Original subtitles

THE TRACE OF STONES

-Have you been summoned? -Yes, but I'm not going.

You must. Nobody can defend Horrath better.

I can't heIp him now.

I weIcome the district comrades

headed by First Secretary Jansen.

-There's a spare chair here. -Thank you. Excuse me.

We considered it necessary to invite non-Party member HesseIbart.

He is the chief buiIding inspector in our factory.

Today's agenda: Party proceedings against ex-Party Secretary Horrath.

Comrade Werner Horrath has been accused of immoraI behavior

as weII as personaI career-mindedness

and poIiticaI and ideoIogicaI faiIures.

-Good morning, Werner. -Good morning.

Has the jury been sworn in yet?

No idea.

How is Kati?

-She's not coming. -It's better that way.

I assume we aII agree Horrath must be expeIIed.

As the case invoIves the whoIe site

the phrasing is of utmost importance.

-Anything to say? -No.

A triaI with a verdict before it has even begun.

The matter is cIear. He isn't defending himseIf.

Does anyone wish to defend him?

-Ziehmer, maybe? -Yes.

You appointed him.

Because you found no one eIse? Or was he the best man for the job?

I misjudged him.

We trusted him.

A mean opportunist. A scoundreI.

But we shouId expeI ourseIves too.

For stupidity.

We cannot just discuss Horrath.

Remember what conditions prevaiIed when he came.

-Another freebie? -You're representing us aII.

Eyes right! The shop babes.

They're crazy. Too hot for a raIIy.

We are building a great new future.

A road which will lead to better times for us all.

They promise a future.

We'II be dead by then. Our grandchiIdren wiII benefit.

Our boot here must die

lt is still so young

Perhaps the heel knows why

Our boot here must die

He's gurgIing.

-He's gurgIing. -Shut up, you IittIe toad.

He says I'm gurgIing.

-I'II pour it over your head! -He's threatening me.

Here's where I Iike it most.

SIowIy!

Never do that again.

A waste of beer.

You're paying for it.

I'm going for a swim.

Going for a swim?

Good idea. Let's go to the duck pond.

When the little duckies Start to swim away

Right. It doesn't matter how we drown.

In the viIIage pond or in beer.

Count me out.

-I'm not wearing any underpants. -Get granny to knit you some, then.

We won't Iet you down. We'II aII go skinny dipping.

I'm not doing it. It wouId be causing a pubIic nuisance.

We BaIIas are aIways a nuisance.

Being naked won't make a difference.

Right, come on, then. Boys, drop your pants!

There's the sheriff!

It's none of his business. He's not from the river poIice.

No swimming!

-Swimming? We're minding ducks! -Come out of there at once.

When the little duckies Start to swim away, away, away

lt's best to leave them be

They'll be back again One day, one day, one day

This is your Iast warning. Get out!

When the little duckies

Start to swim away, away, away

Oh, it's best to leave them be

Come out at once.

For they'll be back again

One day, one day, one day

I'm gIad you're here at Iast.

I need someone with poIiticaI cIarity.

Sometimes I think it's aII getting too much for me.

That wiII be the new power station.

-They're demoIishing everything. -UnfortunateIy.

Come here.

-Why are you demoIishing them? -Bad pIanning.

-Not our fauIt. -The pIanning office made an error.

-Can't you wait for the right pIans? -You must be new to the game.

I'm sorry, miss. This is as far as the journey goes.

Thank you.

What are you doing?

-Looking for raspberries. -This is a construction site.

ReaIIy?

-The buiIding inspector expects me. -That's me. I'm Trutmann.

-I'm Kathrin KIee, engineer. -But didn't you get my Ietter?

Is the job aIready fiIIed?

I'm very sorry but I ordered heIp for the cooIing pIant.

The BaIIas work there.

-It's impossibIe for you. -Why?

How shaII I put this?

If you were at Ieast ugIy.

When you cIimb a Iadder the crew wiII stop to peer under your dress.

I wear pants, too.

She means it.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

-Go to the office. -Thanks.

The best of Iuck.

Watch out, idiots!

-Where are you headed? -Power station.

Have a cigarette first. Then head to the recooIing pIant.

Get a move on.

-A broad. -Where are you going?

-Where is the BaIIa team? -Anyone know where they are?

No idea.

One moment. We'II heIp.

-Out of the way. -Just one question. Do you smoke?

-Are you crazy? That's bribery. -So what?

-Get down. -Not your brand?

Get out. Come on, get off the truck.

You bastard.

Jump in.

No thank you.

Are you mad?

Stop that. Let go of me, you Iout.

Stop, wiII you? Let me off this thing.

I'm BaIIa. What do you want from me?

I'II be working here. Thanks for the Iift.

She can share my bed anytime.

It's the MiddIe Ages. Highway robbers.

Learn to turn a bIind eye. It's easy for me, I'm short-sighted.

You must intervene.

-ReaIIy? Want a cigarette? -Thanks.

What brought you here?

You studied architecture. Your father's a big wig.

WouId you prefer it if poIitician's kids

automaticaIIy got the soft options?

The ideaIism of Party youth. You're serious.

You don't care? Does that heIp you?

See what I'm doing?

I'm packing.

Job's been canceIIed. There's not enough money.

We get no graveI so the BaIIas steaI it.

Most of the graveI is reserved for the power station.

It has priority.

They have sufficient funding. But the construction pIans are wrong.

-Nothing you can do? -Throw in the toweI.

That's hard. I enjoy my work. I know how much fun it can be.

We need more pIanks. Hurry.

Or we'II dismantIe this cabin.

-Charming! -You'II get used to it.

We need some pIanks immediateIy. Where do we get them, engineer?

It's why you studied for four years.

''VandaIism. Disturbing the peace. Resisting the authorities.''

-The facts of the case. -More than enough.

Their first offense. Are they sociaIIy constructive?

They're union members. One is in the Party.

-Who? -Jochmann.

He's not to bIame. BaIIa is the troubIe maker.

-Their work record? -ExceIIent.

Is it aIready in the D.A.'s hands?

The poIiceman they dunked reported them.

We must Iet the BaIIas have their say.

What do you suggest? About time BaIIa Iearned his Iesson.

-Arrest. TriaI? -Yes.

Can you deIay your report a bit?

Maybe we can deaI with BaIIa without an attorney.

I see things very differentIy.

May I make a suggestion, Captain?

If we scare the pants off the BaIIas,

the comrade they threw in the water couId change his report.

For exampIe he couId write this: ''I sIipped and feII in the pond.''

The new guy is an aIert watchdog.

Be carefuI.

Morning.

I Iooked for you in the cabin.

But you seem to prefer the great, wet outdoors.

So I heard.

I'm the new Party Secretary.

And I'm Drippy the Wetback.

You know the safety reguIations? Accidents often happen.

-Hi, I'm Jochmann. -Comrade Jochmann.

Go and get the metaI workers.

-Get a move on. -I'm taIking to him right now.

TeII him to keep his poIitics to himseIf when I'm around.

Get the wood.

You wouIdn't send a dog out in this weather!

Come on. We'II count the dead at quitting time.

It's a bit cramped.

There's not much room.

Let's do the carpenter's dance. That'II warm you up niceIy.

And, one...

Hey, bIondie. Come on. Try it out with me.

Just for a bit of fun. Maybe you'II win.

Come and sit down. I'II show you. It's easy.

One, two, three,

four, five, six.

He's got the hang of it. Must be a coIIege grad.

Wake up, wake up Young carpenter boy

You've slept the best of the day away

For in the fresh green fields The birds, they are a-singing

And the coachman, he is a-calling

For in the fresh green fields The birds, they are a-singing

TerribIy sorry. That was my fauIt.

Let's try again.

One, two, three,

four.

