Cross of Iron Page #4

be satisfied with you.

Keppler salutes and GOES.

10. EXT. BUNKER

as Triebig COMES OUT. The men are watching Keppler as he

WALKS OFF.

11. MED. SHOT SCHNURRBART AND ANSELM

SCHNURRBART:

Not a very robust type, would you

say?

ANSELM:

(the youngest of the

group)

Well, Schnurrbart, you're so excessively

masculine, it evens things up.

The CAMERA PANS to Triebig. He seems to sense what the men

are thinking. A bit disconcerted, he turns to Meyer.

TRIEBIG:

(sardonically)

Do you think we can get them to

Stand at attention when the Captain

gets here?

MEYER:

(grins)

I don't know, Lieutenant. I'll put

it up to them, man to man.

There is some half hearted laughter from the men. Steiner

is noticeably quiet.

SCHNURRBART:

I'm not getting up till they want

my Signature On the Peace Treaty.

But he gees someone approaching, and slowly he starts to

his feet.

12. STRANSKY

approaching the trench. In the b.g. the men CAN BE SEEN

reluctantly getting to their feet. Triebig snaps to attention

as Stransky comes in.

TRIEBIG:

(a Smart salute)

Captain.

Stransky, barely nodding to Triebig, looks over the men, no

discernible expression on his face. Finally --

STRANSKY:

Which one is Corporal Steiner?

Steiner takes a step forward, slackly comes to attention.

Stransky studies him -- disappointed.

STRANSKY:

You are Corporal Steiner?

STEINER:

(almost nonchalantly)

Yes, sir.

(pause)

I am Corporal Steiner.

STRANSKY:

I had formed a -- somewhat different

picture of you.

STEINER:

(unconcern in his

face)

I'm sorry if I disappoint the Captain.

In the b.g. several of the men permit themselves slight

smiles, which fade immediately at a glance from Triebig.

Stransky looks at Steiner again.

STRANSKY:

(loudly)

You are promoted to Senior Sergeant,

promotion to be effective at once.

He watches Steiner's face. It is as if he had spoken to

a tree. There is no surprise in Steiner's face; only a

slight flexing of his arms indicates that he has heard at

all.

STRANSKY:

You heard me, Corporal -- Sergeant

Steiner.

STEINER:

Yes, sir.

STRANSKY:

Your promotion doesn't seem to have

made much impression upon you.

STEINER:

No, sir.

There is an involuntary giggle from young Anselm. Stransky

glares and there is silence.

STRANSKY:

(to Lieutenants Meyer

and Triebig)

Come in -- you, too, Sergeant.

He starts down the steps to his bunker, Meyer, Triebig

and Steiner following.

13. OMITTED

14. INT. STRANSKY'S BUNKER STRANSKY

is seated behind a table. Steiner, Meyer and Triebig,

slightly to the side of him, stand facing Stransky, who

has taken out an elaborate cigarette case. He extends

it to Meyer who takes a cigarette.

MEYER:

Thank you, Captain.

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