A Small Light (2023) s01e04 Episode Script

1
We are going into
hiding. When we get there,
I will need your help
getting food and medicine.
This is a hiding place.
You have to be quiet.
You can't walk or talk
or make any noise at all.
- TESS: How's Mr. Frank?
- He's fine.
I hear they're cracking down
on the Jews. That must be scary.
Could you spare a few more? A
little bit more meat on it perhaps.
SALESWOMAN: Here, a little extra
cheese for your poor mother.
How are we going to
keep getting more food?
- SOLDIER: Do you know these children?
- MAX: Who brought the kids here?
MRS. STOPPELMAN: Some SS man. He
dropped them off with Miep and Jan
and said they'd better not
be here when he gets back.
Do this for me, and I will
help you with your kids.
FRIEDA: It's apartment 214.
They left it in a chest of drawers.
- WILLEM: A packet of important papers.
- JAN: A packet of papers!
Why the hell didn't you tell me?
What what if I just left it there?
MRS. STOPPELMAN: (SOBS) And
they're taking my grandbabies?
JAN: They have to go tonight.
Miep and I will take them.
("JINGLE BELLS" PLAYING OVER RADIO)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Sinterklaas gifts?
- Yes, yes. For my nieces and nephews.
- MRS. REDDY: My favorite time of year.
- Hmm.
- Not yours?
- Oh, it's just hard this year, isn't it?
But, uh, when I was
little, I loved it so much.
I used to put my shoes
out the night before,
wake up in the morning early,
and rush outside to see
what Sinterklaas had got me.
- To be honest, I still do it, actually.
- (CHUCKLES) Does he leave you anything?
- Yes. Love notes.
- (MRS. REDDY GASPS)
- But they're from my husband.
- (MRS. REDDY CHUCKLES)
See, even in a hard year,
we find a way to celebrate.
Yeah.
Oh, I'm a bit I'm a bit short,
but I have some
some money at my work.
Um, would you mind holding on
to these for me for a second?
Um, I'll just be right back.
I'll just pop to the office.
MRS. REDDY: Of course.
(FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
Oh, no.
No, no, no. (GASPS) Oh, my God.
(KEYS JINGLING)
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Please be there.
Hello? Mr. Frank?
- (KEYS JINGLING)
- (PANTS)
What
Please be all right. Where
Oh, no. No, no.
Mr. Frank?
Oh, my God, where are they? Hello?
(PANTING)
Miep! (GASPS, SOBS)
- Oh, my God.
- ANNE: These men broke in last night.
I heard everything
from the office kitchen.
The vent goes straight up to my room.
They tried to get in here.
They kept shaking the doorknob.
Thank God the door was locked.
And thank goodness you
came in. And it's Sunday.
The offices have been
completely ransacked.
- I think the money's probably gone.
- All the money's gone? No.
- AUGUSTE: Oh, no. Not that money.
- Yeah.
- ANNE: Wait, what money?
- EDITH: Nothing. It's fine.
It's for our Hanukkah gifts.
- Hanukkah?
- Margot.
- Well, I have ears, I hear things.
- What does she mean by Hanukkah?
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Hanukkah? You're worried about Hanukkah?
I was told this place was
safe. A fortress, you all said.
Mr. Pfeffer, I think
everybody's had enough.
- It's "Doctor Pfeffer," Mrs. Frank!
- Yeah.
I may have lost everything else,
but I must insist you
leave me that at least.
Yeah.
FRITZ: The only thing that
prevented us from being discovered
was that the thieves lacked the
initiative to open a locked door!
And for that matter, why
are we all so confident
that they were thieves at all? They
could have been searching for Jews.
- Doctor, please.
- A fortress. (SCOFFS)
I I believed you.
Yes, and we welcomed you.
Please don't repay our kindness
- by causing distress to our children, huh?
- Your children. Yes. Well (SIGHS)
my child is living in
England with my brother,
having forgotten me by now,
and my Lotte is probably
about to forget me too.
She is all I have left. If
if I'm not safe here, I may as
well go and be with her, hmm?
- Where are you going?
- Dr. Pfeffer.
FRITZ: Packing my
things. I'm going home.
- ALL: No, no, no, no, no.
- OTTO: That's not possible.
- Try to stop me.
- It's not safe. If you talk to
I won't talk.
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
- EDITH: Miep, Miep, Miep!
Quiet!
Please, sit down.
No one is going anywhere. But
you make a good point, Doctor.
Perhaps our hiding
place is not so secret.
It's just a door. Anyone can
open it. We need to fix that.
Mm-hmm.
Ah, perhaps this
misfortune has befallen us
to prevent something
worse happening later.