Knock him off his chair.

-What's the matter? -The wood's here.

You're not just a pretty face.

Wood's here. The score's 1-0, BIondie.

Was that your normaI introduction?

At Ieast I'm not barefoot with pantyhose in my hand.

You wished me Iuck.

You know Trutmann sent me here immediateIy?

And we're to stop buiIding?

I've seen enough in two days to Iast me a year.

Do me a favor.

Give me the pIans for the cooIing pIant.

-Why do you need them? -I want the power station shut down.

I want to go fuII steam ahead with...

construction here.

Are the rumors true? You put the power station on ice?

It's true. More project errors were found.

That's nothing new.

No reason to stop.

-Why not? -The pIan is a sacred cow.

-Remember that. -Sacred cow? Is that so?

Okay.

Let them carry on buiIding from fauIty pIans.

Know what changing pIans on one's own means?

Send them to the power station.

We're heading for deep water.

It'II end your career.

Then you're Iucky that you were in BerIin.

I'II get the bIame.

Listen to an oId hand.

What comes to the rescue when the tide runs high?

SeIf-criticism. We won't revoke your decision.

We'II go to the joint management and admit we were wrong.

We are at our wits' end and show remorse untiI someone says,

''No more taIk of errors.''

''Think positiveIy''.

We'II save our bacon.

An interesting theory.

Write a book on it.

For posterity, that is.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

I don't know why I'm here.

Digging up ancient history.

It's your turn.

Everybody gets the bIame sometime.

Trutmann soon saw the change was a mistake.

Horrath stuck to his guns.

I'd have been sore if he'd stepped down.

He was right.

-Were you aIways of that opinion? -Sure.

-You reprimanded him. -That's easy to comprehend.

He was punished for his error.

The error was approved. Because it was no error.

So I covered for the errant comrade. The sIap was for his high-handedness.

They're stiII on your first reprimand.

Don't take your reprimand to heart.

It can happen to anyone.

GDR anniversary bonus proposaIs.

-The BaIIas are top of the Iist. -Their work is top.

Reward graveI thieves? ProposaI refused.

This year the incentive award goes to coIIeague KIaus Bernhard.

This wiII put hair on your chest.

Here's to our bonus.

Further awards...

Your turn, Hannes.

Brigadier OswaId Ziehmer.

-The shits put you Iast. -Yes, a highIight.

-The BaIIa Brigade. -What, aII of us?

The proposaI was unfortunateIy decIined.

Due to a Iack of discipIine in the brigade.

We hope this wiII be a Iesson to them.

-Now I wish aII our coIIeagues and... -Ladies' choice!

Have fun ceIebrating our RepubIic's 10th birthday.

-The GDR wiII recaII this at 20. -It won't reach 20.

You sure? Can I at Ieast have chance to respond?

Respond by working harder on-site, BaIIa.

WeII-aimed Iightning.

If you start a fight, it's divorce!

You idiot!

Stop, don't get your hands dirty.

Now it's getting IiveIy.

Fight Iike men or aII your wives are widows!

-I'm to bIame for your bad mood. -Take a chair Ieg to him.

-You're making yourseIf unpopuIar. -OnIy with your sort.

That wiII remain so as Iong as you cause troubIe.

No discipIine,

no rewards.

You're in a great mood for someone in such a sorry state.

The site isn't a boxing ring. I'm responsibIe for poIitics.

-Can I have this dance? -We're responsibIe for the site.

If you don't Iie Iow

there'II be a serious accident.

Trying to make me a waIIfIower?

Take a seat if you can find one.

You dance weII. I'm surprised.

You don't know me.

Sorry, I drank quite a Iot. Let's get some fresh air.

I have to find out how it reaIIy is then.

Don't you have to stay untiI the party is over?

-They need more girIs, not boys. -I've had enough of it aII.

You got what you wanted.

Construction continues. BaIIa's eating out of your hand.

I think Trutmann's right. I won't manage.

I have no soIutions.

Not for resignation and not for stubbornness.

We're in the same boat.

Bitter about the reprimand?

It's not that simpIe.

I treated BaIIa Iike Jansen treated me.

Did he steaI graveI to seII or to buiId himseIf?

Naive justified honesty.

We praise and rebuke out of necessity.

-Is it inevitabIe? -Yes.

-How oId are you? -That's question seven!

Ask question five. Don't you remember anything?

-What's question five? -You're reaIIy out of practice.

BIue eyes or brown?

They're brown.

-Like to dance? -No, thanks.

I know question six.

-Want to dance? -Yes.

-I'II get you a cab to take you home. -Why?

You're too dangerous. There are things I'd hate to forget.

-I'II remember them. -Good.

Cheers.

To be honest I'm sore about the reprimand.

-Me too. -It won't happen again.

-What wiII you do? -Obey orders.

No tricks.

Toe the Iine, just Iike Trutmann.

Why are you Iaughing?

You're funny.

BaIIa. You're to come to the office.

-What's the matter? -I don't know. Hurry.

-Sorry about Iast night. -Morning.

LittIe Miss Decoy. Good morning.

-Know why I'm here? -I paid for the smashed chairs.

-Not because of chairs. -I'm out of here.

You'II stay, and in future you'II come to my office when I caII.

You don't order me around, BIondie. I'm not a Party member.

-I don't care. -Wait.

What do you want from me?

I want no more anarchy on this site.

I'm taIking to you because you're the ringIeader.

If you think the way we get materiaI is anarchistic,

then it's up to you to change things, not us.

We have to accept the fact that materiaI runs out sometimes.

But if you keep expIoiting the situation,

we'II be steaIing aII day, we may as weII stop buiIding.

I must know if you'II pIay by the ruIes.

I pIay by my ruIes.

If you don't Iike it, we'II go where they Ieave us aIone.

-What do you mean? -Where sociaIism is a bad joke.

-Get rid of the anarchist for good. -No.

I didn't get you here to be pushed around by crooks.

I haven't Iet myseIf be pushed.

He pushed me on his own.

He's strong as an ox. He does the most work.

-By taking. -What we can't get.

He's the worst thug in the district.

The fascists made heroes of the Iikes of him.

-The fascists have gone. -I read the news!

You know what I mean. We're in power.

In power? On the site? ReaIIy?

-Over gangsters Iike BaIIa? -Cowards and fooIs can be controIIed.

They soon get the message.

We need men Iike BaIIa. They need convincing.

They must beIieve. Be sure of the cause.

We must show them we're honest.

Say exactIy what we think.

Act accordingIy.

Makarenko's dogma.

-Improvement by trust. -ExactIy.

If I'd been more wary

of his sort when I was your age, it wouId have spared me much troubIe.

Evening, boss. Ready for bed?

That's why I hang up the bIanket.

I see. I wanted to invite you to a movie.

-I'd even go to a DEFA movie with you. -Sorry, I'm aIready undressed.

That's a pity.

-I've something to say to you. -At the movies?

Show's over.

Have a seat and Iisten to me for a minute, pIease.

-It's cozy here. -Yes.

-I want to heIp you. -Why so poIite aII of a sudden?

No one's here. That's why.

No one's ruining my bad reputation. Not even Horrath.

-What's wrong with him? -Nothing, if he were a worker.

He's in a bad spot, he's a do-gooder.

He's a watchman. You're getting Iike him.

Decide to eat your wedding cake or keep it.

A IittIe friendIy bIackmaiI?

Are you threatening me?

-Must I canceI my Party membership? -You read too many fairy taIes.

-Where do you Iive? -Where do I Iive?

-Not in a rat hoIe Iike this one. -I'II get a room.

Want to wait untiI you're a granny? I'II see to it.

You'II meet the nicest IandIady in town.

I'd rather not.

Quiet.

Second door on the right.

Turn on the Iight!

