Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, The Page #3

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You peel potatoes.

I practised as a doctor.

Before I...

Before I came here.

You couldn't have been much good

then, if you had to practise.

Now, what are you going to be

when you grow up?

I know. An explorer.

How do you know that?

Is it nice on the farm?

Bruno. Bruno, what happened to you?

I made a swing,

but I fell off it and cut my knee.

But Pavel here, he carried me in

and put a bandage on it.

- Go to your room.

- But Pavel says I...

Don't argue. Go to your room.

Thank you.

It's not fair, you having this view.

Well, I'm not swapping.

I think school's here.

No, I mean more recent history.

- Are you interested in current affairs?

- Yes, very.

So, you'll be aware of the situation

in which our great nation

presently finds itself.

Yes. I read newspapers whenever I can

and one of Father's men

keeps me up to date

on everything that's happening.

Good. And you, Bruno.

Have you been reading newspapers?

- Have you been reading anything?

- Books.

Good. What sort of books?

Adventure books, mainly.

You know, knights in shining armour,

exploring strange lands and stuff,

and silly princesses

always getting in the way.

Well, this is why I'm here to help.

You're how old now, Bruno? Eight?

Time to get your head

out of those fiction books

and start learning about fact.

Time, I think,

to turn your mind to the real world,

and I believe

this would be the perfect start.

Die, die!

Die, die.

Hello.

I'm exploring.

- What are you doing?

- We're... We're building a new hut.

Have you got lots of friends over there?

A few. But we fight a lot.

That's why I like being out here.

I can be on my own.

- I'm Bruno.

- Shmuel.

- Sorry?

- I'm Shmuel.

That's your name? Never heard

of anyone called that before.

I've never heard

of anyone called Bruno.

But Shmuel. No one's called Shmuel.

I live in the house, back there.

- Have you got any food on you?

- No.

Are you hungry?

How old are you?

- Eight.

- Me, too!

It's not fair,

me being stuck over here on my own,

while you're over there,

playing with friends all day.

- Playing?

- Well, that number.

- Isn't it a part of a game or something?

- It's just my number.

Everyone gets given

a different number.

Right. Then what happens?

- I have to go back now!

- Really?

Yeah.

It was nice to meet you, Shmuel.

And you, Bruno.

Bye.

Mum, I can't find my football.

Well, it'll be

in one of your cupboards, sweet.

It isn't. I've looked.

Can I have a piece of chocolate?

A piece. Yes.

Bruno?

- Have you looked in the cellar?

- The cellar?

For your football.

Damn.

- Gretel, I've just seen all your...

- All my what?

All your dolls, down in the cellar.

Dolls are for little girls.

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