Leave it to a Jew to turn
a tragedy into a blessing.
- (CHUCKLING)
- Hmm.
(MIEP GROANS)
Not just the money for
the gifts, but the envelope
where I keep the ration
books. They've cleared us out.
It'll be okay.
How? How? They're not
gonna have any food!
Could be a whole lot worse.
Can you imagine if some well-meaning
neighbor called the police?
Don't you do that too.
- Do what?
- Can I not just be angry
- before I look on the bright side?
- (DOOR CLOSING)
Got here as soon as
I could. How are they?
MIEP: They are resting.
They were up all night.
- (GRUNTS)
- Good God.
We need to do something
about the door to the annex.
I don't know. Cover it up or
And I don't know what
we're gonna do about Pfeffer.
- What's wrong with Pfeffer?
- He's really, really struggling.
And I didn't know he had a
child. How did I not know that?
I always commiserate with
Anne when he's short with her.
I think, "He's just a big bully
who doesn't understand children."
But he does. He has a son.
He's sad and he's lonely,
and I never, ever offer him a kind word.
- Miep, this isn't your fault.
- (SHOUTS) I know it's not my fault!
It's the Nazis' fault, but
I can't shout at them, can I?
(SIGHS) Oh, dear.
- Feel better?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, yeah. (SIGHS) It
felt really good, actually.
I'm I'm really sorry, Mr. Kugler.
Right.
(SMACKS LIPS) Well, okay then.
I can repair the front door.
Kleiman will be here soon. The
two of us will spend the night
in case the thieves return.
No sense in all of us
being here. You two can go.
Was this because I shouted at you?
- Already forgotten.
- MIEP: Are you sure it's okay if we go?
Absolutely.
Now, go.
Enjoy your day off. I
will protect our friends.
MIEP: (GRUNTS) Well
we have a day now.
(SIGHS) I don't remember what we
used to do on a Sunday, do you?
That's because we used
to do absolutely nothing.
Well, then, let's do that.
You said you had some shopping to
do. I've agreed to meet my brother.
Well, you saw him last week.
Yes, I know. I He's he's
got some difficulties at work.
(SCOFFS) Well, he makes cheese.
How difficult can that be?
- You'd be surprised.
- (CHUCKLES) I'll come with you.
I'm quite good at helping people
through their difficulties, aren't I?
- You hate my brother.
- I don't hate him.
You do. You call him
the "Chairman of Cheese."
Well, because all he
talks about is cheese.
I mean, the history of cheese,
the texture of cheese,
the perfect temperature
at which to store cheese.
I'm not a saint, Jan.
Go home. I'll be quick.
- Well, I'll be waiting in bed.
- Mm?
- I'll be very quick.
- (MIEP CHUCKLES)
Bye.
- (DOOR CLOSING)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (BELL TOLLING)
FATHER DIRKSEN: You know, friends,
I think it's safe to say that this year,
many of us are not experiencing the joy
that the advent season
typically provides.
And with air raid wardens
enforcing black-out rules
compelling us to snuff out the
light even in our own homes
one does not have to
reach far for the metaphor.
These are dangerous times
to be bearers of light.
(DOOR KNOCKING)
Miep!
Oh, my God, what's wrong?
Jan said that he was
going to see his brother,
but he went in the wrong
direction, so I followed him and
- The bastard. Is he cheating?
- No, no! It's worse than that.
He's going to church.
- (TESS LAUGHING)
- It's not funny.
- Oh, come on!
- Your husband pops into church
and you're acting like
it's the end of the world.
- It's hilarious.
- MIEP: He's not religious.
I think he is now.
But I'm not religious.
My family's not religious.
TESS: They're a bunch of socialists,
which is a religion if you ask me.
- It's a cult.
- MIEP: It's a cult that I love,
and that I thought Jan did as well.
- DORA: I thought I heard your voice.
- TESS: (CHUCKLES) Hi!
- (CHUCKLES) How are you, my love?
- Well, she's terrible
because her husband's
having an affair with Jesus.
No, shut up! Don't listen to
her. No, I'm fine. It's just,
my husband's been sneaking off to
church, and it's made me feel weird.
You've got yourself a churchy
one? That can be a good thing.
I wouldn't know, of course.
I always pick cheaters.
- Tess's father, don't get me started.
- No, we won't. Come on, you.
But he did give me this
little angel, didn't he?
TESS: (CHUCKLES) Ah, I
know what you're like.
All right. Well, I'll
give you some privacy.
- Don't be a stranger, Miep.
- I won't. Lovely to see you.
TESS: Bye.
How is she doing?
Uh, well, she's the same.
Yeah.
(BELL JINGLES)
The radiotherapy is not working.
