The Juggler

Shalom. Welcome to Camp David the King.

I'm Rosenberg, the camp director.

If you have any complaints, anything we can do for you,

please come to me. We'll try our best.

Now, if you'll just follow me.

Well, it's not very much, but it's ours.

Only excuse is that we finished our war just three months ago.

Be happy you made it this far.

Now, come along, please.

No, Papa, I don't like this place.

Come on, Susy.

You promised me, no more camps!

Please move on.

But this one's different. We're in Israel. Come on.

I don't care, Papa! I don't want another camp!

And you promised!

How right you are, my darling.

Believe me, Susy, if we were running the world,

we'd never live in camps again.

But you know what grown-ups are.

They always make promises they can't keep.

In the first place, she's my child, so please butt out.

In the second place, I'm not responsible for this camp.

And they always say they're not responsible.

And don't teach me how to be a father.

Susy!

Please, Hans. It's hot enough without arguments.

I'm merely presenting this lovely young lady

with the facts of life. Bravo.

Now let her father carry on the job.

Hello. Are you married, huh?

No, stop that. That's no way to talk to a young lady.

Let's introduce ourselves properly.

- Oh. - Now,

your name is Julio Peppercorn?

- Yes. - And, uh, you're a little dummy?

Uh-huh.

- And your name is Hans. - That's right.

And you're a big dummy.

Maybe you've seen him, huh? Oh, please take a look.

My son from Warsaw. You seen him? No?

Oh, please take a look.

Have you seen my son, huh? No?

I beg your pardon.

Yes? Oh.

You from Germany?

Yes.

Those yours?

Yes.

How long have you been here?

Three months.

You ever in a concentration camp?

Dolly.

Dolly, I'm Hans.

Look. Don't you recognise me?

I'm afraid you are mistaken.

Dolly, I'm Hans. I'm your husband, Dolly.

Kathy.

Maria, I'm your father!

Please.

If you tell me a little more, perhaps I can help you.

You're lying to me.

- Look at me. Look. - Can I help you?

- Dolly, darling. - I don't know him.

Look at me.

Get away, or I'll...

Hans, what are you doing?

It's all right, officer. It's all right.

I'll take care of him.

Your Israel, full of policemen.

Come on, Hans, come on.

Willy, Dolly doesn't recognise me.

Your family's dead, I've told you.

You saw the certificate.

Yes, of course.

I don't know what came over me. I...

I apologise.

I regret that I caused you and your children...

All right, I'm going.

You're very fortunate.

My wife's hair was blonde.

Please, Hans, sit down.

Name?

Hans Muller. Ah?

You'll have to speak louder.

Hans Muller's my name!

A little softer, please. Place of birth?

Germany.

Munich. Beautiful city.

Occupation before the war?

You wouldn't believe me.

I'll believe anything.

I was a juggler.

What?

A juggler.

We need a juggler like a hole in the head.

What can you do besides throwing things

up in the air and catching them?

My dear sir, to say I throw things

up in the air and catch them is like saying

Shakespeare just wrote words.

Would you care to see my scrapbook--?

No, never mind.

Show it when you look for a job,

if there are any for jugglers.

I'm retired.

I haven't thrown up anything but bad food in 10 years.

Then what else can you do?

I can wash dishes, sweep barracks, clean toilets.

I can also smile while being beaten by fists, feet, straps,

and long lengths of rubber hoses.

I can be used as a guinea pig for new drugs and old poisons.

All of which we've learned

while guests of the Nazis, eh, Julio?

Any openings along these lines, huh?

My concentration camp number. One of the best.

It proves I'm very competent.

All right, Mr. Muller. It's all over now.

This will be the last such questioning.

It may be the most embarrassing.

But how can it possibly be the last?

Because now you're home.

Home?

Home, my dear fellow, is a place you lose.

Barracks 9, please.

Feeling all right?

Like a bell! Bong!

Last call for carpenters, masons,

electricians, plumbers, timekeepers.

Please report to the administration building.

They need carpenters, Hans.

I'll be right back.

Hello.

Hello, Susy.

What are you doing here?

I'm alone. My father's going for a job.

He's a plumber.

Yes, plumbing's very useful, Susy.

Hey, Dummy? Yes?

You see, he knows his name.

Now, you stop that.

Why don't you invite the lady in?

Would you like to come in?

Thank you.

All right. Unh.

Susy. You and I are going to have a party, huh?

Oh, goody! Julio too?

We don't want him.

Yes we do.

Oh, all right.

But I'm not dressed!

Say, that'll never do. Shall we dress him up?

Uh-huh. All right.

Just take one minute to dress him up.

Of course, my party clothes haven't arrived yet.

But we'll take care of Julio.

All right.

Now, that's beginning to look very...

Why, that's you!

Hey, baby, look at me.

You're a great juggler.

Ah!

Oh, no, he must be wonderful.

Yes, that's what they called him.

The Wonderful Hans. Now, quiet, Julio.

Hmm?

Yes. Heh.

I was on the stage, accompanied by

a 50-piece orchestra, playing "The Vienna Blood Waltz."

Was he terrible.

I don't believe it. Will you juggle for me?

No.

Please? No!

What I mean, Susy... I don't anymore.

Absolutely no more.

Uh.

Would you like a picture, hmm?

Yes, please?

Oh, all right. Do you like this one?

Uh-huh.

"To Susy,

"my best friend."

Thank you, Mr. Wonderful Hans.

That's nothing, honey.

We used to give away 500 a week.

Oh, quiet.

The boys and girls followed us all over,

- especially the girls. - I told you to shut up.

The older ones.

- Julio! - Yes.

We lived in the best hotels,

ate food fit for kings.

Everyone loved us, everyone. They all...

That's enough.

Sweetheart.

You better go now.

I'm tired.

You know...

it's not always good to remember things.

Shalom.