- Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: Are you really an army sergeant?
- Sgt. Ernst: Regular army - no. I am too old, too fat! Home guard. We are patrolling the border so then the young, strong, and handsome men can go to Russia and freeze to death. Wonderful system, huh?
- [Laughs]
- Maj. Walter Gerber: But it was a foolish thing, Anna. The cyanide, I mean. That was clumsy; intentionally clumsy. I think down deep you wanted to be caught.
- Anna Hedler, Nurse: Why?
- Maj. Walter Gerber: Guilt cries out for punishment. Punishment is a specific cure for a feverish conscience.
- Anna Hedler, Nurse: Is that the only cure?
- Maj. Walter Gerber: No. Very often understanding and forgiveness can produce the same result. I hope you find it.
- Anna Hedler, Nurse: A man's arms are welcome and comforting to most women. But not to me. At Ravensbrück, I was used by the officers - by the soldiers - by the guards. At first it was vile and horrifying. Then after a time it became worse. It became nothing. I didn't scream, fight, or cry any more. I haven't cried since.
- Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: I'm sorry for you. To love takes tears. I hope someday you'll be able to cry again.
- Sgt. Ernst: [to Pike and Anna] Now I take you to my house, and I give you something that smells like coffee but tastes like hell!
- Sgt. Ernst: [Taking to Pike and Anna] Oh, you think I'm not loyal to the Fuhrer? But I am. He's a great man.Whatever he tells me to do, I do. He sends messages to the home guard. He says
- [speaking in Hitler's clipped diction]
- Sgt. Ernst: ; 'if the enemy puts a foot on German soil - it is your duty to drive them out'. You are the enemy . I can not 'drive you out' - I have no car. So - I make you walk out
- [heartily laughs]
- Sgt. Ernst: Heil Hitler!
- Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: I know this is a strange question for a man to ask his wife, but... what's your name?
- Anna Hedler, Nurse: Anna... Anna Hedler Pike.
- Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: [Maj. Pike, Col. MacLean and Gen. Allison are debating the likelihood of the Nazis expecting the Allied invasion] "Time" magazine predicts it's going to be the first week of June. You know something, I have a hunch that, uh, German intelligence is almost as smart.
- Maj. Walter Gerber: I think deep down you wanted to be caught.
- Anna Hedler, Nurse: Why?
- Maj. Walter Gerber: Guilt cries out for punishment - punishment as a specific cure for a feverish conscience.
- Otto Schack: [to Gerber] Take my advice; don't try to be a leader. I have discovered it's much safer to be a follower.
- Sgt. Ernst: [Pike and Anna are asleep in Else's basement, when a torch light shines on their faces and wakes them. Standing there - in an ill-fitting uniform is Ernst]
- [link=nm0052308]
- Sgt. Ernst: . Though Ernst seems OK, something about him is updating Pike] Something wrong?
- Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: [Speaking softly] Well, nothing, it's
- [clears his throat]
- Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: ... it's just your uniform. Y-you really an army sargent?
- Sgt. Ernst: Regular army, no.
- [Dejected-sounding]
- Sgt. Ernst: I'm to old. Too fat. 'Home guard'.
- [Happy-sounding]
- Sgt. Ernst: We are patrolling the borders so that the young, strong, and handsome men can go to Russia and freeze to death.
- Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: Over 300,000 men waiting for us in the wrong place, and you're worried?
- Col. Peter MacLean: Well, this business is very much like marriage, Jeff. When things are going along too smoothly, you can't help but be a bit suspicious.
- Otto Schack: Do you really believe this scheme of yours will succeed?
- Maj. Walter Gerber: I'll stake my reputation on it!
- Otto Schack: Oh, you'll stake more than your reputation, doctor, much more!
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