"JAKOB THE LIAR" "The tale of Jakob the liar is not true." "Honest." "But maybe it is true after all." " Evening, Heym." " Evening, Horowitz." "Out so late?" "Just walking." "The only pleasure left." "How late is it?" "The Germans took away my watch." "Remember the curfew at all costs." "Stop." "Curfew is at 8 o'clock sharp." " I know." " What?" "Curfew is at 8." "What time is it?" " No idea." " You should know the time." "What's that building?" "The police station." "Enter and report to the officer that you were out after curfew." "Ask for fair punishment." "Anything else?" "No." "What do you ask for?" "Fair punishment." "OFF LIMITS TO JEWS" "During a ferocious battle our courageous troops stopped the Bolsheviks 20 km before Bezanika." "My God, he just said Bezanika!" "The Bolsheviks suffered losses." "What are you doing here?" "The guard stopped me." "He said it was curfew." "He sent me in to report to the officer on duty." "Eavesdropping?" "No." "I've never been here." "I'm looking for the door." "I was just going to knock." "The last door on the left." "Strike you dead!" "What time is it anyway?" "It is just after 7.30." "Why are you here?" "Come on, Moses." "Out with it." "What do you have to report?" "Don't you talk to Germans?" "The guard on Kurländer St. Sent me." "I was out after curfew." "Anything else to report?" "I am to ask for fair punishment." "Name?" "Heym..." "Jakob Heym." "You know paragraph 7 of the ghetto rules?" "Of course." "Anybody out after 8 will be shot." "Thank you." " You live far away?" " 10 minutes away." "Go home!" "Go on, get out of here and go home." ""Courageous German troops were successful... "" "...were successful... "" "So you were successful..." "Hurry up, Russians!" "Hurry up and get here!" "Stop staring." "We'll stumble and fall." "That car..." "Which one?" "The open one on the last track." "Yeah, and..." "It contains potatoes." "So what's the big deal?" "So it is loaded with potatoes." "What's it to you?" "Should it have pickled herrings?" "Or maybe roasted ducklings?" "I'm going to try." "You're crazy." "And when he sees you?" "I'll be shot before I starve." "Such a bargain." " Do you know where Bezanika is?" " Yes." "The Russians are near Bezanika." "You're full of crap." "Listen..." "I was arrested and taken to the police station." "I heard it on the radio." "Purely by chance." "A decent guy released me later on." "I know it's hard to believe." "But I'm alive and kicking." "I'll be honest with you." "I'm in possession of a radio." "What?" "Get back on your feet." "Don't tell a soul." "Oh, Jakob..." "What's new?" "Anything new to report?" "Why are you asking me?" "Jakob... we're old friends, aren't we?" "What's that got to do with it?" "I'll get straight to the point." "Is it true about the Russians?" "What Russians do you mean?" "We're old friends, Jakob." "The whole world knows of your radio." "Or did you buy it in the ghetto?" "Don't be afraid to tell your best friend." "The whole world knows?" "Not the whole world." "Just part of it." "I heard it mentioned." "The rumors are true." "They're 20 km from Bezanika?" "Yes, they are." "Not a word." "You know me." "That's what worries me." "The Russians!" "This is boring." "You take ages to make a move." "You want to win by rushing me, or by playing better?" "You're winning." "By thinking." "Each game lasts at least 2 hours." "Better to win one than lose 5 times." "No, you'll lose your last checker." "Wrong move." "What can I do?" "Nothing." "Another game?" " Good evening." " Good evening." "You played checkers?" " Who won?" " Guess." "She plays faster than she thinks." "Ever noticed?" "Heard the latest news?" "You know, then?" "I heard about it at work today." "You don't look happy." "Why should we be happy?" "What is there for us to celebrate, son?" "Normally, we would have celebrated." "Toast the newborn with the parents..." "Now it's a misfortune." "It'll be hard to raise a newborn child." "A baby?" "So you haven't heard?" "A girl in district 2 gave birth." "She had twins last night." "But one died a few hours after birth." "When all's over they'll call him Abraham." "When all's over