Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) s01e06 Episode Script
Love Has Its Price
together with major contributions by many others, present: Based on the novel by Alfred DÃblin a film in 13 parts with an epilogue It's true, Franz.
I can't stand Trude.
I just can't stand her.
Do you understand? She nauseates me.
She makes me sick.
When she eats I hear it like explosions.
Or when she swallows.
Or gawks at me I could I don't know.
I could wring her neck.
I'm absolutely sick of her, I tell you.
I have to get rid of her.
I just have to.
And I have to get rid of her today.
Today.
Then you have another one already, Reinhold? Yes.
Yes.
I've got another one.
Her name's Nelly.
She works in the market hall.
What a woman.
What a woman.
You wouldn't believe it.
She's a woman like Like I got the idea, Reinhold.
I know exactly what you mean.
But I'm not kicking Cilly out.
She's really settled in with me, and she's a decent little woman.
I tell you Reinhold just put the brakes on things, like any decent guy should.
It can't go on like this, Reinhold.
Hold on, Franz.
Wait a minute.
I don't understand you.
I don't understand what you mean.
Is it because of the fur collar? When Trude comes by she'll bring you What do I know? A watch, a silver pocket watch.
Or a fur cap with earflaps.
You could use one, couldn't you? No, Reinhold.
No way.
There's got to be an end to all this nonsense.
And I'll buy all that stuff myself, if I need it.
I've been thinking things over, Reinhold, giving the matter some close thought yesterday and today.
The best thing is for you to keep her to keep Trude, come what may.
Man, you have to get used to it.
You can do it.
They're all human beings, even broads.
Otherwise you can get a whore for 3 marks who'll be happy to move on afterwards.
But beguiling a woman with love and emotion and then dropping her, and one after another No, Reinhold.
Hey, what's up now? It's all right, Franz.
If you can't take Trude off my hands, then you can't.
I got by without you before.
Feeling better now, darling? That's my business.
I want you to feel good, Reinhold.
I love you so much.
No! What's the matter, Franz? Don't you feel well? It's nothing, Cilly.
It's nothing.
It was just a dream.
You've broken out in a cold sweat.
Have I? What were you dreaming about? First, I was a horse.
An ordinary horse pulling a vegetable cart to the market hall.
But I don't want to be a horse.
I don't want to run around at night in the cold.
I'd rather be in the stable where it's warm.
Then suddenly I notice that my toes are frozen.
And I want to die.
Because I'm not allowed in the stable where it's warm and because my feet are frozen.
And just when I feel like dying, I really do die.
And when I'm dead, I'm not just gone.
I'm a bird sitting in a tree.
And suddenly I see how a snake is slowly creeping up the tree towards me.
I want to fly away because I think: "You're a bird.
You can fly away.
" But I can't.
I may be a bird, but I can't fly away.
I can't move at all.
VI.
Love Has Its Price And the snake comes nearer and nearer.
And I want I want to escape.
I want to get farther and farther away.
I'm getting increasingly scared.
And the snake's coming toward me.
And then it's next to me and bites me.
And once it had bitten me I wasn't a bird anymore.
I was myself and the snake was Reinhold.
But I'd still been bitten.
And then I knew I really had to die.
Sorry, Cilly.
It was a stupid dream to wake you up for.
It's not a stupid dream.
It's not a stupid dream at all.
I can understand why you were so afraid.
In Berlin, in early April, when there was a breath of spring in the air a Russian student, Alex Fraenkel, shot his fiancé, the 22-year-old artisan Vera Kaminskaya, in her rooming house.
The governness Tatyana Sanftleben, of the same age who had planned to take her life with them was seized with fear at the last moment and ran away while her friend Vera lay lifeless on the floor.
She ran into a police patrol, told them her frightful experiences of the past months and led them to the place where Vera and Alex lay mortally wounded.
Homicide was alerted and sent officers to the crime scene.
Alex and Vera had wanted to marry but economic conditions did not permit matrimony.
Well, how are things? How's business? Isn't there enough happening in the world? Can't complain.
Things could be worse.
I've got enough to live on.
What more does a guy need? -I'm not one for luxury.
-That's true.
You're not a guy for luxury.
On the other hand there's something to be said for being able to afford things and for the certainty of having something to eat in 10 days or three weeks.
It all depends.
It depends, how you look at things and how much you have to sell yourself to have that certainty.
Bruno, come over here a moment.
You too, Theo.
Let's talk the matter over in peace again.
It's great how the boys jump when he calls, huh? He's sure got a hold on them.
Well, they make a good living with him.
-Pums needs more people.
-What should I do with fruit? Fruit's not his only line.
He's a shrewd devil, Pums.
Pretty shrewd.
But they're just like his employees.
They're dependent on him like with any other boss.
Maxe.
-Yes? -Bring us two doubles.
Coming up.
You know, Meck Do you know what I say? People are a really strange lot.
Have you just figured that out? No, I don't mean it like that.
I mean something quite specific.
Do you understand? If you mean something specific, then spit it out.
Well, the thing is Here you go.
Thanks.
Cheers.
What I mean is It's Reinhold I'm referring to.
I agreed to take over his broads, because he gets sick of them so quickly.
