The Train Page #2

It should be on its way by ten

minutes of ten, no later.

It would be nice if it were

delayed for ten minutes.

British planes will hit the yard at

Vaires tomorrow morning at 10:00.

Saturation bombing.

If the train was in the

yard at that time...

Ten minutes? It won't be easy.

Can you do it?

- At the moment, I'm not sure how.

- That's up to you.

The planes will bomb

at exactly 10:
00.

Will the train be there or not?

We'll have it waiting.

I wonder where he'll be at 10:00.

Where I'd like to be.

In his office.

- I don't like it.

- Who does?

I mean the art train.

If the Germans want it so much,

maybe we should do something.

Forget the art train. We'll

have enough to do tomorrow.

Which reminds me, I'll need another

engineer for the art train.

- I'll have to give it to Papa Boule.

- Papa Boule?

- Not Papa Boule!

- I have no choice. Who else is there?

It's an easy run. The train

doesn't leave till dark.

It'll be in Germany by morning.

See you later.

Don't just slap the oil

on anywhere, damn it!

Look where the hell

you're putting it.

This machine was running

before you were born.

She's like a woman. If you don't treat her

just right, she'll make your life miserable.

Take this. Do it right,

for God's sake.

Because I'll be back to check

after I've had my coffee.

Now remember. A grease

job is not a bath.

- Papa.

- Mmm-hmm.

A cup.

I see Labiche is finally

giving you a train.

(SCOFFS)

- And all the way to Germany.

- Some train.

You see any artillery? A load

that a man can feel is important?

That might change the war, huh?

Any important shipment

goes to the front.

Boule.

Have you read what's

in those crates?

I don't believe anything they

write. Paintings! Open a case.

You'll find champagne, perfume and

everything else they stole from us.

I've talked to one of the truck

drivers. These are paintings.

- So what?

- Great art. Picasso. Gauguin. Renoir.

Renoir. I used to know a

girl who modeled for Renoir.

She smelled of paint.

Boule, you are a good engineer,

you have told me so.

But in matters of culture,

you are sadly deficient.

Champagne and perfume

can be replaced. Not art.

- These paintings are important.

- Really?

The glory of France.

Glory of France?

And to think, two days, three at the

most, the Allies should be here.

The Nazis wouldn't have the

train. Maybe even one day...

- Are you the engineer?

- Does he look like an engineer?

You will not leave the station

tonight. Stand by your engine,

ready to leave at a

moment's notice.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

- Pig!

- Be careful how you talk to them.

I'm too old to be careful.

- The glory of France.

- Huh? Oh, yes.

The glory of France.

Give me the change in franc pieces.

MAN:
Engineer!

Start the engine!

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS)

Heil Hitler.

Loaded and ready, sir.

Very good, Schmidt.

- What time do you leave?

- As soon as it's dark, sir.

MAN:
Colonel Von Waldheim!

Telephone call, sir.

General Von Lubitz's headquarters!

The officer says it's urgent.

Colonel Von Waldheim speaking.

Yes, Major.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Let's hope the reverses at

the front are temporary.

Yes, of course I understand.

The general explained

it might be necessary

to rescind the authorization

for my train.

Unfortunately, I can't help you.

The train left over half an hour ago,

and is now on its way to Germany.

Please express my

regrets to the general.

In view of the fact that

you've already left, Schmidt,

I think perhaps you'd better get aboard

and order the train out immediately, huh?

- Yes, sir!

- Have a good trip, Schmidt.

Start the train! Start the train!

Move the train!

Boule! Start the train.

Start the train!

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS)

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS)

(BRAKES SCREECHING)

Uncouple that engine!

Get it out of here!

Is the armored engine ready?

Yes, sir. The antiaircraft

crews are all aboard.

Move your engine.

Get it out of here!

(STEAM HISSING)

Hey, you! You pig!

- What?

- Who did that?

The steam is released

or the engine blows up.

- Which do you want?

- You did it on purpose.

What is this?

(INAUDIBLE)

Take your assigned position.

Back of the cab.

- Everything all right?

- Move your engines...

- It's okay.

- Go back. I want this train out of here!

Okay.

- What's going on down there, Labiche?

- Sabotage.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS)

Throw five.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

LABICHE:
Throw eight.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Throw ten.

(CREAKING)

- Throw ten.

- It's stuck!

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

Don't force it.

- Stop!

- Hey! Hey!

Hey! Stop!

Stop! You're on the wrong track!

Don't play games with me, Labiche.

I know sabotage when I...

What is it?

But I...

Give me the switch tower.

(PHONE RINGS)

Dietrich! What the hell

is going on up there?

You idiot! You get those

switches working!

We have got to get this

train out of here!

I'm tired of your

inefficiency, Dietrich!

(SIREN WAILING)

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

(SIREN CONTINUES WAILING)

You can't ride through an air raid!

Watch me! Fire up that engine!

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

You old goat! Get out of

there and get under cover!

- Get off my train!

- You fool! It'll rain bombs any second!

Get off my train!

- You can't go! The switch is closed!

- Open it!

(PLANES APPROACHING)

(TRAIN WHEELS SCREECHING)

(STEAM HISSING)

SCHMIDT:
What is it?

What is it?

Engineer!

- What is it?

- The oil line.

Can you fix it?

- Can we run it back to Vaires?

- Maybe, but just the engine.

Where's the phone?

Start the pump.

(SIRENS WAILING)

The repair of my train is to

take top priority, Major.

This whole yard needs repair, Colonel.

I'll see to your engine as soon as I can.

- You'll see to it at once.

- I have my orders. I'll do what I can.

I've given you an order.

I take full responsibility.

- What happened?

- Fault in the oil line.

I'll take care of it.

Hand me the spanner.

Take over the crane engine.

Boule!

Boule!

Come here.

Come here!

- Take off the oil caps.

- I'll do it.

He will do it. Go on.

- You can settle the blame for this later.

- One moment, please, sir.

Turn out your pants pockets.

Slick with oil.

Sabotage, Colonel. It's

an old trick around here.

They slip in franc pieces

and cut off the oil supply.

- You should have thrown them away.

- Four francs are four francs.

Major, please. It's not important.

I'll have the engine fixed overnight.

I'll work on it myself.

Take him away.

Colonel! Stop them.

Wait.

Colonel. He slowed up your train

for a few hours but he saved it.

He took it through the bombs

at the risk of his own life.

He's an old man. He doesn't

know what he's doing.

I'll get your train through for you.

He's just a foolish old man.

His train! His!

It's my train.

I know what I'm doing.

Do you? Huh? You'll help them.

I practically raised you, but

you're no better than they are.

Swine! (SPITS)

Colonel! What can you gain

by the death of one old man?

- What he did can make no difference.

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