Original subtitles

Mr. Zlinka, you said

That your store's been Vandalized like this before.

Oh, a few times, but that's Part of doing business.

Mr. Zlinka, I don't Think that it...

What the heck?

Uh-oh.

Did you spill something?

Just plastic spilled Milk, sergeant.

Keep forgetting you Own a novelty shop.

Oh, yes.

I like to keep several Samples in my pocket.

People always seem To enjoy being tricked.

Well, I had fun.

You know, this is our Biggest-selling item.

It's less disgusting Than plastic lumpf,

But it's just as funny.

Mr. Zlinka, would You mind sitting down

And going over again

What happened in The shop this morning?

There isn't really very Much to tell, sergeant.

Well, tell me anyway.

Well, see, I was in The back of my store

When I heard this loud crash.

I walked out to the front.

My window was broken,

And a brick knocked over My display of dribble glasses.

That's all.

Excuse me.

12th prec...

12th precinct. Wo...

Hello?

For you, sergeant.

It's just kidding.

This is our phony phone... Always good for a big laugh.

Could we stop The tricks, please?

Sorry.

Uh, yeah, a 50/50 mix of Salmon canapés and rumaki.

Oh, and, look,

Make sure the shrimp Gets there cold and fresh.

I hate it when they're rubbery.

Uh... No.

Look, I can't tell you How many squabs I need

Until the guest List is finalized.

Yeah, I know you need time,

But, look, rsvps Are still coming in.

Okay, look, I promise I'll let you know by 6:00.

Okay. Bye.

Ha. Caterers... Just Try and deal with them.

Oh.

Having a party?

Uh, yeah... Tomorrow night.

That's nice.

I mean, it's nothing special... You know, 35, 40 people.

Uh-huh.

It's, uh, certainly good to Have those hostages back, huh?

Yeah.

Party for them?

Good morning, gentlemen.

Morning. Barn.

Barn?

This is werner zlinka.

He owns a shop Over on christopher.

This is captain miller.

Mr. Zlinka.

Call me bob.

Bob.

I was on my way to work, And I came across mr. Zlinka

Sweeping up some Glass on the sidewalk.

Somebody had tossed a brick Through his window this morning.

And then they spray-painted Something on his wall there.

I couldn't read what it said.

Just probably some kids.

A new piece of glass, A little fresh paint...

It'll be fine.

There also was a swastika Painted on the wall.

Are you jewish, mr. Zlinka?

Bob.

No, I'm not.

Hmm.

Well, anyway, uh...

I've asked him to look Through some mug books.

Maybe he'll spot somebody.

That isn't really Necessary, captain.

It would really help us.

Don't bother with that.

12th precinct. Captain Miller speaking.

Yeah.

Okay, I'll have Someone right over.

Disturbance at a Library on 6th avenue.

You and harris.

Real funny.

Any luck, mr. Zlinka?

- I'm still looking. - okay.

And, captain, would You mind, please,

A little more coffee?

Certainly.

- how do you take it? - black, two sugars, please.

Black, two sugars.

Problem, captain?

Uh, no, no. Two sugars, right?

If it isn't too much trouble.

Here... Black, two sugars.

I normally don't do things like This, but under the circumstances,

I felt I could Make an exception.

I understand.

This is our disturbance?

Yes, barn. This is Miss louise austin.

She's the assistant librarian At the 6th avenue branch.

I'm in charge of nonfiction.

She pulled out This .22 automatic

From behind the checkout counter

And started threatening Several of the patrons.

They were chattering.

When they didn't stop talking, She fired a shot in the air.

Noise is the only thing These people understand.

So, by the time we got there,

She was just herding People out of the library.

I finally had just had enough.

People abusing books, Never returning them on time,

Vagrants sleeping all Day in the reference room,

Using a dictionary for a pillow,

Young people Meeting in the stacks

For romantic interludes

When they could just As easily read about it.

Uh, miss austin... That's what I do.

Well, we're very Sympathetic, miss austin,

But I'm afraid we're gonna Have to book you anyway.

Will this take long?

I have storytelling at 3:30.

Why don't you tell your Story to sergeant harris?

Oh, uh, miss austin,

You want to take a seat Right over here, please?

Are you sergeant Harris, ronald n.?

Uh, yeah.

We have your book.

Oh. Do you?

"Blood on the badge," 364.12 in the crime section.

Well, I certainly hope people Are bringing it back on time.

It's never left.

So if there is nothing Else, I'll be going. Huh?

Yeah, uh...

Mr. Zlinka,

If you have any more Trouble, will you let us know?

I certainly will, sergeant.

- goodbye. - goodbye.

The alarm just went off at Bob's novelty on christopher.

That's me.

It sure is.

Look, mr. Zlinka,

I think you should wait Right here, all right?

Dietrich, you and wojo.

I can't understand why Your book isn't more popular.

Well, I...

Personally, I Liked it very much.

