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DISSOLVE—FLASH FORWARD
INT. LIVING ROOM
Reunioners still talking.
MARLENE
(to Joseph)
That was your proposal to Esther?
JOSEPH
It seemed to work.
GRETA
To that she said yes?
JOSEPH
Actually, first I had to get Bo’s approval. Then I had to get her parents’ approval. Then I got Esther’s approval. It doesn’t work that way now.
CARL
Thank God. Most people say I love you. You give them a geography test.
GRETA
How did Esther…?
JOSEPH
Cancer. At least it wasn’t those butchers. (beat) We had a good life.
OTTO
You became a big game hunter?
JOSEPH
I became the only Jewish safari guide in Kenya. And we never shot a single animal.
DISSOLVE—FLASH BACK
TITLE: PARIS, NOVEMBER 7, 1938
INT. HOTEL ROOM—MORNING
HERSCHEL is putting the finishing touches on dressing. He is well groomed, in contrast to the shabbiness of his room. He noticeably places a large wad of francs in his pocket.
INT. HOTEL LOBBY
On the way to the door, Herschel passes the DESK CLERK.
CLERK
Up early, Herschel.
Herschel ignores the clerk as he exits.
CLERK (CONT’D)
Herschel, you little arrogant…don’t you ignore me.
EXT. HOTEL
Exiting the hotel onto a Paris street, Herschel joins the morning throng.
INT. GUN SHOP
Herschel enter a gun shop and begins to look around. Finally, he is greeted by the OWNER.
GUN SHOP OWNER
Can I help you, sir?
HERSCHEL
(pointing to a show case)
Could you show me this one?
EXT. GUN SHOP
Herschel exits the shop with a small parcel.
INT. CAFÉ
Herschel enters, orders a coffee, then heads for the bathroom. There he opens the parcel, places bullets in a gun, places the gun in his pocket, smooths his hair and exits the bathroom to return to his coffee.
CAFE OWNER
Business before pleasure, eh?
HERSCHEL
Yes. Now the pleasure.
EXT. CAFÉ
Herschel leaves the café and purposefully strides off.
INT. GERMAN EMBASSY
A well attired MAN, about to leave the building, stops to speak to a CLERK.
AMBASSADOR
I am going for my morning walk. I’ll be back in a half hour.
CLERK
Yes, Mr. Ambassador.
EXT. GERMAN EMBASSY
Herschel checks the sign on the building as the Ambassador exits.
HERSCHEL
Excuse me. I’m looking for the ambassador.
AMBASSADOR
I’m afraid he has just left for his morning walk.
HERSCHEL
I have important papers for him.
AMBASSADOR
(condescendingly)
Ah, important papers. In that case, see the clerk at the door.
INT. GERMAN EMBASSY
Herschel enters approaches a young man at the desk.
HERSCHEL
I want to see the ambassador.
CLERK
He just left.
HERSCHEL
I have important papers for him.
It is apparent the clerk wants to rid himself of this nuisance.
CLERK
Follow me. Perhaps Baron vom Rath can help you.
Herschel follows the clerk to vom Rath’s office.
CLERK (CONT’D)
Wait here.
The clerk enters the office.
INT. VOM RATH’S OFFICE
CLERK
There is a young man outside. He says he has important papers for the ambassador. I think he is a Jew.
VOM RATH
I’ll see him.
The clerk exits, Herschel enters.
VOM RATH (CONT’D)
You have something for me?
Herschel pulls out the gun and, hand quivering, shoots vom Rath twice. Vom Rath falls to the floor, mortally wounded.
TITLE: NOVEMBER 9, 1938
EXT. MANSION—MORNING
Bondy exits the mansion followed by Joseph. As they speak, they walk to a bicycle on which Bondy eventually rides away.
JOSEPH
How long will you be gone?
BONDY
The dentist is in the center of the city, so there and back plus the examination, maybe two hours.
JOSEPH
I told Carl I would help him with the potatoes today.
BONDY
Good. I’ll have mine baked.
JOSEPH
I meant with the hoeing.
BONDY
I know what you meant, Joseph. Just a little joke. (beat) You have been so serious lately. Anything…
JOSEPH
A lot on my mind, Bo. (beat) I’ve been thinking a lot about Esther.
BONDY
Yes?
JOSEPH
I like her a lot.
BONDY
I don’t blame you. So do I. Just so long as you also respect her. That will make for a firm relationship. That will help you keep your ideals. Like her, but also respect her. (beat) Okay, see you later. Don’t forget. I like mine baked.
