"THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US" "THE CITY HAS CAPITULATED" " He's back" " Who?" " The doctor." " Drunk?" "Of course the man is drunk again." "A disgrace to the whole house." "Good evening, doctor." "Good evening." "Sorry it is so late but I'm desperate." "I have broken my glasses." "Could you solder them this evening?" "I fear they are past mending." "I'll see if I can find you a new frame." "One to fit the old lenses." "I need my glasses tomorrow for work." "Then they will have to be repaired by tomorrow morning for you." "But I have to leave home at 7." " You're not open at that hour." " Knock on the door when you go by." "You glasses will be ready for you." "Thank you so much for your help." "I'm so glad you're alive." " Why are you in the dark?" " Guess who's here!" "Miss Wallner." " She had the doctor's studio." " So?" "Come see." "Look." "That's her in there now." "Yeah and?" "What do I care?" "I don't know her." "I told you all about her." "They came here and took her away with them in 1942." "Just imagine." "The poor girl was in a concentration camp." "Because of her father." "They took him too." "I was afraid of freedom." "Afraid of people..." "Afraid to return here." "Afraid to see our city again." "Now I'm sitting here again." "Just like old times." "You are still working here as if nothing had happened." "It is incredible..." "It's unbelievable." "It is purely good fortune." "Good fortune?" "This is all I was able to rescue out of the rubble down in the cellar." "People always used to laugh." "I hoarded things for ages." "Now all this old junk I kept over the years is my start to a new life." "Believe me..." "It is so hard..." "so hard to forget the past." "No, it is easy to forget what happened." "You need to have a worthwhile goal to aim for." "Yes, work..." "Life..." "Life at last." " Are you going to your apartment?" " Yes." "Miss Wallner." "I must warn you about something." "There is a man living in there." " A man?" " Yes." "What man?" " Can I help you?" " I used to live here." "Really?" "I'm Susanne Wallner." " So what?" " This here is my apartment." "That's not true This apartment is mine now." "But it belongs to me." "You don't own it." "You're just a tenant." "Or you were..." "What do you want?" " I want to live here again." " No way." "I live here now." "I have a right to live here." "I have a contract." "A lease..." "Right." "You have a lease..." "Come and take a look." "Look out there." "The former tenants all possessed valid leases." "And what about you?" "Where were you during the air raids?" "People died in the cellars..." "All hell broke loose..." "They burried their dead where they found them." "Go for a walk through the ruins." "You'll find the graves there." "You see..." "They were all in possession ...of a valid lease as well." "A final one." "And you?" "Where were you at the time?" "In the country?" "The hills?" "In safe keeping?" "Yes." "I gýess I was in safe keeping." "You could call it that." "Is the other room like this?" "More or less." "Please bring my suitcase." "I'll stay in here until you find somewhere." " It'll take a few days." " It will take a lot longer than that." "I am not going." "Thanks." "I hope we get along." "What are you doing?" "Packing?" " Can't you see?" " I said it's okay with me... for a few days." "I mind." "Can't you understand?" "Sorry..." "I'm not capable..." "I can't share." "Do you have anywhere else to sleep tonight?" "You are too kind." "Almost all houses are free... without a lease..." "It depends what standard you require." "It doesn't matter anyway." "I am not forcing you to leave." "Please." "Please stay until..." "I'm going out." "Glad to see you, Doctor." "Where's the camera?" "I have a buyer." " I have no camera to sell." " You promised to bring it today." "That's mean." "Believe me..." "It would have been a lot meaner" "If I'd brought the camera with me." "It all depends where you stand." " But you can't stand anywhere." " He offered Luckies and liquor." "Let's raise our glasses and drink to the good old college days." "Let me give you a good piece of advice." "Fairy tales... you can only choose between good and bad." "We only have a choice between the greater and the lesser evil." "You shouldn't drink so much." " Check." " You play chess?" "Doesn't it look like a battlefield?" " Don't make that move." " Why?" "You