the baby will be dead." "Also the parents." "When we're all over... all's over." "I prefer David." "Little David..." "That was Annett's son's name." "Abraham sounds more like an old man." "A child's name is important." "Mr. Frankfurter..." "I just wanted to say to you..." "I mean..." "You know..." "We're all here..." "I wanted to ask you and your wife, of course..." "Speak." "As if you ask for my hand?" "I'm asking for Rosa's." "Marry Rosa?" "My God!" "Is this the time for plans?" "We are in the ghetto!" "The boy must be crazy." "Say something!" "What prospects do you have?" "Rosa is our only daughter, you know." "What dowry can you offer her?" "Shall I ask the Rabbi when the wedding suits him?" "Think about where to hide when they come for you instead." "Just listen!" "His ship's sinking in the ocean, no help in sight." "So he makes plans for the evenings?" "The Russians are near Bezanika!" "There is no help in sight, you say!" "Who told you?" "Heym." " Jakob?" " Yes." "Who told him?" "Out with it!" "I promised to keep quiet." "He has a radio." "Let's go to your room." "Felix..." "Bezanika is not far away." "Imagine it's true." "I can't believe it." "Imagine it!" "This will soon be over." "You will act on a stage again." "I will meet you each evening... at the stage door." "Imagine!" "Why the cellar keys?" "Why are we down here?" " Jakob is a fool." " Why?" "Why?" "He heard news." "That's his business." "He should be glad and silent." "Isn't it good that we know?" "Sure." "Today you know it." "Tomorrow the neighbors..." "Soon it will be the talk of the ghetto." "Then the Gestapo will hear about it." "They don't need us to find the Russians." "Of course not." "But the damned Gestapo will know there's a radio here." "They'll turn the area upside down until they find the radio." "They won't rest until they have it." "Where will they find it?" "You still have our radio here?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "I was too scared myself." "Enough now!" "Did you hear about the Russians?" "I never listened." "I was too scared." "Mischa!" "What?" "My parents will live with us." "They certainly will not." "What's wrong with them?" "You'll wake him up!" " He's deaf as a post!" " Quiet!" "Fajngold!" "Fajngold!" "What's up?" "I need to talk to you." " In the middle of the night?" " Yes." "I met a girl at the pump." "Her name is Rosa." "Why not?" "You never saw such a pretty girl." " Shall I describe her?" " No." "I sure would like to have her here with me." "At least sometimes..." "I don't mind." "That's not the point." "It's up to her to decide." "She doesn't know you share my room." "It's my room!" "Never mind." "How can we sort things out?" "Are you crazy?" "I should go out nights?" "You forget the laws?" "Of course not." "We can divide the room." "Hang up a curtain..." "Go hang yourself..." " That's not enough." " Then build a wall." "I'll say you're deaf." "Say what you want!" "You'll go along?" "Sure, if you let me sleep." "Thank you." "Why don't you like my parents?" " It's the middle of the night!" " Tell me." "I like them." "But they're not living with us." "Let me sleep." "Mama can look after the kids." "She'll spoil them." "I can't cook." "Buy a book." "We need a house with 5 bedrooms..." "For you, for me, and for my parents." "And a nursery..." "We've gone without long enough." "We'll sleep in my room and have a room for guests." "I don't want many guests to visit us." "I prefer to be alone with you." "The kitchen is my domain." "I want fancy tiles in the kitchen and a shelf for all my spice jars." "There are lots of spices." "Take saffron..." "Know what it's for?" "It colors cake and noodles." "Why are you so grumpy since you told me about the radio?" "You should be glad like me." "So... should I?" "Can't you work with someone else?" "What's up with you?" "Get off my back, will you?" "I hate the sight of you right now." "You keep shooting off your mouth." "Do me a favor." "Work with him today." "Gladly." " Climb up." " Go ahead." "I was up there yesterday." "It's your turn." " What's bugging Jakob?" " No idea." "His guilty conscience?" "Steady goes..." "Do you know