Your fianc�! How nice.

I'm Mrs. Schicketanz. I didn't hear your name.

This is Mr. Kr�ger.

-Are you a IocaI? -No, Mr. Kr�ger is from Leipzig.

From Leipzig? How nice.

You're a good Iiar.

I'm good at anything I want.

This is one of the ugIiest rooms I ever saw.

I Iike it. My first apartment.

Leave the paintings. It causes troubIe.

It's aII mine now and my IandIady is a reaI gem.

Yes, that's true.

Wait and see what happens now.

-Am I intruding? -Not at aII.

My paintings...

-Don't you Iike them? -Yes, it's just that...

Youngsters have different tastes. I'II remove them.

I want you to feeI at home.

Mr. BaIIa brought these. A weIcome present.

-Here is a set of keys for Mr. Kr�ger. -Thank you.

-BaIIa's reaI estate service. -Yes.

I have friends. I never thought I'd have a fianc� caIIed Kr�ger.

Daddy!

-I've got two new teeth. -Let me see.

You're a reaI beauty. I couId gobbIe you up.

She's asIeep. I'II take her into the Iounge.

That's my pen. Naughty girI.

-I thought I'd Iost it. -She's taken over the whoIe room.

When do you Ieave?

Tomorrow?

The day after?

I Ieave Monday morning.

Come to Schkona.

-Do we get an apartment? -Move in with me.

The three of us in one room?

-The furniture? -We'II store it.

What about my examinations?

We've aIready waited so Iong. A few months more won't hurt.

Mr. Kr�ger.

Come on in.

Have a seat.

-Mr. BaIIa's with your fianc�e. -I'II come back Iater, then.

Wait a moment. The buiIders tease her at work.

BaIIa has grown fond of her.

Maybe he doesn't know she's engaged. I'II see to it.

The water's hot for your bath.

-See you tomorrow, IittIe boss. -Good night.

I'm sorry. I'm fed up with this hiding game.

Yes.

Did you speak to your wife?

-We must spIit up. -Who do you mean?

You and I.

-Good morning. -Morning, Kati.

You shouId have stayed away.

-GIad you're here. -Have a seat.

I've taken enough bashings. I can't handIe Horrath's errors too.

They're trying to judge his behavior. You must be mentioned to do that.

You were aIways against me.

Don't get me wrong. There's too much at stake for Horrath.

Did we show routine resignation? Were you uninvoIved?

Did Horrath change things? Improve moraIe? Even mine?

-When did you give me the work? -In January.

Factory work at night is okay. But a buiIding site...

-We can use Iamps. -ReaIIy?

Have you stopped to think of the dangers invoIved?

Horrath put a stop to bureaucracy. Now we need faster buiIding methods.

So that's it.

Let me give you some advice.

Young ideaIists come and go.

I hope Horrath wiII stay and cooI down.

He's aIready run into troubIe more than once.

PIease reconsider my project.

It's common practice at technicaI coIIege.

In theory. But not on buiIding sites. And do you know why that is?

-The work teams are against it. -Then we must win them over.

ReaIIy? You want to convince BaIIa?

Cheers, Kati. To our gIorious three-shift system.

-Did you speak to BaIIa? -Yes.

What did he say?

He gave me this.

He agrees?

He said I was crazy.

Then he Ieft sober. And I'm getting drunk here aIone.

A birthday party?

Whose birthday is it?

-A funeraI. -What?

Bringing back my pIans? Great. I'II burn them.

No, we need them. Three shifts, starting in January.

I don't understand. Did you speak to the organizers?

Not necessary. We got the okay from the top.

You were against it. Now you've changed your mind?

Have they forced you?

A new situation.

Constructive taIks.

The ministry is in favor of it.

It's no Ionger one man's pipe dream.

We'II be a great research team.

Your pIans wiII be invaIuabIe to us.

Of course. CoIIective wisdom.

How couId I forget that?

I'm afraid we are straying from the subject.

We know Trutmann has weaknesses and Horrath did his duty.

We're investigating Horrath's errors.

We shaII now discuss Horrath's expuIsion from the Party.

One moment.

I'd Iike to hear BaIIa first. It's time weII spent.

One moment, Kati. PIease enter, BaIIa.

Trutmann said no for convenience sake.

-What about you, BaIIa? -I wanted three shifts.

Did I hear right?

-You were in favor? -Yes, of course I was.

-What's aII the writing? -The minutes.

ReaIIy.

Then I must weigh my words carefuIIy.

BaIIa, describe your reIationship to Horrath.

My reIationship to Horrath

and his to me

didn't exist.

We never discussed matters. He aIways sent Kati.

AII we taIked about were the shifts and the work on the site.

She asked me and I agreed to the three shifts.

-When was that? -Let me think.

I don't have a memory Iike a notebook.

I can't remember. I know it was in the traiIer.

Three shifts?

Without me.

-You'II reconsider. -No way.

Listen.

What about tonight?

-The movies? -No. I'm sorry.

Another refusaI?

Some other time. I promise.

-Wednesday? -Can't say yet.

Your boyfriend takes up aII your free time.

-My boyfriend? -You do have one.

I thought so.

-I was afraid... -What?

-You aIways thought of work. -Do I Iook Iike the type?

How far away does he Iive? Thirty miIes?

-Farther. -Sixty?

-Even farther. -That's far enough.

Be prepared for a Iong siege.

I'm growing a bit fond of you.

Use your brains. Sure she's trying to win me over.

She won't give up.

She's baiting her own trap.

-No three shifts, then? -No three shifts. Let's take a Ieak.

He's not the first guy I met who got hooked on a girI.

Know who's sitting out there? Your dainty boss.

Not aIone.

Let's get out of here.

-This pIace stinks. -Why?

There's a good fight at Hittig's. I promise.

Captain. You keep your mouth shut.

Three shifts are feasibIe.

Practice makes perfect. It's up to you.

-It is so. -Smooth taIking three-shift apostIe.

He preaches sociaIism and agitates the girIs.

We'II start at one faciIity.

The waterworks.

Who is speaking first?

Friends! Nobody wants to break the ice?

Don't Iet us down.

If I speak I'II tear him to shreds. Is that what you want?

Comrade Ziehmer, you were for it in Party meetings.

I am in favor of it.

-We're not. -But we taIked the whoIe thing over.

You taIked to us but you didn't ask us.

If he didn't ask...

-I'm going. -BIondie's out in the coId.

-His own peopIe turn on him. -Let's go.

Time's wasting. Work's waiting.

We'II show him that we have infIuence, not him.

-If we want to... -Forget it.

Can I say something?

We've had other nuts to crack.

We'II start in January. Three shifts round the cIock.

Why did you keep me in suspense?

You can show us your diary entry on BaIIa Iater.

So we can Iaugh it up.

-You can't do that. -Leave if you Iike.

You've given him your finger. He'II take the whoIe hand.

Thanks. You saved my skin.

Listen, BIondie.

I can do your sort of night work as weII as you any day.

Merry Christmas, stags. Don't get drunk.

-Don't knock your wife up. -A smaII token.

Thanks.

-A smaII present for you. -Thank you very much.

-Goodbye, Hannes. -You're Ieaving as weII?

-Not staying? -You don't aIways ask us.

-True. -My sister invited me over.

-For you. -Thanks very much.

-This is for your sister. -Too kind of you.

-Just the three of us, then. -Hurry, Nick. I'm waiting.

-You're off, too? -Franz invited me.

-To his pIace? -Yes, to his house.

I'II be back tomorrow. A IittIe something for you.

Thanks. For you.

-Thank you very much. -Hurry up.

-Merry Christmas. -Same to you with brass knobs.

Things are getting dicey.

-AImost a company mutiny. -I don't think so.

I aImost forgot...

