SCHNURRBART
Not a very robust type, would you
say?
ANSELM
(the youngest of the
group)
Well, Schnurrbart, you're so excessively
masculine, it evens things up.
The CAMERA PANS to Triebig. He seems to sense what the men
are thinking. A bit disconcerted, he turns to Meyer.
TRIEBIG
(sardonically)
Do you think we can get them to
Stand at attention when the Captain
gets here?
MEYER
(grins)
I don't know, Lieutenant. I'll put
it up to them, man to man.
There is some half − hearted laughter from the men. Steiner
is noticeably quiet.
SCHNURRBART
I'm not getting up till they want
my Signature On the Peace Treaty.
But he gees someone approaching, and slowly he starts to
his feet.
approaching the trench. In the b.g. the men CAN BE SEEN
reluctantly getting to their feet. Triebig snaps to attention
as Stransky comes in.
TRIEBIG
(a Smart salute)
Captain.
Stransky, barely nodding to Triebig, looks over the men, no
discernible expression on his face. Finally --
STRANSKY
Which one is Corporal Steiner?
Steiner takes a step forward, slackly comes to attention.
Stransky studies him -- disappointed.
STRANSKY
You are Corporal Steiner?
STEINER
(almost nonchalantly)
Yes, sir.
(pause)
I am Corporal Steiner.
STRANSKY
I had formed a -- somewhat different
picture of you.
STEINER
(unconcern in his
face)
I'm sorry if I disappoint the Captain.
In the b.g. several of the men permit themselves slight
smiles, which fade immediately at a glance from Triebig.
Stransky looks at Steiner again.
STRANSKY
(loudly)
You are promoted to Senior Sergeant,
promotion to be effective at once.
He watches Steiner's face. It is as if he had spoken to
a tree. There is no surprise in Steiner's face; only a
slight flexing of his arms indicates that he has heard at
all.
STRANSKY
You heard me, Corporal -- Sergeant
Steiner.
STEINER
Yes, sir.
STRANSKY
Your promotion doesn't seem to have
made much impression upon you.
STEINER
No, sir.
There is an involuntary giggle from young Anselm. Stransky
glares and there is silence.
STRANSKY
(to Lieutenants Meyer
and Triebig)
Come in -- you, too, Sergeant.
He starts down the steps to his bunker, Meyer, Triebig
and Steiner following.
is seated behind a table. Steiner, Meyer and Triebig,
slightly to the side of him, stand facing Stransky, who
has taken out an elaborate cigarette case. He extends
it to Meyer who takes a cigarette.
MEYER
Thank you, Captain.
Stransky offers a cigarette to Steiner.
STEINER
No, thank you, Sir.
STRANSKY
(lighting his cigarette)
After what you've been through,
you don't feel the need of a cigarette?
STEINER
No at this particular moment -- sir.
STRANSKY
I'm ready for your report.
He reaches into pocket, lays sheaf of crushed papers on the
table. Stransky looks at him in amazement.
STRANSKY
I'd like to hear the gist of your
report.
STEINER
Lots of
Russians. Lots of guns.
(grimly)
We should be hearing from them very
soon.
STRANSKY
What about your platoon -- any
casualties?
STEINER
Two killed. One missing.
STRANSKY
Two killed. How?
STEINER
(dryly)
Bullets.
STRANSKY
(flushing angrily)
I deduced that. That missing man --
did you look for him, Steiner?
STEINER
(shrugs impatiently)
We had no time to lose. It would
have been irresponsible to risk the
safety of the entire platoon for
the sake of one man.
STRANSKY
There ought not to be a missing man
in Such a case.
STEINER
(no expression)
Sorry, sir. I'll try to do better
next time.
STRANSKY
(grimly; after a
moment)
I have the feeling, Sergeant, that
you somewhat overestimate your
importance.
STEINER
(eyes darken; but no
change in voice)
At the moment, I am free of any
such illusions.
The two men look at each other; then Stransky's eyes fall
on the tommy gun Steiner holds in his hand.
STRANSKY
That's not a German gun.
STEINER
No, sir It's all in the report.
We surprised a Russian platoon --
and when they ran, they left
their guns.
STRANSKY
Oh, captured material. Good.
Where is your gun?
STEINER
We couldn't carry both, so we left
ours.
STRANSKY
What! You left your guns for the
Russians!
STEINER
(quietly)
Yes, sir. Our guns for the Russians.
STRANSKY
That I cannot understand. You
must be aware that the quality of
our arms is far superior to that
of the Russians and --
He stops as Steiner shakes his head. Stransky raises his
eyebrows.
STRANSKY
I beg your pardon?
STEINER
...the Russian guns are better!
STRANSKY
(sharply)
That is stupid, loose talk. You
have every reason to be grateful
for the fine equipment the Father −
land puts into your hands at the
cost of countless sacrifices.
STEINER
(cannot suppress a
mirthless grin)
I never asked then to put the stuff
in my hands,
Meyer looks toward heaven. Stransky takes a deep breath.
MEYER
(hastily)
sir, Sergeant Steiner is greatly
in need of sleep. I'm positive
that When he --
Stransky cuts him short by turning his back in a gesture of
dismissal. Meyer motions for Steiner to follow him.
jump to their feet as they see Steiner and Meyer.
MEYER
Be careful
he's taken strong dislike
to you.
STEINER
(wryly)
Too bad. I'm crazy about him.
MEYER
He can be trouble...
STEINER
(laconically)
I've survived many a battalion
commander. I'll survive Stransky,
too.
at his desk, coffee cup in hand, sipping.
STRANSKY
Dammit. This coffee is cold.
TRIEBIG
Sorry, sir. It was heated not too
long ago−−
There is a LOUD EXPLOSION as a shell lands nearby.