lose 2 pawns." "But that way I save the king." " You're a true monarchist." " You're drunk." "Don't talk like that." "It's a game, wooden pieces." "Who cares..." "Be it made of wood, ebony or bone..." "It's always the same principle." "The battle cry is:" "Save the king's life at all costs." "The pawns can die." "All that matters is saving the king." "I hate this game." "If you weren't drunk I would hit you for that." "What's up?" "It's just a harmless game of chess." "A harmless game with tin soldiers leads down a short perilous track to the harmless air rifle to the harmless rifle range" "and then" "to a mass grave." "Morning." "Morning." "You were gone all night." "You were out on the town all night, Dr. Mertens?" "Why are you up so early?" "Why don't you sleep in?" "No." "The day is too short for that." "I do not know how much time I have left to spend, you know." "Who does?" " It doesn't matter any more." " It certainly does matter to me." "I have a lot of work to do." "I admire hope." "You're naive." "If he is still alive he will return home one day." "The house will be ready and waiting for him." "His father will await him." "The house." "Just forget it." "Cracked walls..." "Broken flooarboards..." "Boarded windows..." "Leaky pipes down to the cellar." "How can you be sure he's not a wealthy man by now?" "A homeowner." "Living in a mansion somewhere out there with shining windows and a garden full of flowers to call his own." "I will have willingly worked in vain." "He will come back here anyway." "Maybe he forgot his father." "Maybe he thinks you are dead." "It's a miracle you're alive." "He'd come to look for my grave." "You are a poor soul, Dr. Mertens." "We all are, my friend." "Would you please confine your cleaning to your own room!" "If I feel it is necessary to restore civil order I shall do so myself." "You can't enjoy living in this mess." "Who said I'm enjoying it?" "You haven't slept here for days and don't care how things are." "Right." "Maybe we could swap rooms." "I need this room to work." " You did this?" " They are just sketches." "Save the children." "I take off my hat to you." "Then they can thank their parents for their great life." "Have you no shame?" " Is that to go?" " Sure." "I'll do it." "I'll take it." "I'm leaving soon anyway." "Where're you going?" "Walking." "The streets are so empty." " You never think about work?" " Sometimes I do bother to consider it." " And that satisfies you?" " Yes, it satisfies me." " What is your occupation?" " A specialist for surgery." " What, a doctor?" " What an intelligent question to ask." "Surgeons are usually doctors." "But I'm a special surgeon." "One who can't stand seeing blood." "I can no longer bear to hear the moans of people in torment." "I know there is no longer any point in healing mankind." "You see..." "Now you look so serious." "It's strange." "If I speak to someone they forget how to smile." "I can be witty." "See you." "What a surprise." "We don't often see you here." "True..." "I was just passing..." " Am I disturbing you?" " No, though my schedule is tight." "Due to the present boom." "Come in." "People are uncertain about their lives." "Many questions arise." "Who shall answer them?" "Who can answer them?" "Then one suddenly remembers..." "Mind your step." "We have no light." "Wait a moment." "Do you mind if I show you the way?" "There are secret correlations to be found in the universe." "One's fate, one's whole future." "depends on the cosmos." "Is that so?" "My dear Mr. Mondschein, I assure you it is so." "For Mrs. Cpt." "Brückner." "Open after my death." "Dear Father, I shall return home just as soon as I possibly can." "I promise you that." "May the dear Lord above be with you and protect you in such hard times." "Your loving son." "That is the last sign I received." "to indicate that he was still alive." "Don't worry, dear fellow." "It won't be much longer now." " It can't be much longer." " Why do you say that?" "I have the feeling my time is running out." "There is one way..." "If I could see into the future..." "Many say I am gifted in that way..." " I have given help many times." " How much would it cost?" "Give me the letter, please." "I see a bridge." "Yes..." "It is a large bridge." "It is a long bridge between two continents." "I can see many people... are on the bridge." "Some of the people on the bridge come