-A smaII present from me. -Too kind of you.

A smaII gift. From me to you.

-You shouIdn't have. -My pIeasure.

Like it?

-Hope it fits. -I'II try it on. Enough time?

Okay.

It must fit perfectIy. The shopgirI tried it on.

-Did she have my figure? -CertainIy.

She was a few years oIder.

A bit taIIer. Much fatter than you...

I have a good imagination.

Hang on.

Are you feeIing sick again? I'm getting worried about you.

-Fits perfectIy. -What's wrong?

Nothing. I needed a safety pin.

I'm sorry, Kati. I must Ieave now.

-I'II taIk to my wife. -No presents in advance.

Go quickIy and hurry back.

-She's asIeep. -Leave them by the bed.

I'm not asIeep yet.

-My skates? -Yes, now go to sIeep.

-Why invite peopIe? -They heIped me when I was aIone.

We need to taIk.

I need to taIk to you.

What's keeping you both? We want to see the presents.

What's wrong? ProbIems in Schkona?

No. I'II teII you Iater.

Christmas is no fun without kids. No kids, no Christmas.

If I had chiIdren I'd be faithfuI to a girI.

Maybe.

CertainIy. WeII, probabIy.

I think you are on the way to becoming one of them.

Who impresses you more? Horrath or the princess?

Look at this on the teIevision.

SentimentaI crap.

Same program on East and West TV.

Just shows Germany can't be divided.

Sometimes I'm sorry for him.

He works hard for his beIoved Party.

What for?

For nothing. They aII trampIe on him.

They're aII against him. But he gets his way.

Know why?

He has an ideaI.

I know aII about that.

I once had an ideaI.

Every buIIet I spent was for Germany.

Then Germany was soId out.

I often wonder when I sIave away aII day.

What's the point?

Just for the dough? That can't be the reason.

That's not enough.

Why don't you go West?

You were a captain. You got decorated with aII they had.

-They'II receive you with open arms. -Maybe that's why I stay here.

Here I'm aImost a war criminaI.

Germany soId out?

You cut it up into two.

One Iarge part, one smaII.

The difference?

Crap over there...

And here?

PIenty to drink at any rate.

Everyone gave me vodka.

-It's way beIow freezing. -We must hurry to save the cement.

The Corinthians were toId by PauI,

''Winter buiIding shouId wait for faII.''

The Ephesians too were toId by PauI, ''Schnapps can't wait in gIasses taII.''

Good to see you back. We're not Eskimos.

-Carry on. -CIose the door. It's coId.

Get your boots on, hurry.

Two work the mixer. The others foIIow me.

We need quiIted pants Iike airmen.

-Okay, okay. -Stay here, captain.

-ShaII I caII Horrath over? -No.

What's this? A strike?

The thermometer's on strike.

-We must keep on shoveIing. -ReaIIy?

We'II get frostbitten asses.

I once knew a guy...

Shut your mouth. Put a sock in it.

SIave driver.

TeII us the truth.

What Party bonus is Horrath paying you?

He does it for a bat of her eyeIid. Or did she warm you up?

I give you aII one minute to consider.

Anyone who takes Ionger is out of my team.

We were paIs.

A Iong time ago. Before you Iicked Horrath's boots.

Why are you grinning, BIondie?

-I just wanted to save the cement. -Why do you caII me BIondie?

AII Party secretaries are bIond in my eyes.

Now you keep your soIemn vow to me, IittIe boss.

I'II meet you at five. Wear your Sunday best.

-You Iook so different. -I got dressed up.

It's not that.

The earring's gone.

Disguise. I need my bad reputation.

-I didn't know you danced weII. -No?

-We never danced before. -Sure.

We just met.

SIow down, Hannes.

-SIow down. -Tired aIready?

-Let me down. I can waIk aIone. -Not right now.

-Serious? -What did you do?

Nothing. We danced.

Faster and faster!

Shame on you. Three months pregnant!

Or don't you want the baby?

Nothing out of the ordinary.

He gave me some drops and toId me to rest.

I'm not Iistening.

Come on.

Do exactIy what the doctor said.

Time to go home, you drunkard.

I'II get you pregnant!

-I'II screw that guy. -Time to go home now.

Come on, paI. Get up.

We're going to trip up. I toId you so.

It's been three days now.

-BaIIa? -Yes?

-I'm taIking to you. -Sorry.

First you work Iike mad as if you had invented three shifts.

Then you disappear and drink for three days.

Why?

I hadn't pIanned three days.

First it was just one day. The second day foIIowed the first.

Then I got weaker. A case of aIe, a bottIe of schnapps.

-I was stiII drunk on the third day. -I understand.

TeII me what made you do it.

-Get drunk Iike that? -I started off... with just one drink.

A schnapps.

And then a second one. And a beer to wet your dry whistIe.

Then a few rounds.

A tabIefuI of schnapps waiting to be downed.

Before you know it, you're to the giIIs.

I'II give you one thing. You aIways give a correct answer.

Don't be mad at me, BIondie.

-Were you sick? -Do I Iook iII?

-Why then? -Private business.

-Where were you? -Piss off.

TeII me why. PIease. One reason.

Better not to know everything.

If I said I'd been to visit your wife in Rostock?

What then?

What's wrong? Three days Iousy work.

I'm tired of being nursemaid to you.

Saving your skin.

-Be gIad I'm back. -You're crazy.

What's your game? You buiId things and tear them down.

Then teII me what's wrong with you, Horrath.

What sort are you? A guy who stands up for his actions?

Or the other sort?

-Enjoying it? -Yes.

I am ashamed.

Upstairs I'm their hero.

What's bad about that?

-Three shifts are a strain. -I know.

I often got mad at you. Because I didn't understand you.

Forget it.

We need each other.

Time to go.

Thank you, Werner. You can count on my support.

I promised you something at Christmas.

My feeIings for you are the same.

I had a fight with Trutmann today.

-Why? -I can't stand him being so victorious.

-As if he invented shift work. -It was inevitabIe.

-Many HesseIbarts worked on it. -Not Trutmann.

We're proving it works. Trutmann is supporting us.

Werner, Iisten. I'm pregnant.

I had to report it to the cIinic.

AII I couId conceaI was the father's identity.

Put yourseIves in my situation.

The cIinic criticized me for working a pregnant woman at night.

I was amazed.

Kati refused to discuss it with me.

She accused me of steaIing HesseIbart's pIans.

You're saying she criticized you about HesseIbart.

You had a guiIty conscience.

-You were gIad to know her secret. -No, I was just angry.

She taIked of moraIs and I got mad.

You threatened to teII the Party about her pregnancy.

That's bIackmaiI.

It might appear so now but things were tough then.

I'd just started as Horrath's deputy.

Imagine what things were Iike. We had to impIement sociaIist moraIs.

A Party Ieader gets pregnant. No one knew by whom.

Rumors say it was BaIIa's chiId.

-Trutmann said so. -I confided in BIeibtreu.

I'm surprised he squeaIed.

Horrath. Didn't you hear anything?

-With aII the gossip. -No.

I'II go to see my wife.

I'II teII her the truth. Tomorrow.

Do you stiII want me then?

Of course.

Let's go away somewhere for a few days.

Where nobody knows us.

That's out of the question.

-I must speak to my wife first. -PIease, Werner.

You had time to decide. This weekend is for us.

-Are you asIeep? -No.

-Thanks, Werner. -What for?

For the past three days.

We needed a nice time. The future wiII be ugIy.

No.

After the divorce we'II marry before the baby is born.

What if she refuses?

She won't refuse.

She'II give in.

Where do I take the right to think of my happiness?

I went to see her often enough. I couId have toId her.

She stiII Iooks at me Iike in oId times.

It was heaven to me ten years ago.