The near miss has shaken up the bunker. Lieutenant Triebig
is righting a table that has overturned. Captain Stransky,
girm − faced, is dusting off his uniform.
TRIEBIG
(placing some papers
on the table; feeble
smile)
Too close for comfort, I should say,
Captain.
STRANSKY
How many more papers are there for
me to sign?
TRIEBIG
Quite a few, I'm afraid.
STRANSKY
(sitting down; crossly)
Let me have the junk.
As he glances through the papers and signs his name. Triebig
watches him with his soft eyes, the smile remaining fixed
on his face. As Stransky finishes signing he looks up,
sniffs the air, looks at Triebig rather strangely.
STRANSKY
That isn't perfume I smell -- is it?
TRIEBIG
Oh, no, Captain --
(apologetically)
Just a bit of after shave lotion.
It -- bucks me up.
STRANSKY
I see.
He fixes his gaze upon Triebig whose smile fades under the
scrutiny. Then, Stransky's manner changes suddenly. He
gestures toward a chair, tries to inject a cordial note
into his voice.
STRANSKY
(offering him a
cigarette)
Where were you stationed before
you joined the battalion?
TRIEBIG
(voice softening)
In the south of France -- Bordeaux.
STRANSKY
Ah! Then being transferred must
have come hare, eh?
(voice casual)
Why were you transferred anyway?
TRIEBIG
(after a moment's
Silence)
I voluntarily applied for a transfer,
sir.
STRANSKY
(suspiciously)
How interesting.
There is mounting apprehension in Triebig's face as Stransky
regards him fixedly. Then again there is a sudden change in
Stransky's expression. Again it becomes friendly -- to Triebig's
great relief.
TRIEBIG
We lived in real mansions right On
the beach. Swimming at any hour,
day or night. It was indescribable
-- the sea, the palms, the beaches,
the people, everything --
Overwhelmed by his memories, he stops. Stransky is surprised
to see him swallow with emotion.
STRANSKY
(a knowing smile;
winks)
The women, you mean.
TRIEBIG
(raising his head）
I beg your pardon?
STRANSKY
I said, the women. I mean -- in
referring to the people -- you meant,
of course, the women?
TRIEBIG
(shrugging)
Not so much that. I am -- that is--
(suddenly confused)
I didn't have much time to think
about women.
Pause.
STRANSKY
(casually)
Do you like soldiering?
TRIEBIG
(emphatically)
Certainly.
STRANSKY
(nods patronizingly)
I'm glad to hear that.
TRIEBIG
It's like living in an altogether
different world.
The Candle hag burned down. Stransky rises to light another.
STRANSKY
It is indeed a very different
world. A world of danger and a
world of men, a world without women.
(laughs; puffs, gets
thoughtful)
men can get along without
women. I tell you, man's truly
natural destiny is not to breed
children, but to be free, to rule
and fight -- in other words, to
lead a man's existence....
women are no more than a fancy,
a superfluous dessert.
(blows a smoke ring;
looks at Triebig)
Or do you disagree?
Triebig looks at Stransky in some confusion. What is Stransky
getting at. Then he gets a grip on himself. Intertwining
his fingers, he regards his thumb thoughtfully.
TRIEBIG
I don't think I disagree, sir.
(after some
hesitation)
I think that if I have to I Can
live without women.
STRANSKY
I'm pleased to hear that.
He studies the burning tip of his cigarette; then looks up
quickly.
STRANSKY
In other words, you prefer the company
of a man to that of a woman?
TRIEBIG
(greatly troubled
now)
It depends on the situation.
STRANSKY
Really?
Stransky smiles. Triebig does not reply.
STRANSKY
If it will help you, I will put
your thoughts into words for you.
(smile broadens)
You prefer the society of men to
that of women in any and all
situations.
The words hang in the silence of the bunker. Triebig re-
treats into himself like a snail sealing itself up in its
shell. He stares with mingled fear, assent and hope at
Stransky's face which still registers nothing but friendly
assent. Then, afraid silence might be interpreted as
agreement, he murmurs...
TRIEBIG
I -- don't understand, sir --
STRANSKY
(smiles confidentially)
Let's drop the hide and seek. By
God, Triebig, you don't have to
put up a front with me of all
people. What I said is true,
isn't it? Say yes, man, for heaven's
sake.
TRIEBIG
(with the air of a
man wanting to stop
himself; in a bare
whisper)
Yes.
Stransky springs to his feet, directly in front of him.
STRANSKY
Speak up! You said yes. You said
yes. didn't you? Don't you dare
lie to my face.
At the sight of Stransky's enraged face, only a few inches
from his own, Triebig closes his eyes in horror. Stransky
shakes him.
TRIEBIG
(feebly)
Yes.
STRANSKY
(releasing him;
stepping back)
Stand up!
Trembling, Triebig obeys. Slowly, Stransky looks him up
and down.
STRANSKY
I can assure you of this! If
I catch you trying any of that
stuff, I'll have you hanged,
remember that! Before all the
men! Do you understand that?
Do you hear me?
Triebig is unable to answer.
STRANSKY
Now get the hell out of here and
keep out of my sight for the next
twenty-four hours. You turn my
stomach.
Triebig stands immobile.
STRANSKY
Get out!
For a second Triebig looks at Stransky's distorted face.
Then he wheels around, stumbles across the threshold I end
VANISHES. Stransky remains in the same spot for a moment,
then he fishes for a cigarette, smiles. He is satisfied
with the picture of the complete military, masculine image
he has presented.
DISSOLVE TO:
Steiner walking − watching men digging in, goes into
Brandt's bunker after looking up at the sky for a long moment.