from faraway places." "Some people are leaving." "I can also see that people are on the shore..." "They are waiting..." "They see the people arriving..." "Now..." " Now I see you quite clearly." " Me?" "You begin to recognise each other as you get closer to one another." "You approach each other." " He waves in your direction." " That is my son." "Now it's all gone." "You interrupted me!" "That doesn't matter." "Now I know for sure." "I always knew that it was true." "Thank you so much for helping me in this way." " How much do I owe you?" " For you I couldn't possibly..." "No, no I want to pay." " Then give me 10 marks." " Thank you." "Mind the steps when you go." "It is easy to give people simple pleasures sometimes." "Look at me, Mondschein." "How do I look?" "You are drunk." "How very observant." "Should I send you my photo?" "You're going up like that?" "You should come up sometime." "It's cozy now." "The table will be set for supper." "Everything is there." "Clean silverware... a nice cup of tea." "Even napkins." " I'm a real bourgeois." " Then all's in order." "Naturally it's in order." "The only way, for the bourgeois." "See you." "I raise my glass to domestics." "There are some decent folks left." "A disgrace!" " We should complain." " Who do we complain to these days?" "This was a decent house." "Come on, Susanne." "Join me." "Have a drink with me." "That cost a day's wages." "Have you thought about that?" "I'd have thrown him out." "If only out of decency." "Must be a real love nest up there." " It's a love nest, you say?" " Please, I have eyes in my head." "She shops and cooks." "And washes his undershirts!" "Why do you do this for me?" "I found a letter today." "A letter?" " What kind of letter?" " To a Mrs. Brückner." "The letter seems important but you haven't mailed it." "It wouldn't be here otherwise." "No." "Don't pry in my affairs." "Stop snooping." "It's a letter from a dead comrade." " I felt it was my duty..." " So?" "..." "Now it's your duty..." "Mind your own business." "Stop snooping!" "I didn't look for it." "It was on the floor." "Maybe you forgot it." "Maybe I forgot." "I've forgotten nothing." "I didn't want to." "I just can't help it." "I needn't answer to you anyway." "We're not married." "One day the time will come." "I didn't think it could." "Then I shall be able to say to someone:" "I love you." "The person will be you, Susanne." "I swear it to you." "Don't say anymore." "I'll wait for you." "Could I speak to Mrs. Brückner?" " Do come in." " I have something for her." " I'm glad you came." "What's that?" " It's for you." "Put it on my desk." "I've an interesting tibia fracture." " If you would care to assist me." " Gladly, Professor." "What's wrong?" "Please excuse the mess, will you?" "How can I help?" "I have come to see you on a matter of some delicacy." "Really?" "I have a letter for you." "You should have had it long ago." "I am so glad you did not come before." " Why?" " Let me explain." "Ferdinand!" " My husband is still alive." " Bet your bottom dollar he's alive." "The letter's here." " Which letter?" " You gave it to a comrade." "How funny." "You sure would have been shocked." "More than just a shock." "I shall confiscate it." "I don't want you reading the letter." "Dead men can be forgiven." " How did you get the letter?" " Dr. Mertens said to deliver it." "Dr. Mertens!" "How is he?" "He's not pushing up daisies?" "I need not stay." "You know what to do." "Captain!" "Revoke the order." "Listen..." "Hear the terrible screams..." "The children..." "What do they have to do with it?" "The women..." "The screams..." "No..." "I can't do it." "I thought it had to be a war experience." "A terrible experience." "War is always terrible." "I will have a word with him." "Tell me when he regains consciousness." "It won't be long." " Evening." " You were gone ages." "Sorry..." " Is there anything wrong with you?" " Nothing." "I'm fine." "He's alive and well." "Who is?" "Brückner." "He's alive and well." "He sends his regards." "You must visit him." "He looks forward to it." "What?" "He wants to see you." "He sang your praises." "Really?" "What then?" "You're a great guy to know and a real lousy soldier." "You know him." "He can be very candid." "But a nice guy." " You like him?" " No way." "You're right." "He is a nice guy all right." " What's he doing?" " He has a factory." "I saw