Original subtitles

Polish Television presents

PLAYlNG FOR HlGH STAKES

Cafe Rose

Screenplay

Music

As Lieutenant Kloss

Featuring

Photography

Production manager

Directed by

Attention, the train to Budapest is leaving from platform one.

Please get in and close all doors.

- Give me the Vogel . - Cafe Rose, Cafe Rose!

- ls this seat free? - Yes, please.

Heil Hitler. Passport and ticket control .

- Where are you going, sir? - Please read.

Are you together?

No.

- To Budapest? - Yes.

Reason of your voyage?

l'm going to see my family. l'm Hungarian.

My husband works at the Herman Goering Werke in the protectorate.

Alright.

l wish you a pleasant trip.

Heil Hitler.

Thank you.

Gas should be saved.

That doesn't concern me.

lt concerns all Germans.

l'm not German.

Al low me to introduce myself. Van Kloss from The Hague.

The Hague?

- Your German is excellent. - So is yours.

lt's essential in business.

l didn't know the Dutch. ..

Clever ones cooperate with the economy of greater Germany.

As do clever Hungarians.

My husband, a brilliant consul , readily accepted a proposition...

from the Herman Goering Werke. Previously the Skoda factory.

You shouldn't tell a stranger such things.

l don't think l revealed any secrets.

Besides, l don't think any spies would be interested in such things.

You never know.

lntelligence services are interested by such strange things.

They might be interested in the fact that your husband comes home late.

What do you mean? That he neglects me?

That could interest others too.

Even for me, it's an important fact.

l think we're nearing the Hungarian border.

You think they'll search us?

l don't come by here often. lt's you who should know.

l have a favour to ask of you.

l have some cigarettes with me.

A bit more than custom regulations allow for.

lf you could put a few packs into your luggage.

Of course.

Papers please.

Here you are.

Martha Kovacs?

lf you'd step outside, sir.

And you Madam, prepare yourself for a personal inspection.

Me? Why? l don't understand.

l'll never forget what you did. You saved my. ..

Cigarettes from being confiscated. Do you often come to Budapest?

Me? Last time was.. .

Dear Mrs. Kovacs, or whatever your real name is.

l stopped believing fairy tales a long time ago.

Especially those about five smuggled cigarette packets.

Who do you work for?

Now nothing should trouble us.

l warn you, no screaming or struggling.

- What do you want from me? - l repeat my question.

Who do you work for?

The English or the Russians?

- And if l were to tel l you? - Then you'll live. That's a lot.

You're a beautiful woman. You'll work for me too.

For me?

For whom?

Would you rather tell the Gestapo? Please make your mind up.

Lieutenant Kloss, l'm Meissner. May l come in?

As you please, Mr. Meissner.

Martha, leave us alone now.

l congratulate you, for persuading Martha Kovacs to work for the Abwehr.

l think l'll get to like the Dutch.

Give that toy back, Kloss.

Please don't be sore about our little mystification.

l understand. Another test.

Yes.

Never enough tests. Do you know the object of your mission?

l was to come to Budapest and wait for Sturmbannf?hrer Meissner.

l hastened our encounter, Kloss. Because the matter is urgent.

How do you rate Martha?

Excel lent.

Her mission was to persuade you to work for the lntelligence Service.

You will have other such temptations during your mission.

ln Budapest you will immediately take the train to lstanbul .

l was already told so in Berlin.

From here on you'll travel with a German diplomatic passport.

We cannot afford to take risks. Business trip, jute transports.

Now about your mission.

ln our lstanbul consulate, there's an English agent.

Not only must he be eliminated,

but their whole net should be prevented from doing more harm .

A delicate matter. Turkey is very attached to it's neutrality.

How long do you intend to stay in Turkey?

A month, maybe less.

That wil l depend on how soon l can finish my business here.

Of course, business matters.

l represent the Reich's Ministry of Economy.

l warn you, that attempts to conduct other business...

l understand.

- Where do you intend to stay? - Hotel.

Maybe at the German consulate, but rather in a hotel.

You'll prolong your visa each week.

Quick!

Good afternoon.

- Maybe l could assist you? - No, thank you.

l'm looking for the number of the German consulate.

l'm tired. l think that's enough for today.

Coffee as usual, Mr. Sapali?

Excuse me a minute, l'll just take the rackets to the car.

You look beautiful .

- How much? - Fifty.

Expensive.

- ls this the Cafe Rose? - We open in the evening.

This is a nightclub.

Who are you looking for?

l was told l would have a good time here.

- l said, in the evening. - Who told you?

My friend Theodore.

Your friend has good information. Please.

Please take a seat.

What do you have to tell me?

l don't know if l'm speaking to the right person.

Lovely weather.

