Exodus Page #4

How many arrived yesterday

on the Star of David?

Six hundred and eleven.

We're going to take the same 611 off the island

and land them in Palestine.

- Six hundred and eleven?

- He thinks he's Moses.

We haven't been able to break

more than 10 or 15 at a time out of Karaolos.

This will be a new experience.

One thing more. There's a time limit.

Today is Tuesday.

We'll stage the break next Monday.

- Next Monday?

- Why not tomorrow?

Ari, we cannot do it.

The United Nations

will vote on the Palestine issue...

...before the end of this session.

Between now and then

we have to show the world...

...thousands of homeless European Jews...

...are not going to accept any solution

that bars them from Palestine.

A mass escape of the very same people

who arrived on the Star of David...

...is worth more than a million speeches.

But this isn't the Red Sea, Ari.

It's the Mediterranean.

Right. Smite these waters as you will,

they do not part.

That's why you'll have to get us a ship.

I want a legitimate freighter...

...with legal registry and real cargo

we can unload here in Cyprus.

A ship for six...

That's a wonderful idea.

Brilliant.

But the expense will be brilliant also.

Not too brilliant.

You know, our treasury is based on donations,

and right now we're rather low.

- Well, can you deliver or not?

- loll do my best.

We Cypriots are with you.

For the Jews, Mandria will do everything.

The Jews have paid you well for your efforts,

Mr. Mandria.

- Ari, you've got to understand-

- No, Reuben. I say it.

Do you believe that I, Plato Mandria,

would do this for money?

Do you think I'd risk

I tell you, it has cost me over 5,000

since I work with the Haganah.

You owe him an apology, Ari.

I do apologize, Mr. Mandria.

It was a stupid remark.

Not necessary.

If I apologize each time I get stupid,

I'd spend a lifetime on my knees.

- Also, we'll need 14 lorries.

-14, he says. Why not 1,400?

The British have requisitioned every car,

truck and lorry on this island.

Haganah makes mistakes just like anybody else.

This is one of them.

David, I want to hear every objection,

every criticism, every suggestion, but only once.

- Now the boat project is under way, right?

- Almost accomplished.

I will send a telegram to a shipbroker in Athens.

- Don't the British monitor telegrams?

- Naturally.

But some of the monitors are Cypriots.

They'd like the Britons in Britain,

the Jews in Palestine...

...and the Cypriots in Cyprus.

Not, mind you, that I'm anti-British.

If I must have a master,

the British are far the best.

But the problem, my dear friend, is,

why have a master at all?

Shouldn't have hurt him, Ari. He's a real friend.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote