[[Although this film is fiction it is based upon true historical events. Some of those events dates has been change for dramatic effect]]
EXT. GERMANY-1938
Wagner Tristan and Isolde prelude is playing in the background while a news reel is showing Hitler's rise to power. Crowds of people including men, women, and children are exuberantly cheering and giving the Nazi salute. The next clip shows Jews wearing yellow stars and kristallnacht; the Jewish shops and synagogues are being looted and burnt down by the German population. The music and picture fades away.
EXT. A PARK IN BERLIN-DAY
The year is 1938. A bunch of kids along with their families are enjoying the winter season by ice skating together. A golden-haired and slightly-built eleven year old boy, HENRIK, is struggling to skate across the frozen lake in the park. Three young girls stop to stare at Henrik who keeps falling on his back.
The FIRST GIRL points at Henrik.
FIRST GIRL
Who's that boy over there making a fool out of himself?
SECOND GIRL
That's Henrik Bauer.
THIRD GIRL
Oh, that dumb boy from school? (Laughing)
FIRST GIRL
He certainly seems dumb. He can’t even skate properly!
SECOND GIRL
Dumb boy.
THIRD GIRL
Stupid boy.
FIRST GIRL
Crazy boy.
From out of the crowd a pretty, dark-haired GIRL with fierce eyes glares at the bullying girls. She seems to be around Henrik’s age and the boy is instantly smitten by her.
GIRL
(to the bullies)
Hey! Stop bothering him!
The three girls glare at her and leave to skate on the opposite side of the frozen lake. The GIRL extends a hand to help Henrik.
HENRIK
But I'll just fall again.
GIRL
Just lean on me for balance. I'll teach you how to skate.
Henrik takes her hand. He's surprised that he's actually standing up.
GIRL
Now, take your right foot and slightly tilt it to the left.
HENRIK
I can't believe it. I'm actually standing up!
GIRL
It’s easy, isn’t it? Skate with me please.
They skate past the girls who were laughing earlier. Now they are staring at Henrik with their mouths open.
GIRL
Now, try it on your own.
HENRIK
But -
GIRL
You'll do great! Don’t be afraid!
Henrik slowly begins to skate by himself without stumbling for two laps around the lake. He turns to look for the girl who helped him out, but to his disappointment she is gone. Henrik skates slowly towards the side where a few people have gathered.
HENRIK
Does anyone know the about girl I was with just now?
People shake their heads, some say no.
EXT. BERLIN STREET-DAY
Henrik is walking in the street with his head down as he reflects on the girl who helped him skate. The buildings are festooned with Nazi flags, and their red color stands out sharply against the snowy street. Henrik is so involved in his thoughts that he doesn’t notice the three boys approaching him from the front. The boys are all wearing an overcoat over their uniform. A black armband with a white Sieg rune adorns each boy’s left arm.
FIRST BOY
Heil Hitler!
Henrik opens his mouth to respond, but the other boy grabs his arm. The boys push each other back and forth laughing.
FIRST BOY
Hey Henrik, why haven't you joined the Jungvolk?
HENRIK
I don't know, Klaus.
SECOND BOY
It's really quite fun! We often go camping and hiking. One of the older boys, Hermann, said we might even be trained for target shooting soon!
THIRD BOY
Imagine that! We can even get rid of these blasted Jews someday. They’re the reason we lost the War!
HENRIK
I don’t know if I’ll join.
KLAUS
What? What’s wrong with you? What do you have against the Jungvolk?
Before Henrik can answer, a boy calls out to Klaus.
BOY
Klaus, come help us! We've got some Jews!
KLAUS
Come on let’s go. You too Henrik!
The boys run down the street with Henrik following them reluctantly. Around the corner, three boys have surrounded two [Jewish] boys and are kicking and punching them.
KLAUS
Get them! Dirty Jews! You better not come here!
Henrik is standing still in shock at the sight of the Jewish boys being beaten. Klaus pushes them down as the two boys roll around the ground, helpless.
HENRIK
That's enough Klaus! We’ve taught them not to come around here anymore.
The two boys get up and run away.
KLAUS
Do you want to be a traitor? Those Jews deserved what they got! When you join the Jungvolk, you’ll see it too. The Aryans are better than the weak Jews.
BOY
Klaus, Henrik, come on! There might be some more inferiors around to beat.
HENRIK
My mother is expecting me home for dinner. I have to go.
KLAUS
Fine, leave. I better see you in the Jungvolk soon. Till we meet again. Heil Hitler.
HENRIK
Heil Hitler. (softly)
Henrik walks slowly down the street looking disturbed.
INT. HOME-EVENING
Henrik enters his home. His mother, GERTRUDE, meets him wearing an apron while his father, RUPPERT, is working on some papers.
GERTRUDE
Henrik where have you been? Dinner is ready. Oh, what's the matter? Is your head hurting again?
HENRIK
It's not that. I saw something disturbing.
GERTRUDE
What happened?
HENRIK
Klaus, and some boys from my class were beating up these Jewish boys for no reason. The Jews were out-numbered and couldn't fight three boys.
Henrik’s father looks up from his papers scowling.
RUPPERT
What of it? Those Jews must learn their place in the new Germany, no matter what their age.
HENRIK
But, why? What did those Jews do to deserve that kind of treatment? I never had a problem with them.
RUPPERT
Have you learnt nothing in school? The Jews and the communists are the ones responsible for the state of Germany after the war. Why can't you understand that?
HENRIK
But those boys had nothing to do with that.
RUPPERT
I won’t have you become a Jew sympathizer! Had you joined the Jungvolks earlier, you would never have come up with such ridiculous statements.
GERTRUDE
Henrik still has those headaches. He can't join them, you know that Ruppert.
RUPPERT
Fine! Then I'm going to find a good German doctor for him. And if he finds nothing wrong with you, which he will, you will become a member of the Jungvolks. Understand?
GERTRUDE
Go now and get ready for dinner.
Henrik leaves the room, but stops to listen to his parents’ conversation from the hallway.
RUPPERT
Where the hell is he getting all those mixed up ideas about Jews from?
GERTRUDE
Henrik is a very sensitive boy. He’s not like the other boys his age, you know that.
RUPPERT
Because you're always cuddling him like a girl. He's worthless, he’ll never be a proper soldier. If he becomes a homosexual, he will be sent to prison.
Henrik can’t listen to his parent’s conversation anymore. He goes upstairs angrily.
INT. BAUER HOME-DAY
Henrik wakes up and gets up from his bed. His foot accidentally, and painfully, hits a toy tank. He picks up the broken tank.
HENRIK
Ouch! Damn it! I broke it.
He exits his room and goes downstairs after getting dressed. He opens the front door to leave, but is stopped by his mother.
GERTRUDE
Henrik, where are you going? Your breakfast is ready.
Henrik gestures towards a bulge in his coat pocket.
HENRIK
I just broke my tank. I'm going to see if the toy shop can fix it.
MOTHER
You can leave after you’re done with your breakfast. Come on!
HENRIK
Is Father still here?
GERTRUDE
Yes, he’s at the dining table.
It’s obvious from Henrik’s face that he doesn’t want to see his father.
HENRIK
I’ll be back later then.
GERTRUDE
(Sighing)Fine. Be back here for lunch then.
HENRIK
I will.
EXT. BERLIN STREET-DAY
Henrik keeps walking until he comes across a corner store. The Star of David is painted on the window with the name Jude, indicating that the shop is owned by Jews. Henrik enters the shop anyway.
INT. INSIDE THE STORE-DAY
A little bell tingles. Henrik hears gentle footsteps as he approaches the counter. He looks up at the stairway and sees the very girl that once taught him how to skate in the park. He smiles widely at the girl and she returns the gesture.
HENRIK
Hey, it’s you! I mean, you're the girl from the Prk. You disappeared back then!
GIRL
Yeah, I was running late so I had to leave early. Sorry I disappeared on you.
HENRIK
That’s okay. I haven’t seen you since then, at the park, I mean.
GIRL
I'm no longer allowed to skate there anymore.
HENRIK
You're not? Why?
GIRL
Haven't you seen the sign forbidding Jews from skating there?
HENRIK
I didn't know you were Jewish.
The girl raises her eyebrows and begins to climb back up the stairs, offended.
HENRIK
Wait! I didn't mean it that way. I'm Henrik, see I broke my tank. I came here to get it repaired.
Henrik holds up the broken tank. The girl halts and then comes down the stairs.
GIRL
(Smiling)
My name is Rachel.
RACHEL extends a hand towards Henrik and he shakes it.
RACHEL (cont’d)
Grandfather does the repairing. He’s working in the back. I can give it to him if you want.
He gives her the toy tank and they exchange long glances. Rachel takes the broken toy to the back of the shop, leaving Henrik alone. He passes the time by looking at the items behind the counter. He leans over the counter to pick up a piece on the shelf when Rachel returns with her GRANDFATHER. Surprised by their entry, Henrik falls down behind the counter. Rachel and her grandfather rush towards the counter and Rachel helps him up.