a remedy for hair loss?" "Why do you ask?" "I'm losing hair." "Is there no cure?" "No." "At the barber's shop you used to use a green-colored liquid." "I might just as well have used water from the faucet." "Now tell me the latest!" "Nothing to tell." "No news when there's a war going on?" "A whole day and night without news?" "Leave me alone." "The Russians are near Bezanika." "Are you sure they haven't advanced?" "Just a little in the past 24 hours?" "I heard 3 kilometers on the news last night." "You don't seem too excited about it." "What are 3 kilometers?" "That might not be much to you." "But 3 kilometers are 3 kilometers." "At least they're advancing." "Better forwards than backwards." "They are 5 kilometers nearer." "I feel a lot better today." "Fever?" "Not much." "If my thermometer works..." "Thank you." "I'll get up tomorrow, though." "That's not up to us to say." " Seen the Professor?" " No." "Want some?" "No thank you." "I'm full." "How are things at work?" "Fine." "Thank you for asking." "Did you ride the locomotive today?" "What locomotive?" "Remember?" "You went to Rudpol on it." "Of course..." "The locomotive has been out of order for several days." "What a pity." "Mischa hasn't been here for ages." "He's busy but sends his love." "Say hi for me." "Good evening." "Good evening, Professor." " Feeling better, little one?" " Yes, a lot better." "Good." "Remove your gown." "Now I can tell you the whole truth." "This little lady was very ill." "But good little girls can often be helped in such situations." "Much better." "Breathe in." "Hold your breath." "What's that?" "I can hear a whistle." "That's Uncle Jakob whistling." "Why is he so happy?" "Maybe because I'm better." "I'm turning in." "Go to bed." "It's very late." "What's wrong, brother?" "I'm afraid." "I am very afraid." "The radio could be bad news for us all." "You know these pigs." "Let's call it a day." "You can be afraid in bed." "Dear God." "Protect us from this great disaster." "Don't let anything happen at this stage." "You have protected us for so long." "Stop the Germans from finding the radio." "Make the spies blind." "Only you know how many spies are here." "Fool them." "Let the Russians get here real soon." "Destroy the radio before it destroys us." "You know how cruel our tormentors can be." "Don't give up." "All radios need power." "Congratulations." "Thank you, dear God." "A wise decision." "You have connections in high places." "What do you think?" "How long will this power cut last?" "I hope it lasts 20 years." "Why say a terrible thing like that?" "You'll never guess." "You can be so cantankerous." "You always were bad tempered." "I used to enter your cafe sometimes and ask you how business was." "You always gave a nasty answer." "See for yourself, you'd say." "The whole place was empty." "Still... that's not the way to speak to an old friend." "Listening." "We have an idea..." "The thing is..." "If we can't bring the power to the radio we'll bring the radio to the power." "Kowalski has power." "They want to get me killed." "What do you think?" "Heard what they want?" "From me?" "What is it you want from me?" "We have no power in our street." "We bring you the radio." " To me?" " Yes." "The radio?" "Great." "What do you think about it?" "We'll have to think it over." "What a risk to take!" "Bring the radio to my place!" "Who will transport the thing anyway?" "Shall we do it in daylight perhaps?" "At night maybe?" "After curfew?" "Let's have a procession." "All the guards will be asleep." "They won't mind us moving it." "Damn, he's right." "A crazy idea!" "I don't want to bother you." "I've something to show you." "What?" "Unlock the door." "Come in." "I have been praying." "I prayed to God that we be kept informed of events." "Not just now." "And what does God do in his wisdom?" "Don't let me keep you." "You have things to do." "Will they exchange us for ransom money?" "They are negotiating at present." "What are the chances?" "It's a question of money." "Never go out alone." "I want to know who lives up there." "In that castle." "It's shorter this way." "Walk on." "A Jewish State is to be