a truck with helmets there." "He's not making helmets." "They process them." "They were old and damaged." "Go see him." "His wife is a nice person and he is so dynamic." "What's the matter?" "Nothing." "I should visit." "I must see it with my own eyes." "You are right." "It's really important to have seen it." "How does a man like that live?" "Look!" "My factory is doing well." "I have 120 workers employed full time." "My apartment is completely restored." "Real glass panes." "No cardboard for us." "Reconstruction." "That's the motto." "My company's marching again." " You have your own practice?" " No." " A resident?" " No." " What are you doing?" " Nothing." " There's enough work for doctors." " That's not it." " Dinner is served." " Come and say hello, will you." "My eldest son." "Please join us for dinner." "You know I was badly wounded." "I was alone surrounded by the enemy." "A comrade came by." "I thought I'd die." "I gave him a letter for Mom." "He gave me his gun..." "Mine was lost..." "I wanted it so I could shoot myself." "I did not want to be taken prisoner." "This was the comrade." "Why didn't you die?" "I kept thinking of my family at home." "I knew I must survive for Mom and my 2 boys at home." "That night our side counter-attacked." "They found me." "Son." "Your food's getting cold." "Don't eat it any more." "More room for pudding." "Do you smoke cigarettes?" "I have to hide them." "My eldest has started." "The other day I caught him with an American cigarette." "I have something else to give you too." "Recognize it?" "I could not bring myself to part with it." "Too many memories..." "In the darkest hours I looked at it." "and wondered if it would put an end to my life." "Now it has been returned to its rightful owner." "I would not give it to anyone else." "Don't tell anyone." "It is a strange feeling to hold a gun in one's hand again." "Oh, it's you." " I thought..." " I know." "He didn't come home again tonight." "It is so kind of you to come up and visit me." "Do you remember the first time we saw each other again?" "Down in the shop?" "If I remember correctly you wanted to live, finally." "To start a proper life at last." " Isn't that so?" "That's right." "Living, working and helping." "You are still a very young person." "Before you do anything in life you should always ask yourself if the effort is worth your while." "You must decide if the sacrifice you make is really worth the trouble." " Should one really do that?" " Yes." "Of course not." "But one should avoid running straight into disaster which is what you are doing at the moment." "Would you refuse someone help?" "Would you turn him away?" "Just because he was wounded before returning home?" "If that same helpless person depends on you?" " Would you turn him away?" " Of course not." "You see." "Some injuries are invisible to the eye." "Healing such injuries requires compassion endless patience and love." " You love him?" " Yes." " Does he love you?" " I don't know that." "I don't ask any more." "Once I was certain..." "Rats!" "Rats!" "Rats everywhere." "The city is alive again." "We were waiting for you to come home, Dr. Mertens." "Susanne was worried about you still being out." "Something might have happened while you were gone." "It might well have." "You are right there." "It might have." "2 MILLIONS WERE GASSED Report from Auschwitz Released" "Good to see you." "Come on in." "I was thinking of you." "I'd have sent a messenger." " Do you have time?" " For you?" "Always." "I'm alone at the moment." "My wife is visiting relations." "There was a truck going there." "Know a bar with some nice girls?" "You are a bachelor after all." " I know of such a place." " Let's go then." "But it is quite a long way to walk there from here." "Don't look so sad." "We want to have fun." "Every era offers its chances if you find them." "Helmets from saucepans or saucepans from helmets." "It's the same game." "You must manage." "That's all." " What is up?" " We turn right here." "Don't run away and leave me." "I don't know this area." "Don't leave me." "I'll get lost." "I hope it's worth it." "We've walked long enough." "This is a Godforsaken wasteland." "It's a desert." "Let's get the hell out of here." " It should be forgotten." " You can't forget." "Captain Brückner!" "Captain?" "Why Captain?" "Remember?" "I often look back." " Golden days in gray