Last year it was raining at the same time.

Sleet.

Alright.

How can l help you?

Elsa, do you know what the old man wants from me?

He's waiting for you.

Come in.

- You sent for me, consul. - Yes. Please sit down.

We're expecting a guest from Berlin, Witte.

We have to look after him.

l heard someone at the consulate is also working for himself.

Bribes, provisions.

Maybe he's the one working for the English?

They wouldn't allow it.

You mentioned the name Christopoulos. Who is he?

A Greek with Turkish citizenship.

Actor, go-between, would sell anything and anyone.

And regarding the consulate, you'll see for yourself.

l'll help if you need any special information.

l'll try to get something out of Grandel .

You know the consul?

Yes. The consul happens to adore me.

He sent this in his last bouquet.

- What is it? - Keys, to his bachelor flat.

Up til l now l haven't responded to his enticing offer.

l'll try to have a look around.

We'll have to inform the English to silence their agent for now.

Good afternoon.

My Name is Hans Kloss. l phoned an hour ago.

The consul is expecting you.

l received orders from Berlin to assist you in any way l can.

l wouldn't want to take up your time.

My business would rather require the help of the commercial attach, .

Mr. Witte is at your disposal . You'll take care of our guest.

- With pleasure. - Please sit down.

l would like to ask you something.

ls the Ministry dissatisfied with my work?

On the contrary, the Minister speaks very favourably of you.

That last transport of manganese was a real masterpiece.

l try to do my best. We all do, for the sake of our fighting country.

Come in.

You're the manager.

l am the owner of this pension. How can l help you?

Someone has been going through my belongings.

And left this stupid note, which l cannot understand.

The mess was made by the police, they found nothing.

Be where you were this morning, tonight.

l've come from a country at war.

l understand that different agents operate here.

l was told in Berlin, that here l'd be safe from such provocations.

That is correct, sir.

l don't understand how this came about.

l wil l punish the staff who let this happen, and l apologize once again.

This wil l not happen again.

lf you do not know how to spend your evening.. .

l do, and l'd be obliged if you took no interest in the matter.

Trouble?

Allah sends trouble, Allah frees from trouble.

Don'tjoke, Christopoulis.

We will have to suspend our business for some time.

You have an easy time with me, but who knows about my successor?

They want to call you back?

Not yet, but someone has arrived, who seems to be snooping around.

Someone who doesn't like jokes.

But does he like bank notes?

Do you think he'd tell a dollar note from a hundred?

That isn't a bad idea.

But l can't just offer him a bribe.

Maybe he's one who doesn't take.

Everyone takes. The only question is the amount.

Allah forbids drinking, Allah forbids smoking.

What else does he forbid?

Gambling.

Couldn't you lose some money to him?

There he is, he found the way. Please join us, Mr. Kloss!

Please sit down.

Allow me to introduce you. Mr. Kloss, straight from Berlin.

Mr. Christopoulis, who knows al l the secrets of this city.

Delighted. Was it you who acted as intermediary in the manganese deal?

l'm always happy to be of use to my German friends.

Do you real ly know all the secrets of this town?

l know if it is profitable to know, l don't, if it is not necessary.

- l believe we will get on wel l. - lt all depends on the merchandise.

Aram.

You win again, Kloss.

l'll open.

- How many? - Two.

How many?

l'm fine.

l wait.

l wait.

l wait.

l'll open.

l'm in.

l'll raise.

How many?

Three.

Two.

Three for me.

- Twenty. - And sixty.

And a hundred and eighty.

l'l l see.

l'l l see.

Two pairs.

Three eights. lt's yours, Witte.

Did you get a good look?

You can go.

What are you up to? You lost a lot of money.

l wanted to.

lt'll get out sooner or later. Someone will want to make me a loan.

The English won't miss an opportunity like this.

He was supposed to win.

Even better, he has no money now.

He'll be needing some. A good friend will help him out.

You're a genius, Christopoulis.

l informed the chief of your arrival and he promised to help you.

- Arrange for a meeting with him. - He'll find you himself.

That letter was stupid. Unnecessary risk.

What letter?

- How's luck? - Luck comes when it wants to.

Mrs. Rose, allow me to introduce my friend. He's come from Berlin.

You'll excuse me for cal ling you a friend.

We are friends. l'm very pleased to meet you.

lt's a beautiful place.

Please remember about tomorrow's reception at the consulate.

How could l forget? l wil l be come for sure.

Your invitation is at your hotel . l advise you to come.

Aram.

Thank you for your bravery, it was marvelous.

Your wife is safe and sound.

Thank you.

Thank you in the consul's name, your highness, for bringing him .

He's excel lent, though l must admit l was a little scared for the lady.

lt wasn't necessary. Aram always hits what he intends to.

