A SENTRY stands guard outside. Steiner, dressed now in
a rather makeshift German uniform, walks INTO the SCENE,
exchanges a few words with the Sentry, ENTERS the house.
are facing the door expectantly. It opens and Steiner
COMES IN. Brandt greets him with an outstretched arm.
BRANDT
Well, well, Steiner--you're a
wonder!
(pumps his hand
vigorously)
How you ever got through with your
platoon--!
STEINER
(Wryly)
Another man and me, Colonel.
That's my platoon.
KIESEL
I imagine you have a long report
to make, Sergeant. You'd better
have a cigarette first.
He reaches for his cigarette case.
BRANDT
I don't have to hear the report
to know there's an Iron Cross in
it for you, Steiner.
(quickly)
Now, don't tell me what I can
do with it.
The PHONE RINGS. Brandt picks up the receiver as Kiesel
lights Steiner's cigarette.
BRANDT'S VOICE
Yes, yes, Captain Stransky.
Steiner stiffens. This is not lost on Kiesel, who snaps
his lighter shut.
Steiner and Kiesel in b.g.
BRANDT
(coldly)
I'm sorry, Captain Kiesel and I
will be needing my staff car almost
immediately. It's only a mile and
a half to the air strip. You can
walk it in twenty minutes -- Good-
bye, Captain.
(dryly)
I hope things aren't too rough in
Paris.
(hangs up)
I could let the bastard have the
car, but to hell with him. Let
him walk.
(to Steiner)
Well, I'm anxious to hear your
story. It must be astounding.
STEINER
May I make a request, Colonel?
BRANDT
Of course.
STEINER
Could I have a few hours sleep
before I make the report?
BRANDT
Why certainly -- even though I'm
consumed with curiosity.
KIESEL
There's an empty room in the next
house. Why don't you nap there --
and report when you're rested.
STEINER
Thank you very much. I'll
do that.
He GOES. The two officers are silent for a moment.
BRANDT
Stransky in Paris...! What
I cannot understand is why this
creature is the one to escape.
Stransky of all people.
(walks to window
and looks out)
Do you know what I'm looking at?
Steiner running down the road
like a madman.
KIESEL
Which road?
BRANDT
The road to the air strip.
Kiesel runs toward the door.
BRANDT
(sharply)
Where are you going?
KIESEL
I've got to stop Steiner... he'll
kill Stransky.
BRANDT
You will stay here.
Kiesel continues to stand, indecisive, at the door.
Brandt's tone becomes harder.
BRANDT
I have given you an order.
KIESEL
Colonel -- you are making me guilty
as an accomplice.
BRANDT
(straightening up)
I am on the point of leading my
regiment into a cul-de-sac from
which it has not the slightest
chance of escaping.
(ironically)
If the whole fuhrer business
were to start tomorrow, what
would I most likely do? I'd
close my eyes again - I'd click
my heels, I'd' march, I'd heel!
Germany will lose this war but
Germany will survive.
(puts bottle on
the table)
-- My last bottle of wine. Captain,
will you join me in drinking to the
success of Steiner's mission --
whatever it is?
He starts to pour.
There are several small planes on the field. Several MEN
are lounging about. One small plane stands on the edge
of a runway. Its MOTORS are WARMING UP. The CAMERA
SWINGS AWAY from the strip towards the road leading to the
air strip. A tiny FIGURE is DISCERNIBLE in the distance.
A bag in each hand, is walking toward the strip. The
SOUND OF RUNNING FOOTSTEPS behind him causes him to turn.
A figure is running towards him. His jaw drops as he
sees it is Steiner. Steiner is now close to him. We has
a Luger in his hand. The bags fall from Stransky's hands
as he sees the Luger.
STRANSKY
Steiner--!
STEINER
Clasp your hands behind the back
of your head.
As Stransky hesitates, Steiner makes a menacing move with
the Luger. Stransky puts his hands behind his head.
STRANSKY
Are you aware of what you are
doing? You're dealing with an
officer --
STEINER
I think that for the time being,
we can forget about the differences
in our rank -- and class.
STRANSKY
Steiner -- you'll hang for this --
STEINER
I doubt it.
STRANSKY
I don't know what you're planning,
but you'll never get away with it.
This is a heavily traveled road.
STEINER
In that case, I'll be quick. For
a long time, Captain Stransky, I
haven't had anything to live for --
for a long time -- but
the Russians couldn't do it,
disease couldn't kill me? poor
Lieutenant Triebig couldn't do
it. Not even you could manage
it
(moves closer to
Stransky)
And not wanting to live, yet not
willing to die, do you know what
that kind of a conflict does to
a man?
(laughs in
Stransky's face)
Now, in a crazy sort of way I am
grateful to you, Captain Stransky.
Thanks to you, I am willing to die.
I could shoot you and then the Army
would hang me. But, no, that isn't
good enough.
STRANSKY
(his dignity going,
his voice rising)
Are you out of your mind? Steiner,
if you'll just think for a moment --
STEINER
I did think, Captain Stransky.
I thought and thought -- and did
nothing!
STRANSKY
(whimpering now)
Steiner -- Steiner -- you're mad --
you're absolutely mad!
Steiner steps close to Stransky. With his free hand, he
pulls a grenade from his belt.
STEINER
Stand close to me, Captain.
STRANSKY
(backing away)
No -- No -- You can't --
STEINER
(pulls Stransky
to him)
This will do for the both of us
-- the final fraternization --
STRANSKY
(a whimper so low
it can scarcely
be heard)
Steiner -- please -- Steiner --
Steiner pulls the pin from the grenade, holds it between
himself and Stransky.
STEINER
What's the count before it goes
off?
STRANSKY
(his lips move, but
no sound comes out)
-- Steiner --
STEINER
Count with me, Captain -- One --
Two --
The CAMERA STARTS to MOVE UP and AWAY from Steiner and
Stransky.
STEINER'S VOICE
-- Three -- Four -- Five -- Six --
The CAMERA is at TREE TOP LEVEL now -- Suddenly there is
a SHATTERING REPORT. The branches of the tree tremble.
The CAMERA STAYS on the tree for a moment. The leaves
stop trembling. There is a vast silence now. The CAMERA
starts to PULL AWAY AGAIN. As it DOES:
FADE OUT:
THE END