founded?" "Who says?" "We ask the questions here." "It's true." "These things take time." "Now be so kind and let me pass." "Good day to you." "Tell me..." "Have you heard anything of Kiepura?" "Which Kiepura do you mean?" "The singer..." "I heard he's in America." "How is he doing over there?" "Is he okay?" "I heard he's got off to a fine start." "I'm very glad to hear it." "You're welcome, Mr. Horowitz." "How many pages to a newspaper?" "It must have at least 4." "He tears them up at least 3 times..." "But no more." "That is all he needs." "Now let's see..." "That means each page makes ...8 sheets of paper." "That's 32 sheets in all..." "A healthy man needs less than that." "What are you mumbling?" "Mumbling?" "All that mental arithmetic." "What are you up to?" "Nothing." "Carry on without me." "Why?" "I'm going to use the Germans' john." "Are you out of your mind?" " Go to the fence during the break." " No." "Oh, no..." "Hurry comrade, I've got the runs." "Marotzke's got leave again." "He must know people in high places." "He's always getting leave." "We're stuck here with these garlic mouths." "What the hell are you doing?" "You idiots!" "Do you think you're on vacation?" "Thank you." "He did it on purpose." "Have a good shit?" "Just look at my face!" "A pretty picture..." "All your fault!" "I hope you had a good shit anyway." "I swear to you..." "That's the last time I help you out of a spot." "The Germans are suffering heavy casualties." "A fine radio!" "Just sport and accidents." "For this trash they slash Kowalski's face." "Who is it?" "Lina." "Did you forget about me today?" "No..." "I was planning to come up later when I finish off some things." "Finished what?" "Never you mind." "Have you eaten?" "The food you brought me." "I'm tired." "I'll clean up tomorrow." "The Professor said you must rest a lot." "Heard the news?" "What news is that?" "They say the Russians will come." "Really?" "Who says?" "Mrs. Sonnenschein, Mrs. London..." "Everyone says so..." "You didn't know?" "No..." "I heard some talk." "But it was nothing definite." "They are only rumors." "How will it be when they arrive?" "How should I know?" "Better or worse?" "Better, of course." "What things will be better?" "You needn't wear the star any more." "You can wear what you like." "No-one asks about your star." "That's all?" "You'll have plenty to eat." "All I want?" "As much as you want." "The table will be full of food." "You eat what you like." "The rest is cleared away." "It will be for the next meal." "You're fibbing." "It's the truth." "You'll wear nice clothes." "We'll buy them at the store." "What food will we get to eat?" "Whatever..." "Pies and bread and butter." "Eggs, gefillte fish..." "whatever you feel like." "Will you make fritters again?" " You bet." " In the cafe?" "That's right." "Remember your promise?" "I can help out in the cafe." "I remember." "You make the fritters in the kitchen and I'll serve the customers." "In summer, ice cream..." "That's right." "Will my parents be there too?" "I don't know about that." "We must find them." "What about school?" "You must attend." "The cafe?" "School is more important." "You don't want to go?" "School is wonderful." "Dumb kids go into the school and bright ones leave it." "If you think I prefer you to be dumb..." "Stay right here until I say you can come out." "It's just me annoying you again." "Aren't you going to close the door?" "I just dropped in." "Nothing special..." "I get fed up at home." "I thought of you." "He'll be pleased to see me, I thought." "We always met after work." "It was the normal thing." "We should get used to normality again." "You're so kind." "Besides I wanted more news." "The German losses are good news." "Other things interest me more." "Tell me about them." "Get off my back." "If I know any news I'll inform you." "Can't you leave me in peace in my own room?" "Every time I ask for news you get mad at me." "You don't tell me if I don't ask questions." "What's the reason behind it?" "I wonder." "Imagine I had a radio and you had to ask me for news." "Are you mad?" "In front of the child!" "Go upstairs." "I'll be up