uniforms." " Get out of here." " What's wrong?" " Nothing at all." "You're a changed man." "Am I?" "Where did she come from?" " Why are you here?" " I need a doctor." "There's one right here." " Stop." " Shut up." "You are a doctor." "Help is called for." "Please come with me, Doctor." "I desperately need your help." "Please help me." "It's my child." "She started to choke an hour ago." "She can't breath." "She's suffocating." "Get a move on!" "A life is in danger!" "A child's life." " I only have this one child." "Please!" " I'll come and take a look." "About time too, you slowcoach." "I'll see you later on then." "I'll find my own way." "Don't worry about me." "You live here?" " Do you know the Frasquita bar?" " Over there." "Hurry up, Doctor." "Here she is." "What is the matter with her?" "Tell me, Doctor." "She had a drink an hour ago." "She started to fight for air shortly afterwards." "Yes, I know..." "You will have to assist me." "I need light." "Fixative..." "The tube..." " Where is it?" " I think it's here." "No." "What do you need?" "Help her." "She is going to suffocate." "Oh, God." "Edith... my child..." "help me..." "Help me..." "My child..." " Help me, Doctor." "Quickly." " Don't worry about her." "She will be all right." "Bring a pillow." "Now pour away the water, please." "Bring the pan here." "Now remove the lid." "Now the lamp." "Hold it closer." "I need more light." "Oh, my God." "No..." "Look away." "Bandage." " The doctor has a real nice friend." " You're nice yourself." "We're all nice." " Where did you meet Dr. Mertens?" " We were comrades-in-arms." "You know, little lady that is a bond for life." "We went through a lot together." "The main thing is we came through it." "Nothing can get us down." "Cheers, little lady." "We must change for the finale." " Where are you going?" " See you later." " My pleasure." " We can meet backstage later on." "Your wish is my command." "I'm looking forward to it." "I'll be back." "Edith must be moved to a hospital." "She's not in danger any more." "Doctor..." "What do I owe to you for all your help?" "How can I ever show my thanks?" "Thank me?" "Thank fate if you want, or chance." "Or God." "Whoever you like." "But don't thank me." " Goodbye for now." " Doctor, listen..." "I am just so..." "More thanks?" "No, I'm so glad." "I'll let you in on a secret." "So am I." " Susanne!" " Yes..." "You waited for me." "Yes." "Susanne..." "I love you." "I can tell your fortune with the help of scientific methods." "Poor Mondschein." "He must have loved his son dearly." "He put up with it all." " He believed and hoped and dreamed." " His hopes and dreams were dashed." " There's something I want to ask you." " Go ahead." "What happened at the hospital?" "Nothing." " What should have?" " Something did." "I'm sure something happended." "I feel it." "You refuse to talk to me about it." "You never talk about yourself." " I love you." " I know." "I know so little about you." " Nothing of your work, your studies." " You want to know my background?" "You can see all my work." "Or what's left of it." "It reduces the draft." "A day out of my past." "Take a look at this." "It is a thoracoplasty." "The patient had tuberculosis." "It's always a matter of life and death." "We had prepared an operation." "The professor did not arrive." "I had to tell the young patient we all liked very much." "the operation was postponed." "He wouldn't accept it." "He begged me to help him." "He appealed to my compassion." "Don't let me wait any more." "His total desperation tempted me." "His trust in me and my ambition." "A rare chance to prove myself." "Then I decided to ignore the rules." "The experienced nurse was againist it." "But I operated on him." "And then..." "Suddenly I felt totally calm." "I felt completely confident." "As if I had done it 100 times before." "It was a miracle." "And then what?" "Then?" "Then the other miracle happened." "The war broke out." "All the deaths." "What does one life matter?" "What are triumphs in research?" "What use are conquests of science?" "What is the meaning?" "As long as peace in this world is just a short pause until a new war errupts somewhere." "Just a pause for breath until people die in droves again." "Peace." "Christmas." "How I longed for the day." "But now.." "I'm not sure any more." "It all seems so unreal somehow." "Maybe because in our hearts... there