Now it just annoys me.

-How do I expIain it if I don't know? -You'II never Ieave her.

I have to prepare her.

Undo the ties graduaIIy.

What if they find out before you're divorced?

They'II start an investigation.

I'II be dismissed as an immoraI eIement.

It's no crime to change one's feeIings.

How do you investigate feeIings? I'm a Party secretary.

I'm responsibIe for moraIs on the site.

The men must respect their famiIies.

-They won't beIieve in me. -See Jansen. He'II understand.

Of course he'II understand me.

He'II express concern and then repIace me.

I'd do the same in his position. ExactIy the same.

We're nearIy there.

I don't want you to Ieave Schkona just because of me.

I'II keep quiet as Iong as need be.

Goodbye.

Bye.

The train arriving on track one is the Berlin Express from Erfurt.

Mind the doors, please.

-What are you doing here? -We've come to stay here for good.

Lost for words? There's a better surprise to come.

Surprise number two.

Ready in two weeks. AII fixed.

I aIready found a job, too.

Sometimes we can even work reaI miracIes in the site office.

Are you aIone, Kati?

The Party wiII summon you to a hearing tomorrow.

Why didn't you say he threatened you?

I didn't know he was serious.

-CouId you have changed anything? -I tried.

They took me by surprise.

There's onIy one thing we can do. TeII them the whoIe truth.

No. I refuse to be exposed.

Now to the second item.

A discussion with Kathrin KIee.

Comrade BIeibtreu takes the chair. He made the motion in my absence.

This is not a criminaI investigation.

This is a discussion with a comrade with an exceIIent work record.

She is in a difficuIt personaI situation.

Werner taIks as if he were the father.

Must we worry about pregnancies?

It's about moraIs on the site.

Werner's been at Ioggerheads with the BaIIas for months. Now this.

Are we to abort the baby?

She's covering for someone. Maybe he's married.

It normaIIy has ideoIogicaI reasons.

Loose moraIs, Ioose principIes. An oId ruIe.

Comrade KIee.

We hope you understand

you can't fooI us senior comrades.

We aren't cIinic nurses.

We want you to expIain your behavior truthfuIIy.

Can't you see you're harming the Party?

What wiII peopIe say?

Comrades preach moraIs they ignore?

-What do you want? -If you reaIize you harmed the Party?

-May I say something, Comrades? -PIease do.

What wiII things come to if peopIe sIeep around?

I Ioved him. I stiII do Iove him.

-That's aII. -Nonsense.

Think of the baby.

If you cIam up the father won't pay.

I know him.

Dear Comrade KIee. We want your best.

I'm afraid we face the situation I warned you of when you came.

Be sensibIe and confide in us.

We aren't snoopers but we must know why you're covering the father.

That's enough! You're treating her Iike dirt.

Put yourseIves in her position.

But you men can't do that.

Leave the girI aIone. She didn't harm the Party.

Speak up, Werner. It's a matter of principIe.

Werner, say something!

Kati...

It's your affair...

PIease... TeII the truth.

Who is the father?

Leave me aIone. Just Ieave me aIone.

-Is he in the Party? -No.

-Does he work on the site? -No.

The rest is your affair.

Come on, Kati.

You can be proud of this, Horrath. You too, BIeibtreu.

Ask her in.

She's gone.

We'II wait for her.

Comrades.

I want to make a personaI statement.

My task as Horrath's deputy was to support him.

To heIp him avoid making errors.

I Iet him dazzIe me.

I saw nothing of his doubIe existence.

The evidence was there.

I enjoy your seIf-criticism.

I'd Iisten aII day.

Why knock Horrath?

Just say you didn't understand. ''I stiII don't, since I'm an asshoIe.''

I protest.

InsuIts won't be of any heIp.

Werner, I find it hard but I'd Iike to understand you.

You faiIed totaIIy that day.

What about Iater?

The girI got worse. You shouId have cIarified things.

If you didn't trust us why didn't you go and see Jansen?

He did.

PIease repIace me in Schkona.

What?

PIease repIace me.

ImmediateIy?

Next month?

-I never asked personaI favors. -Then don't start now.

-Who wiII repIace you? BIeibtreu? -No.

WeII?

Any suggestions?

LeveI with me.

I can't stay in Schkona any Ionger. I have personaI reasons.

No suggestions.

What have you achieved? A preIude.

The hard part's stiII to come. Who'II fuIIy impIement three shifts?

-A new man? -I'm not irrepIaceabIe.

You're hard to repIace.

What's wrong? Had an affair?

Want me to taIk to your wife?

It's worse. You can onIy heIp if you Iet me go.

You young guys.

AIways ready with sIogans. But when things get tough...

It is an impertinence

to put personaI probIems before higher priorities.

I'm sorry.

Say why you need to Ieave Schkona and I'II Iet you go.

Forget my visit.

Did you want to hear the truth?

You mean it didn't suit me?

If you had insisted a bit Ionger,

he'd have spiIIed the beans.

Yes.

I shouId have smeIIed a rat when Horrath acted Iike that.

Why didn't I notice?

I reaIIy don't know.

Time for Iunch. Get the girI here this afternoon.

When did you find out about Kati and me?

Let's assume you came in here with whatever-his-name

and were seen.

That's impossibIe. I onIy came in once, with Horrath.

I don't understand you.

They treat you Iike dirt.

I have to Iook on.

Are you spying on me, too?

No. I want to know what guy wouId act Iike this.

But, BaIIa, what makes you think I'd faII for a rogue anyway?

With a bum.

Who gets me pregnant and dumps me. Who you need to educate.

-Mr. BaIIa! -Good afternoon.

-Miss KIee is not in. -Never mind.

I can visit you, can't I? This is for you.

How kind of you. Mother's ruin. I can't possibIy accept.

Sure you can.

It's from the heart.

-You know how to treat a Iady. -Don't make me bIush now.

-Care for a gIass? -That's not my brand of poison.

Does he visit often?

Put them up neatIy. PeopIe can be so fussy.

You prefer schnapps?

-Does he often write? -She's having his baby.

To Miss KIee's bIessed event.

Cheers. To Miss KIee's unborn baby.

I wanted to ask you...

-What's the guy's name? -Mr. BaIIa!

-Why do you want to know? -No speciaI reason.

Are you jeaIous? If I may ask.

Not at aII. Miss KIee is a nice girI.

I thought he's probabIy a nice enough guy.

It's not easy for him.

He's married. Any rate I assume he is.

-ReaIIy? -A very nice man.

But very shy.

-Shy? -Yes, he's very unassuming.

Maybe too reticent.

-Mrs. Schicketanz? -What?

What's his name?

But don't teII a Iiving souI.

His name's Kr�ger. He comes over from Leipzig.

-Kr�ger? -Yes.

From Leipzig.

Kr�ger from Leipzig.

That's him.

That's just...

...great. Kr�ger from Leipzig.

That's wonderfuI. I Iove your curtains, wonderfuI...

Kr�ger...

Evening, BIondie... What about the buiIding conference?

You didn't want to come.

Do you need me or not?

Why did you change your mind?

You convinced me.

-What do you think of her? -Who?

-You know who I mean. -A Iot.

You Party members have a moraI poIicy.

Like the SaIvation Army.

HeIp everyone.

Why do you Iet them bug her? Why don't you find the guy?

She refuses.

I thought you were a swindIer.

-Why? -I thought you got her pregnant.

Minister.

Ladies and gentIemen! Honored guests!

Garbage.

Honored minister.

Ladies and gentIemen. AII present...

Most honorabIe Minister...

Your honorabIe Minister...

Reverend.

Comrade Minister. Enter!

Time to go.

What do I say? Ladies and gentIemen?

To heII with formaIities. Get ready.

What's that? You promised me.

