A Small Light (2023) s01e01 Episode Script

1
(RAIN PATTERING)
OTTO: Don't be afraid,
Margot. Do what Miep says.
MARGOT: Yes.
ANNE: I wanna go too.
- EDITH: No, you'll go later, with us.
- ANNE: Why can't I go now?
OTTO: Because we decided, Anne,
you would go with us later.
ANNE: You never consult me on anything.
And, Margot, do you
know where we're going?
Anne! Please! Not now.
We really have to go.
- I don't know either, Anne.
- Well, goodbye then.
- No, no, no.
- Anne
We're not saying goodbye
because we'll see you soon.
- ANNE: How soon?
- MIEP: Don't worry. In a few hours.
So, the hiding place is in town?
Oh, you really are a pain in the ass.
- So are you.
- Can you go and get your sister's coat please?
- Anne
- OTTO: Listen to me, darling
It's just an ordinary bike ride, okay?
- Yeah.
- Yeah? That's better.
And remember
- I know, do what Miep says.
- Do what Miep says.
Good girl.
- EDITH: You will listen to Miep.
- Okay. Let's let's go.
Put your coat on.
- MARGOT: But
- In case the neighbors are watching.
- Go on.
- EDITH: Don't look nervous.
Okay. (EXHALES)
(WHISPERS) There you go.
MIEP: Hurry, we need to get there
before they open the checkpoint.
(RAIN PATTERING)
Let's go.
(BICYCLE CHAIN RATTLING)
MIEP: Hurry. Faster.
(CAR ENGINE REVVING IN DISTANCE)
- Uh, What, what should I
- MIEP: Drop it.
- On the ground?
- Drop it, yes, let's go. Margot.
(AMBULANCE SIREN WAILING)
CHECKPOINT ANNOUNCER:
Attention, attention.
Have your papers ready.
(DOGS BARKING)
MIEP: Oh, my God. We're too
late. The checkpoint is open.
CHECKPOINT ANNOUNCER:
Attention, attention,
- please have your identification ready.
- I do I don't have my ID.
- I know.
- Because you told me not to bring it.
And and you told
me to take off my coat.
- And if they see I'm not wearing my star.
- Margot.
- They they're going to arrest me.
- Margot, stop it and listen to me, okay?
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
No. no, no, no, no.
- Don't cry.
- (SOBS)
- Don't cry. Don't cry.
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
- Okay?
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
CHECKPOINT OFFICER:
Go, quickly. That way.
You apologize and say
you forgot your ID.
CHECKPOINT OFFICER: Quickly.
(DOGS BARKING)
- But what if they stop me?
- They won't. If you smile.
You can't show any fear.
He's looking at us. Laugh.
- Like I'm telling you a joke
- (LAUGHS)
Yeah? (LAUGHS) Okay?
Almost there. Almost there.
CHECKPOINT OFFICER:
Fine, you can go through.
- MARGOT: I can't do this.
- Margot, I forgot my ID two days ago,
- they let me right through.
- No, I I'm going back. I can't
- CHECKPOINT OFFICER: Wait. That way.
- No, he's already seen us.
- All right, listen to me.
- (SIGHS)
- Miep, I really don't think I can do this.
- MIEP: Margot, you can do this.
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
- MIEP: You are so much stronger
than you think you are.
- CHECKPOINT OFFICER: Go on. Missy?
- (SIGHS)
(SNORES)
- GENOFEVA: Miep!
- (SNORES)
- GENOFEVA: Miep! Get up!
- (GROANS)
(GROANS)
GENOFEVA: It's lunch time.
You've been sleeping the day away.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(ALL LAUGH)
- GENOFEVA: Look who's finally up.
- MIEP: Ugh. Here we go.
GENOFEVA: Don't "here we
go" me. It is 2:00 p.m.
You were out drinking again last night?
You promised me you
were gonna spend all week
- looking for a job.
- (JACOB BURPS)
He's the one you should be worried
about, burping and farting his way
- through the world.
- (JACOB FARTS)
Oh, my God!
- Jacob, that stinks! (LAUGHS)
- (ALL GROAN)
MIEP: Mum, don't look so worried,
it's fine, I'm gonna get a job.
When? What steps have you taken?
The economy's bad, you know
that. Jobs are hard to come by.
You're not going to find one in
a pub, so perhaps you should try
- and find a husband instead.
- (ALL LAUGH)
- Oh, you're enjoying this, aren't you?
- I am, I really am. (LAUGHS)
(ALL LAUGH)
- Tell her.
- MIEP: Tell me what?
- Why me?
- GENOFEVA: Because you're her father.
- LAURENS: You're her mother.
- Well, can one of you just tell me?
(SIGHS) Your father and
I have been talking
we think you should get married to Cas.
- (ALL LAUGH)
- (LAUGHS)
Oh, my God. You look so serious.
Do you see their faces? (GIGGLES)
Wait. Is this actually happening?
Cas has got a good job.
He's stable and he's nice.
- And he's my brother.
- You're adopted, so it's not illegal.
- Your father checked.
- Checked? Whoa, whoa! With who?
GENOFEVA: And Cas is single and
he's not getting any younger,
so it would solve everybody's problems.
No one has a problem,
Cas, say something.
Uh
- I
- He doesn't wanna marry me.
LAURENS: We can't keep
supporting you forever.
You you've got to grow
up, get your life together.
But by marrying my brother?
Unless you've got a better idea.
(MIEP SIGHS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(BICYCLE BELL RINGS)
So? Gonna fling yourself
in the canal then?
End it all right here? Put
us all out of our misery?
Sorry, I don't want to marry you, Cas.
It's all right. You're
not my type anyway.
You ever gonna tell them?
Oh, yeah, "Hey mum, I like boys.
Can you pass the roast beef?"
She'd die. On the spot. Just
face down into the mashed potato.
And then I would be a homosexual and
responsible for our mother's death.
- (SIGHS)
- CASMIR: Not good.
You know the worst thing about it is
that's all they think I'm capable of.
- Marrying my brother.
- No, they're just panicking.
All right then, let's
get you a job. (GRUNTS)
- What are you doing?
- CASMIR: I'm writing you a CV.
- (MIEP CHUCKLES)
- Okay, "I am a young woman
- from a very good family."
- Hmm.
"I have no previous job experience,
so no references, unfortunately,
but my school grades were"
Terrible.
"Adequate. My technical skills are"
Non-existent.
They're emerging.
Oh, my God. I am pathetic.
CASMIR: (LAUGHS) No, we just need to
sell some of your positive qualities.
To who? Jobs really are hard to come by.
Yeah.
Well, lucky for you then that I
spoke to the lady on the corner.
- You know, the one who sells jam, door-to-door.
- Yeah?
CASMIR: She says that her
company that she works for
is looking for a secretary. And I
have got you an interview tomorrow.
The owner's name is Otto Frank.
- (PAPER RUSTLING)
- Football assistant?
Mm-hmm. My school team.
I I sprained my ankle,
so I helped the coach.
OTTO: Mm.
(INHALES DEEPLY) I
was hoping for someone
with a bit more secretarial experience.
Oh, I had to keep track of the schedule,
so it had secretarial elements.
As you can see, I'm new to the
language and the local customs,
so it's important for me to
(IN GERMAN)I understand exactly
how you feel. I'm from Vienna.
(IN GERMAN) You don't have an accent.
(IN GERMAN) I wanted to fit
in, so I lost it very quickly.
that I'm a fast learner.
I'm sure you are.
And once we're up and running,
we'll need more people,
so why don't you come
back in a few months?
My parents are gonna make me marry
my brother if I don't get a job.
(SPLUTTERS) It It's not as bad
as it sounds. I'm adopted, but still.
Would you want to marry your
brother? Don't answer that.
I mean, I don't even know
if you have a brother,
but (INHALES) I
don't mean it literally,
I just I just mean,
I'm I'm desperate.
Oh! Yeah, I'm really not
getting this job, am I?
Um. All right, well, thanks. Thank you.
(INHALES) You know what pectin is?
It's what you put in
jam to make it thicker.
MIEP: I'll work very
hard, I won't let you down.
OTTO: Good.
- Make jam.
- (PHONE RINGING)
- I don't understand.
- Directions are on the box.
(PHONE RINGING)
(PHONE RINGING)
It needs to be thicker.
- (PHONE RINGING)
- Okay.
Good morning. There are
gooseberries in the kitchen.
(PHONE RINGING)
Mm. (SMACKS LIPS)
- Too tart.
- (PHONE RINGING)
(RETCHES)
You are here early.
Raspberries today.
This is perfect. Do you
know how I know that?
Because all I do is make jam.
Well, I was hired to be a secretary.
- Miep
- And yes, I'm inexperienced,
but how am I ever gonna get
any experience being stuck in
- in the kitchen.
- You're not
Yes, I am, and the phone
never stops ringing.
The place is a mess and I'm just
stuck in there chopping fruit.
(PHONE RINGING)
- OTTO: Answer it.
- Why, who is it?
- Answer it and find out.
- (PHONE RINGING)
Opekta.
OPEKTA CLIENT: Hi, I tried your
new product, but it didn't work.
Oh, yeah, I'm I'm very
sorry to hear that. Mm.
- How long did you simmer it for?
- OPEKTA CLIENT: Twenty-five minutes.
Mm. Yeah, no, you need to simmer
it for thirty minutes at least.
Yeah, as soon as it starts
sticking to the spoon,
- that's when it's nearly ready.
- OPEKTA CLIENT: Okay.
All right. Okay, good luck, bye.
The housewives don't
always read the directions,
they call and complain,
that's why I needed you to make jam.
Oh.
You'll be answering phones
now. I made a desk for you.
Oh.
Part of the experience you lack is
knowing how to talk to your employer.
In the future, a more respectful
tone would be appreciated.
I'm really sorry I got angry. Um,
my mother says I do have a temper.
She also says I'm really annoying.
(IN GERMAN) Tell your
mother I agree with her.
(IN GERMAN) Oh, I
will. She'll be pleased.
- Miep! (LAUGHS)
- (SHRIEKS) Tess! Look what I got.
- (GASPS) Yes!
- Go on. (CHUCKLES)
- Hold the bike.
- (LAUGHS)
- Yes! Dancing? Shall we?
- (LAUGHS)
MIEP: I got a job, we're celebrating.
- TESS: Race you. (LAUGHS)
- (MIEP SHRIEKS)
- (BICYCLE BELL RINGING)
- (CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (TESS HUMS, CHUCKLES)
- (MIEP CHUCKLES)
(ALL LAUGHING)
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
- MIEP: Hey! Jackie!
- JACKIE: Oh, hi!
- MIEP: Hey!
- There are no decent guys in here.
Oh, who needs guys,
marriage is enslavement.
- Says who?
- Me.
- (LAUGHS)
- (LAUGHS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- TESS: You are so drunk!
- Ooh. What about him?
TESS: Oh, I thought
you didn't need a man.
I don't need one, I want
one. And he's handsome.
- He's reading a book.
- He's shy.
- Or boring.
- How do I look?
- Desperate. (LAUGHS)
- (LAUGHS) Okay, I'm going over.
(LAUGHS)
MIEP: Hello.
Hi. Hi Hel Hello.
- Fancy a drink?
- Um
of course. What what would you like?
No, I'm getting you one. Come on.
Come on.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (WATER TRICKLING)
What are you reading?
Uh, re-reading. Some Just
a bit of Kafka. Metamorphosis.
What's it about?
About a man who wakes up one
day and realizes he's a bug.
Oh.
Obviously, it's a metaphor.
Obviously.
(SMACKS LIPS) Don't
mind if I do. (CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS)
It's about the absurdity of
life and the human condition.
He was (CHUCKLES)
he's a visionary.
(URINE TRICKLING)
I'm just gonna catch up with my
friend, I'll see you in a little while.
Okay, I'll I'll just
wait, uh, by the band.
Great.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MIEP: You were right, he was so boring.
TESS: Let's go to a
bar with better men
- (TESS LAUGHS)
- MIEP: I have to be at work in an hour.
TESS: Congratulations on
your new job, jam-making girl.
- I love you. I'll see you. Bye.
- Bye.
OTTO: Are these the
numbers from last week?
Yes, yes,
the actual numbers are in red
and the projections are in blue.
- This is good.
- MIEP: Thank you.
I meant Rotterdam.
Oh, yes, Rotterdam's doing very well.
We need more salespeople, maybe
you should put an ad in the paper.
- Oh, okay, uh
- Run it by me first.
Of course.
I meant to tell you, my
friend, Hermann van Pels,
he has developed a spice
blend for sausage-making.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
He's talking to me about
joining the company,
if he does, we may need
to get more office space.
(CHUCKLES) Great, great.
Well, thank you for
walking with me, Miep.
I will see you tomorrow.
It's your birthday!
And your your wife
called this morning
and asked if I'd
surprise you with a cake,
um, but we got really busy
and we worked through lunch
and didn't have time to go out.
But there's a really nice
bakery just down there,
so either you come with
me and I'll buy you a cake
or please just explain to your
wife that I tried because frankly,
I find her quite scary,
she's very intimidating.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- Let's go.
- (CHUCKLES)
- MIEP: Happy birthday.
- OTTO: Thank you.
I was thirty-six when we met.
I was working in my
family's bank in Frankfurt
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
and we got married, had
the girls, and bought a house.
Life was good.
Then, uh
the economy collapsed,
the bank failed.
And, uh, Hitler came to power.
And
one day, I took Edith and
the girls to play tennis
and there was a sign
on the court that says,
"No Jews allowed."
I have to look at my family
and say, "We can't play."
Silly.
It's tennis. I don't even really
like tennis, but (CHUCKLES)
For me it was
it was when I knew Germany
wasn't my home anymore.
I'm
I'm sorry, what
- what were we talking about?
- MIEP: (CHUCKLES) Oh, um
I I asked you when your
family were moving here.
OTTO: Mm. (CHUCKLES)
Sorry, long-winded way
of saying next week.
- Oh, really?
- OTTO: Yeah.
Of course, they're scared to come
even though it's much worse there.
Every day, uh, another raid,
another anti-Jewish regulation.
(STUTTERS) Mr. Frank
(SMACKS LIPS) I really
didn't want to leave Vienna.
Um, my my my mum my mother
had no husband and she was poor
and I was malnourished.
I was I was only ten.
And, um, she found a Dutch family
who were willing to adopt me.
And and the day came
that I was supposed to leave
and I hid under the bed, so that
I'd miss the train. (CHUCKLES)
And she was begging me. Begging.
Saying that my new family
had food and medicine,
and Holland would save my life and
(CHUCKLES) she tried to
climb under the bed (SNIFFLES)
to drag me out but
she couldn't reach me.
Um. She said later, actually, that
she'd almost given up. (INHALES)
If she hadn't, I probably would've,
um, would've died. I was so unwell.
I'm sorry.
Sometimes I think, here is this
woman who made this huge sacrifice,
so I could live and I repay her by what?
Forgetting her.
(CLICKS TONGUE) It doesn't seem
to me that you've forgotten her.
I think you pay her back by
living a life worthy of her sacrifice.
- (EXHALES) I'll try. (CHUCKLES)
- (CHUCKLES)
Do you know how she eventually
got me out from under the bed?
She she told me that
my new family had a cat.
- Ah
- So once when I was on the train,
she ran home and wrote to them and
she suggested that they get one.
And they did.
(DOOR BELL RINGS)
(DOGS BARKING)
MIEP: Hello, um, I'm
looking for Mrs. Vandenberg.
I saw an ad about some kittens.
She's not here.
Oh, well, do you know
when she'll be back?
Uh. She's my landlady, I don't
keep track of her coming and goings.
Um. If I did, I
I'd probably tell her
not to give you a kitten.
Excuse me?
(SCOFFS) Have I done
something to offend you?
- You ditched me at Katty Korner.
- (GASPS) Oh!
- Yeah.
- MIEP: You're the man
- who reads books in bars.
- (CHUCKLES) Jan Gies.
Right, yes. (GROANS) God,
that was really bad form of me.
I'm really sorry. (LAUGHS)
Yeah, I was only waiting there for
thirty minutes, twiddling my thumbs.
- You never showed up.
- Well, at least you had a book. (CHORTLES)
(INHALES DEEPLY) Funny.
Have a nice day.
(DOGS BARKING)
(CHUCKLES) Know what your problem
is? You don't have a sense of humor.
Because what I just
said was really funny.
And the reason I ditched you is
because you were being pompous
and you were lecturing
me like I was stupid.
And I was actually going
through a really rough patch.
And I was tired of being
underestimated. But again, sorry.
I was nervous
I was going through a rough time too.
Then this girl appeared,
offered me back-alley brandy,
I thought she was
I thought she was one of the most
beautiful girls I've ever seen.
Didn't think you were stupid,
thought you were out of my league.
Oh. (CHUCKLES)
Well, I can't walk away
in a huff now. Can I?
- (LAUGHS)
- (MIEP CHUCKLES)
- JAN: Not really.
- (CHUCKLES)
JAN: So, I got married at 18
to my high-school sweetheart,
and (INHALES) after
a few years (EXHALES)
well, I realized we actually
didn't have anything to talk about.
(EXHALES)
And I was working at a textile
factory. And the money was good,
the job was (INHALES
DEEPLY) soul-destroying.
I used to work next to this bloke.
He was always going on about
how much he hated his life and
wanted to leave this place and
go traveling or move to America.
And one day, I snapped. I
said, "Go on, then. Leave."
(CHUCKLES)
And he did. (CHUCKLES) He left.
And I thought I'd be over
the moon, but I was
actually jealous.
- Oh.
- (BICYCLE BELL RINGS)
I thought if I'm so happy in my own
life, why would I
be jealous of this guy?
(SIGHS)
It was one of those moments, you know?
(EXHALES) You realize, you
need to change something.
And the longer you leave it, the
harder it is, so that day
(EXHALES, INHALES) I left my job.
I went home and I asked
my wife for a divorce.
Wow.
- Yeah.
- You were the bug.
- The bug?
- In the book.
You woke up one
day and you turned into a bug.
(CHUCKLES) I was the bug, yes.
JAN: That was when I
became a social worker.
I wanted to help people.
MIEP: So, did you get a divorce?
Yes. Well, sort of.
How do you sort of get
a divorce? (CHUCKLES)
We agreed to split and I
started doing the paperwork,
but then her mother got sick, so
she suddenly had to leave town.
(INHALES DEEPLY) And we just
haven't done it yet. (EXHALES)
- Huh.
- We're going to.
(EXHALES, CHUCKLES) You look
like you don't believe me but
- (MIEP CHUCKLES)
- we really are.
(INHALES) Is that what
you think this look is?
(CHUCKLES) Is it not?
- No.
- (CHUCKLES) What is it then? (EXHALES)
I was just wondering
if you kissed someone,
would it be considered infidelity?
I don't know. Technically,
legally, probably
Why?
(SMOOCHES)
We just broke the law.
Would you like to go somewhere
where we can break it some more?
Yes
Come on, then.
I'm afraid if I turn my back
on you, you'll disappear
and I really don't want
you to go anywhere at all.
(INHALES) I won't. I
need my kitten. (CHUCKLES)
(SMOOCHES)
- Oh.
- Mrs. Frank, I'm I'm I'm Miep.
Miep. Edith Holländer Frank.
(IN GERMAN) Thank god you
are coming at the right time.
The girls hate it here and
have been crying all morning.
We'll see, yes.
Come, Ms. Miep.
(IN GERMAN) The older girl is
Margot and the younger is Anne.
Children, say "hello" to the lady,
your father's secretary.
- (IN GERMAN) Hello.
- (IN GERMAN) Hello.
(IN GERMAN) Give me your coat.
(IN GERMAN) Thanks.
(JAZZ SONG PLAYING OVER RADIO)
(IN GERMAN) Your dad told me
that you had to leave
your friends in Germany,
so he wanted you to have
a new special friend here.
Hm? (CHUCKLING)
(GASPS)
MARGOT: (IN GERMAN) A kitten?
I love him!
(SPEAKING IN GERMAN)
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(IN GERMAN) Is it ours?
(IN GERMAN) Yes!
(IN GERMAN) Be calm.
Sit down.
- (SPEAKING IN GERMAN)
- (CAT MEOWS)
(IN GERMAN) He's scared. Like you.
- Gentle.
- (SPEAKING IN GERMAN)
(IN GERMAN) He likes you.
(IN GERMAN) He likes you too.
(IN GERMAN) I'm going
to call him Moortje.
Ein baby Kätzchen.
(IN GERMAN) Oh, Miep, thank you.
(IN GERMAN) This was a good idea.
Oh, es will zu mir.
(JAZZ SONG PLAYING OVER RADIO)
MIEP: I'm nervous.
- Don't be nervous.
- I want everyone to like you.
Huh. Thanks very much.
Well, your parents
liked me, didn't they?
Yeah, but that's different, this
is my boss and it's Shabbat dinner,
it's a big deal. Oh, don't
mention that you're married.
- Well, I'm I'm not married, am I?
- S Separated and were too lazy
to file the paperwork
doesn’t sound much better.
- Not too lazy, too broke.
- Well, definitely don't say that.
Well, what should I say
then? How much I like his jam?
It's not jam, it's it's pectin, and
Mr. Van Pels is gonna be there, so
Oh, sausage-man.
Stop calling him "sausage-man."
(LAUGHS) Aww. (WHIMPERS)
You're cute when you're nervous.
I don't feel cute. I feel sweaty.
These are really fancy people.
Oh, and they're all Jewish,
so don't mention you know who.
Hitler's a narcissist, it's all ego.
He's a child trapped in a man's body.
- EDITH: Who are we talking about?
- HERMANN: Who do you think?
Oh, do we have to talk about
him? The man gives me indigestion.
Young Miep is just educating us
as to why she thinks
it's safe here in Holland.
MIEP: I'm telling you he
won't come here, we're neutral.
- Oh, you're being naive.
- Oh, let her make her point, Hermann.
MIEP: Thank you, Mrs. Van Pels.
We were neutral in the Great War
and the queen just issued a statement
saying we remain neutral.
Oh, so that's it. That's your argument.
A press release by a figurehead.
You really are naive, Miep.
Let's be nice to Miep.
What's not nice about telling
Miep she's being naive to think
that Hitler cares about
a Queen's proclamation?
She's your queen now too, Hermann.
And if she were here, tell
her what I'm telling you.
Hitler's objective is France, so
to get around the Maginot Line,
he needs to go through the
Netherlands. So, neutral or not,
if France declares war
on Germany, he is coming.
- Well, then we'll fight.
- HERMANN: With what? Cheese?
The Dutch aren't equipped for war.
The Dutch look out for each
other, it's not Germany.
The this country saved my life.
No, your adoptive
parents saved your life.
A country is made up of people, Miep.
And people, even the the good,
loving, wooden-shoe-wearing
people of your beloved Holland
will be no match for Hitler when,
not if, he comes and attacks.
So, Hermann, my love, my very grumpy
- (LAUGHS)
- cynical, doomsday darling.
- (LAUGHS)
- What do you propose we do?
Oh, I have no answers.
Or the answers I have aren't
the ones you want to hear.
Well, Otto thinks we
should move to America.
And what do you think?
Well, I think America sounds
far away and (EXHALES)
I'm hoping that Miep is right and
that he'll leave the Netherlands alone.
I finally learned the
language with much difficulty.
"Dear Adolf Hitler, please
stay away from Amsterdam
because our dear Edith
can't possibly learn to say.
May I have some champagne?'
in any other languages."
- (CHUCKLES)
- Oh, shut up.
Nobody's eating my cheese puffs
except the nice quiet Dutchman.
What do you think, Jan?
You think Hitler will
invade the Netherlands?
I think
- I think these are delicious, Mrs. Frank.
- (ALL LAUGH)
See, a true Dutchman, he knows
how to stay out in a fight.
EDITH: Ah, he's a good diplomat.
(ALL LAUGH)
(STOMPING)
I can't believe this.
What? Five days, the the Dutch fought
for five days and then
just surrendered and
the Queen just fled to
London and left us here.
Wait, where are you going?
- To work.
- MIEP: Today?
I have a new office, new
employees. We have to work.
I'm sorry. I I didn't
think this would happen.
I didn't understand.
Well, now you do.
(TRUCK ENGINE WHIRRING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
VICTOR: Good morning,
Miep. Good morning, Bep.
MIEP: Morning, Mr. Kugler. Mr.
Kleiman. Is our fearless leader in?
Yes, and, uh, he's in a mood.
- Uh-oh.
- What?
Oh, dear. (EXHALES) We have
a very dissatisfied customer.
"Dear the-Terrible-Makers
of-This-Terrible-Product." (CHUCKLES)
"I tried to use your product
and it was a dismal failure.
Even my husband, who will eat
anything including head cheese, tried it
- and found it disgusting."
- (BEP CHUCKLES)
MIEP: "The banana jam
I made was inedible."
- Banana jam does sound disgusting.
- (ALL LAUGH)
- MIEP: Yeah.
- (OTTO CLEARING THROAT)
Let's not forget that the woman
you're laughing at pays our bills.
BEP: You know, I told you about
the guy that Nellie was seeing?
- Mm-hmm.
- BEP: Well, you'll never guess what.
Willie's seeing him too.
- What?
- BEP: Yeah.
Miep, could you come see
me before you leave, please?
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
I won't keep you long,
I'm sure you have plans.
- Oh, just some drinks with a friend.
- Ah.
Sit.
(CLEARS THROAT)
I'm really sorry about
what happened earlier,
- I feel terrible.
- OTTO: No. It's fine.
Miep.
Yes?
I got this today from an
old friend. Nathan Straus.
We went to Heidelberg together.
He's American, but he
was there for a year.
Oh.
Nathan, now works in the
Roosevelt administration
and he wants to sponsor my
family and me to come to America.
Oh, s so you're leaving?
No.
This letter says that, um
my application for the
visa was turned down.
It seems even my well-connected friend
cannot pry open the door
to America for my family.
(SIGHS)
We have to get out, but
there's nowhere to go.
Um. I'm so sorry, I
I I didn't realize
it'd gotten to this point.
No. I didn't want to
bring my troubles to work.
I wanted to keep you
out of it, but, uh
it's not possible anymore.
Miep, what I want to ask you
it's too much.
I have no right, but
I also have no option.
What is it?
We are going into hiding,
not right away. I still
have a lot to plan.
Where?
It's better if you know as
little as possible right now.
But when we get there, I will need
your help getting food and medicine
- Whatever you need.
- Let me finish, please. (INHALES DEEPLY)
(SWALLOWS) What I'm asking
you to do is dangerous.
If you get caught, you
could get arrested or
even worse.
Don't answer right away.
You need to take your
time to think it through.
You need to talk it over with Jan.
No, I don't.
I don't.
(INHALES, EXHALES) What do I do?
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(SOBS, SNIFFLES)
(SIGHS)
For right now, you go have
drinks with your friend
and you act as if nothing has happened.
You enjoy yourself, you laugh,
and you act like you know nothing
and one day, it will seem as
if we disappeared (INHALES)
and you will still go
for drinks and laugh and act
as if nothing has happened.
Even after many drinks.
Even if your friend is a trusted friend.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Hi.
- I am so sorry.
- TESS: Did you forget?
- MIEP: No, no,
I was leaving work and
and a client held me up.
- Right, you forgot. That's fine.
- What's this?
Well, I wasn't even sure
if you wanted gifts but
felt strange not to give you something.
(SCOFFS) Wow!
Tess, it's beautiful. I love it.
Good.
- Oh, please don't be angry.
- (EXHALES)
My best friend gets married
and I hear about it afterward.
- You were out of town.
- TESS: For a month. You couldn't wait?
It was barely a wedding.
You have to believe me
when I say it was nothing. We
got married for my citizenship.
We did it in a records
office on my lunch break.
- That's romantic.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Did you have a party?
- No, no, no, no, Anne was the flower girl.
My parents came, Cas was there.
But seriously, that was it.
And I love this bowl more than
I have ever loved anything.
Except you.
And do you love me even more
than your stupid new husband?
- Oh, my God. Of course. (CHUCKLES)
- (CHUCKLES)
Okay, fine. I forgive you
for being a terrible friend.
MIEP: Thank you.
TESS: How's work?
(INHALES) Fine.
- TESS: How's Mr. Frank?
- He's fine.
'Cause I hear they're cracking
down on the Jews, it must be scary.
(INHALES) Um. I mean, we don't
really talk about that
kind of stuff to be honest.
Tell me about your new fabulous
boyfriend who owns a country house.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MIEP LAUGHS)
Don't even get me started, I
can't wait for you to meet him.
MIEP: What happened
to the ice-cream shop?
What, you didn't hear?
Oh, my God. Well, so these Nazis came in
and they were harassing
these Jewish customers
and then the owner
got so upset about it,
he sprayed ammonia in their faces.
They dragged him out into the
street and they shot him. Right here.
- They killed him?
- Yeah.
I can't believe you
didn't hear about it.
- That's awful.
- I mean, he did break the law.
Yeah, but it's a stupid law.
Yeah, I know, it's just I just
think that there are ice-creams shops
in all the Jewish neighborhoods, so,
I mean, how hard can it be for
them to just go there? (EXHALES)
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
QUEEN WILHELMINA: (OVER
RADIO) Will be expected
in our peace-loving country
if our enemy occupiers
- MIEP: Hello, Mrs. Stopp
- (SHUSHES)
are not put in check for
their systematic destruction
Queen is talking.
and utter disregard of law
and basic principles of morality.
- JAN: How was Tess?
- Annoying. She gave us a bowl.
Hmm.
That's nice.
Mrs. Stoppelman's listening to the BBC.
- I know.
- It's illegal.
(SIGHS) Well, they'll have to drag
her out before she gives up her BBC.
They might. And they
might drag us away, too.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(SNIFFS) What's wrong?
MIEP: Koco's is closed.
- They killed the owner.
- I know.
You knew about this?
Yeah, it was in the paper.
- Heartless fascists.
- (SCOFFS) Yeah, well.
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing, just you're
right. They're heartless.
So, you said, "Yeah,
well." Like he deserved it.
Like he broke the law, so
he deserved to get killed.
What, r really? You discerned
all that from my "yeah, well?"
- You just don't seem very upset.
- JAN: No, no. Here's what happened.
I was sleeping and
you came home irritated
at your best friend, and
the landlady, and now me,
whom you seem to suddenly
see as callous and unfeeling.
Is there something else going on?
Did something happen at work?
No, it was just a weird day.
Go back to sleep.
MIEP: Sorry, I'm late. The checkpoint
was crazy, but I've got the fish,
I'll debone it but first,
I need to use the loo.
We have a visitor.
- MIEP: Mr. Van Pels?
- Margot got a letter,
ordering her to report to the
train station in the morning
to be sent to a work camp in Germany.
(GASPS) What?
The plan has moved up, they're
going into hiding tomorrow.
We have to go now.
We don't want to
believe people are evil.
That makes us good, but
it also makes us stupid.
So, we need to stop being stupid.
SS OFFICER: Hey, Jew!
Curfew in thirty minutes.
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
Gay kocken offen yom.
What does that mean?
Roughly translated,
"Go shit in the ocean."
Okay, I have to go.
Otto will tell you what
needs to be done. Go.
I wasn't planning to go for weeks.
Oh, there you are. Thank
God. We didn't have a chance
to bring all our clothes
to the hiding place,
so you have to put them all on now.
OTTO: Wear all these clothes
to your apartment tonight,
you can bring them to us
later at the hiding place.
- Here are the good towels.
- Oh, but how are we going to bring those?
Margot, go get one of your rucksacks.
- Okay.
- Something bigger, a suitcase perhaps?
Oh, no, suitcase will
draw too much attention.
You may need to make several trips.
(BREATHES DEEPLY) Where's Anne? Anne?
She's still mad about the cat.
What about the cat?
ANNE: You know, they won't even
tell me where it is we're going.
All they've said is
I can't bring Moortje.
And when I get upset,
they tell me to grow up.
Well, then stop
treating me like a child.
I'll find a good home
for him, I promise.
I'm not leaving him, I'm not.
They can go but I'm staying.
- Anne
- EDITH: Girls!
- OTTO: Edith.
- EDITH: Girls! Come! We're going tonight!
- EDITH: We're going tonight.
- OTTO: Edith. Listen to me.
- EDITH: You said we'd be safe in Holland.
- OTTO: You have to calm down.
I'm done with listening to
you, Otto. I want to go tonight.
We can't go tonight, there's a curfew.
We should've gone when we had the
chance. We should've gone to America.
- OTTO: We tried.
- We should've tried harder.
Edith, please. You are
not thinking straight.
EDITH: Of course, I'm
not thinking straight!
When my sixteen-year-old
daughter is going to her death.
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
- She's not going to.
This isn't a work camp, Otto.
- It's a death camp. It's
- The children are here!
(SOBS)
Edith, they're children. Please,
they don't need to hear this.
(SOBS)
Maybe she's right.
Maybe we should go tonight.
- We'll all go together in the morning.
- JAN: Y you can't.
Sorry.
Maybe it's not my place,
but you can't go together.
If you're together and they stop
you, and they see that Margot
hasn't reported to the station,
they'll arrest all of you.
OTTO: So be it.
- Mr. Frank, Margot has to go alone.
- You're right. It's not your place.
MIEP: I'll take her to the hiding place.
In the morning, I I'll take her.
JAN: So, were you going to tell me?
- He's my boss and my friend.
- I'm your husband.
I never wanted the kind of marriage
where I had to consult my husband
- about everything.
- Ah
And what, what kind of
marriage did you want then?
One where you lie to your
husband and it doesn't matter?
MIEP: I didn't ask you to
help because like I said,
- I don't need your help.
- You don't need my help?
You don't need my help?
And then when you're arrested,
taken to a concentration camp,
you're gonna be all right
all on your own, aren't you?
Can we not have this argument?
It's the right thing to do
and I've agreed to do it, and I
didn't think I had to consult you
before deciding to save a person's life.
Who the hell do you think you are?
The only person with morals?
What would you have me do
when Mr. Frank asked? Say no?
Ask ask me. That's what I'd
have you do, stop being selfish.
Think about someone besides yourself.
How dare you?
And and how, how dare you?
You live in this this fantasy
that you're you're all alone and
your your mother abandoned you
and your new family didn't understand
you and poor Miep has no one.
And you cling to it.
But I'm here.
I'm right here.
You don't even see me.
You don't see me.
- MIEP: Stop shouting at me.
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
- (SNIFFLES)
- (SOBS)
(BREATHES DEEPLY) Crawling
out my skin, I'm so hot.
(EXHALES) Come here.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Feels so good. (BREATHES DEEPLY)
(SOBS) Can we just not think
about tomorrow? (BREATHES DEEPLY)
I'm sorry.
- Don't be sorry.
- I'm sorry. (BREATHES DEEPLY)
(BOTH BREATHE DEEPLY)
(BOTH SMOOCH, BREATHE DEEPLY)
(BOTH GASP)
(BOTH GROAN, MOAN)
- How many of these have you got on?
- (CHUCKLES)
- Loads. I hate it.
- Take them off.
(CHUCKLES)
(SMOOCHES)
(DOGS BARKING)
- (AIR HISSES)
- GERMAN SOLDIER: Next!
- MARGOT: What are you doing?
- I'm thinking. Just give me a second.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Okay, here's what's gonna
happen. I need you to talk to me,
just tell me something. Anything.
- Like like what?
- It doesn't matter,
just talk just talk, like you
don't have a care in the world.
- And smile at the same time
- I can't.
- and follow me. Yes, you can. You have to.
- I can't. Miep, no
No, I'm not like I'm not
like Anne. Okay, I'm not brave
So, tell me about it,
but just get on the bike
and follow me, Margot.
- Miep.
- Tell me, what is Anne like?
She's she's opinionated and and
she's funny, and she has a boyfriend,
- I I I don't
- Smile.
- I don't have a boyfriend.
- Yeah, what else?
MARGOT: And, and you know,
she knows who she is
(IN GERMAN) Open!
She's she's only thirteen and
she wants to be a famous writer
and I'm sixteen, and I don't
have any idea who I want to be.
Halt!
Sorry, sorry, my tire's
flat and we're late for work.
Our boss will kill us if
we're late. I'm so sorry.
MARGOT: Is he following us?
Don't look back.
(IN GERMAN) Let them go.
(BOTH BREATHE DEEPLY)
- MARGOT: Why are we at the office?
- (SHUSHES)
Miep.
You'll see.
Tell me what's going on?
You'll see, just put your bike there.
- MARGOT: What
- MIEP: Right there.
I don't understand. (BREATHES DEEPLY)
What is this?
MIEP: Come on, come
on. We'll talk upstairs.
There's a small set of rooms
behind your father's office.
No one goes there. No one
even knows they're there.
Come on, come on.
Careful, they're steep.
MARGOT: Where are we going?
Take off your coat. Take it off.
This is a hiding place.
But we have clients and salespeople
in and out of the building all day.
There's a meeting this morning.
They'll be here in thirty
minutes, so you have to be quiet.
You can't walk or talk
or make any noise at all.
You can't open the windows
and you can't use the loo.
I know this is a lot to take in,
your family will be here later
and we'll make this place into a
home. If you need to cry, cry now.
You have thirty minutes. I'll
be back later to check on you.
Margot, we made it.
You're safe.
(SIGHS)
(BREATHES SHAKILY, SOBS)
(SNIFFLES, SOBS)
(DOOR OPENING)
- (DOOR CLOSING)
- (WHIMPERS)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(FOOTSTEPS THUDDING)
(SIGHS)
(GROANS, BREATHES DEEPLY)
MIEP: Jan
I thought you were gone. I woke
up, I thought you were gone.
I'm sorry I'm sorry I didn't
wake you. Or tell you, I'm sorry.
I'm I'm so selfish.
No, you're not you're not
selfish. Look at what you just did.
(SIGHS)
- Look at what you just did. (SOBS)
- (SIGHS)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
What happens now?