That's right! That's what I did, twice, first Fraenze and then Cilly.
But the third time I said: "No, Reinhold, no.
Cilly's settled down so well with me.
She's staying.
I'm not kicking her out.
" So now he's stuck with his Trude.
Don't tell me you really made an agreement like that? Yeah, like I said.
That's the craziest thing I ever heard.
He must learn to stay with someone, even if it's boring for him sometimes.
Do you understand? There's something wrong with the guy.
But because he's my friend, and I kind of like him I thought I ought to help him out.
-Cheers, Meck.
-Cheers.
We'll sing a canon around our table, Mabel We'll sing a canon around our table, Mabel Three times three is nine We're boozing all like swine Three times three and one is ten Let's have a round of drinks again Two, three, four, seven At 8:23 and 17 seconds another person enters the bar.
Another One, two, three, four, five, six, seven Mother's cooking beets in heaven Who can it be? The king of England, you say? No, it's not the king of England riding with his retinue to the opening of parliament, a symbol of the English nation's sense of independence.
No, it's not him.
Who is it then? It's only Who comes shuffling up, his socks falling down? Reinhold.
Sit down at the back there.
Bring Trude a beer, and a coffee for me.
Coming up.
Hi, Reinhold.
You're pretty late.
-Sorry, boss.
-All right.
It's hard not to burst out laughing, and die of laughter in the end.
It's no laughing matter, Meck.
It's not funny.
He's a subject of my education.
He's my pupil.
I've got him on a tight rein.
Wrigley P.
R.
chewing gum.
For healthy teeth, fresh breath, better digestion.
Take a seat, Reinhold.
How are things at home? Everything hunky-dory? You can see for yourself: Trude's still with me.
You get used to it.
See, Meck we're putting things straight in the world.
We're running the show.
Just let anyone say otherwise.
One penitent sinner is worth more than 999 just persons.
And what about you? Aren't you glad all that hassle with the broads is over? You'd like to play the physician, huh? Why not? I've got experience in these things.
I know how things are.
You want to cure me by turning me into a married cripple? Cheers! Long live the married cripple! Three times three is nine We're boozing all like swine Come on, Reinhold, sing along.
If you don't make a start, you'll never reach the end.
Cheers.
Just a minute.
What's up with them? Do you understand what they have to whisper about all day? Well, Biberkopf? Still as stubborn as ever? It's all quite simple.
You take over a vegetable truck.
Pums delivers the goods and the earnings are handsome.
And I told you I don't want to.
Think it over.
Just think it over.
You'll find me when you need me.
Come on, Meck.
-Bye, everybody.
-Bye.
I'm going too.
I have to.
All the best, boys.
What do you think, Reinhold? What do you think about this business with Pums? Well I'm in on it too.
I don't know.
I'll think it over.
Cursed be the man, saith Jeremiah, that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
For he shall be as a tree by the waters, that spreadeth her roots and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the year of drought neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: Who can know it? Franz you might at least have taken off your boots.
Don't make such a fuss, Cilly.
Boots on, boots off.
Boots on, boots off.
I can't keep taking my boots off.
Water in the thick black forest, terrible black water, you lie so silent.
So terribly quiet you lie unmoving when the storm rages around the forest.
And the pines bend and the cobwebs are torn apart, and the splintering begins.
In the hollow you lie, black water.
The branches fall.
The wind tears at the forest, but does not reach you down there.
No dragons.
The time of the mammoth has passed.
There is nothing that could frighten one.
What's up now? Nothing at all, Cilly.
Sunday, April 8th, 1928 Is today a holiday, Cilly? Yes, it's Sunday.
No, Cilly, a special holiday? The bells are ringing like crazy.
Where? Just now.
I didn't hear anything.
Did you hear something? They were really booming, Cilly, really making a racket.
You must have been dreaming.
No, Cilly I wasn't dreaming.
You don't dream things like that.
Not bells ringing.
I heard it.
Who knows what happened to somebody just now? You shouldn't talk like that, Franz.
You frighten me.
Really.
You frighten me.
It's all right, Cilly.
I'm going out to get a breath of fresh air.
To see whether anything's happened.
Terrible black water, you lie so silent, so terribly still.
Plants decay in you.
Fish, snails move.
Nothing else.
Yet, though you're only water, there's something uncanny about you, black water, terribly quiet water.
That's Bruno.
Of course it's Bruno.
What's going on here? Hold it! You're coming to the station.
Do you understand? Go to Pums.
Do me a favor.
Koelnerstrasse 17.
Go to Pums.
Tell him I can't come today.
Can I rely on you? -Sure.
Good evening, Mr.
Pums.
Good evening.
Mr.
Biberkopf.
Very pleased to see you.
Come in.
It's all right, Clara.
Come over here.
You're amazed I came to see you, aren't you? Well, what should I say? I'm walking across the Alex, and in Landsbergerstrasse there's a scrap going on.
So I go over to see what's happening.
Well There's Bruno slugging it out with some little guy.
Then the cops come along and cart him off.
So I'm supposed to tell you he can't come tonight.
And that's it.
Strange.
I was thinking of you anyway, Biberkopf.
Very strange.