- Who is that young man? - Just a moment.

Kloss, our Georgian friend, Prince Mjavanadze, wishes to meet you.

Mr. Kloss arrived a few days ago. He represents the Ministry of Economy.

l am very pleased to meet you.

lt is a pleasure to shake hands with a man from the capital of the Reich.

A country supporting the brunt of the fight against bolshevism.

You should know that his Highness is the sole rightful heir to the throne.

l am honoured, your Highness.

Please visit me sometime, you'll tell me of your army's victories.

There's that Japanese fellow. l must greet him. Would you join me?

Of course, your Highness. Excuse me.

- l'm really sorry about last night. - lt's nothing.

- How do you stand financial ly? - Not too wel l, l must admit.

- Please. - What is it?

Five thousand piastres. The sum you lost.

- l cannot accept it. - lt's only a loan.

You'l l pay me back at your convenience.

Alright.

Greetings, Consul .

l am delighted, Mrs Rose.

Excuse me, l must unfortunately attend to our official guests.

Miss von Tilden, please escort Mrs Rose upstairs.

- With pleasure, Consul . - Good evening,

- if you'l l fol low me. - Of course.

Good evening.

Kloss. We meet again.

l'm glad to see you know each other.

Please take care of the Consul's dearest guest.

Try and see me after all this. l have sensational news for you.

- Tell me, what is it? - Not now, this isn't the place.

Rose, you look beautiful.

Good evening.

l'd like to rent a single room.

At your service. Are you a foreigner?

Yes. Here's my passport.

ls Mr Hans Kloss staying here by any chance?

l'l l check.

Yes, room number 1 0.

He's not in at the moment. Do you wish to leave a message?

lt's nothing. l'll see him tomorrow.

ls that knife master in your service?

A friend also.

He's a mute.

l wouldn't like to be your enemy.

To success!

- Consul ! - What is it?

Mrs Rose.

- She's dead. - What?

- Over there. - What happened?

Excuse me, your Highness. Kloss, fol low me.

l found her, Witte and Christopoulis are with her.

She's dead.

l'm afraid Witte's right.

We must inform the guests that no one can leave until the police come.

You want to let the police inside the consulate?

Do you see another way out?

You're right, if you'll arrange it, l wil l go inform the guests.

l must ask you to excuse me but a terrible thing has happened.. .

Don't move.

Come in.

J 23?

- Rose told me about you. - l don't understand.

Lovely weather. Last year it was raining at the same time.

Sleet.

- Rose has just been murdered. - What?

Put those papers away.

The police may be here any moment. And tel l the chief l must see him.

- Rose obtained evidence. - What kind?

lncriminating someone at the consulate.

She said she'd leave it in a safe at the central bank.

The key should be here.

This is a key to the consul's bachelor flat. Maybe this one?

l'll try.

Where have you been Kloss? The inspector was looking for you.

Someone damaged the phones. l had to cal l from town.

Kloss, a bad thing has happened.

The Turks might consider me persona non grata.

l can expect to be dismissed or something even worse.

l ask you to be honest with me.

l don't know what you're up to here and l don't want to.

l represent the Reich here and l must know if you ordered this.

l hope you're not accusing me of murdering a woman l saw only twice.

Kloss, l've been in the diplomatic service for a long time now,

and l know you're not the one you pretend to be.

l suppose it's the Gestapo...

Even if l were sent by the service you so carelessly mentioned,

it should not be of interest to you.

You know me as a representative of the Reich's Ministry of Economy.

Privately, l can tel l you l did not kill that woman.

And l just talked to the inspector. Goodbye.

Kloss, put that away.

You weren't expecting me.

Who do you want to get me to work for this time?

l want to help you.

Meissner was easily convinced that my help would be indispensable.

Here's a letter from Meissner.

lnitiated and subordinated.

Ready to obey any orders, Kloss.

Have you come to any conclusions yet?

l took part in the autopsy.

- Someone from the consulate? - No, the owner of a nightclub.

Wait, is that how you carry a napkin?

Elsa von Tilden, you say?

l hope you didn't confide in her.

Another test?

Elsa von Tilden is an old and dear friend of mine from the Ankara days.

l got her to work for the SD.

l'm starting to piece this together.

Which doesn't mean l can exclude Elsa altogether.

- lt all needs some checking. - You're thinking of the murder?

l'm thinking of treason.

With me?

My name is Rose Arez.

This is my key to safe 1 28, code Rose, please check.

Mr Kloss, how can l help you?

l'm sorry to disturb you further, but the matter is serious.

This letter from the Reich's Central Security Dept. grants me full powers.

l wasn't mistaken.

May l know the nature of your mission?

