of Man?

You see, little Susanne, it isn't safe

to ask questions of people.

Why don't you forget about it

and try to get some sleep?

- l think I understand.

- Understand what?

Some of the things you've done

since the war.

Nonsense! I never worried

about what was to come.

Therefore my life lacks

what some people call its purpose.

No, the truth is, I didn't have the

stamina or the courage to live decently.

I understand, lvo.

No, you don't understand.

I've told you before...

that I did this... simply to help myself

with the Police--for no other reason.

If you had no selfish motive, would you

really have left me there with Halendar?

Yes. You and Bettina. Your whole family.

Kastner... the lot of you.

Thank you, lvo.

That's all I wanted to know.

Are your feet cold?

Yes. And my hands are cold.

But your heart is the coldest of all.

I can warm your feet for you.

It's a pity you can't do

anything about my heart.

- I could try.

- Why should you bother?

You must get some sleep now.

I'll put this around your feet.

- Ivo, when you get out of prison...

- Yes?

Will there be anyone who could help you?

Perhaps in Western Germany

there'll be friends,

certain persons I have

known a long time ago.

No, Ivo. Not ones you knew

in earlier days.

I mean who can help you really.

You know what I mean.

No, little girl,

such persons there will not be.

When you get to the West

I'll help you; so will Martin.

No you will not. You will take

the first plane back to London.

And go on with your rich and happy life.

I'm not rich.

Any shelter from life

is unattainable wealth.

What are you thinking of?

Us.

You and I.

You mustn't. You're a child.

I'm not a child.

There was one thing more: he said

that I should ride ahead on my bicycle.

It may be just another trick

to get hold of you.

No, I believe him.

- You shouldn't go.

- He's telling the truth.

You have done very well.

Now run away home and get some sleep.

But surely this is a matter

for the Police!

That means their Police too--and their

Police will deny the whole story.

We have no proof of anything

happening to your sister...

and the only satisfaction we would get

would be 2 weeks of argument.

No, I'll go myself.

- And I'll go with you.

- But you couldn't help me.

You would be only in the way. Look,

I have done this kind of matter before.

And lvo?

Will you bring him too?

- I think that will be necessary.

- And then?

That is not our problem.

The main thing is your sister-in-law

must go back to England at once.

And... as for Ivo...

Well, we will think of something.

Now I must go.

Not yet.

- Hm?

- No sign of the van yet.

It's quite early though.

No need to worry.

Yesterday I tried to have you arrested.

It might have been a less

complicated solution.

It'll come, don't worry.

Here it is.

- Olaf Kastner! You?!

- Uh? Well, what's the matter?

Now who is going to believe that I had

anything to do with getting you out?

Get in--both of you--with the laundry.

I promised Bettina and Martin...

I would have you washed, dried,

ironed and delivered by 7 o'clock.

School!

School!

- Come on.

- Which way do you go?

There's lot of Police at Potsdamer

Platz. I have got my own way.

Well, good luck.

The smell of clean laundry:

what a luxury!

It's usual to have clean linen

on your honeymoon.

Every week will seem as long as a year,

every day as long as a week.

At that rate we will be quite old

when we meet again.

I shan't change a bit.

I'll make last night a

sort of looking-glass...

to remember just what we were like.

Dear, how long?

Don't wait too long.

Not for me, Susanne.

Only good wines improve with keeping.

Time won't make me any better.

I don't care.

You don't know.

You don't know anything, you see?

- I know a little more than I did.

- You know nothing.

Nothing about men, about wine,

about life.

You know nothing.

I just know what I like.

Here we are.

Drive on!

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