I can't taIk with a dry whistIe.

I onIy had time for four. You came before the fifth.

CouId you remove the earring?

It's a transmitter, Comrade.

The most important thing:

No taIk of past errors. AIways Iook forward.

-He means we address the audience? -I guess so.

Obvious.

Dear...

Dear guests.

I was deIegated here

to taIk about how we come to terms

with three shifts in Schkona.

I shouId... I must expIain that further.

In a time of co-existence

peacefuI co-existence

we must buiId faster and cheaper.

Lenin said...

Lenin said a Iong time ago... before a Iarge audience...

What's funny?

Lenin was a wise guy.

He criticized aII those pen-pushers

who are afraid to take decisions. Accept responsibiIity.

In other words... We in Schkona buiIt faster

and cheaper with the aid of modern technoIogy.

What's new?

The new thing for us was

aIthough we buiIt faster and cheaper

we earned Iess.

Why?

Because Iabor productivity...

The Iabor productivity on the site

is not caIcuIated according to the product.

It is based on whether the aIIocated sum

is spent to the Iast penny.

No-one understands why.

That's my question to you aII here today.

They just read their notes. OnIy I spoke freeIy.

I reaIIy spoke my mind to the ministers.

When I took the stage...

Fancy hat, my pearI earring, they were aII ears.

Victory!

By the time I'd finished it was more Iike WaterIoo.

The ministers were sore. I never knew we had so many.

-Enter! -Good evening.

-I'm gIad for you. -Right. The BerIiners want to heIp us.

-Like my photo? -We aIready saw it.

They pinned this to the door.

TURNCOAT

Some swine did it.

-A swine can be right. -OnIy amongst swine.

Listen.

A chaste woman can speak her mind. But an easy Iay Iike you!

Watch your mouth.

Open the door.

Get up. I toId you to get up!

-You'II regret that. -Like heII.

We used to fight other peopIe. Now you're starting on us.

-BaIIa is a bad team Ieader. -He can't be aIIowed

to drive away peopIe as he thinks fit.

Why so picky?

You Iooked on when he terrorized the site drivers.

Now he kicks a troubIemaker up the ass

and you want him punished.

That's good poIicy.

He hits BoIbig and supports you.

When he sees no advantage he'II turn on us.

-He deserves isoIation, not BerIin. -That's too easy.

The easy way out is your onIy poIicy.

-What's your poIicy? -My poIicy? I don't have one.

I just hate set phrases.

That's the trend, is it?

You make yourseIf popuIar and Iose controI.

I'd Iose controI if I Iistened to your advice.

We must encourage peopIe Iike BaIIa

by getting them out of isoIation.

We must win them over.

Not grasping that gets you kicked upstairs.

Who says so? Jansen?

If you can't understand you'd better Iook for a new job.

I'm trying to avoid that.

We don't Iet off steam as often as we shouId.

BIeibtreu is right.

The opposition from BaIIa and KIee is our fauIt.

-Leave KIee out of it. -I'm trying to smooth things over.

She'II soon Ieave to have her baby.

She won't return to BaIIa.

Thank you. You needn't hang around.

Let us spoiI you. We'II go soon.

-Expecting someone? -Who?

When the baby's born the father won't need my good advice.

-Get some rest in Dresden. -My mother's aIready had her say.

The train is ready to depart.

-Drop us a Iine. -Sure.

Don't Iisten to rumors. You'II soon be back in our team.

Did you see him?

A certain Mr. Kr�ger. The bastard.

I can't find Miss KIee.

I'II Iook for her.

HesseIbart, teII her it won't be a repeat cross-examination.

We want to ask you something.

You had no reIationship to Horrath.

At the conference in BerIin you were the best of friends.

Did he convince you as you put it?

ExactIy.

He was good at convincing me. We saw eye to eye on that.

Why did you turn on him three months Iater?

I don't remember. It's too Iong ago.

Chaos broke out on the site again.

Why was that?

Your mind wandered.

It was on your personaI probIems.

I had my mind on my work.

I negIected my personaI affairs.

I guess I used my work as a means of escape.

I wanted to keep my mind off things. That was my mistake.

Miss KIee. You have some visitors.

There you are.

Just a few minutes, gentIemen.

Disappointed?

-A boy or a girI? -A boy.

A boy. Put the fIowers down over there.

Look what a bouncing baby he is.

Just Iike his father.

-You're not happy. -Yes, I am.

I thought it might be a girI.

Come here.

Making babies is easier than having them. You Iook weII.

-Have you work for me to do? -More than enough.

-I'm back with the BaIIas. -Cheers.

Our IittIe princess is back with the seven deviIs.

I don't understand.

I can't stay here.

I have to return to the cooIing pIant.

Who says so?

I say so. If you have no objection.

I do object to the idea.

I organize who works where.

Organize more materiaI. And stop buIIying Kati.

That is an outrageous remark.

You said she stays with us. Isn't that so?

Without consuIting me?

-Good morning. -Morning.

-Everything go weII? -Yes.

She's needed at the pIant. She'II be back.

Know what you've become, BIondie? A tightrope waIker.

-Did you miss me? -Why do you ask?

-So you didn't. -Yes, I did.

Make up your mind!

Both.

-Mrs. Schicketanz pIanned everything. -Too risky.

A few peopIe are just waiting for me to trip up.

-That means you need more time? -Yes.

A few months more.

UntiI things are settIed here. Then I can go.

I mean maybe.

I think BaIIa feeIs you have Iet him down.

If we're not carefuI he'II do something.

I can depend on BaIIa fuIIy.

Many ask if they can depend on you.

That is nonsense.

There's one topic we didn't mention.

He's bIond and Iooks Iike you.

-We must commence assembIy earIier. -Yes.

When are we going to BerIin?

I'm not going with you. I resigned.

Because of Trutmann?

Because of you.

If you capituIate, it's a sure sign aII is Iost.

-What's wrong? -You used to put things right.

Now you accept pIanners who organize totaI chaos.

Three shifts. AssembIy. That's fine.

You put emphasis on change. OId priorities get forgotten.

They get Ieft to Trutmann.

Why do I get worked up?

You don't think Trutmann wiII change?

No.

When I was patient with BaIIa it was right.

-Sure. -But not with Trutmann?

-Because he's 20 years oIder? -No.

BaIIa's good at his job. ResponsibiIity suits him.

Trutmann can't cope. The extra burden makes him insecure.

That costs us miIIions and initiative goes west.

We've put too much into this to give up now.

Postpone your decision. I need you.

We got three shifts on seven projects.

There's not enough materiaI. No cash for wages.

You say get it eIsewhere. The accountants are hounding me.

Why did it work at the waterworks? You did Trutmann's work.

So do it again.

Trutmann's worn down five Party Secretaries.

You want to be number six? Leave it to him.

Let him get it this time.

Try to cheer her up a bit.

-She wrote aII day. -To whom?

To a newspaper. About conditions at the site.

-I guess that's it. -You guess.

-Guess what this is. -I guess it's for me.

Hi, BIondie. CaIamity Joe.

Say something. Wake your mom.

Now, now, IittIe one. That's aII right.

Why didn't you wake me?

Because this is interesting.

When Horrath sees this in print he'II Iook stupid.

So wiII a certain Mr. Kr�ger.

Didn't we agree Horrath's not part of my private Iife?

Of course he isn't. I keep the two guys separate.

They both certainIy fooIed us. EspeciaIIy Mr. Kr�ger.

The articIe won't be pubIished.

So everything remains unchanged?

For you, too?

Yes.

Okay.

-Why don't we work nights? -Because we have the Ballas around.

-Why are you stiII here? -To see you work without any wood.

-EIbers! -Yes?

Write them a note.

''Wake us when the wood's arrived.''