Bondy, on bicycle, heads down the road.
EXT. RURAL ROADS
Bondy bicycles easily along country roads, passing through quaint German towns. Eventually he passes a sign: Breslau, 30 kms.
EXT. BRESLAU
Bondy enters the city on the bicycle. He passes a store that has evidently been burned out. POV Bondy as he looks down a commercial street to see store after store, their glass windows laying broken on the street, the stores’ contents strewn outside on the pavement, smoke still pluming from some of the broken storefronts.
Bondy, in shock, slowly walks down the street. He sees devastation everywhere. He stops to help a man bring his stock into one of the stores. Tough-looking young men wearing Nazi regalia occasionally pass.
BONDY
(to the store owner)
What happened? What caused this?
STORE OWNER
(anxiously looking around)
Please, I can’t talk to you. Look for yourself.
Bondy looks around.
BONDY
These young men?
STORE OWNER
These fine upstanding German youth. Please, I must clean up.
The man begins to clean, stops, looks around, visibly sags, drops what he has and walks off. Bondy moves on. A few stores down, he sees a store with “Juden Raus” painted on the window. Several German youth are standing in front of the store.
BONDY
Did you do this?
GERMAN YOUTH
Me? No, not me. (beat) I did that one over there (points across the street).
The rest of the boys laugh.
ANOTHER GERMAN YOUTH
It was me, I did it. Are you a Jew?
BONDY
Why would you do this?
THIRD GERMAN YOUTH
As a warning, as a payment for murdering our diplomat.
BONDY
Who was murdered?
GERMAN YOUTH
Vom Rath. Don’t tell us you knew nothing about this. Don’t lie to us.
BONDY
Who was Vom Rath?
GERMAN YOUTH
I have told you. I thought you Jews were smart, so try to understand. Our diplomat in Paris was shot. Murdered in cold blood.
BONDY
By who?
ANOTHER GERMAN YOUTH
That’s enough. Move on or I’ll throw you through that window.
BONDY
But I’m simply asking…
The youths begin to push Bondy away from the scene. He turns and quickly walks away. He passes a synagogue. Several old men, Orthodox, are collecting books that had been flung into the street. He instinctively moves to help them.
BONDY (CONT’D)
Let me help you.
OLD MAN
No, we only allow Jews to handle these. We will manage.
BONDY
I am Jewish.
The old man looks Bondy over and seems less than impressed.
OLD MAN
Thank you, anyway. We will manage.
Bondy continues on his way, amazed at the devastation he sees all around him. He finds a café, enters.
INT. CAFÉ
Bondy enters and sits at a table. A waiter appears.
BONDY
Coffee.
WAITER
No Jews.
BONDY
What?
WAITER
No Jews served.
BONDY
Since when?
WAITER
As of today. (whispers) Please leave. They are watching us.
Bondy looks around to see SS officers observing. He leaves the table and approaches them.
BONDY
Have the rules changed?
SS OFFICER
For the better, I think. Let me see your identification papers.
Bondy hands some papers to the officer who inspects them.
SS OFFICER (CONT’D)
Bondy. From the Gross-Breesen farm?
BONDY
Yes.
SS OFFICER
Why are you here?
BONDY
I wanted some coffee, to pull myself together after seeing what some of your supporters have accomplished.
SS OFFICER
No, Jew, I meant why are you in Breslau?
BONDY
To have my teeth examined.
SS OFFICER
By a Jew dentist?
BONDY
Yes.
SS OFFICER
Good, because from now on Jews can only be treated by Jew doctors. Okay. Now you can leave. If you want coffee, there is a Jewish café on the next block. Go there.
Bondy leaves, heads down the street until he finds a café with the front in serious disarray. Tables are overturned, chairs broken, broken glass all over the pavement in front of the store.
INT. CAFÉ
Bondy enters the café, finds it to be also a shambles. He sets up a table and several chairs and sits. A waiter approaches.
BONDY
Are you able to serve me?
WAITER
In a matter of speaking, but don’t order anything elaborate.
BONDY
What happened?
WAITER
One of God’s cosmic jokes. Haven’t you heard?
BONDY
Yes, but I still don’t…
WAITER
Seems a young madman, Herschel Grynszpan, in Paris, killed a German diplomat.
BONDY
Vom Rath.
WAITER
Exactly. Well, since Grynszpan was Jewish, naturally we are all part of the plot to overthrow you know who. Were you aware you were part of a conspiracy to overthrow you know who? I certainly wasn’t aware that I was part of a conspiracy, but I know now. Now, what can I get you, besides a visa to leave this asylum?