Yeah, it is strange.
So Bruno's not coming this evening? In that case you'll take his place, Biberkopf.
What do I do? Take a seat first.
It's all very simple, Biberkopf.
It's nearly 6 now.
At 9, we have to pick up the goods.
Today's Sunday.
You don't have anything to do anyway.
I'll pay your expenses and on top of that, I'll pay you.
Let's say, 5 marks an hour.
-Five marks? -Yes, 5 marks.
Plus expenses.
Okay, then, 5.
50.
What do I care? Would you like a coffee or a small schnapps? No thanks.
It's just that I should really get home.
My girl's there.
Cilly.
I can't leave her home alone all day Sunday.
No, Biberkopf.
I can't let you go now.
Everything will fall through and I'll be left holding the baby.
No, not for some woman.
That won't do at all, Biberkopf.
You're not ruining everything for us because of that.
She won't run away from you.
I know that.
That's the truth.
I can count on her.
And that's why I can't leave her sitting alone.
She doesn't see or hear anything from me, doesn't even know where I am.
Yes, Mr.
Biberkopf, that'll sort itself out.
By the way, this is my wife, and this is Mr.
Franz Biberkopf.
He'll be joining us tonight.
-Don't forget to take your pills.
-No, I won't forget this time.
"No more child marriages in lndia.
A cemetery for prize winning livestock.
" "Bruno Walter conducts his last concert this season on Sunday, April 15, at the Civic Opera House.
The program will include Mozart's 'Symphony in E-flat major'.
The net proceeds will go toward the Gustav Mahler monument in Vienna.
Driver, married, 32, with 2A and 3B driver's licenses seeks employment in private business or trucks.
" Hello, Reinhold.
Hello, Franz.
Reinhold, I feel really at home here now.
It's great that you'll be with us.
Now I don't mind coming along.
Come what may.
I see.
You're coming along, too? That's what I just said.
That's right.
At least you've made a decision for once.
This is the place.
You can throw the cigar away now.
Why? Because I said so.
Understand? Hey.
What are you doing here, Biberkopf? You have no business here.
Stay down there and keep a lookout.
Go down there.
Why? Don't I have to pick something up here? Nonsense.
Get down there, and fast.
Didn't anyone tell you? No one told me anything.
Just get down there and keep a lookout.
What's going on here? Where are we? Robbery and murder.
They're stealing, breaking in.
I must get out of here.
I must get out of here.
An ice rink, a slide.
Quick getaway.
On the water, all the way to Alexanderplatz.
Must get out of here.
Run after that idiot.
Hey, why are you running away? Didn't anyone tell you? Well, it doesn't matter now.
Come with me.
No need to pull me.
I'm coming.
For God's sake, faster.
Okay.
Stand here and keep a lookout.
Who gives the orders here? Cut the crap.
There's no time for that.
Don't you have any brains? Don't act so dumb.
Just stay here and whistle if anything happens.
Okay? -Yes, but Reinhold, I -Shut up! So that's how it is.
Now I'm standing here.
They pulled a fast one on me.
They really hoodwinked me.
And that bastard hit me.
Reinhold hit me.
There's a robbery going on in there.
Who knows what they're stealing? My God, what a fool I am.
I thought they were dealing in fruit.
But they're just burglars.
My God, I'm keeping a lookout.
Do you hear, Franz? You're keeping a lookout.
After being locked in their cells, all prisoners must go to bed.
In summer, they may stay up until nightfall.
This here is a gang, and Pums is the leader.
Kloeckner, Humboldt, Deutz, Krupp Steel, Mercedes, and they lured me here.
Come on, Franz.
We're finished.
Let's go.
Everything's okay.
What? You're in on this, too, Meck? -Sure, Franz.
Didn't you know? I'm driving the other car.
Come on.
My God, Reinhold.
I'd never have thought you were so strong.
That sure hurt when you hit my arm back there.
Shut up, man.
Shut your face.
Be quiet now.
If anyone follows, give a signal up ahead.
Do you hear? If anyone follows Come on.
Let's follow them.
-Why, baby? -Let's see whether you're faster.
You don't have to tell me twice.
They're following us.
My God, drive faster.
They're coming closer.
What are you laughing at, you idiot? Are you out of your mind? Why shouldn't I laugh? It's nobody's business if I laugh, is it? So it's none of my business if you laugh? You no-good, two-bit jerk.
To me, you're nothing but a snake in the grass anyway.
A stool pigeon, that's what you are.
No, Reinhold.
One thing you can believe about me: I'd never rat on you.
I'd never rat on you.
Water in the black forest, lying so silent.
So terribly quiet you lie there, unmoving when a storm rages in the forest and the pines bend, and the cobwebs tear, and the splintering begins.
The storm does not reach you down there.
Cursed be the man, saith Jeremiah, that trusteth in man.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall inhabit the parched, uninhabited places.
The heart is deceitful and wicked.
Who can know it? Love Has lts Price Cilly was looking for him all afternoon.
Franz didn't come home.
Got to piss.
Franz is dead.
What did you say? That Franz is dead.
It was an accident.
My God.
Franz is dead? Yeah, you heard right.
He's dead.
Understand? Dead.