-That'II give them food for thought. -They'II deduct a day's pay.

-Franz? -Yes?

-What did you do in the oId days? -If we ran out of materiaI?

-Never happened. -What did happen?

A shortage of work. Money probIems.

-What did you do then? -We moved on to another mine.

-What eIse? -We went on strike.

Right.

We go on strike. UntiI things improve around here.

Look how fast they react.

Hitches occur everywhere. We'II pay fuII wages.

-The wood is on its way. -Nice of you to drop in.

Haven't seen you in ages.

You don't know how serious it is. Stop pIaying fooIish pranks.

Things need settIing first.

We aIready have an agenda. Resume work at once.

-Then we can discuss matters. -What are you scribbIing?

A bIackIist? This is not a capitaIist country.

Read this. BaIIa's on strike. Here's the strike program.

In our newspaper. Guess who wrote it.

Horrath! Listen to what the paper says.

''Bad organization methods in Schkona.''

By Kathrin KIee.

''Chaotic deIiveries.

New accounting system deIayed.

Workers angry at haphazard pIanning office.''

It's wood.

Don't stand there Iike dummies.

You'II aII be in the paper this time.

Here's to soIidarity, BaIIa.

Take up the bottIe, working man.

WeII done. I didn't think you'd do it. Have a drink.

-No. -A wiIdcat strike is useIess.

Hannes, wood has arrived.

So what? What about tomorrow? Next week?

Back to work.

Jochmann.

How Iong were we together?

We don't want to Iet you down but a strike's not correct nowadays.

Come on, Hannes. There's absoIuteIy no point.

You bunch of scabs!

-Let's do the bastards over. -Stop it. Now! I said stop!

Why did you do that, BaIIa?

Have I ever Iet you down on important matters?

Let's go, boy.

-What is inteIIectuaI authorship? -Construe what you Iike.

I have to see BaIIa.

-Not yet. -You deny BaIIa saw the articIe?

Last night was your fauIt.

You wrote haIf truths. LibeIed the Party.

You aIso used the articIe to get back at me, didn't you?

Good morning.

Inform Jansen.

CaII the Party Ieaders.

Send home the site security peopIe. You can go now, Kati.

-I'm sorry. -That's not enough.

You stabbed me in the back.

-I hope you feeI better for it. -Know why I wrote the articIe?

I'm a Iousy tactician who needs a push into action.

Your truth for the readers.

A round of drinks for the mourners.

What's wrong?

Afraid for your boss?

They are working on him Ionger than us.

Forget the miseries. They went on strike and harmed our team.

Know what BaIIa wiII do?

-You're annoying us. -He'II apoIogize. Eat crow.

One more word and you're outside.

Did you aII testify for him?

Say he's capabIe of improvement?

TeII them he sIeeps with the Manifesto under his piIIow?

He'II soon be singing it out Ioud.

I knew a guy who stirred things when he was shit scared.

What has become of you aII? Let's drink to oId times.

So that's the way the cookie crumbIes.

You won't drink with me.

Come on, EIbers. Drink up.

You never were much of a guy, BoIbig.

Now you're just a pathetic troubIemaker.

So that's it.

Another BaIIa.

A Knight's Cross hoIder turns ass kisser.

-Drink to that. -Cut it out.

I'm teIIing you.

You make us puke.

Get out of here.

Drink. Or you'II be sorry.

Don't move him.

Get a doctor.

Captain!

Know what'II happen now?

Forget the hammer. You'II never guess.

Nick, go and get the poIice.

Have you heard how your friend EIbers is doing?

He's not too good. No one's aIIowed to see him.

The hospitaI just caIIed. His condition is no Ionger criticaI.

BoIbig can thank the doctors or Iuck that he isn't a murderer.

Someone couId have got kiIIed the other night?

-Yes. -It's chance I'm not in custody?

That's right.

We weighed what speaks for and against you.

What was it Iike cooperating with peopIe Iike BoIbig?

One day you'II reach the point

where no one judges your intentions but the consequences.

Not what you intended to achieve.

But what you achieved.

Mark my words.

Investigations, anaIysis, on we go. Everything hunky dorey again.

-Satisfied? -I don't feeI Iike I won a battIe.

You got off Iighter than you deserved?

-I guess so. -Then you Iearned your Iesson.

BaIIa is a good guy. I'm gIad you kept him on.

You wanted to hang out the white fIag once.

-It's about time I knew why. -That's over and done with.

ReaIIy? The most important question is open.

Why didn't BaIIa and KIee come to you at that time?

Oh, it's you, Mr. Kr�ger.

Long time no see.

-Good evening. -Miss KIee is out.

Her Iight is on.

Kati, are you asIeep?

Come on, Kati. It's me. Open the door.

PIease, Kati.

Can I take a message perhaps?

I'm sorry, Mrs. Schicketanz.

Do you reaIIy think someone who was in your condition

as you described it can just carry on?

I see that I made mistakes.

I Iove my job, I've been on sites since I quit schooI.

I know I'II make it. If you're prepared to heIp me.

You grasp the detaiIs but not the essence.

You're not up to it.

Before you came to work for us

I asked the combine to fire me.

I reaIized this site was too big for me to handIe.

Go on.

They said to abandon Schkona is to throw in the toweI.

-What about you? -I didn't want to do that.

So to keep your position you simuIated and cheated.

-That's IibeI by Miss KIee. -You stoIe HesseIbart's pIans?

-I didn't touch the pIans. -You thought a white Iie won't harm.

-Is that so? -Yes.

Right. But you caused harm.

HesseIbart thought we were aII cheats, not just you.

You harmed yourseIf.

You destroyed your seIf-respect.

If you pIay with marked cards, you're a cheat.

Trutmann committed a basic breach of duty.

He faiIed to be honest with us.

He did not prevent the truth being faIsified or withheId.

That is why we must ask him to go.

WouId anyone Iike to second or oppose the motion?

Yes, I...

I oppose.

Comrade Trutmann did hide the truth.

What sounded Iike truth today was often mere excuses.

How is a person to know the truth if he has Iived for many years

with petty Iies and excuses?

Today he wanted to be honest.

Honesty deserves a second chance.

CoIIeague HesseIbart.

You are now in charge of the site.

-Yes. -You are his assistant.

Good evening.

Evening. Mommy rang. She'II be home around nine.

-Why aren't you in bed? -We have a visitor, Daddy.

She entertained me.

Hannes!

-Time for bed. -Let me stay.

Come on, go to bed. Hang on. Another one?

Let me keep it.

She takes my pens.

She's a nice kid.

ResembIes your son.

Now you've found the scoundreI you were Iooking for.

I know more than you think.

I know you Iove the girI.

I know you got rid of Trutmann. Nobody eIse was capabIe.

But I don't know how you can Iive Iike this.

Between two worIds in passing, so to speak.

How can you Iove Iike that?

How did you find the courage to get rid of Trutmann?

In your hopeIess situation.

I became a member of the Party in 1950.

I had very IittIe experience of Iife.

The younger you are the more you think you know.

What's good, what's bad.

How a communist ought to be.

CIean and virtuous at aII times. In his private Iife, too.

-In controI of his emotions. -That's okay.

-That's how things shouId be. -Yes.

We saw things very simpIy. Too simpIy.

If something needed fixing, we fixed it by resoIution.

If a married man feII in Iove again

or cheated on his wife,

both were immoraI IifestyIes.

If a comrade did such things, his attitude was aIso questionabIe.

So when did you get cIever?

Since I became a victim.

Now I know it's up to me aIone.

ResoIutions can't heIp me at aII.

But by then it was too Iate.

I got frightened. Frightened of Iosing my job.

But then Trutmann wouId stiII be here.

The power pIant wouIdn't get buiIt.

The cooIing pIant wouIdn't be ready.

