PHOENIX

FADE IN:

INT. RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY CLINIC, BERLIN - NIGHT (1945)

Nelly Lenz, a survivor with a shattered face, is examined. Her friend LENE WINTER stands by. The DOCTOR works.

DOCTOR

The wound canal is from a gunshot. They thought you were dead. You were lucky.

DOCTOR

Can you see? That's good.

DOCTOR

The patient has wound fever. Intravenous penicillin. Cheekbone and nasal bone are shattered. Chipping to the left cranial bone.

DOCTOR

You were a singer? Where was that?

NELLY

Most recently at the St Michaels choir.

DOCTOR

In London?

NELLY

Yes.

DOCTOR

When?

NELLY

Up to '38.

DOCTOR

Then you, a Jewess, returned here. Why?

NELLY

They have wonderfully cool cellars. And there's a real plantation in the park.

LENE

We'll soon be able to walk around. And you'll be able to...

NELLY

Who's paying for this, Lene? You?

LENE

No. You inherited. Your entire family is dead. And Herbert and Marie...

NELLY

The twins... Esther?

LENE

I haven't found her yet.

NELLY

Where is Johnny?

DOCTOR

So how do you want to look? It's your choice. Some of my patients favour Zarah Leander, others Miss Soederbaum. I guess they're both out of fashion now. A few gentlemen out there would probably like new faces, too.

NELLY

I want to look like I used to.

DOCTOR

That's difficult. I recommend you think it over.

NELLY

Why?

DOCTOR

On the one hand, it's never quite the same, and on the other, a new face is an advantage.

NELLY

How is it an advantage?

DOCTOR

You'll be a new and different person. You won't be identifiable, which means...

NELLY

I want to look exactly like I used to.

INT. CLINIC - OPERATING ROOM - LATER

DOCTOR

You'll receive an intravenous anaesthetic. An ether mask can't be used due to your face's condition, but don't be concerned, you'll sleep deeply. Just count backwards: Ten... nine, eight, etc.

DOCTOR

Know what the Americans call it? A "countdown". It comes from a German film, "Woman in the Moon".

DOCTOR

So now count, ten...

NELLY

Ten.

DOCTOR

Nine...

NELLY

Nine.

DOCTOR

Carry on.

NELLY

Eight, seven... six, five...

Under the anaesthetic, fragments of memory and documents flicker:

INSERT - JEW. JEW. JEW... JOHANNES LENZ, PIANIST, DIVORCED OCTOBER 04, 1944

INT. CLINIC - NELLY'S ROOM - DAY

Nelly's face is bandaged. Lene visits.

DOCTOR

That's already looking really good. A couple of days and the bandages come off.

LENE

I found an apartment, by the way. In Haifa. You can see the sea. Beautiful, simple-lined architecture. Bernstein designed it. I've got photos. Want a look? Here.

Nelly studies the photos, then looks up at Lene.

LENE

No, I didn't see him. Nelly, it was bombed out. It no longer exists.

NELLY

I no longer exist.

LENE

Nelly, remember how you felt three months ago? How desperate you were? It's extraordinary what Dr Bongartz...

DOCTOR

In a few days the bandages come off...

INT. CLINIC - NELLY'S ROOM - LATER

The bandages are off. Nelly looks in the mirror at her new face.

NELLY

Would you recognise me? Would you recognise me?

LENE

Yes.

NELLY

No.

Nelly holds up an old photograph of herself.

NELLY

This is me. Where did you get that?

LENE

The clinic needed pictures for the reconstruction. Sorry, that's the wrong word. Dr Bongartz used it and I simply...

NELLY

Re-creation is better, right?

LENE

Re-creation.

NELLY

Just look at me.

LENE

Nelly, you're beautiful.

NELLY

That's not the point.

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - DAY

Lene keeps a card index of people, living and dead. She shows Nelly the flat and the clothes laid out for her.

NELLY

What do the circles signify?

LENE

Those are Nazis.

NELLY

And the crosses are for the dead?

LENE

Yes. We need a cross above Esther, too. It's such a miracle you survived.

NELLY

There's no cross above Johnny.

LENE

Johnny doesn't interest me.