GRANDFATHER
Are you alright young man?
HENRIK
Yes sir. I just slipped, thank you.
GRANDFATHER
You ought to be a little more careful! I’ve fixed your toy. Here, it’s as good as new. You should give it an hour before you play with it though.
HENRIK
Thank you so much sir.
Henrik reaches down in his pocket and takes out some money.
GRANDFATHER
No, no young man. Since you’re a friend of my granddaughter, it would be shameful to take your money. This is free.
HENRIK
But I must insist sir!
GRANDFATHER
You’re very polite, but no, fixing it was my pleasure.
Henrik reluctantly puts the money back in his pocket.
RACHEL
Would like to stay over for some hot chocolate and pastries?
HENRIK
Oh, well it couldn’t hurt. Thank you!
Rachel and her grandfather lead him towards the back of the shop and into a brightly-lit room that opens into a kitchen. A woman, RACHEL’S GERTRUDE, is working at the stove and turns around when Rachel and her grandfather enter the room with Henrik.
RACHEL'S MOTHER
Who is this?
RACHEL
He's a friend of mine. I taught him how to skate.
Rachel gestures to Henrik to sit down at the dining table, and brings him a pastry.
RACHEL's MOTHER
Well, your father-
She is interrupted as the door swings open. A man with a Gold Star on his coat stares hard at Henrik.
MAN
Who’s this?
RACHEL
Father, this is my friend, Henrik. He-
RACHEL’S FATHER
He shouldn't be here. He's German isn’t he? The Jungvolk probably sent him to spy on us.
HENRIK
No sir, I'm not a member of the Jungvolk.
GRANDFATHER
Give the boy a break, he seems nice enough to me.
RACHEL’S FATHER
Don't buy his blue-eyed innocence. He's a Nazi underneath, they all are. Tell me boy, is your father a member of the Nazi party?
HENRIK
He's a Civil Servant, sir, and-
RACHEL’S FATHER
Many of our friends have been taken away by the Nazi. I have to protect my family. It's best that you leave here boy, and never come back.
HENRIK
I only came here to have my toy repaired.
RACHEL
I'm the one who invited him in, Father.
RACHEL’S FATHER (to Henrik)
Leave now and don't ever come near my daughter again.
RACHEL
I'll see you out.
RACHEL’S FATHER
No!
RACHEL’S MOTHER
Please, just let her do that. It can’t possibly hurt.
Rachel and Henrik slip out as Rachel’s parents argue.
HENRIK
(Whispering)
When will I see you again?
RACHEL
Come to the Jewish Girls School on Auguststrasse 11 at 4:00.
HENRIK
What? But, what If I get caught and-
RACHELS’ FATHER (O.S.)
Rachel! Come here now!
RACHEL
I have to go now. We'll talk later.
Henrik is grinning from ear to ear as he leaves the shop with his fixed tank.
INT. SCHOOL-MORNING
The TEACHER is in the front of the room teaching a class on Racial Biology. Charts depicting different races are pinned on the walls, some of which show Aryans. The teacher points at the chart on the blackboard with her pointing stick.
TEACHER
Now, as we can see, the inferior races are represented here against the Aryan race. Is there anyone who would like to point out the features of the inferior races?
Klaus’s hand shoots up quickly.
TEACHER
Ah, Klaus! Please enlighten your sleeping classmates.
Henrik does not smile and watches Klaus carefully as the boy gets up from his seat. Klaus takes the pointing stick from the teacher who watches him with a look of barely-constrained pride.
KLAUS
As you can see, the Jews’ noses are large as are their foreheads. Just as the other races can't compare with us like the Blacks-
Henrik raises his hand. The teacher stares exasperatedly at him.
TEACHER
What is it now Henrik?
HENRIK
How can the Blacks be inferior? Didn't Jesse Owens win gold med-
TEACHER
Don't ever mention that name here again!
The class breaks out laughing.
TEACHER
Ignorant child! Why must you always disrupt my class with your stupidity?
GIRL (From the Skating Rink)
Dumb boy. (low)
Other students snicker.
TEACHER
And I find it strange that you're the only boy here who hasn't joined the Jungvolk. Why not? Are your parents filthy Jew sympathizers?
HENRIK
Not, I just have headaches. I can’t join the Jungvolk.
TEACHER
Maybe you should join the Jungmädel instead.
Everyone is laughing now.
TEACHER
Unless of course, that’s too tough for you.
The class continues to laugh at him as Henrik sinks into his seat looking embarrassed.
