电影剧本：SHANGHAI JEWS （2）

(2)

 

INT. CORRIDOR -- BALLET STUDIO -- DAY

PHOTOS from DON QUIXOTE, GISELLE and THE NUTCRACKER line the walls. ROSE GORDON, a slim and athletic Jewish lady in her twenties, enters the corridor and hands money to MADAME, a retired French ballerina in her forties.

ROSE

Madame, tuition.

MADAME

Merci.

INT. BALLET STUDIO -- DAY

In the spacious mirror-lined room, Rose dances on her pointe shoes, circling Madame, who is strict as she corrects Rose's technique in practicing tendu, penche and arabesque.

INT. KITCHEN -- ROSE'S HOUSE -- NIGHT

Rose prepares her simple meal, rinsing vegetables, stirring soup and cutting a loaf of bread. She puts the food on the table, sits down and begins to eat, when there is a KNOCK on the door.

EXT. ROSE'S HOUSE -- NIGHT

The LANDLORD, a fat bald old man, knocks incessantly.

LANDLORD

Open the door! It’s landlord.

Rose opens the door, wiping her hands on her apron.

ROSE

Hello, sir.

LANDLORD

You owe me three months rent.

ROSE

I'm sorry. I'll pay you tomorrow.

LANDLORD

You'd better, or I will not hesitate to evict you.

ROSE

I know, sir.

LANDLORD

Tomorrow by five, or you're out. And it better be for all three months.

The landlord storms off.

EXT. GOTHIC --NIGHTCLUB -- NIGHT

The neon sign shows GOTHIC NIGHTCLUB. CUSTOMERS step in and stagger out.

INT. GOTHIC NIGHTCLUB -- NIGHT

Hans, as a bartender, prepares alcoholic drinks for  customers. Rose serves tables in her waitress uniform.

WALTER MENGELE, an inebriated German military officer around thirty, pounds on the piano while roaring military songs. As Rose passes by, Walter stretches out his hand toward Rose's waist. Rose scurries to avoid him. He jeers at her.

WALTER

Hello, babe, have a drink with me?

Rose ignores him and quickens her pace. Walter rushes to Rose, drags her into his arms and enforces a kiss on her. Rose pushes Walter away and gives him a slap. Walter, annoyed, punches Rose on the nose and cups her chin.

WALTER (CONT'D)

Damned, Jewess bitch!

Hans stops bartending, jumps over the bar counter, pulls Walter away from Rose, and puts up both fists, like a boxer.

HANS

Let's see how good you are fighting a man！

Walter hits Hans and Hans hits him back. A riot breaks out as drunken customers join in the fight. POLICEMEN enter the club just as Hans KNOCKS Walter down. They arrest Hans and lead him out of the club.

INT. LIVING ROOM -- ROSENFELDS' HOUSE -- DAY

Anna leads Rose in. Rose's face is black and blue. MARK ROSENFELD, a lawyer in his fifties, sits in an arm-chair, reading a newspaper. EMILIA ROSENFELD, in her late forties, sits on a chair beside her husband, knitting.

ROSE

Mr. Rosenfeld, Hans has been arrested. You must help him, please, I beg you.

ANNA

What happened?

ROSE

A drunkard beat me up. Hans fought him off. The police took Hans away. Hans was only trying to help me. Please, he needs a lawyer.

ANNA

Papa, help Hans, please.

EMILIA

Mark, at least talk to him, and bail him out.

MARK

Jewish lawyers are prohibited from practicing, but, let me just go and see.

ANNA

I'll go with you, Papa.

MARK

No. You stay here with Rose. Put something on that bruise.

EXT. POLICE STATION -- DAY

A police vehicle stops in front of the police station. TWO POLICEMEN pull Hans from the car and walk him into the station. Mark, dressed in his black suits, strides into the station, a briefcase in his hand.

INT. POLICE STATION -- DAY

POLICEMEN rush around, barking orders to CRIMINALS.

Mark talks to a police COMMISSIONER and then hands a roll of money to him. Mark and the commissioner approach Hans, who is still flanked by two policemen. The commissioner unlocks Hans' handcuffs. Mark gives Hans a look and ushers him outside.

EXT. STREET -- POLICE STATION -- DAY

Hans offers his hand to express his appreciation to Mark. Mark refuses and glares at Hans.

MARK

I've posted your bail. You must escape. Otherwise, you'd be convicted and imprisoned without a trial, simply because you are a Jew.

HANS

Thank you, but how can I repay you?

MARK

Stay away from my daughter! Are we clear?

Mark strides away, leaving Hans alone in despair.

(continuing)