watching Ilse go. There is no pity in his face. Then, he
sits on the bench, examines the paper closely. He is deep
in thought when there is the SOUND of SOFT FOOTSTEPS in the
sand. Steiner looks up, Gertrud stands beside him.
GERTRUD
(quietly)
So you have what you want?
Steiner nods his head slowly, looks at the paper again. Then
he gets up, walks to the water's edge. For a moment, he
hesitates, then he tears the paper into tiny scraps, tosses
them into the water. Gertrud comes INTO the SCENE, stands
at Steiner's side. Together they watch the scraps being
carried out on the waves, dancing and scattering until they
vanish from sight. There is a moment's silence, broken by
Gertrud.
GERTRUD
Why?
STEINER
(shrugs; then, slowly)
I'm not interested anymore
in clearing my name. Doesn't matter.....
He starts away.
GERTRUD
Rolf--
He stops, turns, looks at Gertrud.
as she looks steadily toward Steiner.
He walks to her. Without a word he takes her in his arms.
They cling to each other.
DISSOLVE TO:
Gertrud, her knees drawn up, sits facing the sea. Steiner
sits at right angle to Gertrud, his head resting on her
shoulder, as he reads a letter:
STEINER
"-- Well, here I am, back in dear old
Mother Russia, after six weeks in
the hospital. Why did no one eyer
tell me before about the pleasures
of being wounded?
That nice, clean hospital -- the food
-- those nurses -- rather, that one
nurse in particular. But why am I
telling you. Every hospital, I hear
has that one particular specimen... "
He turns his head to look at Gertrud. They smile at each
other. Then he resumes reading.
STEINER
Anyway -- "At the moment things are
quiet here, so you can be sure the
Russkis are preparing something
big. I suppose you heard that Dorn
got it. We had finally persuaded
the professor to put in for Officers
Training, and the very next day the
Russkis lobbed over a few shells
to let us know they're still in
business --"
He stops reading. Gertrud looks at him.
GERTRUD
Bad you heard of it?
STEINER
No.
GERTRUD
Were you fond of him?
STEINER
The professor? I don't know -- not
particularly, I guess.
(reflects a moment)
He was a good soldier. Did his
job.
(pause)
I'm sorry he's gone.
(back to letter)
"Well, to get on to more cheerful
news. Our darling Captain Stransky
is in some sort of trouble --"
(looks up from
letter)
Him -- I can be more definite about.
(resumes reading)
"Seems in the Captain's report on
the Russian action, the night we
got it, he somewhat overplayed his
hand. His report, I hear, pictures
Stransky, accompanied by Triebig,
appearing at the last moment among
his fleeing men, stemming the panic,
and leading the counterattack --"
(pauses)
A damned lie!
(back to letter)
"From what I hear, Stransky sat out
the engagement in his bunker. Colonel
Brandt informed Stransky that he
was entitled to the Iron Cross First
Class for bis actions, but he also
pointed out that two witnesses were
required. Triebig, that sweet-
smelling skunk, naturally signed,
but the signature of the Company
Commander was also needed. Since
Lieutenant Meyer was killed and
you were then in charge, it looks
like you're elected. We can't wait
until you get back and are asked
to sign. So, don't linger by the
wayside. Hurry back and join the
fun. Keep well and watch out that
they don't pick you up and stick
you in some other unit. Things
are supposed to be pretty hot
on the main front. All the best,
your old friend, Schnurrbart."
Steiner looks out at the sea. After a moment...
GERTRUD
You don't want to go back do you?
STEINER
(Pause)
Not now.
GERTRUD
(trying to sound
cheerful)
In the morning you're going
home for a month. I know it
sounds crazy -- out maybe in a
month it'll all be over.
STEINER
It'll never be over. Not for me.
He falls silent. The POUNDING of the SURF can be HEARD.
Gertrud stretches her hand out to Steiner.
GERTRUD
Rolf -- sit beside me.
He takes her outstretched hand, sits beside her, rests
his head on her breast. She puts her arm around him.
He lies quietly for a moment, then lifts his face to kiss
her.
