The Sea Chase Page #2

- Where's Elsa?

- She isn't here.

- What do you mean, she isn't here?

- I'm sorry, Jeff, but I can't help you out.

She just left and didn't say

where she was going.

- You mean to say she just walked off?

- You know women.

What are you trying to tell me?

I don't think she's gonna marry you.

You didn't tell her anything to make her

change her mind, I suppose?

All right, I'll find out for myself.

But if she's not at the hotel,

I'll be right back...

...because you'll be here

for the duration.

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

Fog won't get much heavier now.

Where do you propose to take

your first bearing?

- Here, sir.

- We won't be able to see it.

Perhaps we can hear it.

Five minutes to slack tide.

The men at their stations?

Yes, sir. Standing by fore and aft.

Also in the waist.

- Well?

- Charge has been set.

- Where do you want the detonator?

- Put it near the telegraph.

Cadet Stemme, are you still curious...

...about what happens to us

in case we're caught?

- You make it clear.

- Go to your station.

Yes, sir.

- Bridge.

- Bridge.

All ready below.

Engine room reports

all ready below, sir.

Wesser.

- It's a car, sir.

- Police?

Whoever it is, they're coming aboard.

Get back out of sight.

I must see the captain at once.

- Urgent.

- All right, sir.

Follow me. We'd better go up

on the other side.

It's the consul general, sir.

Our brilliant consulate service.

What does he...?

Get back to your station.

Captain Ehrlich, sir. Gentlemen.

As you know, I cannot condone

this mad venture, but if...

- What do you want, Mr. Consul?

- Consul general.

Mr. Consul General.

I have someone here

you must take with you.

I ask for coal and provisions

and get a passenger?

Sir, this is official.

Intelligence agent.

Must be out of the country...

...before the authorities make an arrest.

Cadet Wesser, bring the consul's...

The consul general's passenger aboard.

Yes, sir.

And you, sir, unless you wish

to sail with us...

...get yourself off this ship.

With pleasure. Heil Hitler.

The gangway's aboard

and the springs are in.

Make the signal

to let go the bowline.

Let go aft.

- Slow ahead.

- Slow ahead.

Slow ahead.

Slow ahead.

- Engine room.

- Schmitt...

...if we run aground or ram anything,

as is likely, let go with that charge.

- Ten degrees left.

- Ten degrees left, sir.

And hold her there.

Auf Wiedersehen, Sydney.

- Wesser, more coffee.

- Yes, sir.

If you don't mind my saying so, sir...

...well, you've been on your feet

over 11 hours now...

Are you suggesting that I go

to my quarters, Mr. Wesser?

Well, yes, sir.

Maybe you're right.

- Stemme.

- Sir?

That passenger, I'll see him now.

Show him to my quarters.

She's in your quarters, sir.

She?

I had a premonition.

Believe me, I don't want this

any more than you do.

You certainly haven't lessened

my problems any.

I don't know,

you might find me very useful.

The destroyer Cressy is north of you.

She left Brisbane late yesterday.

And two days ago...

Do you mind giving me a light?

- The destroyer Eden

left Melbourne on patrol.

The Rockhampton has been on

maneuvers with the Australian squadron.

Our friend Napier's

doubtless at sea again by this time.

Our friend Napier has doubtlessly

been at sea for the last six months...

...or you wouldn't have

this information.

- Are you sure?

- Quite.

I have to be, in my work.

The Eden and Cressy are old ships.

I wonder when they were

last overhauled.

That I don't know.

You see, I didn't go in for details.

No, I suppose not.

You were just in the business

of making men talk.

And they usually did.

But why marriage?

Wouldn't Jeff talk without it?

Or at this stage, did you want to add

a wedding ring to your trophies?

I had orders to acquire

British nationality by marriage...

...preferably into a naval family.

But I shall see that my failure

to comply is reported...

...completely, and with reasons.

So long as you had

to hurt Jeff so badly...

...I'm sorry it was

cold-blooded duty with you.

- Did you bring any baggage aboard?

- Only one case.

If you need any extra clothing,

we can outfit you from the slop chest.

Where do I sleep?

Right in here.

You'll find fresh bed linen in that closet.

- Here's the bath...

- I found it.

...which connects with

my sleeping quarters.

- There's a lock on both sides of the door.

- I found that too.

So we now share a wonderful bond:

Mutual self-preservation.

I don't want prison,

and you don't want internment.

You'd have been lucky

to get away with a prison sentence...

...so I don't think you'll complain if you

find this ship slightly similar to a prison.

Prison is only a state of mind.

Well, I'm in a tired state of mind

right now.

Bridge.

Have all officers report to the bridge

at the change of watch, and call me.

Aye, aye, sir.

And now, if you don't mind...

Your invitation to the wardroom

is accepted, gentlemen.

And I have not come empty-handed.

I have two signals here.

Number one, we have

declared war on Germany.

Finally.

Number two, a German freighter,

the Ergenstrasse...

...slipped out of Sydney last night.

Ours is the not-too-glorious task

of making a sweep and intercepting her.

Sit down, gentlemen.

There goes your leave, Napier.

- What will you have to drink?

- Beer, thank you.

It'd seem they'd find us something

more important to do.

This is our position.

One of the destroyers is somewhere

along this arc, about here.

I expect it to pass inshore of us.

The other one is about here.

I'm reducing speed shortly

so it'll pass offshore.

I hope. The Rockhampton,

I think we can discount at present.

- It'll be a tight squeeze, sir.

- And a chance.

Double the lookouts and turn tail

at every shadow of smoke.

- Keep ours at a minimum.

- But that destroyer...

...she can cut us off, sir.

That is no longer our course,

Mr. Bachman.

We're not attempting

to make Yokohama. That is all.

Sir, if we're turning south,

what will we burn for coal?

What will we eat?

There are no ports.

I'll appropriate food at the shipwreck

relief station on Auckland Island.

- But fuel...

- One thing at a time, Mr. Kirchner.

I think you're well indoctrinated

in the game of follow-the-leader.

- Yes, but I was under the impression...

- Muster all hands.

You're to keep all ports covered.

Smoking lamp is out

except on specific order.

And nothing to be thrown overboard.

- Nothing, from now on.

- I believe I have made it quite obvious...

...to everyone onboard this ship

what my political views are.

But now, for better or for worse,

we are at war.

This ship is halfway

around the world from its home.

I intend to bring it under the safety

of the flag stead light.

That is all.

What about pay?

He's gonna work us navy-fashion.

What's wrong with that?

I was in the old war.

- He talks well.

- Dishwasher third class?

Sergeant. I'll show you my medals.

Hey...

All right, down there.

Get on with the work.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes