Cross of Iron Page #2

Go ahead, you heroic fathead.

KIESEL:

(quickly)

I withdraw my toast to the end of

the war. To heroic fatheads

everywhere.

Stransky doesn't know quite how to take this, but decides

on a faint, icy smile.

BRANDT:

Captain Stransky, is there any

news on Steiner?

STRANSKY:

No, sir, not yet.

Brandt shakes his head.

STRANSKY:

Incidentally, What sort is he,

Steiner?

Kiesel looks at Stransky closely.

BRANDT:

A problem....no respect, but a

first rate soldier so one looks

the Other Way.

Pause.

STRANSKY:

(a short laugh)

0f course, I've only been on this

front a few days, matter of hours

actually, but I see -- rather I

sense -- a sort of -- well, it's not

exactly insubordination -- Well, let's

call it -- a lack of respect.

KIESEL:

If I hope into a cab which gets

into an accident because the brakes

fail, I blame the driver, not the

company he works for. I'll say

that he should have refused to drive

a cab with defective brakes.

STRANSKY:

I'm not sure I know What you mean

by that.

KIESEL:

(looks at him a moment,

then easily)

I don't intend to discuss polities.

BRANDT:

(angry)

You talk avout lack of respect --

low morale..... it goes hand in hand

with impending defeat.

STRANSKY:

Defeat? I refuse to admit that

possibility.

KIESEL:

(dryly)

We'll, said, Captain.

STRANSKY:

I don't believe that the German

soldier --

KIESEL:

The German soldier!

(laughs mirthlessly)

In the early years they saw the

retreating backs of the Russians

too often to be frightened by his

face now. The replacements, on

the other hand, think every Russian

is an infallible fighting machine.

I feel damn sorry for our poor land

sers.

STRANSKY:

(frigidly)

In the present state of our nation,

such talk borders on treason. I

am a soldier and as such it is my

duty to subordinate my own ideas

to the interests of my country.

KIESEL:

(Smiles easily as he

lifts glass)

We are still doing our duty,

Captain Stransky.

Stransky, his face white, glares at Kiesel.

The PHONE has been RINGING. Brandt picks it up with a

Snap.

BRANDT:

Yes? -- What? -- Good, Meyer.

Wonderful. What sort of shape

are they in? -- I see.

(hangs up)

Lieutenant Meyer. Steiner is back.

KIESEL:

Of course.

STRANSKY:

Naturally, I'd like to talk to him.

I intend to promote him to Senior

Sergeant on the spot.

KIESEL:

(wryly)

Most generous of you.

STRANSKY:

(saluting)

If you'll excuse me.

Brandt nods. Stransky LEAVES. There is a moment's silence.

6. CLOSE SHOT BRANDT AND KIESEL

BRANDT:

Well, what do you think of our

Captain?

KIESEL:

(a moment's thought)

Must have the most expensive

tailor in Berlin.

BRANDT:

And, of course, he won't rest until

he gets the Iron Cross.

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