The Pianist Page #2

The toing and froing continues non-stop.

SZPILMAN:

(to Henryk)

They bombed us, we're off the air.

HENRYK:

Warsaw's not the only radio station.

MOTHER:

Pack, darling, get your things,

pack.

SZPILMAN:

Where are we going?

MOTHER:

Out of Warsaw.

SZPILMAN:

Out of Warsaw. Where?

REGINA:

You haven't heard?

SZPILMAN:

Heard what?

REGINA:

Haven't you seen the paper? Where's

the paper?

She starts to look. The others continue to bustle and pack.

HALINA:

I used it for packing.

REGINA:

(exasperated)

She used it for packing.

FATHER:

The government's moved to Lublin.

HALINA:

All able-bodied men must leave the

city, go across the river and set

up a new line of defence, that's

what it said.

FATHER:

There's hardly anybody left in

this building, only women, the men

have gone.

SZPILMAN:

And what do you think you'll do

while you're setting up a new line

of defence? Wander round lugging

your suitcases?

MOTHER:

Pack, Wladek, there's no time.

SZPILMAN:

I'm not going anywhere.

HALINA:

Good! I'm not going anywhere either!

MOTHER:

Don't be ridiculous, we've got to

keep together.

SZPILMAN:

No, no, no, I'm staying put. If

I'm going to die, I prefer to die

at home.

MOTHER:

God forbid!

HENRYK:

Sssh!

Crackles, whistles and static from the radio.

HENRYK:

Ssh! I've got something, listen...

They gather round.

RADIO ANNOUNCER:

... an important announcement.

News has just been received through

the BBC that Great Britain, having

had no reply...

(static)

...and therefore has declared war

on Nazi Germany...

(a collective gasp)

... next few hours... awaiting

latest news...

Henryk hits the set.

RADIO ANNOUNCER:

... but France is expected to make

a similar announcement...

(static)

... Poland is no longer alone.

The Polish national anthem plays. All are still.

INT. WARSAW APARTMENT - NIGHT

Father pours liqueur into glasses.

The family are seated around the dining table, having just

finished a meal. The table groans with the remains of the

dinner. Szpilman has a plaster over his cut.

HENRYK:

(lighting up a

cigarette)

Mama, that was a great dinner.

SZPILMAN:

It certainly was.

MOTHER:

When there's something to celebrate,

you've got to make an effort.

The glasses are handed round.

FATHER:

Here's to Great Britain and France.

They all clink glasses and drink.

FATHER:

I told you. Didn't I tell you? All

will be well.

EXT. RUINED WARSAW STREET - DAY

A column of German Soldiers, led by an officer on horseback,

march into view.

On the sidewalk of the street, with its buildings in ruins,

smoke still rising, stand onlookers, including Szpilman

and Henryk, and a little behind them, Father, craning to

see. They watch, expressionless, as the Germans march past.

INT. WARSAW APARTMENT - DAY

Regina is opening and closing the window, examining the

frame with her fingers. Halina is on a box, removing and

replacing books. Mother sits at one end of the table,

polishing a man's watch and chain. At the other end, Father

sits counting a small stack of notes and coins. Henryk is

deep in thought and Szpilman is fiddling with his father's

violin. The apartment has less furniture now and the silver

has gone.

FATHER:

(finishing the

counting)

Five thousand and three.

MOTHER:

Is that all?

FATHER:

Yes, five thousand and three zlotys,

that's all we've got left.

REGINA:

It's three thousand and three zlotys

too much,

(reading from

newspaper)

'Re:
Further restrictions regarding

liquid assets:
Jews will be allowed

to keep a maximum of two thousand

zlotys in their homes.'

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