ELISABETH

Here are dresses, a jacket of English cloth, and there are two coats, a summer one and a lined one, to get you started. It was all acquired by Mrs Winter. Wonderful cloth. You're a size 38, right?

ELISABETH

And when are you going to Palestine?

NELLY

I don't know yet.

ELISABETH, the housekeeper, shows them the flat.

ELISABETH

So, this is the bathroom, all fully equipped, and in perfect working order. If you need anything, please let me know.

Nelly reaches for the light.

ELISABETH

No, that we won't do. The light stays off. We have a real plague of flies. The war didn't seem to bother them at all. They come up from the lake in swarms.

Lene and Nelly move to help.

ELISABETH

No, please don't, I'd rather do it myself.

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

LENE

When do we dine, Elisabeth?

ELISABETH

At seven, if it please you, Ma'am.

LENE

What have you cooked for us?

ELISABETH

Stuffed cabbage with sweetbread.

LENE

Where did the sweetbread come from?

ELISABETH

I have no nutmeg, no butter, no black pepper, it's awful.

LENE

But you improvise so wonderfully.

ELISABETH

Improvise, improvise! I've had it with improvising.

Elisabeth withdraws.

LENE

Elisabeth is really a gem.

NELLY

She's not a Nazi?

LENE

She always hated the Nazis. So, you like it?

NELLY

Yes. Great.

LENE

By the way, I put the papers for the Haifa apartment on the desk. And I found two other for us in Tel Aviv. One is on a housing project. We're being allocated terrain. You know, it wasn't easy getting us both a visa.

ELISABETH

So, there.

LENE

Thank you, Elisabeth.

LENE

Can you manage?

ELISABETH

Yes.

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - LATER THAT NIGHT

A record plays on the gramophone: Kurt Weill's "Speak Low".

NELLY

Can I hear that again?

LENE

It's nice, huh? I'd listened to it in London before falling asleep. Would you sing it for me?

NELLY

Okay. I can't stand German songs anymore.

LENE

When you're better, we'll take care of your assets.

NELLY

Is it a lot?

LENE

They're substantial. It'll take a while... to get the Nazis out of the properties, but there's lots of money in Switzerland. It's the victims' money, it brings an obligation.

NELLY

To do what?

LENE

To go to Palestine and found a state where we Jews can live safely. To do so, we take back all they took away. Maybe then we can sing and hear German songs again.

NELLY

Did you like it?

LENE

Yes.

NELLY

Then give me something.

LENE

Yes.

EXT. RUINED STREET - NIGHT

Nelly, wearing a scarf over her new face, asks a STREET MUSICIAN with an accordion.

NELLY

I'm looking for my husband. He's a musician, too.

STREET MUSICIAN

What does he play?

NELLY

He's a pianist.

STREET MUSICIAN

If he's lucky, he'll be in one of the cabarets or clubs. If not, he'll be on the corner with an accordion.

NELLY

What clubs?

STREET MUSICIAN

I'd try the American sector.

EXT. CLUB PHOENIX - NIGHT

Outside a nightclub in the American sector: the PHOENIX. A woman is hustled out past Nelly.

SOMEONE

Johnny, what did I do? I just wanted to dance a bit. Let go of me! Johnny! Get off me!

Nelly taps a passing man on the shoulder. He turns. It is not him.

SOMEONE

Yes?

NELLY

Excuse me. I mistook you for someone.

An AMERICAN SOLDIER stops her at the checkpoint.

AMERICAN SOLDIER

Stay where you are. I told you to stop right there. What do you have in your bag? Show me.

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Lene inspects the coat Nelly came home in.

LENE

The fine coat!

NELLY

I'll never remove that.

LENE

That's tar. Where was she gallivanting?

LENE

Would you leave us for a moment, Elisabeth?

Elisabeth goes.

LENE

So, did you meet him? You can't just wander around at night. There are all sorts out. I don't go out without a revolver. I can't always look after you, I have to go to Poland soon. I might be there a while.

NELLY

How long?

LENE

A week, two, maybe longer.

LENE

Did you give thought to Haifa or Tel Aviv? In Tel Aviv there's a Jewish choir run by Vera Stroux. It might suit you.

NELLY

What would I do in a Jewish choir? I'm not a Jew.

LENE

You are, like it or not. They tried to kill you because you're a Jew. We can't remain here, Nelly.