It was an accident.
-Hello, Meck.
-He's dead.
Heard anything from my Franz? The guy just won't come home.
I'm waiting, and he lets me sit there.
You're his friend.
You must know where he is.
He's dead.
Your jokes are so bad that they're laughable.
It's no joke, Cilly.
Franz is dead.
It was an accident.
Dead? Say that again.
You filthy swine.
Say that again.
Say that again, you dirty, filthy swine.
Say that again, that my Franz is dead.
Say it again.
-Cilly Franz is dead.
Dead? Don't do that again, Cilly.
I won't take that a second time.
Do you understand? I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I couldn't-- I'm sorry, Meck.
I couldn't control myself.
It just came over me.
It's all right, Cilly.
It's okay.
Where's Reinhold? Reinhold? Why him? Why? Yes, why? Reinhold's his friend.
He always said he was his friend.
He's in the john.
In the john.
Reinhold, did you hear? Franz is dead.
He had an accident.
Did you hear? This is the men's room, Cilly.
Do you understand? The men's room.
Say something, Reinhold, please.
Anything.
Surely you can say something.
What do you want to hear? Well, if you really want to know it's true.
He's dead Franz.
It was an accident.
He fell in front of a car.
Reinhold don't you love me anymore? Not even a little bit? Sure.
Cilly.
Sure I do.
It's long enough ago now.
Is he dead? I'm not sure.
There's blood here too.
I think we have to call the police.
Why call the police? No one can see us here.
No one saw us.
And it's his own fault.
He fell out of the car.
We couldn't help it.
But we can't leave him lying here.
He might kick the bucket.
Like I said, it's his own fault.
He fell out.
We're not to blame.
My God, Marianne, if this man dies, and we could have helped him, could you ever forget it? I could never forget it.
And what do you think will happen if we call the police? What do you think'll happen? What an uproar there'll be.
Yes, you're right, Marianne.
It's sure to be unpleasant.
As you said, he fell out of the car.
We didn't have a chance.
But we have to call the police.
I think he's trying to say something.
Then he's still alive.
No police.
Please, no police.
Drive me back to Berlin, will you? No police.
Don't call the police.
Drive me back to Berlin.
Elsaesserstrasse.
Do you understand? Elsaesserstrasse 26.
Please.
He doesn't want the police.
He wants to go to Elsaesserstrasse 26.
We should take him there.
What do you say? You must decide that, Oskar.
You're the man.
You must decide.
Yes, that's the best thing.
It's best if we do that.
Come on.
Give me a hand.
Hell and lts Children Shut up.
I know that, yeah.
Reinhold.
Who is this? Can you tell me who this person is? No.
Cilly, what are you doing here? This is my girlfriend, Cilly.
And who are you, Madam? I asked you who you are and what you want.
This is my apartment.
What do you want here? I love you.
Well, that beats everything.
How can a person use words like that? Do you know what I say to you, Madam? You're an old sow.
Why did you do that? What have I done? I come home to my apartment and find a strange woman.
And then she says she loves me.
For three days, I feared something had happened to you.
No one need fear for me.
No one need worry about me.
Understand? Is that clear? I asked.
Don't hurt me, Reinhold.
Please, don't hurt me.
Don't hurt me.
Please, don't hurt me.
I've had enough of you.
I'm sick of you.
Do you hear me? I'm sick of you.
You're repulsive.
You nauseate me.
I never want to see you again.
Beat it! Do you hear me? Beat it! I don't understand, Reinhold.
What's the matter? Did you hear that? She doesn't understand what's up.
She didn't get it, the stupid bitch.
I have to go to the john.
I told you you make me sick.
You're repulsive.
And if you don't get out of here right away, I'll do you in.
I'll do you in.
Do you hear me? Please don't hurt me, Reinhold.
Get out of here.
I'll kill you.
I'll kill you.
I'll kill you.
No! No! No.
I've done it.
I managed to throw her out.
I just kicked her out.
Cilly I've managed to throw someone out.
I've managed to throw someone out.
Who'd have thought it? Not even Franz would have thought I could do it.
And it's important that we're happy when the sun rises, and the lovely light comes.
The gas lamps have to go out, the electric lights have to go out.
People have to get up when the alarm clock rings.
For a new day has begun.
The world has gone on turning.
The sun has risen.
You can't be sure what's up with this sun.
People are very concerned with this sun.
It's supposed to be the central body of our planetary system.
For our Earth is only a small planet.
But what are we, then? When the sun rises and we are happy one should actually be sad for what are we really? The sun is 300,000 times bigger than the Earth and there is no end of other numbers and zeroes which simply goes to show that we are a zero ourselves, absolutely nothing.
It's ridiculous really, yet one's happy nevertheless.
You come out onto the street and feel strong.
Colors emerge, people's faces come to life, and there are forms that you can grasp with your hands.
What a good thing it is that we can see.
That we can see these colors and the lines.
And people always take pleasure, when they can show what they are that they're doing something experiencing something.
We take pleasure in a little warmth.
We're happy that the flowers can grow.
But that other matter, that must be a mistake.
There must be an error in those terrible numbers with all the zeroes.
There is no cause for despair.