(SIGHS)
Daniel says that he's heard of some
German doctor who's using chemicals,
so, I don't know.
We're looking into that.
I'm sorry I haven't been around much.
Can't blame you. My mom is dying.
It's pretty depressing.
I know some days I don't
even wanna be here. (INHALES)
Does that make me terrible?
No.
TESS: I think it does.
Maybe I should go to church with Jan.
Why didn't he tell me?
He lied.
Because you're judgy.
- No, I'm not.
- Yes, you are.
- I feel judged sometimes.
- By me?
Yes. I mean, you've got a job.
- You've got money.
- Not much.
Yeah, but you're self-reliant. I
mean, I don't have a job right now.
I'm not judging you.
Well (INHALES)
fine, maybe I'm judging me.
- You have a lot.
- TESS: I have a boyfriend.
You're going to study fashion in Paris.
- Do you really think that'll happen?
- MIEP: Yeah, I do.
- Soon as the war's over.
- Oh, God. The war.
I hate the war.
(BLOWS RASPBERRIES)
- I've just had a really good idea.
- MIEP: What?
Well, we need a break from the war,
and from cancer,
and from lying husbands.
Let's have an ice-skating party.
- Ice skating?
- TESS: Yeah, like the one we had
when we were at school. Do
you remember? It was fantastic.
The canals aren't frozen over.
Oh, we'll we'll have it
at Daniel's parents' house,
and I'll get the gardeners
to hose down the courtyard,
- and we'll make it into an ice rink.
- (SCOFFS)
"I'll get the gardeners
to hose down the courtyard.
- "And we'll make"
- Oh, come on. Miss Judgy.
- Here she is. Told you.
- Sorry, sorry. (CHUCKLES)
(BELL TOLLING)
JAN: Our group is
grateful for all your help.
Well, to be honest, I'm
not sure I am helping.
She's been so distraught lately.
Crying, and talking
about wanting to die.
If people hear her, the
wrong kind of people
we could all be held
responsible for hiding Jews.
My whole congregation would be at risk.
JAN: That's why I'm here.
Hopefully, this will calm her down.
I tell myself
I'm trying to keep her
alive, but at what cost?
FATHER DIRKSEN: It's all right.
He's a friend.
Hello.
My name is Jan.
I've got a photograph. Your son.
I got there late and it was getting
dark, but I did the best I could.
- (SOBS) There he is.
- Hmm.
ISAAC: That face. That
smile. That's our boy.
He's he's not that tall.
He's grown. It's been
eight months. It's him.
That's not him.
I took that photo myself two days
ago. Believe me, it's your son.
Where is he?
I can't tell you, for his protection.
I'm his mother and I
can't know where he is?
- I am his mother!
- Maya, be be calm.
Calm? I let you talk
me into giving him up.
And now, I just wanna see him and
I can't. I don't see my little boy.
- I see a stranger!
- Maya.
- I want to see my boy!
- Maya! Maya!
- Let me see my baby!
- Maya!
- Be quiet, please.
- Maya. Quiet! Quiet.
(MAYA SOBS)
(ISAAC SHUSHING)
- Hey, listen, I know.
- MAYA: (SOBS) I miss our baby.
(SOFTLY) I know. I know, okay? I know.
I thought this would work.
So did I.
- JAN: Hello. Smells good.
- Oh, I'm making cod.
JAN: Mmm.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO)
- Mrs. Stoppelman
- She's gone out.
(SNIFFLES, EXHALES) I'm
going to have a bath.
I won't be long.
Do you find me judgmental?
- Uh I don't know. Should I?
- Tess does.
- Tess? Does she?
- Hmm.
Yeah, I, um went
to her house today
while you were at church.
I followed you. And you didn't
go to your brother's house.
- You followed me?
- MIEP: I thought you were having an affair.
You thought I was having an affair?
Now, you're just repeating
everything I'm saying.
I'm not having an affair.
But rather than spending the
day with me, you went to church.
- Miep
- And lied about it.
What what else are you lying about?
And is it 'cause you
think I'll judge you?
No. No, no. No (STAMMERS)
No, I'm sorry, okay? I
shouldn't I shouldn't have lied.
Why did you go to church?
(EXHALES)
I'm trying to feel like
my life is meaningful.
Am I not meaningful?
- Is our marriage not meaningful?
- Of course, it is.
You know, I keep thinking
about your first marriage
and how you changed and grew apart.
Miep, no, that that's
completely different.
- Hmm?
- JAN: We're good, we're great.
I just went to church.
I'm sorry I lied.
(DOOR CLOSING)
(MUSIC FADES)
I wish we could just
get rid of the door.
Oh! What do you mean, just
wall them in or something?