LENE

Johnny betrayed you. You were arrested on October 6, 1944. Johnny was arrested on October 4, 1944. He was interrogated and released just after your arrest on October 6. He wasn't put in prison. No punishment. Indeed... he was allowed to play again... now he wants your money.

NELLY

Did you see him?

LENE

Yes.

NELLY

When?

LENE

Two months ago.

NELLY

Did you speak to him?

LENE

I don't speak to traitors.

INT. CLUB PHOENIX - NIGHT

A small stage, a band, a piano. The MC works the room.

MC

Shop window mannequin. Wonderful! Wonderful! We have beer. We have cold beer. We have whisky. We have champagne. And now our delightful Vicky and Lola will sing the one and only Cole Porter's... "Night and Day".

VICKY AND LOLA

Night and day. Night and day I think of you

Countless weeks have passed

And I just pined for you

From the dreams I have at night

I awake each morning once again

And have your sweet image

Before me still

Wherever I am, I am with you

I often hear your familiar steps

Stop at my door

And the twinkle of your eyes

Lights the dark hours... of my loneliness

Vivaciously

Night and day, I feel that beloved hand

That you softly gave me

As we stood by the meadow-side

Of my hopes you the mirage

That vanishes on my approach

My pining stays unassuaged

Night and day

Like the rain...

Across the room, Nelly sees the pianist. It is Johnny.

NELLY

Johnny!

SOMEONE

When the autumn mists fall leaden

As the wind, it screeching, cries

Clouds, grey and ragged, fly by

My heart beats hasty paces

Beats and finds no rest at all

Like a wailing wind it whispers

Just you, you, you

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Nelly comes in late, shaken.

LENE

Nelly? Everything okay?

NELLY

Yes. One second, I'll be right back.

LENE

I got you a revolver, too. Know how to use it? Sometimes just showing it is enough.

INT. CLUB PHOENIX - NIGHT (ANOTHER NIGHT)

Nelly approaches one of the club girls, whose eyes are bruised.

NELLY

I'm looking for Johnny.

SOMEONE

Did he give you those black eyes?

NELLY

He works here.

SOMEONE

There's no Johnny here.

NELLY

But I saw him.

SOMEONE

I don't know a Johnny. Do you?

On stage, another number:

SOMEONE

Johnny, you swine, your pockets are empty

But the cellar is full, so really there's plenty

The world is a quay all covered with girls

The sailors go cross-eyed when they give them a twirl

At the bar.

SOMEONE

How about a coffee?

SOMEONE

Or two?

JOHNNY

Coming up.

Nelly looks at the barman. It is Johnny. He does not recognise her.

NELLY

Are you Johnny?

JOHNNY

The doll here wants work.

GEIGER

But don't hit her again.

GEIGER

Johannes, get a move on!

JOHNNY

He's the one to speak to, Miss.

On stage, another number:

SOMEONE

When you're off for a stroll

Sunshine doesn't do it

To see the town of Berlin

Sunshine doesn't do it

It's a cosy little spot...

It's what you might call a town-and-a-half

To make sure you can see it all

You really need a couple of hundred watts

But what's this?

And what's this?

What kind of town is it?

Go switch the light on so we can see... what's there...

Switch it on and stop your talking, too...

...so we can see what a sight it is, Berlin by light

Go switch the light on so we can see what's there...

Go switch the light on so we can see what's there...

And what a sight it is... Berlin by light

The club's boss, GEIGER, looks Nelly over.

GEIGER

Are you looking for work? Do you have an apartment? All of your own?

EXT. CLUB PHOENIX - NIGHT

Nelly leaves. Johnny hurries after her.

JOHNNY

Wait, Miss. This way, Miss. I don't have much time. We can earn a lot of money. You look very similar to someone.

NELLY

To whom?

JOHNNY

My wife. Alive she was poor, dead, she's rich.

NELLY

What? Why?

JOHNNY

She and all her family were killed. This way.

INT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

A cramped room with a backroom. Johnny lays out the scheme.

JOHNNY

You can have the backroom. I sleep here. I can't get her inheritance. There's no evidence she's dead.

NELLY

Maybe she's still alive.