When I continue with this tale, telling it to its bitter, frightful end I shall often use these words: "No cause for despair.
" End of part six, with
I can't stand Trude.
I just can't stand her.
Do you understand? She nauseates me.
She makes me sick.
When she eats I hear it like explosions.
Or when she swallows.
Or gawks at me I could I don't know.
I could wring her neck.
I'm absolutely sick of her, I tell you.
I have to get rid of her.
I just have to.
And I have to get rid of her today.
Today.
Then you have another one already, Reinhold? Yes.
Yes.
I've got another one.
Her name's Nelly.
She works in the market hall.
What a woman.
What a woman.
You wouldn't believe it.
She's a woman like Like I got the idea, Reinhold.
I know exactly what you mean.
But I'm not kicking Cilly out.
She's really settled in with me, and she's a decent little woman.
I tell you Reinhold just put the brakes on things, like any decent guy should.
It can't go on like this, Reinhold.
Hold on, Franz.
Wait a minute.
I don't understand you.
I don't understand what you mean.
Is it because of the fur collar? When Trude comes by she'll bring you What do I know? A watch, a silver pocket watch.
Or a fur cap with earflaps.
You could use one, couldn't you? No, Reinhold.
No way.
There's got to be an end to all this nonsense.
And I'll buy all that stuff myself, if I need it.
I've been thinking things over, Reinhold, giving the matter some close thought yesterday and today.
The best thing is for you to keep her to keep Trude, come what may.
Man, you have to get used to it.
You can do it.
They're all human beings, even broads.
Otherwise you can get a whore for 3 marks who'll be happy to move on afterwards.
But beguiling a woman with love and emotion and then dropping her, and one after another No, Reinhold.
Hey, what's up now? It's all right, Franz.
If you can't take Trude off my hands, then you can't.
I got by without you before.
Feeling better now, darling? That's my business.
I want you to feel good, Reinhold.
I love you so much.
No! What's the matter, Franz? Don't you feel well? It's nothing, Cilly.
It's nothing.
It was just a dream.
You've broken out in a cold sweat.
Have I? What were you dreaming about? First, I was a horse.
An ordinary horse pulling a vegetable cart to the market hall.
But I don't want to be a horse.
I don't want to run around at night in the cold.
I'd rather be in the stable where it's warm.
Then suddenly I notice that my toes are frozen.
And I want to die.
Because I'm not allowed in the stable where it's warm and because my feet are frozen.
And just when I feel like dying, I really do die.
And when I'm dead, I'm not just gone.
I'm a bird sitting in a tree.
And suddenly I see how a snake is slowly creeping up the tree towards me.
I want to fly away because I think: "You're a bird.
You can fly away.
" But I can't.
I may be a bird, but I can't fly away.
I can't move at all.
VI.
Love Has Its Price And the snake comes nearer and nearer.
And I want I want to escape.
I want to get farther and farther away.
I'm getting increasingly scared.
And the snake's coming toward me.
And then it's next to me and bites me.
And once it had bitten me I wasn't a bird anymore.
I was myself and the snake was Reinhold.
But I'd still been bitten.
And then I knew I really had to die.
Sorry, Cilly.
It was a stupid dream to wake you up for.
It's not a stupid dream.
It's not a stupid dream at all.
I can understand why you were so afraid.
In Berlin, in early April, when there was a breath of spring in the air a Russian student, Alex Fraenkel, shot his fiancé, the 22-year-old artisan Vera Kaminskaya, in her rooming house.
The governness Tatyana Sanftleben, of the same age who had planned to take her life with them was seized with fear at the last moment and ran away while her friend Vera lay lifeless on the floor.
She ran into a police patrol, told them her frightful experiences of the past months and led them to the place where Vera and Alex lay mortally wounded.
Homicide was alerted and sent officers to the crime scene.
Alex and Vera had wanted to marry but economic conditions did not permit matrimony.
Well, how are things? How's business? Isn't there enough happening in the world? Can't complain.
Things could be worse.
I've got enough to live on.
What more does a guy need? -I'm not one for luxury.
-That's true.
You're not a guy for luxury.
On the other hand there's something to be said for being able to afford things and for the certainty of having something to eat in 10 days or three weeks.
It all depends.
It depends, how you look at things and how much you have to sell yourself to have that certainty.
Bruno, come over here a moment.
You too, Theo.
Let's talk the matter over in peace again.
It's great how the boys jump when he calls, huh? He's sure got a hold on them.
Well, they make a good living with him.
-Pums needs more people.
-What should I do with fruit? Fruit's not his only line.
He's a shrewd devil, Pums.
Pretty shrewd.
But they're just like his employees.
They're dependent on him like with any other boss.
Maxe.
-Yes? -Bring us two doubles.
Coming up.
You know, Meck Do you know what I say? People are a really strange lot.
Have you just figured that out? No, I don't mean it like that.
I mean something quite specific.
Do you understand? If you mean something specific, then spit it out.
Well, the thing is Here you go.
Thanks.
Cheers.
What I mean is It's Reinhold I'm referring to.
I agreed to take over his broads, because he gets sick of them so quickly.
That's right! That's what I did, twice, first Fraenze and then Cilly.