No, no. Cover it up with
a a fake wall or something?
And how do you propose we do that?
Miep, someone's here for you.
She wouldn't say what it was about.
Lotte! Everybody, this is this
is my friend, Carlotta, Lotte.
Uh, she's engaged to my dentist.
You've heard me mention Dr. Pfeffer.
- Oh. Hello.
- Nice to meet you, Lotte.
- Hello.
- CARLOTTA: Hello.
Miep, I'm sorry to drop by,
but I have something for you.
- Happy Sinterklaas.
- Oh!
Oh! Uh, wow! Thank you so
much. You shouldn't have.
Could I speak to you privately?
Of course. Let's take
this into the kitchen.
- Follow me.
- CARLOTTA: Okay.
I'm sorry for surprising you like
this, but the basket is for Fritz.
- I thought so.
- It's for Hanukkah.
Just in case you were going to visit
him in the country any time soon.
Are you?
I am, actually.
Uh, I don't suppose you
could take me with you?
- (SIGHS)
- (CHUCKLES) Yeah.
Uh, I'm joking, of course. It's just
going to be a very lonely holiday.
I just need to check on something,
Lotte. I I'll be right back.
Oh, no. I'm disturbing you in
the middle of your work day.
- MIEP: No, no, no!
- I'll go.
Don't be silly. Sit down. Stay there.
ANNE: Do a cross there.
(WHISPERS) Don't, it's fine, it's fine.
Dr. Pfeffer, I have a surprise for you.
Just wait there.
(DOOR CLOSING)
MIEP: Sorry about that, Lotte.
So, show me what you brought him.
CARLOTTA: Mm, Well, it's all
very sentimental. (CHUCKLES)
This is the marmalade he likes.
Macaroons
and chocolate babka.
(CHUCKLES) I made it.
(CHUCKLES)
We had smoked herring on our first date.
And we were walking by a street
vendor and Fritz turned and said,
"I hope you like herring.
Because if you do,
- you're the woman of my dreams."
- "Then you're the woman of my dreams."
MIEP: And, um,
is there anything you'd like me
to say to him when I see him?
CARLOTTA: Um, that I love him.
And, uh,
tell him that I'm being very
strong, just like he told me to be.
And just urge him to stay strong.
- We'll be together again soon.
- (SOBS)
FRITZ: You don't know what
a gift you have given me.
- She's lovely.
- Yes.
Yes, she is.
- I want some chocolate babka.
- Anne.
(CHUCKLES)
- So do I.
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
- Kalverstraat.
- (CHUCKLES) Pay up!
(MIEP CHUCKLES)
Well, I guess if I'm gonna be a
writer, I should be used to being poor.
- Or maybe you'll be a big success.
- ANNE: Mm.
Oh! A full house! (CHUCKLES)
If you're looking for the basket,
it's still at the end of his bed.
No. (CHUCKLES, SIGHS)
There it is.
- He's taunting us with it. Rude.
- Be nice.
Well, tell him to be nice.
We have nothing for Hanukkah.
We have each other.
Do you do that just to annoy me?
- Do what?
- "We have each other."
Yes, we do, but it would
be nice to have a macaroon.
(ALL CHUCKLE)
- Oh, hello, everyone.
- It's at the end of the bed.
- Oh, what? Still?
- At least Miep's plan is working.
Pfeffer's not talking
about leaving anymore.
Ah Bup, bup! "It's Dr.
Pfeffer if you please."
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
- HERMANN: Peter.
I'm sorry. I really wanted
to make Hanukkah special.
I know. We can have a special
guest! Miep, you can come.
- HERMANN: Oh, yeah.
- Yes.
- Yeah. Come to Hanukkah tomorrow.
- Yeah, please.
- Margot can sing! Please, please, please.
- MIEP: That sounds like the best invitation ever
but I can't. I have to go
to this party thing tomorrow.
Mm. Party.
- What kind of party?
- Yeah, what kind of party?
Oh, It it's nothing. Just my
friend, Tess and I are throwing
this little skating party.
- (ALL) Oh!
- Oh! I really miss skating.
- And parties.
- And friends. (CHUCKLES)
So, I invited everyone and they've
all said they're coming. So
- Excellent. Excellent. Um, Kat?
- (SHRIEKS) Yes!
Kat? Kat doesn't come
to parties anymore.
- Kat's a broodmare.
- (CHUCKLES)
TESS: Popping out children
at the speed of light.
Uh, Sofia?
TESS: Uh, no. Sofia and I
had a bit of a falling out.
- What? Over what?
- That I called Kat a "broodmare."
- Tess, they're sisters.
- TESS: Yeah, I know. I just forgot.
Look, can you stop worrying
about the guest list, please?
I need to tell you about decorations
- and catering, and
- MIEP: Catering?
Yes, catering.
- Stop with the little asides as well.
- (CHUCKLES)
Presents Ah, here.
- Now I've got you something.
- No! We said we weren't gonna do gifts
- 'cause of the war.
- I know, but I've changed my mind.
(INHALES) Look,
I'm gonna say something,
and you're not allowed to laugh, okay?
'Cause if if you laugh
then I'll get embarrassed,
then I'll laugh, and then I'll
sneeze, and then I'll
start to cry. It's very
And you make a really
ugly face when you cry.
- (CHUCKLES)
- TESS: Stop! Okay. (EXHALES)
When I first met you, you
were this scrawny thing,
fresh off the train from Vienna.
And I was this girl with
no father and no friends.
But together we managed to
make the world less lonely.
And when you popped by the other day,
I realized how much I've missed you.
My best friend.
Who's no longer scrawny and weird.
- (CHUCKLES)
- (CHUCKLES, SNIFFLES)
You've transformed into
something incredible.
You're like a beautiful butterfly.
- So, open it.
- (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- Wow, butterflies?
- Sapphires.
And the chain is real gold.
My god
Look, you deserve it. So don't give
me any of your normal nonsense, okay?
- Beautiful.
- Here, let me.
Come on.
- How how did you afford this?
- (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Well, I have a rich and very
generous boyfriend. (CHUCKLES)
So pretty, I might sleep in it.
I should wear it as much as I
can before I have to sell it.
I I do have to sell it, right?
And it is (GROANS) It's the
prettiest thing I've ever owned.
It's not like I bought
it. It was a gift.
And meanwhile, Anne Frank can't
afford one piece of Hanukkah candy.
No. I'm selling it. I'll
just wear it to the party,
so Tess can see me in it. And then
I'll sell it. That's fair, right?
What party?
- What? Tess's party. Our party. Tomorrow.
- Oh, God. I don't wanna go to a party.
What? It it'll be fun.
Will it? When half the country
is in hiding, starving, dying.
I don't think anyone should
be going to any parties.
Do you feel guilty being out when
our friends are hidden inside?
(SNIFFLES) Don't you?
Is that why you're going to
church? To deal with your guilt?
Yeah, maybe.
Oh, I forgot to tell you. I'm a
genius. I fixed the Pfeffer problem.
Lotte came around. I
took her into the kitchen
so that he could hear her voice.
- Her voice?
- Through the vent.
And hearing it just calmed him.
- That could work.
- It did work.
I mean, he thanked me about
ten times. Stopped scowling.
- (CHUCKLES)
- That's no, that's perfect.
- You are a genius!
- (CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
All right. You need to be
very, very quiet for his safety.
MAYA: Yes.
ISAAC: Maya?
JAN: Okay.
Come on.
She said she can't stay long.
She's she's going to bring a ball.
He likes to play catch.
He looks good. He
looks he looks healthy.
(BABY NATHAN CRIES)
- He's crying. He doesn't like her.
- No, he's just
just cold. He's just cold.
Nathan. Nathan!
- Hey, hey, hey. Hey!
- MAYA: Nathan!
(PANTS)
ISSAC: Maya, stop!
- No, no!
- Shh.
Please let me see my son!
No! No! Nathan! Nathan!
No! (WAILING)
- MIEP: Bep, what is it?
- It's a surprise!
- MIEP: Oh, my goodness!
- BEP: Isn't it incredible?
Now, watch this.
(WHISTLES)
(CHUCKLES)
- MIEP: Wow!
- Welcome to the safest place in Amsterdam.
(GASPS)
Miep, you're back! Have you
brought us a Hanukkah miracle?
Well, it's a miracle
considering the circumstances
that I got you some turnips
and a pound of cheese.
Mm. Otto would say we should
be grateful for what we have,
- so, I will appeal to my better nature.
- (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Come, lazy little lady,
help me make dinner.
- Miep has to get ready for her party.
- MIEP: I'm already ready.
You're not going in that?
- Yeah?
- Absolutely not.
(ANNE GIGGLES)
- Well, yeah. You look elegant in this.
- ANNE: Yeah.
- I mean, you'll stand out.
- AUGUSTE: And no coat.
What? No, it's it's gonna be outside.
It's really cold. It's a skating party.
I don't care. You aren't going to
cover that gorgeous dress of Edith's
- with a heavy wool coat. Can you imagine?
- (ANNE CHUCKLES)
Well, unless she wears a short cape.
I don't know how you can even ask that.
Well, it it would go
perfectly with the dress.
You're not taking that cape.
My grandmother gave it to me.
(SNIGGERS)
EDITH: I mean, she's wearing the
dress I wore to the opera ball.
- And the fabric's from Paris.
- W what? No, this is way too nice.
- I'm not wearing this.
- You're wearing it.
- No, no, no, Mrs. Frank, I really
- No. You can't argue with her
when she has that face. You won't win.
Yeah. You're wearing that dress
to the party. It's so gorgeous.
- All right. All right.
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
- Oh.
- Oh, no.
- She can't wear that.
- Anne, darling, go in the trunk,
under my bed and get the cape.
- Okay.
- EDITH: Looks hideous. Take it off.
- Oh.
- AUGUSTE: Yes, it doesn't work. No, no,
- no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
- Okay.
- (GIGGLES)
- Disaster.
What? This is my best friend. She
knows every stitch of clothing I own.
What am I gonna tell her?
- Well, you'll have to lie.
- (CHUCKLES)
Just just say it's cheap
stuff, but it looks pricey.
No, but I'm so bored of
lying to her. I hate it.
- I'll lie to her.
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
(SIGHS)
Every time I imagine beyond these rooms,
our normal lives, and that's every day.
When I picture seeing people
in public (BREATHES DEEPLY)
hugging my girlfriends,
eating a meal in a
restaurant, mailing a letter
I am wearing that cape.
When life is normal,
I am wearing that cape.
Wear that cape for me tonight, Miep.
Take the girl out into the
world. (CHUCKLES, BREATHES DEEPLY)
MIEP: Thank you.
MIEP: There you are.
So this is the place.
- Now I know what she sees in this guy.
- MIEP: I thought you weren't coming.
- JAN: I didn't know that was an option.
- MIEP: Oh.
You know what? It is. Just go home.
- JAN: I'm sorry. I know you want this
- MIEP: No, I'm serious.
- Just go. No, I need
- JAN: to be fun but
this to be fun.
I need to remember what
Tess and I were like
before life was just one long
list of things to worry about.
I need to remember
what you and I were like
because I have no idea anymore.
I just wanna go in there, and
for one night, just forget all
all this is going on.
And I know that's selfish.
I know it is. But I just need to
remember that things were good,
so I can believe that they'll
be good when this is all over.
And you can't. And it's fine, honestly.
I don't care. I don't mind. Just
(SIGHS) just go
home so I can have fun.
No.
You look beautiful.
I know.
Thank you.
(SWING MUSIC PLAYING)
- (DOORBELL RINGS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- MIEP: Oh, my God!
- JAN: Wow!
TESS: Miep.
- (SHRIEKS, CHUCKLES) Hi.
- (CHUCKLES) Hi!
Oh, my gosh! Hi. So
good to see you both.
- Tess, this party is
- Isn't it just?
Look at you. You look adorable.
- Is this is this swan feather?
- It's gorgeous, isn't it?
It was it was my
Mom's. Here, do you mind?
- And this.
- Come on. I'm so excited.
- Wow! I mean, this is
- I'll get the drinks, darling.
- insane.
- Isn't it just?
Did you ever imagine
it would be like this?
- I mean, it's absolutely incredible.
- Isn't it?
- Where's where's the skating, though?
- Oh, it's all set up outside.
I mean, the girls aren't that
into it at the minute. But I'm sure
- they will be now that you're here. Yes.
- Who are the girls?
The girls. They can't wait to
meet you. Where are they?
There! Let's go.
(SHRIEKS) Elke, Halle, this is Miep.
- Hello.
- Hi!
My best friend since forever
and kind of the inspiration
- for this party.
- No. Well, I don't know about that.
But it is our thing, we started
it when we were in school.
I love your necklace.
Are those butterflies?
- Where did you get it?
- Oh, actually,
it was a gift from this one here.
Tess, I hate you. Your
taste is so perfect.
- Oh, stop.
- Tess says you make jam.
Oh! Um. I sell it. And it's not jam.
It's pectin, which is what
you use to thicken jam.
HALLE: I love jam.
Really? That's great. That's Yeah.
Um, Tess, where
where where is everyone?
- Where are all the old
- Oh, yeah. I told you Kat was a no.
Yeah, but Helen, Leni? I mean,
I don't recognize anyone here.
You still speak to Helen and Leni?
Two champagnes, please.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHING)
- Seriously?
- Really? (CHUCKLES)
And, uh, a large scotch. Thank you.
You know, um, it it's
actually not that complicated
to reconfigure a plant.
Um, we like to think that
these these personnel trucks,
they're kind of just delivery trucks.
But, um, these these tank
contracts they were talking about
Gies, you made it!
- Nice to see you make an effort.
- (CHUCKLES)
DANIEL: Thank you very much.
