電影劇本：SHANGHAI JEWS（32）

(32)

 

EXT. STREETS -- GHETTO -- DAY

The bombs soar overhead and explode on the ground with a thud. Dilapidated buildings catch fire, burn away and topple down. Chinese and Jewish people, shrieking and wailing in chaos, flee their wrecked homes and scurry about in the streets.

Mark, Jacob and the four musicians join other men in extinguishing a fire.  Corpses and wounded bodies are tugged out of the ruins. Emilia and Catalina help pull a little boy out of a pile of rubbish. Dr. Behr administers emergency treatment to the injured and sick people here and there, followed by Mina and a group of nurses carrying first-aid kits and stretchers.  

MARK

How come the Americans are bombing Hongkow?    

EMILIA

The Americans are expected to save us. Why are we harmed so badly?

JACOB

It's retaliation against the Japs. Their target is the Japs, not us.

EMILIA

So, we're innocent victims in the midst of the war, aren't we?

INT. DOORWAY OF A BUILDING -- DAY

When the ALL-CLEAR SIRENS SOUND, Hans peers at the scene out of the doorway.

HANS

An American strategic bombardment.

ANNA

If the Americans win, can we be saved?

HANS

Hopefully.

ANNA

So, we have our chance.

HANS

Our last chance, the only chance.

Hans and Anna step out of the doorway with caution.

EXT. STREETS NEAR RADIO STATION -- DAY

Hans and Anna pass by mutilated corpses scattered everywhere. Anna stumbles over some CORPSES and falls to the ground. She screams and cannot help vomiting. Hans stands her on her feet and hurries her away from the tragic scene.

While wading through a mound of the wreckage, Hans and Anna hear someone wailing. They hurry to remove the debris with their bare hands and drag a pregnant woman from the wreckage.  Anna bends over the pregnant woman lying on the ground, wipes  the mud and dirt off her face, and bandages up her injured head.

Hans continues searching for more victims in desperation. A little GIRL stands near the window of a burning house, wailing for help. Hans darts into the dilapidated house toppling down in the fire and saves the little girl out of danger. 

More corpses are pulled out of the trap. Two VOLUNTEERS take in charge of counting the corpses.

VOLUNTEER 1

More than thirty, more than thirty Jews, died of the bombardment.

VOLUNTEER 2

What a misery. What a jolt.

Kaddish are heard to be recited for the dead.

Hans and Anna are astonished to see Petr staggering along toward them and stumbling over a heap of rubble. Hans hastens to stand Petr on his feet.  Petr's face is bruised and his coat torn.

PETR

(whining)

Hurry up, Mama is dying, Mama is dying. Please save Mama. Save her, please. She's dying.

ANNA

Where? Where's your Mama? Where?

HANS

Show us, Petr, where is your Mama, hurry up.

Petr runs, followed by Hans and Anna dashing toward the place where Rose lies. Hans carries Rose on his back and hurries away. Griping Petr's hand, Anna scurries with the boy.

INT. HOSPITAL -- HONGKOW -- NIGHT

Rose has been in a coma. Anna and Hans are at Rose's bedside, watching. Petr falls asleep in a cot nearby. Rose gradually wakes up and opens her eyes.

ANNA

Hey, Rose, how are you feeling? 

HANS

Don't worry, Dr. Behr is gonna be right here.

ROSE

(weakly)

Don't bother yourselves about me. Where's Petr?

ANNA

He's fallen asleep just now. He cried a lot. He's so exhausted.

ROSE

Hans, Anna, may I ask you a favor?

ANNA

Of course.

HANS

Please say it.

ROSE

I'm dying.

ANNA

No, you'll be fine

ROSE

(gasping)

I'm dying, I know. After I died, please take care of Petr for me, I beg you.

HANS

We always take care of Petr, we promise.

ROSE

You promise?

ANNA

Yes, we promise.

ROSE

The newspaper said that Walter had been captured, sentenced to death and summarily executed.

ANNA

So, the man who tortured you died?

ROSE

Yes, the man who tortured me and fathered Petr died.

HANS

Did Petr know?

ROSE

No, of course not. Let it be a secret forever.

ANNA

Yes, let it be a secret forever.

ROSE

(a bit cheerful)

I wish I could see you get married by my own eyes, but...

(feeling regret)

Jacob, what a good man. I feel very sad that I can't keep my promise to marry him. Jacob, I'm so sorry...

Rose closes her eyes and dies. Anna stands up and pulls the blanket over Rose's face. Hans takes off his cap to pay last respect. Tears are streaming down their cheeks.

(CONTINUING)