later on." "You fibbed." "You told everyone." "That's right." "Well done." "Now she knows about it as well as the rest of the ghetto." "I can't see her if she's hidden." "My eye's bad." "Looks real bad." "Are you thinking of Chaim?" "Why should I?" "What's going on?" "What about the Russians?" "I wish I had good news." " They retreated?" " Not that bad." "Go on!" "I turned on the radio like I always do." "I twiddled with the knobs as normal." "Not a sound..." "Yesterday it worked fine." "Today it is as dead as a doornail." "What are we to do about it?" "Who understands a radio?" "Now..." "Now..." "Try harder even if you are a lawyer." " My hands aren't suited." " Mine neither." "Did you know his radio broke?" "I was the first to know." "Forgive my curiosity in asking." "What does Sir Winston say about it?" "Who?" "The British Prime Minister Churchill." "My radio conked out." "How on earth did that happen?" "It just stopped working." "From one day to the next." "Get away from there!" "You've been told before." "Yes sir." "Did you understand?" "It's out of bounds." "What's in that car?" "How should I know that?" "Schramm got off lightly." "They said we were to keep away from that car." " Did you hear it?" " Yes." " Why did he go near it?" " No idea." "What's going on?" "I heard voices in the freight car." "Voices?" "I'm telling you human voices." "Is he telling the truth?" " What?" " About the voices." "Don't ask such things." "Of course it's the truth." "Who's in the car?" "It is obvious, isn't it?" "Look at that." "Can you hear me?" "Who are you?" "From the ghetto." "Quiet, you idiot!" "They'll notice." "It won't be long." "The Russians are getting quite close." "How do you know?" "We have a radio hidden." "Thanks, brother." "You out there..." "What's going on?" "Brother." " I'm afraid we must continue." " Yes you're right." "What's my name?" "My name!" "What are you doing?" "I'm tidying up the place." "You're not finished, I hope." "What are you doing?" "Just straightening up." "What are you looking for?" "Why is the lamp there?" "Which lamp do you mean?" "That one." "Is there another one?" "What's up?" "Nothing." "What's the matter?" "Is it the lamp?" "Have you ever seen one?" "Shall I explain?" "This is what we call an oil lamp." "We used them before we had electricity." "You pour the oil in here." "See the small well?" "This thing here is called the wick." "It soaks up the oil to the top." "You use this screw here to adjust the length of the wick." "When you light it the room is bright." "Can you light it now?" "Unfortunately I have no oil." "Know what I was thinking?" "What's that?" "Don't laugh." "Of course I won't." "I thought it was your radio." "Will you show it to me?" "I said no 100 times and that's that." "He's coming." " That's him." " Who?" "Meet Josef Najdorf." " I'm Jakob Heym." " I know." "Where do you work?" "In the factory." "That's the other way." "They start later than we do." "He has time to kill so he will walk part of the way with us." "So tell him why you're here." "I'm a radio technician." "That's a fine profession to have." "He's good at repairing radios." " He must be." "It's his job, isn't it?" " Lf a valve has blown there's nothing I can do to help." "I have no parts." "Look at it." "Don't bother." "The radio is working again now." "Thanks anyway." "Who repaired it?" "It works." "Satisfied now?" "The radio didn't fix itself." "It was only a faulty wire." "I shortened it." " Can I go now?" " Yes, you can." " He's a nice guy." " When?" "Last night." "Did you hear any news?" "They're heading for Pry." " The Russians?" " No, the Turks!" "Jakob..." "I wanted to talk to you." "We need to plan other things." "What do you mean?" " Business ventures." " Why?" "I'm a business man." "You're a barber." "We should start to make plans about what to do in the future." "We have time." "This is between you and me." "I have some cash hidden." "Not a great fortune." "But I want to invest it well." "They sometimes have money programs." "They give no suggestions at all?" "Not even little hints?" "Do you really think they advise you on the radio on how to invest hidden money