Well, you're too kind.

I especially enjoyed reading

About all those eccentric Characters you bring in.

Mm-hmm.

Although it must be Very difficult for you

Having to deal with So many of them.

No, not really. We Just write 'em up

And put them in the cage.

Oh.

Mail gram.

Came in with the usual mail.

Grabbed my attention right away.

Thanks, levitt.

Sir, manpower summaries.

Oh. Thank you, levitt.

Anything going down up here?

Uh, no, it's pretty quiet.

If I may say so, sir, you Look very sharp today.

Thank you.

Try fishing for a Compliment up here.

Ha! Ed's gonna be there!

Pardon me?

Oh, um...

I'm just having a little Get-together tomorrow night,

And ed's gonna be there.

Ed who?

Ed koch.

The mayor?

Yeah!

"Ed"?

Well, remember, um...

Remember, I met him

When I worked on the Inauguration detail?

Right.

And since then, we've sort Of tried to keep in touch.

Anybody else gonna Be there I might know?

Oh, a few newspaper columnists,

Um... Literary people...

Some studio honchos From out on the coast.

Sounds like an Interesting evening.

Uh, I'm gonna give a party For my police friends in april.

I'll keep it open.

So, I hear you're having A party, sergeant.

So?

Here... Just put this next To your hors d'oeuvres,

Sit back, and just Wait for their laughs.

Okay, inside.

He's lucky I haven't Done more with him.

Take it easy, now. Take it easy.

Uh, barn, this is stefan beruit.

This is captain miller.

When we got to Mr. Zlinka's store,

Mr. Beruit was putting a couple More swastikas on the wall.

He admitted harassing zlinka For the last two months.

Why?

He knows.

Barn, uh, mr. Beruit is a gypsy.

You know that word I Told you I couldn't read?

It's "Romany."

It means "Murderer."

What's going on?

According to mr. Beruit, Mr. Zlinka is a war criminal.

I don't know what He's talking about.

He was at birkenau.

Birkenau?

That's the concentration Camp in poland

Built to handle the Overflow from auschwitz.

There was a special Section for gypsies.

I was brought there in 1943 With my father and brothers.

1,000 other gypsies Were there already.

Those who were strong enough Were put into work details.

We dug canals.

We hauled stones From the rock quarry.

14 hours a day in The cold and snow.

In october,

There were 1,100 men and Women in the work groups.

By spring of 1944, 15 of us were left.

Zlinka was in Charge of our detail.

Is that true?

You... You want a piece of gum?

Why don't you stop that?

I escaped a month later

While I was being Transferred to another camp.

Mr. Zlinka, you Want to have a seat?

We're gonna ask You to stay awhile.

But, captain, this Is all very silly.

Just have a seat.

Dietrich, you want To book mr. Beruit?

No.

Usually that's funny.

Uh, mr. Beruit, would you Have a seat over there, please?

Right there.

You don't believe Me, do you, captain?

Why should you?

I am a gypsy.

Everyone knows that we Are all liars and thieves.

We pick your pockets While we read your palm.

Isn't that right?

Uh, barn?

Yeah?

Um, I checked out Zlinka for priors.

There's nothing here.

Okay.

And, um, we also contacted The justice department.

They're gonna send Somebody down.

Fine.

You don't, uh, mind That we did that?

No, not at all. I Expected you to.

Usually, you want Us to take it slow...

You know, not go out Of our jurisdiction,

Not get ahead of ourselves.

I would say that this situation

Warrants a certain, Uh, flexibility.

We also called poland.

They're gonna get back to us.

Do you remember me, Scharführer zlinka?

I don't know.

So many people Come into the shop.

I was the young zidi

Who played the Concertina for you

While my people worked.

You said it made time Pass more pleasantly.

Maybe it was Someone else's shop.

Can I help you?

They told me downstairs you Were holding miss austin up here.

That's right.

I'm returning these.

Over there.

Miss austin?

Yes?

It's me... Neil.

Who?

Neil.

See? My library card.

Oh.

Mr. Pomerantz.

You really should Have that laminated.

I went to the library This afternoon

To check out some how-to books

On auto repair And screenwriting.

They told me you had Become a little upset,

Started shooting at people.

Yes, I'm afraid so.

It's my fault.

I drove you to it.

These are all overdue!

Shh!

Can I help you?

William collins from the justice Department criminal division,

Special office Of investigations.

I'm art.

I was told that you Have a dispute here

Between a gypsy and a nazi.

That's true. Wait, I'll get the captain.

So, who's who?

Mr. Collins.

I'm captain miller.

Could you tell me exactly What the situation is, captain?

Uh... Mr. Beruit Here, it appears,

Was an inmate of a Place called birkenau.

Birkenau was a, Uh... I've been there.

Oh.

Well, mr. Beruit says that Mr. Zlinka has been there, too,

And he participated In war crimes.