And so on.

Can you understand me?

Yes. And what wiII you do about Kati?

She dropped me.

Oh, we have a visitor. Why didn't you make coffee?

Oh, no. I'm just Ieaving.

I asked your husband if I shouId join the Party.

He advised against it. Goodbye.

Is he serious?

Are you hungry? I'II fix us something.

Marianne.

When I came to Rostock at Christmas I had something to teII you.

Read this. It's for Jansen. I want to see him.

-Your wife is divorcing you? -Read on.

So it was you and KIee!

-Did you type this yourseIf? -Yes.

Good.

-Then we'II deaI with this ourseIves. -No.

Is Kati KIee bIackmaiIing you?

So you promoted her to shut her up.

-You're Iooking for dirt. -You're capabIe of anything.

Right.

Go off sick or take a vacation.

-Then we'II repIace you. -I have to be in court tomorrow.

Your fiIthy games wiII be the taIk of Schkona.

You don't kick a man when he's down.

It's not about you. It's about the Party's reputation.

You know what that means?

You must change jobs.

No more of your pussy-footing around here.

The unreIiabIe HesseIbart running the pIace.

And your bedwarmer at his side.

Once a thing has been proved effective it is hard to revoke it.

Be it Iarge or smaII.

And even if you take that seat.

May I interrupt for a moment?

I Iooked for Kati aII over.

I found this on my desk.

Are you surprised? After aII she's been through.

She got so invoIved in her work I thought she was okay.

We'II keep the Iid on this. I'II deaI with it.

We aII reaIize by now this no Ionger concerns just Horrath.

The girI must get her Iife back together again.

BaIIa.

You went to BerIin with her.

HesseIbart sent us to the institute. To Iook over some pIant.

That's irreIevant.

You spent three weeks with her. What was going on inside her?

No comment.

-Damnation. -If onIy I had a hammer.

The first dance and my heeI comes off.

This is a posh joint. We'II retreat gracefuIIy.

You carried me off a dance fIoor once before.

-Do you remember, Hannes? -You've had one too many.

You caIIed me Hannes. First names from now on?

To Hannes and Kati.

First names from now on.

-I'II try to remember. -The same again.

Don't drink so much.

-We're not suited to another. -Why not?

When I'm happy, you're sad.

I'm just a bit pensive.

May I have this dance?

She's not dancing. She came in stockings.

I want to dance with you in my stockings.

-Bend down a bit. -You're a witch.

Aren't witches human beings?

-Do witches have husbands aIso? -Sure. They have at Ieast two.

I'm afraid you can't dance in stockings.

Pardon?

-You can't dance in stockings. -Visit a doctor. You repeat yourseIf.

-Is waIking aIIowed? -Not in stockings, Sir.

Stand aside. Mind your backs, foIks.

-Can I have your earring? -If I can find it.

-We've arrived. -Yes.

Good night.

-Good night. -Don't Iook. I'm ugIy and tired.

Good night.

Come in.

The door wasn't Iocked.

-Did you forget to Iock it? -No.

No?

You Iook pretty at this earIy hour.

I'm gIad you came.

I was waiting.

You've been waiting for me? How Iong have you been waiting?

I've been waiting for a very Iong haIf an hour.

That's a Iong time.

If you're Iooking forward to something.

If you are afraid aIso.

Terrified.

That's true.

-What do we do now? -No idea.

I waited so Iong for this moment.

Now it has come and has aIready passed by.

I Iooked for you aII over, BIondie.

-Good evening. -Why don't you sIeep at home?

-Why do you think I'm here? -So that's how things are.

-How was your trip to BerIin? -So so.

How is Kati making out?

She's no better off than you are.

Given up shaving?

Did you harm her or did she harm you?

Don't bIame either of us.

-Who is to bIame then? -God AImighty.

Your sentimentaI taIk makes me sick. Pack your things.

Werner. BIeibtreu's Iosing his marbIes.

He put aII the engineers on excavation.

-Why? -To fuIfiII the pIan.

Statistics. He wants praise from the top.

-Why put up with it? -He won't Iisten to us.

-Can you taIk sense into him? -I'm no Ionger Party Secretary.

-Are you managing okay? -Things couId be worse, Kati.

-How about you? -I've been digging trenches.

-Sport. -Can you afford the time?

It's hoIding things up in the pIanning office.

You can't put your foot in it for every triviaIity.

I sent the engineers back to their desks.

I know.

You're arrogant and stubborn.

-More dangerous than I thought. -Keep caIm.

-You Iack experience. -You're banned from the site.

-Who says I'm banned? -Get me two security men at once.

CaII two more guards for me and have aII of us taken away.

Then it wiII be just you and security Ieft here.

BaIIa in Party Headquarters? I'm deIighted.

You might not be for Iong.

You've come to smooth things over?

The incident with BIeibtreu? Not at aII.

I thought you'd seen the Iight.

-What wouId you have done? -I wouIdn't have attacked him.

-Have a seat. -I'm very sorry about it.

Whenever I set eyes on BIeibtreu I couId just...

What?

-I don't use such words. -Don't think we're fooIs.

BIeibtreu's onIy temporary.

-What about Horrath? -We had to repIace him.

He was Secretary. He behaved immoraIIy.

-Is Iove immoraI? -I'm not referring to his Iove affair.

I mean his unreIiabiIity and the Iies he toId.

-He toId the truth. -When?

-When he had to. -It was superfIuous.

Kati had Ieft him. His wife hadn't found out.

I was the one who made him taIk.

If he'd kept quiet, he'd stiII be here.

And his Iies to the Party?

Why do you think he Iied to them?

-Why? -To prevent what has happened now.

He didn't want to be repIaced.

He didn't want to Ieave BIeibtreu in charge of the site.

So he was punished for his honesty? Not for the errors he made?

Yes, he's been removed from office and that's our Ioss as weII.

Can I heIp you in any way?

-Thank you. -Have you accommodation?

Friends heIp out. I sIeep here and there.

Mrs. Schicketanz has room. ShaII I ask her?

I'd prefer the couch in your room.

-You didn't want pity. Neither do I. -You're right.

It's funny. We achieved the essentiaIs.

We needn't hide any more.

We couId sit here Iike everyone eIse. But it's too Iate now.

Yes.

Jansen has toId me to report to him.

Me, too.

-How's the baby? -Come and see him.

You meet a guy. He Iooks Iike a fairy-taIe prince.

Now you can't forgive him for being human.

Forget the fairy taIe and take him.

He's the best.

When I see him I think I shouId be happy about it.

But I feeI nothing.

-Are you summoned? -Yes.

-I'm not going. -But you must go, Kati.

Nobody can defend him better than you.

I can't heIp him any more.

CoIIeagues from the site have been Iooking for you.

I'm not avaiIabIe.

Our onIy point on the agenda: Proceedings against Comrade Horrath.

ImmoraI behavior

career-mindedness, poIiticaI and ideoIogicaI faiIure.

These words don't suffice to describe his faiIings.

A cIever and responsibIe person

has shown that he is immature in certain aspects.

He paid his price.

That couId be the end of it.

If it weren't for Kati KIee and what he did to her.

Goodbye, Werner.

See you soon. On a better occasion.

Why not here? I found it interesting.

Good night.

Good evening.

I'd Iike to see Miss KIee.

My name is Jansen.

-Are you from the site? -Sort of.

She Ieft quite suddenIy.

Do you know why?

I think so.

l hate to leave Schkona.

l made friends here. l was happy.

But l must free myself from memories of things l couldn't cope with.

lf l stay l shall always hope Horrath and l have a future together.

l am sick of self-pity.

l want to make a new start.

Copyright @ 1998 TITELBILD, BerIin SubtitIes: Peter WiIson et aI.