GERTRUD
No, darling -- later -- later -- later --
Her arms around him, she is rocking him almost like a
child as we:
DISSOLVE TO:
There are two fleets of army trucks lined up. On one
side of the street the trucks face west; on the opposite
side they face east. SOLDIERS are boarding both fleets
of trucks.
He calls out to a soldier who is walking hesitantly to-
ward the trucks facing west.
MULLER
You there -- let me see your orders.
The soldier hands his orders to Muller, who looks at then.
MULLER
Where do you think you are going?
(with sadistic glee)
These trucks are going home. You
belong there --
(Pointing to east-
bound trucks)
You're going to the front!
(pointing to west-
bound trucks)
Lucky ones there!
(waves to east−
bound trucks)
Unlucky ones there!
(laughs again)
standing outside the rest home, near the parked trucks. He
is looking up and down the street -- evidently waiting for
Someone. Muller, who CAN BE SEEN in the b.g. , calls out --
MULLER
Steiner--! Get into your truck.
It's ready to move!
as Steiner walks slowly up to him.
MULLER
What's wrong, Sergeant? For one
of the lucky ones, you sure don't
seem anxious to go.
Steiner doesn't even look at Muller who evidently sees someone
at the west trucks.
MULLER
Hey, you there -- let me see your
Orders --
He runs off, almost colliding with Inge. She looks complacent.
INGE
Goodbye, Sergeant Steiner.
STEINER
I'm touched. Up this early just
to say goodbye to me. Or are you
waiting to welcome the new batch
coming in?
INGE
No. I just thought somebody
should say goodbye to you.
(smiles as Steiner looks
at her)
Gertrud is not coming, Sergeant.
He stares at her. She takes ah envelope out of her pocket.
INGE
This is for you.
As he snatches it out of her hand.....
INGE
That's all right. I've already
read it.
STEINER
You're a pig.
(looks at the envelope, but
doesn't open it)
INGE
I'll be happy to read it to you.
She takes the envelope from him. He just stands there,
neither objecting nor assenting. Inge's tone, as she
reads, is not as triumphantly smug as might have been
expected.
INGE
(reads)
"Dearest Rolf -- I can't face you
this morning. How can you and
I know what we feel for each
other? We hate so quickly and
easily, maybe we fall in love
too quickly and easily, too.
There are things I even needed
to tell you about.....
Steiner snatches the letter from Inge. crumples it in
his hand. His face is his usual steel mask again.
He stands still for a moment, then the SOUND of the trucks
MOTORS causes him to look up. The trucks bound for the
front have started slowly off. Steiner looks at the
crumpled letter in his hand, throws it away, runs for the
trucks.
as Steiner runs past him. He stares in amazement as
Steiner jumps onto the back of the last truck heading east.
MULLER
(almost screaming)
No! No! Steiner -- wrong truck!
You're going home. That one's
going to the front! Steiner --
Steiner -- !
But in the b.g. the truck has disappeared around the corner.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN :
A truck is seen coming to a stop. A lone figure jumps off the
back, waves to the driver. The truck drives on.
standing in the road, looking about him with some curiosity.
Then, CAMERA TRUCKING with him, he starts to walk. He
passes several SOLDIERS. We can tell by the cursory glances
they exchange that they are strangers to each other.
Steiner enters the bunker.
rounding a corner near the bunker. He HEARS SHOUTS from the
bunker and stops. Then he HEARS a half dozen voices CRYING
in unison, "Steiner! Steiner! Steiner!" Triebig's face
sets. He stands a moment, immobile, then turns, hurries
away in the opposite direction.
Kruger, Kern, Schnurrbart and Anselm are grouped around
Steiner. A NEWCOMER stands off to the side a bit. Steiner
is opening a beer bottle.
KRUGER
You're an idiot, Rolf. Why didn't
you go home when you could have?
STEINER
(stony-faced)
Heard it was safer here.
KERN
(nodding)
I was home for two weeks.
THE NEWCOMER
(angrily)
I wish this kind of talk would stop.
It's -- it's gross exaggeration -- and
what's more, it has a terrible effect
on the morale of the troops at the
front!
Everyone turns to look at the newcomer. Steiner regards him
coolly.
STEINER
What's your name?