is no peace." " Is this staying?" " Of course." "I'm glad I could get one." " Don't you want a tree?" " But of course I do." "It puts me in a Christmas spirit." "A Christmas tree brings back many happy memories." "I'm fond of it." "You are right." "You hit the nail right on the head." " Going out?" " I have important business." "I want to finish it now." " Merry Christmas" " Thanks." " Visitors from America?" " No." " I saw you with an American soldier." " So what?" " What did he want?" " He wanted to deliver a letter." " Merry Christmas." " Same to you." " Was the letter for you?" " No, it was news for Mr. Mondschein." "It arrived too late." "It was a letter from his son." "Such a shame." "He waited such a long time for it." "Place on earth and goodwill to all men." "My fellow workers." "It was important to me to spend this first Christmas after so many war years with you all." "Christmas is a time for families and we shall all celebrate at home." "We here are also a family." "United in need." "We are heading for a better future hand in hand." "A future we shall build for ourselves and our families." "We shall succeed." "We shall work hard to succeed." "It will be a long and stony path to follow." "A toilsome path." "But we shall spare no effort." "At the end of that path is a peacuful Germany." "The Germany we all love." "It must never be destroyed." "A land governed by justice." "A land where humanity triumphs." "Captain." "The civilians are all lined up." " No one escaped?" " No, sir." " Execute." " Yes sir." " Captain." " Mertens." "Look at the tree." "Anything missing?" "Captain..." "But no..." " Are you serious, Captain?" " What do you mean by that?" "Do you intend to shoot them?" "All those innocent women and children" "Must the children suffer?" "Just because a shot fell?" "We don't even know who it was." "Is our doctor planning to disobey my orders?" "That's what I get for being lenient." "Are you mad?" "I apologize." "Why this unnecessary cruelty?" " It's Christmas." " Lucky for you." "You get sentimental and negligent." "Too many thoughts of home." "Yes, Captain." "Think of the innocent victims." "Please reconsider." "It is Christmas." "I know." "I went to a lot of trouble preparing the celebrations." "We shall celebrate in harmony and comradeship." "You ought to get some fresh air." "Clear your mind." "Look for a star." "Otherwiser a tree isn't a tree." "Find one." "Or improvise if not." "Cut up some tin or maybe cardboard." "Yes, Captain." "Report for 24 December 1942 Execution 36 men, 54 women, 31, children 347 rounds of ammunition" "My time is up." "I know that now." "I'm dying." "Put your hand inside my coat pocket." "There's a letter there." "Found it?" "It's for my wife." "In case you are lucky and return home safely." "One thing..." "Do me a huge favor." "Give me your weapon." "I lost mine somewhere." "I will not be taken prisoner if they find me here." "Please put it into my hand." "I gave the dying man my gun." "I did not feel the slightest trace of sympathy for him." "I was thankful to fate." "Thankful that I had kept my faith in a higher justice." "Glad fate had relieved me of an obligation." "that I felt called to fulfill in the name of humanity." "Poland December 24, 1942" "Brückner is alive." "The murderers are among us." "Now, dear friend, I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas." "Thank you." "Mertens?" "Why are you here?" "Waiting for me?" "I'm glad you came to meet me." "Come home and celebrate with us." "I have some booze." "What's up?" "Why are you staring at me?" "Are you angry?" "It is a strange feeling to be holding a weapon again." "Are you mad?" "What's going on?" "No..." "What's in your pocket?" "You have a gun." "What do you want from me?" "Money maybe?" "I demand justice Captain Brückner." "What do you mean, you demand justice?" "I mean justice for 35 men..." "for 54 women... and for 31 children..." "For 347 rounds of ammunition." "That was in the war." "It was completely different situation." "What's that got to do with now?" "With peacetime." "Christmas in peace..." "Think of my wife." "The kids aren't to blame." "Thank you..." "...Susanne." "We cannot pass sentence." "That's right, Susanne." "But we must bring charges." "Demand atonement on behalf of million of innocent murder victims." "Why accuse me?" "I am innocent." "I am innocent." "I am innocent."