Lesson 4

[Jan Fantl]

Jan’s ACT 3

WIL:

ACT 3: DOORS SHUT

EXT. IN FRONT OF THE WIND HOME – DAY

Oliver sits in his sand uniform alone on the doorsteps, helpless for the moment, contemplating.

Satellite phone rings.

Oliver pulls the satellite phone, answers it.

OLIVER

Wind.

SPLIT SCREEN OPENS -ZOOM/FACETIME LIKE BOTH ARE ON-SCREEN

BRIGADIER GENERAL

Major Wind. I just popping in to see how you are holding up.

OLIVER

Mr. Brigadier General. Thank you for calling.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

Are you in a private situation?

OLIVER

Yes, sir. I am alone.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

Skip the sirring. Oliver please accept my dearest condolences. I wish for lot of calm and strength for the up coming time. And please say high to your mum and give her my best, will you.

OLIVER

Thank you Paul, but it’s worse than that. My mother passed away too, few hours ago while i was still in the air.

…..Paul says nothing for a couple of seconds.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

You know I, no…. Words are not sufficient. I want you to know …shit. Rest if possible. I have your back when you need me, right?

OLIVER

I appreciate, that’s is good to know. Thank you.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

Is there anything you need right now?

Oliver gets up walks of the premise, towards the car.

OLIVER

I think it was not as peacefully for my mom as the local police sees it. But I need to clear my head first.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

Take it slow, Oliver. We all know what of an excellent investigator you are. Please take it all in before judging. You are in civilist public spheres, things are different. Will you listen to me, Major Wind?

OLIVER

Ay sir, general brigadier, I will. But there is a truth that needs to be uncovered, I can smell, general.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

You will let me know, promised?

OLIVER

Yes, Sir.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

And get you a cell phone, no need to call via satellite.

Oliver hangs up, packs satellite phone into the sand jacket

EXT. COTTBUS STREETS – DAY

Oliver looks on screen of smart phone. A map shows how to walk. Oliver looks up, unfamiliar with the buildings of his former home.

INT. RESIDENTS’ REGISTRATION OFFICE – DAY

SUPER: A NUMBER BLINKS

Oliver walks to a desk, shows his military ID.

OLIVER

Hi, I hope you can help me. I just flew in and this my only identification available. I need registration at my parents house, what do I need to fill.

LADY AT REGISTRATION

Sure. Where are you regisitrated currently.

OLIVER

At the barracks address of my regiment. FJR One, 13405 Berlin.

LADY AT REGISTRATION

Have you been registered here in Cottbus as well?

OLIVER

Yes, but that was eighteen years ago. Before I joined the army. Not since.

LADY AT REGISTRATION

Then we have a problem.

She truns towards her screen and types stuff.Oliver Looks at her name tag on her desk, it shows Mrs. Wind.

LADY AT REGISTRATION

Yes. We are duigitizing all paper files and documents. And we progressed into year 2009. I can’t find you.

OLIVER

But then you have my papers?

LADY AT REGISTRATION

No, unfortunatöley. They have been outsourced for digitization.

OLIVER

What else is possible? I see we have the same name. Did you know Friedericke and Harry Wind?

LADY AT REGISTRATION

Freddie? Sure we are from the same family tribe. Her father is my mums cousin. Say hi to them. But then the solution is simple. (starts whispering) Have one of them join you and see me. NAd sighn for you and I’ll register you, right then and there. (she whispers even more) We don’t need to make a big fuzz then, do we?

OLIVER

That actually is the problem. My parents passed away the last days. Nobody to show up here.

The Lady with the name Wind looks at him in pain.

LADY AT REGISTRATION

OMG, I am so sorry. Please accept my condolences for this hard situation in life.

…. But then I am afraid I have no solution to offer.

Oliver looks stnned.

EXT. COTTBUS STREETS – DAY

Oliver on the steps of the local registration office. He puls out his new smartphone and types a number from the top of head.

OLIVER

Major Wind, FJR One, 3456789. Staff office 1 please. ….. Holding.

Listens.

OLIVER

Yes, hi. Major Wind, FJR One, 3456789.

I do need your assistance please. I have been released of duties for short period of time. I am in germany and need you to check my files. Is there a copy of certificate of birth? Or my last address before joining the army? Please check for anything to document where I lived before 2002.

Listens.

OLIVER

Yes, I understand. Check with the commeanding officer of staff office. And when in doubt, he shouzld double check with Briagdier General Paul Flut in Hannover HQ.