There is an English agent operating inside the consulate.

lmpossible.

We have ascertained that the agent operates very close to you.

Or that you are the British agent.

Calm down, that was only ajoke.

l trust what you were looking for in her flat has nothing to do with this.

- What are you talking about? - l have that object.

A key to a certain flat.

But let's leave that matter be.

l count on your friendship, and offer mine in return.

Thank you, a scandal in my situation. ..

Let's get back to a more important matter.

The British agent is your secretary, Miss von Tilden.

This is just a supposition but l shal l soon have proof.

l have something for you. lt was in Rose's safe.

The chief says it wil l interest you.

The consulate's commercial attach, has embezzled nearly 1 00'000 dollars.

l made a blunder. l thought he was working for the English.

That loan put me on the wrong track.

l cast suspicion on the secretary to cover up for him .

And if you're right?

That wouldn't be so bad.

Grandel won't hide it from her, and then the English wil l try to eliminate me.

Dangerous.

But they'l l stop running round in circles.

Go now. ln the future, be careful, don't come here.

l have a guest.

A woman, from the Gestapo. She just left the hotel.

l forgot, l have something for you. From the chief, a gift.

Prince Mjavanadze reserved a court for 1 2 pm. He's usual ly with Aram .

l think he's our al ly. Maybe he can help you.

Check it out for yourself, turn on the lamp on the table.

Martha. lf anything were to happen, von Tilden is an honest German.

Now l know for sure who the English agent in the consulate is.

- He's here. - Who?

Don't turn around, he's sitting behind you.

The one you had me follow, Christopoulis.

l heard him phone, he's meeting up with Witte here.

When Witte comes, tell him you know to whom belongs account 1 1 5 1 5 87.

We'll meet at the hotel.

Only Kloss could have damaged the phones after Rose's death.

Remember? Everyone was in the room, only he left to cal l the police.

Because l asked him to.

l think you should inform Berlin.

Kloss must have something to do with the murder.

l don't need lessons from you.

lt's Kloss who'l l be sending reports on us to Berlin.

Don't be childish, Witte.

Kloss didn't come here to buy jute. He works for Central Security.

Are you sure?

l saw a letter giving him full powers, but this is confidential .

- Go on alone, l'll walk a bit. - Thank you.

- Mr Witte? - Yes.

l wanted to tell you l know who the owner of account no 1 1 5 1 5 87 is.

What's wrong with you? What did that lovely girl tell you?

No, nothing. Who is she? Don't you know her?

Your friend Kloss knows her. He was just talking to her.

Excuse me, Christopoulis. l have to go.

Strange, l thought you wanted to talk to me.

Don't be angry with me. We'll talk some other time.

Why have you come here?

The information was false, the Prince isn't there, we must warn him.

Kloss has already left.

- To see the Prince? - Yes.

He'll have to cope, l can't talk to the Prince myself.

After all , l'm staying in lstanbul .

Your highness?

lt's you Aram?

Listen carefully, and tell the prince.

Our friend from the last photograph, real ly scared the German. Remember.

Thank you, Christopoulis.

Miss von Tilden, please get me the immigrants' documents for 1 935.

- They're in your office, sir. - l can't find them.

They should be on the second shelf in the file cabinet, sir.

Turn the lamp off, Kloss.

l'm coming.

Hands up, Kloss.

ls Mr Kloss in?

Unfortunately not, may l take a message?

No, l'l l wait.

Who told you?

The man who told me to come as a friend, unarmed.

What about Aram?

He's alive.

l'm sorry about the misunderstanding it nearly had me nailed to the wal l.

My mistake was answered by yours.

l was sure your man was Witte. l understand now.

Miss von Tilden should keep quiet for two or three months,

so that Berlin thinks Witte's escape ended the leak in the consulate.

- Wil l you eliminate him? - No.

l warned him, he should understand and disappear, admitting his guilt.

Put away your weapon, Mjavanadze.

l won't ask who you are, l think l can guess.

We're allies.

Help me take care of Aram.

- Go after him, Witte. - Take care of her.

Kloss, don't you recognize me?

lt's you? l'd have thought you'd listen to sound advice.

Please get in, we'll talk.

- About what? - Are you scared?

What do you want to talk to me about?

Right, l owe you 5'000 piastres. Here, l haven't touched them.

Why do you persecute me, Kloss?

You kil led Rose because you were afraid of being discovered.

With that 1 00'000 dollars you stole you could live nicely.

And what guarantees me your silence?

You don't have a choice, Witte.

When l came to the conclusion that you were an English agent. ..

You're wrong, l'm not an English agent.

l just want to live comfortably and need a guaranty.

lt had to end this way, J 23.

So it was you?

Thanks, chief.