But the third time I said: "No, Reinhold, no.
Cilly's settled down so well with me.
She's staying.
I'm not kicking her out.
" So now he's stuck with his Trude.
Don't tell me you really made an agreement like that? Yeah, like I said.
That's the craziest thing I ever heard.
He must learn to stay with someone, even if it's boring for him sometimes.
Do you understand? There's something wrong with the guy.
But because he's my friend, and I kind of like him I thought I ought to help him out.
-Cheers, Meck.
-Cheers.
We'll sing a canon around our table, Mabel We'll sing a canon around our table, Mabel Three times three is nine We're boozing all like swine Three times three and one is ten Let's have a round of drinks again Two, three, four, seven At 8:23 and 17 seconds another person enters the bar.
Another One, two, three, four, five, six, seven Mother's cooking beets in heaven Who can it be? The king of England, you say? No, it's not the king of England riding with his retinue to the opening of parliament, a symbol of the English nation's sense of independence.
No, it's not him.
Who is it then? It's only Who comes shuffling up, his socks falling down? Reinhold.
Sit down at the back there.
Bring Trude a beer, and a coffee for me.
Coming up.
Hi, Reinhold.
You're pretty late.
-Sorry, boss.
-All right.
It's hard not to burst out laughing, and die of laughter in the end.
It's no laughing matter, Meck.
It's not funny.
He's a subject of my education.
He's my pupil.
I've got him on a tight rein.
Wrigley P.
R.
chewing gum.
For healthy teeth, fresh breath, better digestion.
Take a seat, Reinhold.
How are things at home? Everything hunky-dory? You can see for yourself: Trude's still with me.
You get used to it.
See, Meck we're putting things straight in the world.
We're running the show.
Just let anyone say otherwise.
One penitent sinner is worth more than 999 just persons.
And what about you? Aren't you glad all that hassle with the broads is over? You'd like to play the physician, huh? Why not? I've got experience in these things.
I know how things are.
You want to cure me by turning me into a married cripple? Cheers! Long live the married cripple! Three times three is nine We're boozing all like swine Come on, Reinhold, sing along.
If you don't make a start, you'll never reach the end.
Cheers.
Just a minute.
What's up with them? Do you understand what they have to whisper about all day? Well, Biberkopf? Still as stubborn as ever? It's all quite simple.
You take over a vegetable truck.
Pums delivers the goods and the earnings are handsome.
And I told you I don't want to.
Think it over.
Just think it over.
You'll find me when you need me.
Come on, Meck.
-Bye, everybody.
-Bye.
I'm going too.
I have to.
All the best, boys.
What do you think, Reinhold? What do you think about this business with Pums? Well I'm in on it too.
I don't know.
I'll think it over.
Cursed be the man, saith Jeremiah, that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
For he shall be as a tree by the waters, that spreadeth her roots and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the year of drought neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: Who can know it? Franz you might at least have taken off your boots.
Don't make such a fuss, Cilly.
Boots on, boots off.
Boots on, boots off.
I can't keep taking my boots off.
Water in the thick black forest, terrible black water, you lie so silent.
So terribly quiet you lie unmoving when the storm rages around the forest.
And the pines bend and the cobwebs are torn apart, and the splintering begins.
In the hollow you lie, black water.
The branches fall.
The wind tears at the forest, but does not reach you down there.
No dragons.
The time of the mammoth has passed.
There is nothing that could frighten one.
What's up now? Nothing at all, Cilly.
Sunday, April 8th, 1928 Is today a holiday, Cilly? Yes, it's Sunday.
No, Cilly, a special holiday? The bells are ringing like crazy.
Where? Just now.
I didn't hear anything.
Did you hear something? They were really booming, Cilly, really making a racket.
You must have been dreaming.
No, Cilly I wasn't dreaming.
You don't dream things like that.
Not bells ringing.
I heard it.
Who knows what happened to somebody just now? You shouldn't talk like that, Franz.
You frighten me.
Really.
You frighten me.
It's all right, Cilly.
I'm going out to get a breath of fresh air.
To see whether anything's happened.
Terrible black water, you lie so silent, so terribly still.
Plants decay in you.
Fish, snails move.
Nothing else.
Yet, though you're only water, there's something uncanny about you, black water, terribly quiet water.
That's Bruno.
Of course it's Bruno.
What's going on here? Hold it! You're coming to the station.
Do you understand? Go to Pums.
Do me a favor.
Koelnerstrasse 17.
Go to Pums.
Tell him I can't come today.
Can I rely on you? -Sure.
Good evening, Mr.
Pums.
Good evening.
Mr.
Biberkopf.
Very pleased to see you.
Come in.
It's all right, Clara.
Come over here.
You're amazed I came to see you, aren't you? Well, what should I say? I'm walking across the Alex, and in Landsbergerstrasse there's a scrap going on.
So I go over to see what's happening.
Well There's Bruno slugging it out with some little guy.
Then the cops come along and cart him off.
So I'm supposed to tell you he can't come tonight.
And that's it.
Strange.
I was thinking of you anyway, Biberkopf.
Very strange.
Yeah, it is strange.
So Bruno's not coming this evening? In that case you'll take his place, Biberkopf.