after the war has ended?" "I'm asking you as a friend." "What would you invest in?" "Maybe luxury goods of some kind." "They were crazy for them after the last war." "David built a house with the profits on the schnapps he sold." "That's right." "Do you think we'll have potatoes to make schnapps?" "Probably not." "Everything will be short." "You need good instincts." "Sit right here." "Don't move at all." "Do you hear?" "The radio is behind the wall." "I'll turn it on in a minute." "Just the 2 of us will hear it." "If you move I'll turn it right off." "Can I see it?" "Certainly not." "Children shouldn't even listen." "It is forbidden." "This is an exception." "It's agreed?" "What's on the radio?" "Just wait and listen." "I have to turn it on first." "Ready?" "Good evening, listeners." "You'll now hear a broadcast with the British Prime Minister," "Sir Winston Churchill." "Good evening, Sir Winston." "Good evening, listeners everywhere." "Please tell us how you assess the present situation." "That is... not difficult to explain." "I am brimming with confidence." "The whole mess will soon be over." "That is wonderful." "How about the Bezanika area?" "Bless you, Prime Minister." "Thank you so much." "To answer your question..." "Right now it looks very bad for the Germans." "The Russians are winning hands down." "They already took Bezanika." "They are headed for Pry." "Our listeners will be pleased unless they are German." "Thank you for speaking to us tonight." "It was my pleasure." "You heard an interview with the British Prime Minister." "Goodbye." "You liked it?" "Yes." "It's not over already?" "What do you mean by that?" "I want to hear some more." "Please." "Now for all children" "Uncle Bob will tell the story of the sick princess." "Do you know it?" "No, I don't." "How come he tells a story?" "Why shouldn't he?" "Wait and see." "You said kids shouldn't hear radios." "Stories are for kids." "It's only forbidden to listen for kids who live in ghettos." "Children outside can listen." "Radios are everywhere." "When will it start?" "The tale of the sick princess." "Once upon a time a king had a daughter." "He loved her very much." "He adored his little princess." "One day the princess got ill." "The king asked what she had." "She replied:" "I need a cloud to get better." "All of you children out there can imagine how difficult it is to catch a real cloud floating around in the vast sky." "Even for a king." "All day long he was too worried to reign." "That evening the king summoned all his wise men... to the palace." "It was quiet." "The king said:" "Whoever catches a cloud for my one and only daughter will receive as much gold and silver as he can carry." "When all the wise men heard this they started to think and to ponder and to wonder..." "They all wanted to earn all that money." "Not a single one of them was able to catch a cloud." "The princess grew ever so thin." "She stopped eating completely." "Not even buttered bagels." "One day the gardener came to see her." "He hadn't seen her around." "She told him she was seriously ill and needed a cloud to get better." "The young gardener thought a while and happily exclaimed:" "Easy!" "What do you mean, the princess asked." "How can that be easy?" "All the wise men in the land are in despair." "Now you say that is as easy as pie." "It's easy, he said." "Just tell me what clouds are made of." "The princess almost laughed." "But she was too weak to laugh." "Every child in the world knows... that they're made of cotton balls." "Made of cotton balls?" "How big is a cloud then?" "He doesn't know a thing, she thought." "All you need do is look up at the sky!" "A cloud is just as big as my pillow." "The young gardener looked up towards the sky." "They are as big as your pillow." "He ran off as fast as he could and brought the princess a cloud." "It was the same size as her pillow." "You should have seen her face!" "Fajngold's been gone for 4 days now." "I thought he was just visiting friends." "He got talking and stayed over after curfew." "It's been 4 days." "How can he talk to friends?" "Deaf people communicate as well." "They just use