JOHNNY

She's dead. You have to play my wife. I'll instruct you. You'll return as a survivor, and collect her estate. We'll split it. There's 20,000 dollars in it for you.

JOHNNY

But you can't go out over the coming weeks. Nobody may see you. I'll take care of food. There's an American beer there.

NELLY

Johnny!

JOHNNY

Please don't call me that.

NELLY

And... what should I call you?

JOHNNY

Johannes. You'll call me Johnny in public. Until then it's Johannes.

NELLY

Public?

JOHNNY

Yes, when you return as a survivor. What's your name, anyway?

NELLY

Esther.

JOHNNY

There aren't many Esthers left.

NELLY

What was your wife's name?

JOHNNY

Nelly. I'll be back at four. Please let me sleep in.

NELLY

Do I... really look similar to her?

JOHNNY

No. But you will.

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Nelly slips home in the dark.

NELLY

Lene? Lene!

LENE

Nelly?

NELLY

Yes. No, don't turn the light on.

LENE

You saw him.

NELLY

Yes.

LENE

What happened?

INT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT - DAY

The lessons begin. Johnny directs Nelly's entrance like a stage manager.

JOHNNY

It's open. Please go back out. Redo your entrance. Come back in again. Without the bag. Don't look at me, just come in and walk down the stairs. Just carry on down the stairs.

She does it again. He is not convinced.

JOHNNY

Frankly I hoped you wouldn't come back.

NELLY

Why?

JOHNNY

It won't work. Here are two dollars. And a ration card. I'm sorry. Go on, take it. Now leave.

NELLY

But we wanted to practise!

JOHNNY

It won't work.

NELLY

Why not?

JOHNNY

Because you won't cut it. Now just take... take the money and leave.

NELLY

We could at least try...

JOHNNY

Take your bag.

NELLY

Just for a few days. If it doesn't work, I'll leave. Please. Please.

A pause. He relents.

JOHNNY

Sit down on the other side. Here's a specimen. You must be able to write like her. Practise it. It's a shopping list. Yes, it's what we'll start with. Now practise.

He looks at her few belongings.

JOHNNY

Is that all you own? I'll see what I can organise. Practise. There's some food left over.

NELLY

Thanks. You needn't have bothered.

Later. Johnny opens a drawer.

JOHNNY

There's no money in the draw.

NELLY

What? Oh, that. I needed examples.

JOHNNY

Of what?

NELLY

Her handwriting. I'd finished the shopping list and needed more material.

JOHNNY

Show me.

NELLY

It's... lying on the table.

He examines her practice sheet.

JOHNNY

You didn't trace it?

NELLY

No.

INSERT - THE SHOPPING LIST: 200 G MARGARINE, 4 EGGS, SUGAR, RAISINS, 1 LEMON

The handwriting lessons continue.

JOHNNY

Sit up. Write: I'll never get used to driving on the left. Write it.

NELLY

Oh, I see...

JOHNNY

Write: I am alive and will return soon. Signed, Nelly Lenz.

He holds her signature next to an old one.

JOHNNY

This is her signature. It's almost identical. Good. You can sleep here, we'll continue tomorrow.

INT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT - MORNING

NELLY

Good morning.

JOHNNY

Good morning. I brought you some things.

NELLY

Are they... Nelly's things?

JOHNNY

They were burnt. There are only the shoes. They are from Paris! Try them on. Try the shoes.

NELLY

Did you buy them for her?

JOHNNY

I think so.

JOHNNY

Do they fit?

NELLY

Did you go to Paris together? I need to know these things.

JOHNNY

Try the other. Walk around in them. Do they pinch? So why are you walking so strangely? We'll need to practise that, too.

NELLY

I only just got up. I haven't had breakfast.

JOHNNY

The water's boiling. We'll eat soon. Now please walk normally.

INT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT - DAY

Nelly holds one of Nelly's dresses against herself.

NELLY

It's too long.

JOHNNY

Can you sew? I mean, take it in.

NELLY

The dress?

JOHNNY

Her dresses ended just below the knee. Always nice and short, broad and airy. Can you manage that?

NELLY

Is that my coffee?

JOHNNY

Your hair is awful. Something's got to be done about it. Nelly always dyed her hair.

NELLY

Anything else?