BONDY
I’ll start with coffee.
The waiter leaves. Bondy sees his friend Albert as he is passing the store front. Bondy rushes into the street after him.
EXT. STREET
Bondy calls to him, but Albert continues to walk on, obviously ignoring Bondy.
INT. CAFÉ
Stunned by this development, Bondy returns to his table in the café. Soon, another man joins him.
MAN
I saw your friend run from you.
BONDY
He didn’t run. Maybe he didn’t hear me.
MAN
It is amazing how many Germans have suddenly lost their hearing, their eyesight, their power of speech. Overnight. Amazing, yes?
BONDY
Not all Germans.
MAN
True. Only non-Jewish Germans. Whatever has happened has been very selective in targets. Only non-Jews have become so inflicted with this new virus. Well, let’s hope it’s short-lived.
BONDY
All of this happened as a result of the attack in Paris?
MAN
This and much more. They have started round-ups.
BONDY
What does that mean?
MAN
Simple, really. Suppose a truck were to park in front of this café, then soldiers were to swarm in here to gather all the Jews they could find so that they can be pushed into the truck and driven away. That is a round-up.
BONDY
That has never happened. It will never happen. We are German citizens.
MAN
Oh, it does now. It has. The Yeshiva three blocks from here.
BONDY
Who did they take?
MAN
Any Jews over 14. I guess that would include us, right?
Bondy becomes alarmed. He puts some money on the table and rushes out of the café.
EXT. STREET
Bondy is on his bicycle, furiously pedaling out of town.
DISSOLVE—FLASH FORWARD
INT. LIVING ROOM—PRESENT-TWILIGHT
Several of the reunion guests are seated in the living. The sky is now darker as night approaches. The mood is somber now, in stark contrast to their initial meeting. Their speech is slower as they struggle to both remember and react.
MARLENE
That is when they came. I remember.
CARL
Impossible to forget.
MARLENE
Taking us somewhere for our safety, they said. Our safety!
CARL
You know, I am ashamed to admit it, but I was naïve enough to believe them. It never occurred to me…
JOSEPH
Carl, it never occurred to anyone. Can you predict the behavior of madmen and liars? Particularly if you are, as you say, naïve. Of course you were naïve. Everyone was naïve.
OTTO
Are you sure Bondy was there? I don’t recall…
JOSEPH
He had just returned. Not five minutes before they arrived.
DISSOLVE: FLASH-BACK
EXT. MANSION.
Entering the front yard, Bondy spots Joseph in the back, hoeing, and calls out to him.
BONDY
Joseph.
Joseph waves, looks puzzled as he sees Bondy running towards him. Simultaneously, we hear TRUCKS as they draw closer. Over the treetops, we see the dust the approaching trucks kick into the air. Back to Joseph, we see his puzzlement. Bondy reaches him first.
BONDY (CONT’D)
(breathlessly)
Where are the others?
Joseph now sees the trucks. He becomes frightened.
BONDY (CONT’D)
(intensely)
Joseph, where are the others?
JOSEPH
Around. I don’t…what’s happening?
BONDY
Tell the others…
SS officers are striding toward them at a rapid rate. Bondy and Joseph frantically look around, but it is too late. We see the same officer Bondy met in the café.
SS OFFICER
Dr. Bondy. How are you? Did you get your coffee?
Bondy brings himself under control.
BONDY
Yes, thank you. It was exactly what I was looking for.
SS OFFICER
Wonderful. (looks around) Very nice. I would like for you to show me around.
BONDY
Well, actually, we are quite busy. Perhaps we could set something up for next week.
SS OFFICER
Bondy, you are a funny man. (now annoyed) It may have sounded like a question, but it was really an order. Once again, show me around.
Bondy turns and heads toward the mansion, the SS officer following closely.
INT. MANSION
They enter and stroll the mansion as they speak.
SS OFFICER
Very nice. You people are good workers.
Bondy says nothing.
SS OFFICER (CONT’D)
You all sleep here?
BONDY
What is this all about?
SS OFFICER
(annoyed)
Do you all sleep here?
BONDY
What is this all about?
SS OFFICER
(now angry)
For the last time, Bondy, do you all sleep here?
Bondy pauses as he considers his response.
BONDY
We all sleep here.
SS OFFICER
Good. Now. How many sleep here?
BONDY
As I said. We all sleep here.
SS OFFICER
(angry)
You will answer me.
BONDY
There are around fifty of the children and eight of the staff.
SS OFFICER
Including yourself?