sign language." "You didn't even know him." " There's no way we can help him." " That's true..." "No..." "Do something..." "What do you want me to do?" "Put the room back just as it was." "Why?" "Put the closet back." "But he's gone now." "Do it." "Explain to me why first." "I'd like it so." "Listen to me now." "I'm glad you're sad he went." "You didn't know him." "You just knew his snoring." "People disappear each day in the ghetto." "We can't get worked up about everyone." "You are hard and uncaring." "If it weren't for curfew at 8 you'd get up and leave right now." "Correct." "No tea?" "Listen, Jakob." "I have to speak with you." "Go on..." "Do you know Avron Minsch?" "Should I?" "He's the man" "I visited your cafe with three years ago." "Remember?" "Sure." "You said to me he was just an acquaintance." "That was back then." "He asked me today to become his wife." "What did you reply to him?" "It's up to you to make a decision." "Me?" "Stop joking." "I'm 36 years old." "He wants to take me to America." "I need time to think." "A rare guest." "Come in." "Sit down." "I expect you can guess why I have come here tonight." "Is Lina feeling worse?" "No." "That's not it." "I have come to talk about your radio." "Why not?" "One more makes no difference." "Pardon?" "You want to hear the news." "Not at all!" "I am here to protest strongly." "My visit is long overdue." "Why is that?" "I cannot imagine whatever in the world got into you when you started spreading news in the ghetto." "I find it hard to imagine you are unaware of the danger you cause us all." "Especially the people who live in this house." "Must I remind you where we are at present?" "Hardly..." "Maybe I should do so." "Change your ways." " How?" " Keep your news to yourself." "And then?" "Have you seen their eyes?" "How desperately they beg for news?" "You know how much they need good news?" " Do you?" " I can imagine it." "But..." "No buts!" "I know it won't speed up the Russian advance." "It's no real help." "Another aspect..." "Since the news started to get around the ghetto" "I have heard of no new suicide here in the ghetto." "Have you?" "I know how often you were called." "Mostly too late." "Maybe the whole thing is merely a pure coincidence." "Maybe not." "What's the king's name?" "Benjamin." "No name for a king." "Know who Benjamin is?" "My uncle in Tarnopol." "Not a king." "Listen..." "The princess got ill." "They called a doctor but he couldn't help her." "She said she needed cotton balls to get well." "As big as her pillow." " What did she have?" " You heard." "There's no such disease." "Maybe..." "If it were typhoid or whooping cough..." "Know what she really had?" "A fart in the head!" "Let's go." "She was really sick." "And the gardener helped her." "Then they got married." " Do you work here?" " Yes." "Is Rosa still there?" " Are you Mischa?" " Yes." "Is she there?" "She left just now." "They said she can go home." "When did she go?" "About 10 minutes ago." "Did they tell you to go?" "Don't go home." " Why?" " The area's being deported." "Fancy meeting you here." " What are you doing here?" " And you?" "I'm going home." "I was only at work for an hour today." "They sent some of us home early." "But not everyone." " You have the day off too?" " Yes." "Really?" "Let's go to my place." "So why are you here?" "To pick you up from work." "I thought you might be free." "You'd just left." "A girl told me that." " She knew me." " Larissa." "Why are we off work?" "That's what I'm wondering." "Maybe because of the Russians..." "What do you mean?" "Maybe the Germans know it's over." "They want to appear decent." " For when it's all over." " Maybe." "Which street?" "I don't know." " Are you hungry?" " Not right now." "Come here." "Mischa!" "It's our street." "Let go." "Let me go!" "Let go." "Get up." "Your neck's bleeding." "You knew it was going on all along." "I had no time to warn your parents." "Did you see them?" "You didn't let me see them." "You'll see them again." "Jakob says..." "It's all lies." "It's all a load of talk." "You will live here now." "Heard about the deportation?" "No, I haven't." "How's things