JOHNNY

A hell of a lot. We're only starting.

JOHNNY

If we manage, I mean once we're done here, you'll take a train from the east and we'll meet you at the station.

NELLY

And I'll be... in a red dress and shoes from Paris? You think anyone leaves the camps like that? Nobody will buy it. You've seen the returnees. All the burn wounds and shot-up faces! No one looks at them. Everyone avoids them.

JOHNNY

But we want them to look at you and say, it's Nelly! Nelly made it! She's back! She's wearing a broad dress and nice shoes because she's so glad. It's this that'll get us what we want.

He spreads out photographs of their old friends.

JOHNNY

This lot will be meeting you, and these you might meet after arrival. Names and some details. Learn it all by heart. I'll be with you, I'll help. If need be, throw a crying fit. As if you're overwhelmed. Or just hug them, then I'll intervene. We'll practise it. The ones with crosses are dead. Learn about them, anyway.

He points at the photographs.

JOHNNY

That one was shot in Lichtenberg. He was a Nazi.

NELLY

This one?

JOHNNY

That one. And her, too.

NELLY

Do you... have any photos of Nelly? I'd so much like to see her.

JOHNNY

Later. Study those ones now.

NELLY

What colour eyes did Nelly have?

JOHNNY

Same as you.

NELLY

What colour is that?

JOHNNY

Blue.

INT./EXT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT - MORNING

NELLY

Good morning.

JOHNNY

Good morning. I've found the solution for your hair.

To a neighbour's raised eyebrow:

JOHNNY

It's not my wife, she's an actress.

He shows Nelly a magazine photograph.

JOHNNY

Nelly really liked that picture. The look of her make-up. The hair. She copied it. Particularly for performances. At all performances, in fact. Think you can do it? You know how to apply make-up, right? I've brought you some. And something for your hair. The colour should be right.

NELLY

It won't work, it... I can't come from a camp like that. I explained that already.

JOHNNY

No, that's all... They want Nelly, not a ragged camp-internee. That's what we're working on here.

NELLY

If I'm coming from a camp, someone is bound to ask me what I experienced there, what I...

JOHNNY

What?

NELLY

How it was there, and I'll need a story.

JOHNNY

What kind of story?

NELLY

What?

JOHNNY

Something or other.

NELLY

Like... how we sat on a beam, naked and... went through the clothing of those who had just arrived, while the Kapos stood around us. We had to check for banknotes, or jewels they'd hidden. And then this... girl, this girl... looks at me. She looks at me. This girl looks at me...

JOHNNY

Where does the story come from?

NELLY

She's got her mother's dress...

JOHNNY

Where from?

NELLY

I... I read it.

JOHNNY

Then tell it. If anyone asks. Yes. But I assure you, no one will. None of this lot will ask. Right. No one.

He looks at her in the dress.

JOHNNY

You did well. With the dress.

NELLY

Johnny!

JOHNNY

I said don't call me that. Where are you going?

NELLY

I've got to go out.

JOHNNY

I've got to go out, too. Wait.

She stands before him, made up as Nelly.

NELLY

Do you recognise me? Johnny.

JOHNNY

Enough! Enough! What have you caked your face with? The eye make-up is wrong. Your walk, too. Everything. It's all wrong. Did you at least learn by heart?

NELLY

I have to go out.

JOHNNY

No, no...

NELLY

I must.

JOHNNY

You can't. If you go and someone recognises you, it was all in vain.

NELLY

No one will. I have to go out! Please.

EXT. STREETS BY THE APARTMENT - NIGHT

Johnny walks with her and tells her the story she has to know.

JOHNNY

First the grocer wouldn't sell to us. Then Mr Schmidt-Ott opposite. Nelly was banned from singing. No friends came by anymore. Sigrid and Walter Hochbaum lived on the third floor. They stopped coming, too.

JOHNNY

I had to hide Nelly in winter '43. Lehmann wouldn't let her in the bomb shelter. We were sure he'd denounced Nelly soon. He envied us our apartment. A friend who died at the front had a houseboat on a nearby lake. That's where I brought her.

He quizzes her.

JOHNNY

How did we meet?

People approach in the dark.

JOHNNY

Put your hat on. People are coming. Come on.

NELLY

Did you often go walking with her?