ZOLL
(defiantly)
Zoll.
STEINER
Thank you, Herr Zoll for worrying
about my morale.
The men laugh.
SCHNURRBART
Zoll is a Party member. He's con-
vinced we're winning the war, and
anybody who doesn't think so, he's
quite willing to turn in to the
Storm Troops.
STEINER
(to Zoll)
My name is Rolf Steiner -- and please
memorize my correct serial number.
I wouldn't want them to come for
the wrong man.
The PHONE RINGS. Zoll answers it.
ZOLL
(very snappy)
Second Platoon. Zoll speaking.
STEINER
God, isn't it wonderful hearing a
real soldier speaking again.
ZOLL
(through the men's
laughter)
Yes, sir -- yes, sir --
(hangs up, turns
to Steiner
Captain Stransky wants to see you
in his bunker.
STEINER
When?
ZOLL
Right away.
STEINER
Good. I missed my Captain Stransky.
The CAMERA PULLS BACK and we SEE that we are in what is
evidently Stransky's bunker. Triebig is facing Stransky.
It is now dark.
STRANSKY
I'll soften him up, don't worry.
How long have we kept him waiting?
TRIEBIG
About half an hour.
STRANSKY
All right. Send him in.
Triebig, still looking worried, goes OUT. Stransky stands
for a moment, moves another chair to the table, then sits
opposite it. The door opens and Steiner comes IN. He looks
at Stransky, his face devoid of expression.
with Steiner in b.g. Stransky's demeanor is carefully
matter-of-fact.
STRANSKY
Welcome back, Sergeant. Please sit
down.
(impatiently, as
Steiner remains
standing)
You may sit down.
STEINER
If you order me to.
STRANSKY
Consider it an order.
Reluctantly, Steiner sits down facing Stransky, who moves the
kerosene lamp so that he himself is sitting in darkness.
STRANSKY
Are you quite recovered from your
wound?
STEINER
Quite.
STRANSKY
Good. Now that you're back, I'm
willing to make a fresh start.
I excuse your past behavior. There
are several important matters I
wish to discuss with you.
STEINER
(his face shows that
he knows what Stransky
has in mind l there is
a pause before he
speaks)
Certain things can be talked about
only man to man, not superior to
subordinate.
STRANSKY
(an attempt at a smile)
You would naturally think that.
But, you know, don't you, that
in civilian life, too, a distinction
is made between people and personalities?
For a fleeting moment Steiner's expression darkens, but he
quickly composes his features. His tone is ingenuous.
STEINER
I don't. But I'm'sure you can
explain that distinction to me.
STRANSKY
(smoothly)
I can. The difference is a matter
of ethical and intellectual super-
iority and is caused, whether you
like it or not, by class difference.
Those who are reared in dirt will
never or rarely emerge from it
because they have never learned
to see dirt as dirt. Isn't that
self - evident?
STEINER
(swiftly and quietly)
I disagree. Talent, sensitivity
and character are not privileges
of the upper class.
STRANSKY
(voice less urbane)
I see. May I ask which of the
two categories you count yourself?
It is an open challenge. Steiner sits up in his seat.
STEINER
Is this conversation taking place
between two equal human beings, or
between a superior and his sub-
ordinate?
STRANSKY
(haughtily)
I see no reason to throw the weight
of my rank into the balance.
STEINER
(quietly)
In that case, I am free not to
answer your tactless question.
There is e silence as fury mounts in Stransky's eyes, but
he controls his voice.
STRANSKY
You are forgetting yourself, Steiner.
STEINER
(coldly)
If you feel insecure about standing
on your grounds of equality, we
can easily go back to our regular
relationship.
STRANSKY
(looks at his hands,
speaks softly)
Your impertinence can only come from
stupidity -- and digging holes.
(stands up brusquely
and paces the room
several times be-
fore he comes to a
stop in front of
Steiner)
I have met more than one person of
your type -- and I have always crushed
them like vermin. I consider you
nothing more than an insolent lout
who cannot keep his hands off his
comrades' property.
as he stands up slowly. He makes a visible effort to
control himself.
STEINER
(voice steady and
quiet)
You'll regret that.