Major Kepp Lines

Say he's one of your orph-

Doctor Korczak

Yes

Major Kepp

Good morning major

Almost afternoon

I didn't think "almost" counted with the Germans. Like being "a little" Jewish.

You!

Yes?

What is your name?

Sziefferman! Boris Sziefferman!

Papers!

Here!

What is your work?

I am a clerk at the ball bearing plant. Essential labor. Special dispensation, you see.

Your name is not Szluc? Bula Szulc?

No! Szeifferman, Boris Szeifferman

What are you doing here?

I wanted the doctor to look at my glands.

Sick are you?

No! Turns out I'm very healthy, very fit! Ready to rush back to work at my essential labor!

You fit the description of a smuggler named Szulc.

No, sir. I am Sziefferman, clerk at the ball bearing plant, essential labor, special dispensation. As you see from my papers here.

He is also a counterfeiter. Goes around with a boy.

This is one of our orphans. Chelm Gurdheid, Chelmo, bow to the major.

Doctor, some privacy.

Yes, doctor.

I see you wear your old Army overcoat. Despite the weather.

It is my way of holding onto my Polish pride. You speak Polish very well. No German accent at all.

I lived in Poland for a time in my youth.

In Warsaw?

Long ago, yes. I have just now arrived in Warsaw, in charge of this district.

Major, there are two of my oldest charges. This is Major Kepp. Of the German army.

You run in here without permission?

We have permission. We were on a break.

You are rehrsing a play?

Yes. For tomorrow night. "The Post Office"

By Tagore. And we are in your rehersal hall?

Yes.

Then you'll have to wait until we're done. Outside!

What can I do for you, Major Kepp?

Doctor, I am a great admirer of your work. I have read your books, poetry, plays....since I was a little boy. You have made so many of us aware of how differently one should treat a child.

And how is that?

As a person. As a human being with its own mind and soul.

So, what, you came for an autograph?

I fear not. Doctor, changes are coming for the ghetto.

Of what sort?

Upon that I shall not elaborate. But things can not remain as they are. I say this to you in case you would make other arrangements.

Of what sort?

Upon that I shall not elaborate. All I can add... and this is based purely on my own personal experience... is that when one travels, one should always travel light. For the sake of speed.

Major, it is my understanding that when the Germans travel, they do it without warning. They love suprises. Why then are you here with this... advice?

Doctor, this is not an official visit. I am not here.

Well, I'll grant a metaphysical German is sometimes better than a real one, but I should think a German officer's unofficial visit to a nest of Jews would entail some risk. To himself.

You are free to think so. I must be off.

You really will be preforming this play tomorrow night?

Yes. Why?

I have never seen "The Post Office." Only read it. Be intresting to find out what your urchins do with it.

Well, major, since you've read the play, perhaps I may avail myself of your thoughts on it. In your interpretation, what does the tale of the little boy who is locked in his house mean?

You mean what is it about?

Yes.

It is about someone who is trapped... and should get out as soon as he can. Remember me to Miss Wylcinska.

I will do my best, doctor, I-

Doctor

Major Kepp, you are the very man I wish to see. There is a teacher who has been taken into custody, Miss-

Estreka Winograd. She's at the police station.

She must be realeased.

Doctor-

Do not underestimate my friends, my influence, or my determination, Major -

She's not coming back!

Leave.

Go on Henryk. And do as I have said.  What did you mean, "she is not coming back"?

Doctor, you do not have time to waste.

Major, I am very close to the Chairman of the Jewish Coun-

The Chairman is dead.

…Dead?

He killed himself. This morning. After he refused to carry out the orders.

What orders?

To organize the deportation. The entire ghetto is being shiped off to Treblinka for excution... including the children.

The chi-

We have been rounding up all sorts for the past twenty four hours. Smugglers, sympathizers, underground members. They're being shot in the prision yard on Gudolphin Square even as we speak. 

There is a car outside, in the back street.

What car? For what purpose?

For you. To escape in.

What are you saying to me?Let go of me!

Dont you recgonize me, Pan Doktor? Alfred Keppel. From the Christian orphanage you ran in the 1920s. The one on Stephylmaya Street?

....Alfread Keppel? Little Alfred. Your cousins took you to Germany when you were...

Pan Doktor, you must go! There is no time!

You are your charges are being evacuated from this building. You have five minutes to muster outside in the courtyard. Kepp, what are you doing here?

Colonel, I -

Go back to headquarters. I'll see you later. And move the car out of the back alley.

Yes, Colonel.

Doctor.