JOHNNY

Yes.

NELLY

At night?

JOHNNY

That too, yes.

NELLY

Where would you go to? Did you have favourite places?

JOHNNY

Of course.

NELLY

What were they?

JOHNNY

Let's go. The weather is turning.

NELLY

So? Shall we go and sit down there?

INT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Johnny catches Nelly at the drawer with the photographs.

JOHNNY

Stop it! Stop it!

NELLY

What?

JOHNNY

Stay away from the photos in my drawer.

NELLY

Of course.

JOHNNY

Then do so!

NELLY

I didn't look at them.

JOHNNY

Quit playing Nelly! I know you're not her! It's not me you must convince!

Later. Johnny is heading out.

JOHNNY

Where is your hat?

NELLY

On the bench.

SOMEONE

Coming for a beer later on?

JOHNNY

Sure.

SOMEONE

Look! How beautiful to be in love!

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Nelly presses the money from Johnny's drawer into Lene's hand.

NELLY

Here.

NELLY

I'd not have survived the camp except for Johnny. I only thought about how I'd come back to him. And when I finally got here I simply had to look for him. And when I finally found him he didn't recognise me. And it was... Lene, it was... I was... dead again. And... now he's made me back into Nelly again. I can't come to Palestine.

LENE

Where will you go instead?

NELLY

With Johnny... back with him.

LENE

Impossible.

NELLY

Lene, since being back with him I'm myself again.

LENE

No.

NELLY

When he speaks of her...

LENE

Of her!

NELLY

I'm really jealous... of me!

LENE

When will you tell him?

NELLY

I don't know. Lene, it's as if we were just getting acquainted. For the first time, you hear?

LENE

And how is this to go on?

NELLY

Soon I arrive by train. He'll inform you about it. Then I'll be here again. That'll be my return.

LENE

Then he'll go after your money.

LENE

Do you know what disgusts me? We Jews wrote, sang and slaved... went to war for Germany, yet we were gassed, one and all. And now the survivors return and forgive. The gassing ceases and we forgive... all counts of cowardice and treachery. I won't go along with it, Nelly.

NELLY

Lene, I know he loves her. I don't believe he betrayed her.

LENE

When you were sitting in the dark I thought you'd shot him and needed my help. And honestly, I'd have preferred that.

NELLY

I'll wait for you here.

EXT./INT. INN BY THE LAKE - DAY

The innkeepers' house near the lake where Nelly was hidden. The LANDLADY recognises her at once.

LANDLADY

Mrs Lenz! I'm so happy to see you again. Is your husband, too? You know how men are these days. And how are they? Can I offer you something? We have real coffee... for our good guests.

LANDLADY

Elsie, make us a coffee.

NELLY

Did you know I was hiding down in the boat?

LANDLADY

No. No.

NELLY

I saw you... at the window... when I was arrested. You and your husband.

LANDLADY

It was horrific. What could we have done? I said the same to your husband. We were so afraid. And you know our son...

NELLY

My... husband was here again?

LANDLADY

Yes, after your arrest.

NELLY

When?

LANDLADY

Right away.

Johnny appears at the door.

JOHNNY

What are you doing here?

JOHNNY

It must... have been cold that winter. How was it with the innkeepers?

Outside, to Johnny:

NELLY

You were right. The landlady didn't ask me about the camps. But she did call me Mrs Lenz. And she cried.

NELLY

You were here the day Nelly was arrested?

JOHNNY

Says who?

NELLY

The landlady.

JOHNNY

Let's go.

INT./EXT. CAR - NIGHT

They drive. Nelly finally asks it.

NELLY

Did you betray Nelly?

JOHNNY

Sometimes... it's not a real betrayal. You hid her... had to take care of her all that time... Then came arrest and interrogation. Finally you are suddenly released. You hurry to check up on her. You don't notice you're being followed. Then it's too late. You just stand there and there's nothing you can do. You have to watch Nelly being taken away.

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - DAY

Johnny stops the car by the tracks and walks Nelly through the plan.

JOHNNY

Get off. Come along.

JOHNNY

We'll have Nelly return next week. At the station there'll be me, Sigrid, Monika, Frederike, Walther and Alfred. A train will arrive, many people will get off. You'll be sitting to the rear. The train will start to move, then they will see you... in the red dress... and the shoes from Paris. The Nelly of the past.