Is there anyone else In addition to mr. Beruit

Who is making the accusation?

There's no one else Left to accuse him.

Do you have an office, captain?

Certainly.

What about us?

Maybe just wait out here.

Let's call poland again.

Captain, from your Preliminary investigation,

Do you believe That there is a basis

In further pursuit Of this matter?

Well, we didn't Spend that much...

It's just that we receive

A great many of these Reports every day.

Someone calls and says

That he saw martin Bormann at the automat

Or that dr. Mengele is working

As a credit dentist In new jersey.

Now, we have to try to Filter out these complaints

That are without merit.

That's why we called you.

Right.

That's not to even mention

The dozens of malicious Complaints that we receive.

Someone is angry at His next-door neighbor,

Who happens to be german,

So he calls and tells us He's got a nazi next door.

Now, are you certain

That what mr. Beruit Is saying is the truth?

Well, he seems quite sincere.

It's not just a matter Of sincerity, captain.

It's been 35 to 40 years since These incidents took place.

Memory, perceptions Become distorted.

I realize that, but...

What we need most of all is Concrete and reliable evidence.

Most importantly, we Need corroboration.

Otherwise, it is just one Man's word against a gypsy's.

I'm afraid your fines are Going to total almost $11.

That's all right.

I spend more than That on a night out.

Mr. Pomerantz, you Certainly have eclectic taste

In your reading matter.

"The illustrated Guide to good posture,"

"Historical perspectives On the danish monarchs,"

My story."

I didn't read them.

What?

I don't read any of The books I take out.

Then why do you take So long to return them?

I only do that because I know

That, if I keep them Out long enough,

You'll send me one of Your personal little notes

Threatening to Revoke my privileges.

I've saved every one.

I had no idea.

Haven't you ever Wondered why I always sit

In the reference room Across from your desk,

Browsing through the Out-of-town phone books?

I just assumed you Had a lot of friends.

I don't.

Mr. Beruit, this is my card,

And I will be in Contact with you

To set up an appointment To take your deposition.

Thank you.

Mr. Zlinka, you, of Course, will have the right

To have an attorney Present at the deposition

And to cross-examine mr. Beruit And any other witnesses.

Thank you. Good afternoon.

Hey, wait a minute.

Why can't we deal With this right now?

Sergeant, we are Still at the point

Of unsubstantiated allegations.

When and if we obtain Corroborating evidence,

We will go to the District court,

And we will commence Denaturalization proceedings,

Which, if successful,

Will be followed by a hearing Before an immigration judge.

And we will petition

For the removal of mr. Zlinka's Alien-resident status,

Culminating in his Deportation to his native land.

Figure about a week for that?

Barney? Excuse me.

Barney, I just got off the phone

With the american Embassy in warsaw.

That's my job.

Yeah.

They contacted the Polish government archives.

They do have camp Records from birkenau,

Including a staff roster

Which lists a Sergeant zlinka, w.,

Who was stationed there Through august of 1944

When the final liquidation Of the camp was ordered...

And approximately 4,000 Gypsies were gassed.

You were there, weren't you?

That's why you didn't Want to come down here.

That's why you keep playing Those stupid jokes all the time.

Right?

I assume I'm free To go now, captain?

Hey, there must be Some explanation.

There must be some reason Why you did what you did.

I'm an old man who would Just like to be left alone.

Well, you won't be.

You got to say something!

You're free to go, mr. Zlinka.

What?! We're not holding him?

This is not a criminal Matter, sergeant.

It isn't?

No. It is criminal When it gets to poland.

Here, it is simply an Immigration matter.

We have documented evidence now.

We're talking about 4,000 People who were murdered.

Ron, your caterer's on line 2.

Huh?

Take the call.

- but, barney... - take the call.

There's nothing more we can do.

Excuse me.

As I said... Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Can I offer you a ride Someplace, mr. Zlinka?

It's "Bob."

Okay, we can go now, mr. Beruit.

I've finished Booking mr. Beruit.

I'm gonna check him for priors

And take him down For pictures and prints.

I'm sorry.

You did what you could.

We're going.

There is one more Thing I feel I must say.

Certainly.

I have over 700 parking tickets.

It's okay.

Come on, mr. Beruit.

Yeah.

Barn? Woj?

You two, uh, free Tomorrow night?

I think I can make it.

Yeah, sure.

All right.

Uh, yeah, make that Two more squabs.

Uh, dietrich.

Make it three.

Well, I guess I really Should be going now.

The movie starts at 6:30.

I'm an usher.

Oh.

I say "Shh" a lot, too.

You know...

I'll bet you look very Impressive with your flashlight.

I suppose I do.

So, uh, what happens to you now?

Well, I believe I'm Going to be transferred

To another Facility this evening.

And then, tomorrow morning,

I have to appear before the Judge and have my bail set.

So, then, you're Free tomorrow night?

Did you have something in mind?

Well, that guy over There is giving a party.