BONDY
Including me. (beat) Now, would you mind telling me…
SS OFFICER
Information for possible future use. Just planning ahead.
BONDY
Toward what?
The SS officer abruptly turns and head out the door, followed by Bondy.
BONDY (cont’d) Toward what?
The officer again abruptly turns and confronts Bondy.
SS OFFICER
As I said. For possible future use. Now, round-up your entire camp, all the children, workers, staff, yourself and gather at the trucks.
BONDY
What is going on?
SS OFFICER
To avoid what happened in Breslau last night from happening here, we are transporting you to a safe place.
BONDY
We’ll be okay here.
SS OFFICER
It is for the welfare of the children, Bondy. Surely you are concerned with the welfare of the children. (beat) Round them up.
Bondy hesitates.
BONDY
The girls?
SS OFFICER
I said all the children.
Bondy hesitates again.
SS OFFICER (CONT’D)
(threateningly)
I said now.
Bondy turns, sees Joseph standing with other campers, and walks to them.
BONDY
(to all)
Round up all the campers and staff. Bring them all to the trucks.
JOSEPH
Where are we going?
BONDY
Joseph, please do as I say. Now, Joseph.
JOSEPH
(stubbornly)
Where are we going?
Bondy responds initially with anger, catches himself, then calms down. It is clear, though, he is under stress.
BONDY
Joseph, I cannot keep repeating myself. Go find the others and bring them to the trucks. And I don’t know where we are going.
JOSEPH
Then give me a reason.
BONDY
For the welfare of the children, he said. We are to be moved for the welfare of the children.
JOSEPH
Do you believe him?
BONDY
Joseph, look around. Many of the campers rely on you. You are old enough to take on this responsibility. Now you tell me. Do we have a choice?
Joseph briefly considers.
JOSEPH
(to the others)
Okay. Let’s get the others.
The campers move off.
EXT. TRUCKS
The campers and staff are being loaded onto the trucks, the males on one truck, the females on another. They are handled firmly, but not harshly. There is no sense of menace; simply a practical efficiency. As they load, Joseph works hard to get one more glimpse of Esther, who does the same. A smile passes between them. Once loaded, the trucks move off.
EXT/INT. MANSION
As the trucks pull away, we see the remaining soldiers enter the mansion. We hear SMASHING of glass and other items in the house. As we pull in, we see the soldiers systematically using clubs to destroy everything in the house.
EXT. TRUCKS—AERIAL VIEW OF TRUCKS
We see two trucks packed with campers and staff leaving Gross-Breesen.
EXT. TRUCKS—CLOSER ON TRUCKS
We scan the faces of those in the trucks, ending with Bondy.
EXT. TRUCKS
The trucks separate, as one truck turns off the road. We close on that truck and see it is the truck with the girls. Then we return and stay with the truck that has the boys and the male staff.
EXT. TRUCK—NIGHT
The truck is speeding down a well-paved autobahn. We pass a sign: Weimar 10 kms.
INT. TRUCK
Bondy and the others all look exhausted and beaten. From deep within the darkness of the truck, Carl speaks up.
CARL
We just passed a sign that said ten kilometers from Weimar.
BONDY
(sarcastic)
Thank you, Carl. We can now calculate exactly where we are.
CARL
Only trying to help.
JOSEPH
(whispering to Bondy)
He was only trying to help.
BONDY
I know, Carl. I’m sorry I was sarcastic. I guess I’m a little upset.
CARL
(being sarcastic as well)
Want to talk about anything, Mr. Bondy? Have a meeting or something?
BONDY
Maybe some other time, Carl. Point well taken. Now listen. I don’t know where we are headed. I don’t know what we’re in for, so I think we have to follow some rules. First, do what you are told by these men as long as it doesn’t hurt you or anyone else. Second, we help each other whenever we can, whenever it’s necessary. Third, we rest when we can, we eat when we can, we exercise when we can. In other words, we try to follow our principles and stay Gross-Breeseners for as long as we can.
CARL
We don’t know how long that’ll be, though, right, Mr. Bondy?
BONDY
Right again, Carl.
***
For all installments from “Gross-Breesen,” click here.
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Henry Meyerson’s full-length and one-act plays have been published by Samuel French, Inc and have been internationally produced. His plays The Activist and Jump Jim Crow earned grants from The New Jersey Council on the Arts. Many of his short stories have been published through the years. Meyerson has a Phd in Clinical Psychology and an MFA in Playwrighting. Synopses of his full-length plays and screenplays can be found at his website.