What do I do? Take a seat first.
It's all very simple, Biberkopf.
It's nearly 6 now.
At 9, we have to pick up the goods.
Today's Sunday.
You don't have anything to do anyway.
I'll pay your expenses and on top of that, I'll pay you.
Let's say, 5 marks an hour.
-Five marks? -Yes, 5 marks.
Plus expenses.
Okay, then, 5.
50.
What do I care? Would you like a coffee or a small schnapps? No thanks.
It's just that I should really get home.
My girl's there.
Cilly.
I can't leave her home alone all day Sunday.
No, Biberkopf.
I can't let you go now.
Everything will fall through and I'll be left holding the baby.
No, not for some woman.
That won't do at all, Biberkopf.
You're not ruining everything for us because of that.
She won't run away from you.
I know that.
That's the truth.
I can count on her.
And that's why I can't leave her sitting alone.
She doesn't see or hear anything from me, doesn't even know where I am.
Yes, Mr.
Biberkopf, that'll sort itself out.
By the way, this is my wife, and this is Mr.
Franz Biberkopf.
He'll be joining us tonight.
-Don't forget to take your pills.
-No, I won't forget this time.
"No more child marriages in lndia.
A cemetery for prize winning livestock.
" "Bruno Walter conducts his last concert this season on Sunday, April 15, at the Civic Opera House.
The program will include Mozart's 'Symphony in E-flat major'.
The net proceeds will go toward the Gustav Mahler monument in Vienna.
Driver, married, 32, with 2A and 3B driver's licenses seeks employment in private business or trucks.
" Hello, Reinhold.
Hello, Franz.
Reinhold, I feel really at home here now.
It's great that you'll be with us.
Now I don't mind coming along.
Come what may.
I see.
You're coming along, too? That's what I just said.
That's right.
At least you've made a decision for once.
This is the place.
You can throw the cigar away now.
Why? Because I said so.
Understand? Hey.
What are you doing here, Biberkopf? You have no business here.
Stay down there and keep a lookout.
Go down there.
Why? Don't I have to pick something up here? Nonsense.
Get down there, and fast.
Didn't anyone tell you? No one told me anything.
Just get down there and keep a lookout.
What's going on here? Where are we? Robbery and murder.
They're stealing, breaking in.
I must get out of here.
I must get out of here.
An ice rink, a slide.
Quick getaway.
On the water, all the way to Alexanderplatz.
Must get out of here.
Run after that idiot.
Hey, why are you running away? Didn't anyone tell you? Well, it doesn't matter now.
Come with me.
No need to pull me.
I'm coming.
For God's sake, faster.
Okay.
Stand here and keep a lookout.
Who gives the orders here? Cut the crap.
There's no time for that.
Don't you have any brains? Don't act so dumb.
Just stay here and whistle if anything happens.
Okay? -Yes, but Reinhold, I -Shut up! So that's how it is.
Now I'm standing here.
They pulled a fast one on me.
They really hoodwinked me.
And that bastard hit me.
Reinhold hit me.
There's a robbery going on in there.
Who knows what they're stealing? My God, what a fool I am.
I thought they were dealing in fruit.
But they're just burglars.
My God, I'm keeping a lookout.
Do you hear, Franz? You're keeping a lookout.
After being locked in their cells, all prisoners must go to bed.
In summer, they may stay up until nightfall.
This here is a gang, and Pums is the leader.
Kloeckner, Humboldt, Deutz, Krupp Steel, Mercedes, and they lured me here.
Come on, Franz.
We're finished.
Let's go.
Everything's okay.
What? You're in on this, too, Meck? -Sure, Franz.
Didn't you know? I'm driving the other car.
Come on.
My God, Reinhold.
I'd never have thought you were so strong.
That sure hurt when you hit my arm back there.
Shut up, man.
Shut your face.
Be quiet now.
If anyone follows, give a signal up ahead.
Do you hear? If anyone follows Come on.
Let's follow them.
-Why, baby? -Let's see whether you're faster.
You don't have to tell me twice.
They're following us.
My God, drive faster.
They're coming closer.
What are you laughing at, you idiot? Are you out of your mind? Why shouldn't I laugh? It's nobody's business if I laugh, is it? So it's none of my business if you laugh? You no-good, two-bit jerk.
To me, you're nothing but a snake in the grass anyway.
A stool pigeon, that's what you are.
No, Reinhold.
One thing you can believe about me: I'd never rat on you.
I'd never rat on you.
Water in the black forest, lying so silent.
So terribly quiet you lie there, unmoving when a storm rages in the forest and the pines bend, and the cobwebs tear, and the splintering begins.
The storm does not reach you down there.
Cursed be the man, saith Jeremiah, that trusteth in man.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall inhabit the parched, uninhabited places.
The heart is deceitful and wicked.
Who can know it? Love Has lts Price Cilly was looking for him all afternoon.
Franz didn't come home.
Got to piss.
Franz is dead.
What did you say? That Franz is dead.
It was an accident.
My God.
Franz is dead? Yeah, you heard right.
He's dead.
Understand? Dead.
It was an accident.
-Hello, Meck.
-He's dead.
Heard anything from my Franz? The guy just won't come home.
