The Marriage of Maria Braun Page #5

---

of the economic miracle.

Your dull views of other people

don't do you justice.

Let's go, Willy.

- Would you say a few words?

- Ask Mrs. Braun.

Does she speak for the management?

Mrs. Braun has power of attorney.

I haven't much time,

but I'll drive you home.

Shall we have a drink first?

Would you care to say a few words?

The union demands,

as presented here,

can only be called extortion.

I'm going to the ladies' room.

Would you endorse these tough words?

Of course.

Are you of a different opinion?

I have no opinion.

I'm a journalist.

You've really made something

of yourself, my girl.

Funny, isn't it? Us sitting here,

tearing each other apart.

It's better than that

"all in the same boat" crap.

How's Betti?

Why?

What do you mean, "why"?

Is something wrong?

What could be wrong?

It's just that I need someone

to talk with,

and what I have is someone

who cooks for me.

She does what she's learned to do.

Sure.

But she hasn't learned

what really counts:

how to learn.

She's not like you.

She doesn't have

your lightheartedness.

I have to be lighthearted

so Hermann has something

to look forward to and be proud of.

A man can't look forward to or be

proud of a wife who's miserable.

You put it so nicely.

It was nice the way you said,

"You've made something of yourself."

I have made something of myself.

I like that.

It's no use, Dr. Klaus.

He's so down again today

and full of despair.

Don't cry, Mrs. Braun.

I told you before,

I can help your husband

without this visit.

Believe me.

Money's no object.

I have enough, at least.

It's not primarily

a matter of money.

We must proceed

with the utmost discretion.

The right word to the right person

at the right time can work wonders.

It will require great tact

and delicacy.

I know very well

that you're the only one

who can help him.

It's true.

You'll help him and me.

I know you will.

But how long must we wait?

That depends entirely

on the political situation.

Eight days,

eight years.

I don't want to know where

you were after the meeting,

but why you won't tell me.

Dining with Willy Klenze.

Why didn't you say so?

Because it's a lie.

I detest you.

I like you.

Why don't you love me?

Because you lie to me.

I wasn't lying.

You're driving me out of my mind.

I repeat:

I don't want to know

where you're going tomorrow -

Good.

Thanks.

Let me finish.

Why?

What do you mean, "why"?

Why don't you want to know

where I'm going tomorrow?

You're not interested in me.

I detest you.

I love you.

Why don't you love me?

I thought we wanted to eat first.

The mark of a good businessman...

is that he can change

his plans quickly.

- Did you want to see me?

- Why? Can't I?

Don't be silly.

But why didn't you phone?

Because I want to see you,

feel your presence.

You're crying.

What's the matter?

I'm crying.

What do you know - I'm crying.

I don't know why.

Now you're crying.

I'm not crying at all.

I never cry.

Come with me.

Where?

You'll see.

My name's Karl Oswald.

Hermann Braun.

I'm a friend of your wife's.

I know. What do you want?

I wanted to meet the man she loves.

Do you remember?

Why don't they fix this place up?

They wanted to do more

for the children.

Shed no tears for love

In this wide world

there's more than one

There's more than one fish

in the sea

I'll love each one who pleases me

Did I understand you correctly?

You want me to write it like that?

Yes.

You can't be serious.

I am, Senkenberg.

Would you joke about such matters?

You're crazy,

both of you.

No.

We're very much

in our right minds - both of us.

I have only two or three years left,

and you know it.

I want to use that time...

to live.

An idea like that could only come

from a sick mind.

Your brain is in worse shape

than your liver.

I'm sure you're right, Senkenberg.

But I have life...

adventure...

the key to the universe.

And a dose of madness.

No.

But maybe...

I live in a country of that name.

Madness.

Well?

Anything wrong?

You didn't come yesterday.

No, no. Everything's fine.

Do you have a hangover?

A bit.

It's nothing serious.

Don't forget,

it's my mother's birthday today.

Oh, yes. Should I pick you up?

No.

Happy birthday, Mom.

The things that go

in a basket like that.

- Shall I dry your hair for you?

- No.

You work so hard as it is, dear.

Go in the kitchen

and make some coffee.

This is Mr. Wetzel,

a friend of mine.

A very good friend.

So good,

you can call me Hans.

Hello, Mr. Hans.

Grandpa Berger.

How are you?

- Did you have to come out now?

- I have to go to the bathroom.

- Now of all times?

- You can't deny the call of nature.

Go on, then.

- My name's Maria.

- Hi, Maria.

Maria Braun.

Glad to meet you, Mrs. Braun.

You crafty old son of a b*tch!

Well, how was I?

Sweet.

I can never decide what to choose.

Something sweet or-

Now one with the whole family.

Let me take it, Mom.

Oh, no, you don't.

The whole family has to be in it.

Mr. Oswald,

if you would be so kind?

Why not?

But Maria knows how hopeless I am

with technical things.

Any fool can take pictures

with a camera like that.

If that's the case,

nothing can go wrong.

Grandpa has to be in it, too.

Set the focus at 12 feet.

The aperture's okay.

And keep still,

or we won't be in focus.

Either way,

we still look sharp!

Ready.

- Shouldn't we wake Grandpa up?

- No, it's more natural that way.

He's always sleeping.

And never sins.

He at least kept me warm

in those cold times after the war.

Really?

Yes. He supplied me with firewood.

He didn't even wake up

when Goebbels spoke.

Don't hear much of him these days.

Life has its own rules.

Somehow it never occurred to me

that my mother's a woman, too.

Then someone comes along,

and suddenly she is one.

I still don't think it's right

at her age. It's indecent.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned,

but that's how I feel.

When you're unhappy,

all happy people seem a bit indecent.

When Willy and I are alone...

at times I feel

as if we were already dead.

It's always the same old thing,

basically.

What am I saying, "dead"?

He's bored to tears with me.

That's the worst thing.

- Then do something about it.

What should I do?

I'm no good at anything,

except putting on weight.

We all put on weight.

Soon I won't even be able

to find a lover.

Lovers are getting fatter, too.

- Does Oswald know about Hermann?

- No.

It wasn't important at first.

Then it was too late to tell him.

Tell him now.

He'd kill himself.

You look sad.

I am sad.

Let's dance until we drop.

Until we drop.

Tell me what's wrong.

I'll love you forever.

As long as I live.

What's all this?

I want you to have everything,

to feel independent.

It's your money

and your life, Maria.

I live my life and allow no one

to give me a different one.

But it's your money.

I've led this life for you.

For us.

Take me back, please.

It's for you, Mrs. Braun.

A Dr. Klaus.

When?

On the 23rd?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes