YOU HAVE

CUT TO:

10.       in front of the house – ext. / day

Martin and Paul are lugging a heavy desk out of the truck.  As opposed to the two removal men, they are really working hard.

Paul

Damn, this thing is heavy. Where do you want to have it?

martin

Tenth floor.

Paul

Very funny.

CUT TO:

11.       study – int. / day

Sweating, Martin and Paul are trying to push the desk through the narrow door to the study.  They are doing a pretty awkward job of it.

Martin’s hand brushes the door frame – a splinter.

martin

Shit!

Martin draws back his hand.  He’s hurt.

Paul

What’s the matter?

Martin presses a handkerchief on the wound and has a closer look at the door frame.

It is totally splintered, as if someone had forcefully broken the door open!

martin

Look at this.  The lock is totally demolished.

Paul

I guess someone lost their key.  You did get your tetanus shots, I hope?

Martin is still looking at the broken lock.

martin

I mean, seriously: It is strange, isn’t it?

Paul puts it off.  Only now does he have a better look around the room.

Paul

So what if it is.  There hasn’t been anyone in this house for at least ten years.

The study is covered with dust, the walls are stained and full of cobwebs – blind, high arched windows.  Single pieces of furniture that the previous owner left behind in this spacious room.

martin

Twenty-three, to be exact.

Paul

I wonder how you guys figure on renovating this whole place.  You can afford to spend some money.  If I was you, I’d spare myself all the hard work.  Besides, didn’t you want to start writing again?

Martin suddenly seems lost in thought.

martin

Yeah sure, I will. Give me a little more time.

Paul gives him a downcast look.

Paul

If you throw away your career, that won’t change anything either.  Now don’t get me wrong, but I’m telling you this as your friend:  Your last books were awful.  The publishing house isn’t even sure whether to extend your contract.

Martin takes the handkerchief from his wound and looks at it.

martin

I don’t care about my career right now, Paul.  Ellen and I need to get our minds on other things, first.  After everything we’ve been through.

12.       kitchen – int. / day

Ellen is dragging a moving carton full of dishes into the kitchen.  It seems to be very heavy.  Claudia hooks up a radio and switches it on.  We hear a cheerful oldie (Life could be a Dream). 

The song seems to bring back memories to Ellen:  She stares at the radio.

(Transformation from radio to:)

13.       dining room of city apartment – int. / day

Flashback:

Ellen, Martin and their son THOMAS (8 years old) are joined at the breakfast table.  The radio is on – it’s playing the same tune.

The little boy is totally absorbed with his Game-boy.

Martin sets a bowl of cornflakes and fresh fruit on the table.

martin

Here, partner:  A breakfast for champions.

The little boy rolls his eyes and turns back to his Game-boy.

thomas

I can’t right now!  I’m about to break the high-score!

Ellen gets into the discussion.

ellen

You do that.  But first, eat your breakfast, Tommi.

Now, Thomas reacts.  He puts the Game-boy on the table. 

He continues the game with one hand, while he obediently shovels the breakfast cereal into his mouth with the other.

martin

Goes to show again who’s in command around here.

Martin gives Ellen a playful pat on the behind and kisses her.

ellen

            (joking)

Sometimes I get the feeling you only love me for my body.

Martin grins.

martin

Why else?

ellen

Come on, say it.  You know...

Martin seems to know exactly what Ellen wants to hear.

martin

Oh no, not again.  I just said it for you last week.

For a moment, the two of them stop paying attention to their son.  Suddenly, Thomas grabs his throat.  He swallowed wrong.  He chokes without making a sound.

ellen

Say it anyway.  Come on, how much do you love me?

martin

            (quotes)

“With you, my life began

and with you shall it end...”

Ellen gives him her most beautiful smile.  Martin responds with a short kiss. 

At the same time, they hear the Game-boy fall to the floor.  It immediately draws their attention to Thomas.

The little boy is desperately gasping for air.  His face is already starting to turn blue.

Martin runs to him.

martin

Tommi, what’s the matter?

He pats Thomas on the back, attempting to clear his throat.

ellen

What is it?  What’s wrong with him?

Thomas coughs, choking, but he can’t get his throat clear.  Martin recognizes the situation.

martin

            (yells)

This is serious!  Quick, call emergency!

Ellen hurries to the phone.

Martin realizes that hitting Thomas’ back is not doing any good.  He uses his finger to try to get the swallowed piece out of his son’s throat.

For Thomas, it is a battle against death.

Ellen has gotten through to the emergency line.  She speaks into the phone with distress.

ellen

This is Straub.  You have to come, fast!  My son, he swallowed something... Quick, he’s choking to death...

Martin’s attempts at helping his son remain futile.  Thomas is beginning to lose conscience.

Martin sweeps the table free of dishes in a single move and lays the little boy down flat.  He reaches for a sharp fruit knife.

Ellen comes running.

ellen

What are you doing?

Martin holds the tip of the knife to the boy’s throat.  It’s not easy, since his son is wildly kicking around himself.

martin

I have to cut his windpipe...

ellen

            (horrified)

You’re not a doctor, you’ll hurt him!

martin

            (screams)

What else should I do, damn it, he’s dying!

Again, Martin prepares to cut – he holds the knife to the larynx.  The boy’s movements grow weaker.

ellen

Too high, you’re way too far up... you have to cut here...

She points at the spot below the larynx while holding her little son tight.

martin

Ellen, move aside...

ellen

Oh God, Tommi...

Martin prepares to cut, but he can’t – his trembling hand refuses to move.  Endless seconds pass.  The voices blur, like in a dream.  The music playing on the radio seems to become louder and louder (Life could be a Dream).

ellen

What’s the matter?  Come on, cut...

Martin looks up at his wife.  He can’t do it.

claudia (o.s.)

Ellen!

14.       kitchen – int. / day

Ellen starts.

Claudia

Ellen, are you alright?

Claudia has already started unpacking the carton.

Ellen quickly switches the radio off.  She tries to act as if nothing happened.

ellen

I’m fine.  I was just distracted for a moment.

Claudia notices how upset her friend is and wants to put her arm around Ellen’s shoulder. 

But just then, the removal men push their way past them with a cupboard.

Claudia drops the issue with a look of sympathy.

CUT TO:

15.       in front of the house – ext. / dusk

The old house is resting peacefully in the sunset.  The last rays of sunlight paint the horizon orange.  Warm light shines out through the windows of the house.