- Yeah, sorry. Uh. This is, uh, Peter.
- PETER: Pleased to meet you.
DANIEL: Uh you should
come meet everyone.
- Yes, I'll I'll be right over.
- All right.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MUSIC FADES)
- Jan! Come and skate with me!
- Miep!
- It's so nice.
- Miep! We're leaving.
What? What happened?
Your friends are Nazis,
that's what happened.
- Jesus, Jan.
- JAN: Miep,
Daniel is NSB, and all
his friends are too.
Why would you say that?
He's wearing the damn pin. Come
on, you can see for yourself.
- What?
- JAN: Come on!
Let's get these off.
(SWING MUSIC PLAYING)
- MAN 1: Well, I am.
- MAN 2: He's not with anyone.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
I'll grab the coats.
(TESS CHUCKLING)
- Tess?
- Hi. Have you met?
Is Daniel in the NSB?
- What?
- He's wearing an NSB pin.
Uh. S Miep, um Sorry,
excuse us just for a second.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- What are you doing?
- Is he in the NSB? Just tell me.
Look, he wears a pin, okay?
But it it's it's for
show. It's for business, okay?
Everyone is doing business with
- Tess, no!
- Not now, Miep. Please, don't do this.
Is everything okay?
Tess tells me you're doing
business with the Nazis now?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Well, my father
has an auto parts business, so, yeah.
- We have some contracts.
- What? With the people
who are tearing apart our country,
relocating Jewish people, killing them?
- (DANIEL GRUNTS SOFTLY)
- Oh, for God's sake, Miep.
Gies, how much has
your girl had to drink?
Not nearly enough. You know,
- it doesn't surprise me.
- JAN: Miep, stop, stop.
- MIEP: You should be ashamed of yourself.
- JAN: Miep, stop.
- And you! How can you
- Miep. (SHUSHES) Stop, stop.
Go outside.
I am so sorry about that. (CHUCKLES)
You know what she's like.
Get a few drinks in her,
she'll jump on her high
horse, trample over everyone.
Thank you for a
fantastic evening, really.
It's been wonderful.
And I'm sorry again.
No, no, no. You get a
drink on your way out.
- (CHUCKLES) Thank you.
- DANIEL: Try and have some fun.
Miep.
(MUSIC FADES)
What the hell was that?
Don't talk to me like that.
- You don't apologize for me
- Listen to me, listen to me. Listen to me.
They're Nazis.
We're surrounded in there.
I think we're the only
people who aren't.
You're gonna get yourself arrested.
And that's not gonna be good for us,
and it's not gonna be
good for our friends.
We have to choose when we fight
them. We don't let them choose for us.
Okay?
Let's get out of here.
- JAN: What's this?
- Magic. (GIGGLES)
(WHISTLES)
- (CHUCKLES) You came!
- (MIEP CHUCKLES)
HERMANN: In lighting this
candle, we are connecting
to thousands of years
of bravery and survival.
Just as our ancestors, the Maccabees,
rebelled against the Greeks,
we are rebelling in our own
way, right now, in this annex.
Because despite their
attempts to get rid of us,
Mr. Hitler, his army of godless
officers, even the intruders
who shattered our feelings
of security the other night,
we're here (CHUCKLES)
living and celebrating that life,
right under their noses,
with friends who risk their
lives every day to protect us.
So, on this first night of Hanukkah,
and for all the other
nights that will follow,
we celebrate the
courage and resilience
of our ancestors, and of ours.
(CHANTING IN HEBREW)
(OTTO CLEARS THROAT, SWALLOWS)
not a religious man.
I've heard this story
many times before, but
normally I don't listen.
Normally, I'm
I'm too busy thinking about
the food we're going to eat
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
- once the story is over.
But today, I listened.
And it gave me great comfort, so
thank you, Hermann,
for reminding us that
all these stories from the past are
showing us how to look forward
to give us some hope. And I'm
very grateful to all of you
for being part of my story and for
giving me something to hope for.
Yishar koach!
Normally, this is when we
would have some treats, but
(ALL CHUCKLE)
Well, firstly, Mrs. Van Pels, thank you.
There was so much food at the party.
So
- You didn't.
- there you go. (CHUCKLES)
(EXCITEDLY) Oh, my
God! You brought cake.
- MARGOT: (CHUCKLES) And cookies.
- PETER: Jelly roll.
- JAN: That's not all.
- AUGUSTE: (GASPS) Champagne! (CHUCKLES)
- How was the party? Was it good?
- Oh, no.
- It was terrible.
- Yep. (CHUCKLES)
FRITZ: Excuse me.