I'm waiting, and he lets me sit there.
You're his friend.
You must know where he is.
He's dead.
Your jokes are so bad that they're laughable.
It's no joke, Cilly.
Franz is dead.
It was an accident.
Dead? Say that again.
You filthy swine.
Say that again.
Say that again, you dirty, filthy swine.
Say that again, that my Franz is dead.
Say it again.
-Cilly Franz is dead.
Dead? Don't do that again, Cilly.
I won't take that a second time.
Do you understand? I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I couldn't-- I'm sorry, Meck.
I couldn't control myself.
It just came over me.
It's all right, Cilly.
It's okay.
Where's Reinhold? Reinhold? Why him? Why? Yes, why? Reinhold's his friend.
He always said he was his friend.
He's in the john.
In the john.
Reinhold, did you hear? Franz is dead.
He had an accident.
Did you hear? This is the men's room, Cilly.
Do you understand? The men's room.
Say something, Reinhold, please.
Anything.
Surely you can say something.
What do you want to hear? Well, if you really want to know it's true.
He's dead Franz.
It was an accident.
He fell in front of a car.
Reinhold don't you love me anymore? Not even a little bit? Sure.
Cilly.
Sure I do.
It's long enough ago now.
Is he dead? I'm not sure.
There's blood here too.
I think we have to call the police.
Why call the police? No one can see us here.
No one saw us.
And it's his own fault.
He fell out of the car.
We couldn't help it.
But we can't leave him lying here.
He might kick the bucket.
Like I said, it's his own fault.
He fell out.
We're not to blame.
My God, Marianne, if this man dies, and we could have helped him, could you ever forget it? I could never forget it.
And what do you think will happen if we call the police? What do you think'll happen? What an uproar there'll be.
Yes, you're right, Marianne.
It's sure to be unpleasant.
As you said, he fell out of the car.
We didn't have a chance.
But we have to call the police.
I think he's trying to say something.
Then he's still alive.
No police.
Please, no police.
Drive me back to Berlin, will you? No police.
Don't call the police.
Drive me back to Berlin.
Elsaesserstrasse.
Do you understand? Elsaesserstrasse 26.
Please.
He doesn't want the police.
He wants to go to Elsaesserstrasse 26.
We should take him there.
What do you say? You must decide that, Oskar.
You're the man.
You must decide.
Yes, that's the best thing.
It's best if we do that.
Come on.
Give me a hand.
Hell and lts Children Shut up.
I know that, yeah.
Reinhold.
Who is this? Can you tell me who this person is? No.
Cilly, what are you doing here? This is my girlfriend, Cilly.
And who are you, Madam? I asked you who you are and what you want.
This is my apartment.
What do you want here? I love you.
Well, that beats everything.
How can a person use words like that? Do you know what I say to you, Madam? You're an old sow.
Why did you do that? What have I done? I come home to my apartment and find a strange woman.
And then she says she loves me.
For three days, I feared something had happened to you.
No one need fear for me.
No one need worry about me.
Understand? Is that clear? I asked.
Don't hurt me, Reinhold.
Please, don't hurt me.
Don't hurt me.
Please, don't hurt me.
I've had enough of you.
I'm sick of you.
Do you hear me? I'm sick of you.
You're repulsive.
You nauseate me.
I never want to see you again.
Beat it! Do you hear me? Beat it! I don't understand, Reinhold.
What's the matter? Did you hear that? She doesn't understand what's up.
She didn't get it, the stupid bitch.
I have to go to the john.
I told you you make me sick.
You're repulsive.
And if you don't get out of here right away, I'll do you in.
I'll do you in.
Do you hear me? Please don't hurt me, Reinhold.
Get out of here.
I'll kill you.
I'll kill you.
I'll kill you.
No! No! No.
I've done it.
I managed to throw her out.
I just kicked her out.
Cilly I've managed to throw someone out.
I've managed to throw someone out.
Who'd have thought it? Not even Franz would have thought I could do it.
And it's important that we're happy when the sun rises, and the lovely light comes.
The gas lamps have to go out, the electric lights have to go out.
People have to get up when the alarm clock rings.
For a new day has begun.
The world has gone on turning.
The sun has risen.
You can't be sure what's up with this sun.
People are very concerned with this sun.
It's supposed to be the central body of our planetary system.
For our Earth is only a small planet.
But what are we, then? When the sun rises and we are happy one should actually be sad for what are we really? The sun is 300,000 times bigger than the Earth and there is no end of other numbers and zeroes which simply goes to show that we are a zero ourselves, absolutely nothing.
It's ridiculous really, yet one's happy nevertheless.
You come out onto the street and feel strong.
Colors emerge, people's faces come to life, and there are forms that you can grasp with your hands.
What a good thing it is that we can see.
That we can see these colors and the lines.
And people always take pleasure, when they can show what they are that they're doing something experiencing something.
We take pleasure in a little warmth.
We're happy that the flowers can grow.
But that other matter, that must be a mistake.
There must be an error in those terrible numbers with all the zeroes.
There is no cause for despair.
When I continue with this tale, telling it to its bitter, frightful end I shall often use these words: "No cause for despair.
" End of part six, with