JOHNNY

They will be relieved. They'll run towards you. Sigrid will be first. She always is. She'll pretend to be speechless: "I don't believe it." "Nelly!" Then she'll hug you. Alfred, as ever, will say, "Little Nelly." It might almost be, "How you've grown." Monika will tell you about her husband. "I always knew you'd come back." Frederike will complain as usual about her life and Berlin.

NELLY

What about us?

JOHNNY

We'll walk up to each other. Very tentatively. We won't speak... kiss or fall upon each other. We will simply hug. You'll lay your head on my shoulder and we'll both shut our eyes. We'll do nothing else. Nothing. For ages.

INT. LENE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Nelly comes home. Elisabeth is there, packed to leave. Among the papers on the desk, a reference letter:

INSERT - "REFERENCE. MRS SCHWARZ WAS IN MY EMPLOY FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER, 1945. SHE IS AN EXCELLENT HOUSEKEEPER..."

ELISABETH

She left you a letter, too. I am to give it to you.

NELLY

But where is Lene, then?

ELISABETH

You don't know? Mrs Winter shot herself on Thursday.

Nelly opens the letter.

LENE

(V.O.)

Dear Nelly, I told you there is no way back for us. But for me there's no way forwards, either. I feel more drawn to our dead than to our living. I cannot keep this from you. Your husband divorced you directly before your arrest. I enclose a copy of the relevant document. Farewell, Lene

INT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT - DAY (THE DAY OF THE RETURN)

Nelly arrives at Johnny's building.

JOHNNY

Wait. I'll get the key.

JOHNNY

The train arrives around eight. Is half an hour enough... for a wash, make-up and hair? Or do you need three-quarters?

She is already made up, hair dark, the red dress.

JOHNNY

Well, Nelly?

NELLY

Calling me that, now?

JOHNNY

A slip, I guess.

He rolls up her sleeve and prepares her forearm.

JOHNNY

I'm afraid this will hurt a little. Prisoners of Auschwitz were tattooed. With a number on the forearm. Someone will ask about your number. And you'll whisper... that you cut it out. There'll be no further questions.

EXT. STATION - EVENING

Johnny parks. Nelly gets out.

JOHNNY

Get out.

Alone on the platform bench, Nelly looks once more at the enclosed document.

INSERT - THE DIVORCE DECREE: "IN THE NAME OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE! OCTOBER 4, 1944... JOHANNES LENZ... DIVORCE... NELLY LENZ"

The train arrives. People get off. The old friends - Sigrid, Monika, Frederike, Walther and Alfred - see her. It happens just as Johnny said it would.

SIGRID

I don't believe it.

NELLY

It's so... I don't know...

SIGRID

Come have a hug.

MONIKA

I told Wolfgang... Nelly will be back, I know it. If only he could see you, too...

SOMEONE

If...

FREDERIKE

Well, Nelly... Christina is dead. My child is dead.

SIGRID

But now go over to Johnny. There he is.

Nelly and Johnny walk up to each other. Very tentatively. They simply hug. She lays her head on his shoulder.

SOMEONE

Let's go, kids. The food's getting cold.

SIGRID

We missed you.

INT. FRIENDS' APARTMENT - NIGHT

Coffee, cake, the old circle around Nelly.

SIGRID

Two days ago I passed the studio. The circular bench where you always sat together. The street lighting was back on. A piano was playing inside. Someone was singing. I shut my eyes. And for an instant it was as it used to be. Yes... And now here you are, Nelly. I don't have to close my eyes to see you. And I never will again. To your being back again, Nelly.

JOHNNY

To Nelly.

ALL

To Nelly. Cheers.

Johnny draws Nelly aside.

JOHNNY

Nelly... You are my love. You are my life. No matter what.

NELLY

Come on. All of you come.

Nelly goes to the piano.

NELLY

"Speak Low".

JOHNNY

"Speak Low".

NELLY

Yes. I always wished... to sing with Johnny again... one day... in Berlin...

Johnny sits at the piano. Nelly sings. As she sings, he sees the number tattooed on her forearm. His hands slip from the keys. She finishes the song and walks out.

THE END