Anne has made it very clear
to me with longing looks
and heavy sighs, and some
not so subtle comments
(ALL CHUCKLE)
that I've been selfish
in not sharing my basket.
Forgive me, my friends.
I needed a little time.
I would be honored if you
would share this gift with me.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) We would be
very, very honored to eat it all.
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
- OTTO: Fritz.
Where did you get this necklace?
Oh, this. Uh. This is just
something I was going to pawn.
- It was a gift from a friend.
- Who? Who gave this to you?
M my best friend,
Tess. Why? What's going on?
Is she Jewish?
N no no, she's not. W why?
May I see it, please?
Yeah.
Mr. Frank, why? Um, you're scaring me.
My mother's friend had
one during the inquisition
when Jews had to convert to
Christianity or be killed.
The women wore them as a kind of secret.
When it's open, it's a
string of butterflies,
but when you close it
I'm sorry, Miep, but this
was not your friend's to give.
Oh! Um,
- she she definitely wouldn't have
- It was likely stolen.
How well do you know this friend?
- JAN: Miep, stop.
- No, no. I don't I don't want it.
I don't want to have it.
I don't want to touch it. Mr.
Frank must think I'm a monster.
- JAN: He doesn't think you're a monster.
- Do you think Tess knows?
- Do you think she knows where Daniel got it?
- Of course she does.
God. I don't know anyone anymore.
- (JAN CHUCKLES)
- I don't even know you.
- Yes, you do.
- No! And you go to church.
And you talk to God or a priest.
You know, I want you to talk to me.
- I wanna be enough.
- I'm not going to church.
I'm doing what you're doing.
- What are you talking about?
- You said yes to Mr. Frank.
I said yes, too.
- What? Wait, you're hiding people?
- I'm doing things, okay?
I'm I'm helping. I I
can't tell you more than that.
- Jan, no. We said no more.
- No, no.
Were you not paying attention in there?
Those people have lost
everything and still, they resist.
And I have to resist, too.
I have to.
Wait, wait. No, no, no. Please, I
got some really important to tell you.
- Oh, really? What's that?
- I think you should stay.
- Yeah? (SMOOCHES)
- I do Please. No, no.
- (LOUDLY) No, please, no. Save me, no!
- (CHUCKLES)
Tess, the necklace you gave
me, where did you get it from?
- What? Why?
- MIEP: Just answer me.
You're being weird and dramatic,
- and I am tired.
- Answer me!
Well, someone Daniel
knows was selling jewelry.
- It was stolen from a Jew.
- What?
The Nazis are stealing from Jews.
- Oh, my God, Miep. It's so late.
- They're killing people!
- Daniel isn't killing people.
- MIEP: He's not a good person, Tess.
He's not. He's doing business with them.
He's not bothered
by what they're doing!
How would you know? You haven't
even bothered to get to know him!
This is what we have to
do to get by now, Miep.
(SOBS) We have to do
business with the Nazis.
What are we supposed to do?
What?
"What are we supposed to do?"
Anything, Tess. These people are evil.
Come on, look at me.
You're a good person.
My mother is dying, Miep.
And when she's gone, I'll be all alone.
- Daniel is all I've got.
- You're wrong. You have me.
Do I? Because you're not around anymore.
Tess, leave him. Leave
him. Please, please.
I'm just one person, Miep.
My leaving Daniel isn't
gonna stop the war.
- It's not gonna change anything.
- It will change you!
It will remind you what is right.
And what are you doing to
help besides judging me?
You know what? I just want
you to go. Please, just leave.
- Tess, please.
- Please, Miep, just go. (SOBS)
You know
one day, this war is going to end.
Then you're gonna have
to live with yourself.
(DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)
JAN: (SIGHS) You think you could
help? Keep it safe, somehow.
I can get it to those who can.
(SIGHS)
There are people holding
on to things like this
for the ones who come back.
Are you all right?
What are we doing exactly?
We're hiding people
and and then what?
We have to tell them to buck up.
"It'll be okay. Just wait it out."
- We do more than that.
- We're not doing enough.
We have to hide too.
We have to hide our allegiances.
We have to hide our hatred.
I can't hide much longer.
I'm going to explode.
In my experience,
when you feel like that,
there's only one thing you can do.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
More.
Rifles
- pistols, grenades.
- JAN: What are we gonna do?
We're gonna start a fire.
(TENSE MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
Our love is a dream
but in my reverie ♪
I can see that this
love was meant for me ♪
Only a poor fool ♪
Never schooled in the whirlpool ♪
Of romance could be so cruel ♪
As you are to me ♪
My dreams are as
worthless as tin to me ♪
Without you ♪
Life will never begin to be ♪
So love me as I love
you in my reverie ♪