Third Man on the Mountain Page #4

Everybody knows that.

But did you ever stop to think

what the word "guide" means?

It doesn't mean to climb to

a high place and not fall off.

It means to lead others, to help others,

to think of others before yourself.

The other day, that foolishness

on the Wunderhorn, how did it happen?

I told you.

I was looking for a better way down.

I think you were looking for a way to

impress Captain Winter and your uncle.

Perhaps.

Captain Winter was my only chance.

He's still my only chance.

Then you did a thing to be ashamed of.

You were looking for praise and for gain.

Two things your father never sought, and

he was the greatest climber of them all.

He could go places

other men could only dream of.

He didn't die because a mountain

was too high, nor for conquest or glory.

He gave his life because he thought

only of the man in his charge.

Well, there's one thing more.

- Why are you doing that?

- I'm going to climb to the top.

Teo!

If a teacher can't trust his own pupil,

why should anyone else?

- Where do you think you're going?

- I'm coming, too.

No, you're not.

Do you prefer to go barefoot,

or wearing my boots?

All right, come on.

And now for our bundle of firewood!

- Are you ready?

- Yes, I'm ready.

Hold tight.

- Are you all right down there?

- Don't worry about me.

Do you feel like going on?

Course!

Not bad, boy. Not bad at all.

We might make a guide out of him yet.

Then you'll have to find yourself

another dishwasher.

When Captain Winter comes back...

Captain Winter, Captain Winter!

Don't you ever think of anyone else?

Yes, you.

What about me?

I don't know.

I guess I never stopped to think.

Come on, come on!

You might ask me if I'm going to be

your partner for the festival tomorrow night.

- Well, you are, aren't you?

- Oh, you!

I merely wanted to know your plans since

Klaus Wesselhoft has asked me already.

Klaus Wesselhoft?

First my boots, then my girl.

I'll punch him in the nose!

Rudi! You should climb a mountain

every day.

Scorched. Every last one of them.

Well, I certainly hope

you enjoyed yourselves.

Which is more than I can hope

for the guests, you lazy little hussy.

As I said to Herr Hempel,

I wasn't hired to cook.

Oh, and while I remember it,

that Captain Winter was here again.

- Teo, did you hear?

- He'd be deaf if he didn't.

- He wanted to tell you goodbye.

- Goodbye?

He came over to make some plans

with your uncle, which didn't work out.

Anyway, he's left.

Left? You mean he's left Kurtal for good?

You had better

get something started for dinner.

- Go on, go on, go on!

- That's right. For good.

Twice the usual fee,

if I'd climb the Citadel with him!

A sum like that

would have been enough to buy a horse.

And a foolish man

might have been tempted.

But what's the use of a horse

to a dead man?

- You did right, Franz.

- Of course I did right.

Any other guide in his right mind

would have done the same.

You uncle's in good form tonight.

Laying down the law in there.

Can you hear him?

Now listen, boy.

You can't let the Englishman, or anyone,

be the end of the world.

In climbing, if you can't get the

handholds you want, you take second best.

And second best is your uncle.

Why don't you go over there now,

catch him in this mood?

Tell him tomorrow you're ready

to go out again as his porter.

- Oh, it wouldn't work.

- How do you know?

You didn't know you could take us to

the top of the Felsberg until you tried.

- Go on, try.

- Yes, go on.

I know every other guide

in the village feels the same as I do.

We're not fools. We know

when something's impossible.

Go on.

"Captain, you've made me an offer,

and now I'll make you one just as good. "

I said, "I'll climb with you for not

twice the usual fee, but for half. "

"Any mountain you like, any peak

from the Weisshorn to the Dom. "

He doesn't want that.

All he wants is that cursed mountain.

- The man's obsessed. He's crazy.

- He is not crazy.

I would pay Captain Winter if he would

take me when he climbs the Citadel.

You? You would have to pay.

But where in Switzerland

is there all that money?

Get back to your dishes

before I lose my temper.

What are you doing here, anyway?

I've come to tell you that no matter what,

I've decided to be a guide.

- What did you say?

- Captain Winter came to see me.

If he still believes in me, why can't you?

Captain Winter is famous

for believing in the impossible,

but I doubt if even he would go that far.

Be careful, boy. I warned you.

Please, Uncle. Won't you try me?

Let me be your porter tomorrow.

- No.

- Why not?

Because I have two hands,

two legs, one head.

I need those for my clients

and to look after myself.

Now, get back where you belong.

We leave early, do we not, Herr Lerner?

I think I'll go too, and get to sleep.

You heard? So did all the village.

Now everyone knows that I'm no good.

My own uncle wouldn't have me.

Let him go, Teo.

There's nothing we could say.

Well, afraid you lost that partner

for the festival tomorrow, but I...

Good night, Teo.

The shadows dance and play

Gone are the cares of the day

Night is here

A bird on the hill

Sings a haunting lullaby

- The bright stars are jewels...

- Psst! Psst!

In the dark's velvet cloak...

I must now get ready

to announce the dancing.

And the gentle breezes sigh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh,

ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Good night, Valais

Good night

And now, everybody,

I want you all to enjoy yourselves.

We start the waltz.

Rudi!

Where have you been?

The dancing's started already.

- I'm not coming. Not after last night.

- Rudi, forget about last night.

Look at me.

It's the first year I was able to wear

my grandmother's dress.

Her wedding dress.

You look nice.

I guess... even pretty.

Do I?

Really?

Then you must come. If for no other

reason than somebody said you wouldn't.

Who said?

Well, what difference,

so long as it isn't true?

Well, it is true.

How could I go out there?

Will you stop feeling sorry for yourself?

It's as though you enjoy being unhappy.

Well, I don't. I want to dance.

Thank you, Klaus.

Why would you want to dance with me

if you could have Klaus Wesselhoft?

He says he's the best dancer in Kurtal.

You've grown up

to your grandmother's wedding dress.

Don't you think you should stop

wasting your time on a kitchen boy?

Yes, I think I should.

Rudi. Rudi.

And now the polka!

You expect us to believe that?

It's true, I'm telling you.

Someone's on the Citadel tonight.

Nobody's been up there for years.

We saw it from the Blue Glacier

when we were lighting the beacon fires.

Ah, you're dreaming.

Peter, tell them

what you saw this afternoon.

Smoke, coming from the old hut

on the southeast ridge.

- Who'd be up there?

- You don't get smoke from an empty hut.

I tell you, there must be someone up there.

It's no one from Kurtal, I'm sure of that.

There's someone outside, Emil.

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