with Rosa?" "We're managing to get by." "And food?" "We make do, I guess." "She gets no rations." "We noticed that alright." "Can someone help out?" "I help Lina." "So does the Professor." "Things are looking bad." "They're emptying the place." "The Germans are panicking." "The deportations show that the Russians are near." "Maybe the deportations are a good sign somehow." "Just try telling Rosa that one." " You want Uncle Jakob?" " Yes." "He's out." " Want to wait for him inside?" " Do you live here?" "You must be Lina." " Who told you?" " Mischa." "I know who you are." "Who?" "You must be Rosa." "That's right." " Been here before?" " No." "We get many visitors." "Know why?" "No." "They want to hear the news." "Is that why you're here?" "No." "But you've heard?" "What?" "Everything will change." "Look at this." " Seen one before?" " Yes." " What is it?" " Just a lamp." "Why are you so sad?" "Nothing will change." " You don't believe Jakob?" " No." "He tells fibs?" "But it's all true." "I heard the radio myself." "They're almost here." "Don't bank on it." "The Russians are in Pry." "That's not true." "They're in Mieloworno." "Just 120 kms from here." "The whole factory knows." "I work at the freight yard." "Who hears the news first?" "All the news you get at the factory originates from Jakob." "Is there another radio?" "No idea." "News gets changed on the way." "It is passed on from person to person." "Everyone adds some detail." "So it gets changed until it is quite different." "They passed Mieloworno." "Do you want me to go home?" "No, please stay." "Something happened?" "Nothing has happened." "I am just feeling my age." "Can you imagine what these idiots... down at the factory - no offense to you - are saying?" "The Russians are in Mieloworno." "Shall I leave now?" "I take it any longer." "Nobody can stand it." "It won't be much longer now." "What's up, Jakob?" "I have no radio." "I never had one." "I don't know where the Russians are." "Maybe they come tomorrow." "Maybe never." "They could be in Pry." "Or in Kiev... or even farther." "Maybe they lost the war altogether by now." "All I can tell you for sure is that they were fighting in Bezanika." "You say nothing?" "What should I say?" "I understand you perfectly." "I really do." "If I had a radio in my possession I would keep quiet about it." "Or I'd have burnt it." "I am sure about that." "Giving news to an entire ghetto." "Impossible for me." "If I ever understood anyone then I understand you now." "You don't believe me?" "What does it matter anyway what I believe?" "Don't worry." "I won't ask any more questions." "You knew him?" " What?" " Did you know him?" "I'll make you an offer, Jakob." "We'll serve each other for free." "Well?" "Good." "Why are you grinning?" "A deal's a deal?" "What's funny now?" "You eat more often than you get a haircut." "True..." "But I shave every day." "A deal is a deal." "How could you do this to me?" "Aren't there enough murderers in this world?" "Why did you have to choose me of all people on the earth?" "ALL JEWS MUST ASSEMBLE" "TODAY AT 1500 HRS" "ONLY 5 KILOS LUGGAGE." "When?" "Read for yourself." "Why are you packing?" "Why do people pack?" "To go away." "Exactly." "Are we going away then?" "Yes, we are going away." "Where?" "I'm not quite sure." "Is it nearby or far away?" "Quite far away, I think." "As far as America?" "No." "China?" "No." "As far as Africa?" "Yes, almost as far as Africa." "Aren't you glad?" "I hate traveling." "It will be nice there." "Can we take the lamp?" "No." "Please take the lamp." "Maybe there's oil there." "No room." "Get your things together." "We're going away..." "We're going away..." " What's up?" " Lift me up to the window." "You weigh a ton." "Give her to me." "Remember the story?" "Which one?" "The sick princess." "Yes." "Is it a true story?" "Of course it is." "The boys said it is silly." "What is silly?" "Getting well with cotton balls." "She wanted a cotton ball as big as her pillow." "She wanted a cloud." "She thought clouds are made of cotton balls." "Aren't clouds made of cotton balls?" "Subtitling:" "TITELBILD, Berlin with Peter Wilson et al."