OLIVER

I appreaciate your assistance, please make it urgent. Do you see the number .on Your screen. Yes. This is while I am in Germany. Thank you Master Sergeant Baum.

Walking the street, Oliver recognizes a man – Uncle Hans(not sure) – on the open air terrace of a restaurant next to the town hall. The man sots opposite an attractive young woman (32ish) in business apparel.

Oliver sits on by an ugly monument on the sqaure, pulls his satellite phone and types the number into the smart phone. Dials.

He sees in the distance UNCLE HANS grabbing the phone and pick up.

SPLIT SCREEN OPENS -ZOOM/FACETIME LIKE BOTH ARE ON-SCREEN

UNCLE HANS

Wind?

OLIVER

Yes, me too. Oliver Wind.

UNCLE HANS

Oliver. I am so sorry about Harry. What a terrible accident. Where are you? Still in Afgnanostan?

Oliver packs the satellite phone. He gets up and starts to walk towards the terrace of the restaurant where his uncle, HANS WIND,sits.

OLIVER

No, I just arrived in Cottbus. I tzhought I call you, his brother first and we can talk …

UNCLE HANS

O yes. Absolutely. The right idea.

Oliver closes in on Uncle Hans

UNCLE HANS

It’s just. I am not in town today. .. I am on a business trip and will be back tomorrow.

Oliver looks irritated at the man speking clearly into the phone while looking at the young lady. Oliver stops

UNCLE HANS

You must ne tired. Why don’t you take a rest. And be with your mother, I m sure she will need you in these tough hours. Surely she feel a bit better, you holding her.

Oliver realizes he obvious ly doesn’t know the actual. Situation.

UNCLE HANS

…and you come by tomorrow. And we’ll talk all things through. Funeral and so.

OLIVER

Ok, thank you. I will call tomorrow.

Oliver decides and walks by the terrace to see if Uncle Hans trpa hilmslef in his lies. Uncle Hans doesn#t look at the people passing by. He Addresses the young woman -CLARICE- .

UNCLE HANS

(O.S.)

He is already in town.

CLARICE

Then we have not much time left.

Oliver can hear their converstaion

CLARICE

I will discuss with my father next steps.

UNCLE HANS

Let’s do that. Urgently

Oliver walk out of listening in distance. Qustion marks on his face.

INT. REGISTRY OFFICE – DAY

Oliver meets with the registrar.

OLIVER

Thank you for seeing on such short notice. The situtation to sort is as follows. My parents passed awaywithin the last couple of hours. I have no access to their home and I would need a copy of my birth certificate. What do I have to do?

REGISTRAR

Please accept my condolences for your loss. Have you parents lived here in Cottbus?

OLIVER

Yes. Fredericke and Harry Wind.

REGISTRAR

No way. I am so sorry. Then you are Oliver. I am so so sorry. What happened?

OLIVER

I don’t know. My father had an accident two days ago and my mother was found … dead, this morning in her bedroom.

Without papers it seems tough to get more informations here, as ,long it’s not documented I am the only child alive.

REGISTRAR

You are. You older brother has been declared passed in missing, 10 or eleven years ago.

But your situation sounds indeed difficult. What papers have you got.

Oliver sighs, he has exploianed this a couple of times already.

OLIVER

Soldiers carry no official paers on them other than their military ID. And I live in the barracks when in Germany and therefore registered nowhere outside.

REGISTRAR

I have a solution for you. You come back with Harry brother, Hans or your grandmother Granny Lehgner and one testifies you are you and I will expedite a Birth certifivate for you.

OLIVER

is that the simplest way?

REGISTRAR

Yes, and I am already bending the rules there.

OLIVER

And it will take how long?

REGISTRAR

A couple of days. Two weeks tops.

Oliver looks stunned.

EXT. COTTBUS STREETS – DAY

Oliver takes the ringing smart phone out of his pocket.

CORONER’S CLERK

Mr. Wind? Mr. Oliver Wind.

OLIVER

Speaking.

CORONER’S CLERK

This is regarding your call this morning. You left messages about your mother’s body and her whereabouts.

OLIVER

Yes. Have you spoken with your boss?

CORONER’S CLERK

Yes. And he asked me to give you the following infor,ation and message.

Do not call again unless you have some kind of authorisation or pwer of attorney.

OLIVER

Listen. I did explain …

The call is abruptly ended

Frustrated, Oliver takes a deep breath, shakes his head.

OLIVER

This city, friendly as was

NT. BANK – DAY

Oliver sits opposite a BANK CLERK, whose name tag again bears the name Wind, refuses to provide any information without a valid power of attorney.

BANK CLERK WIND

(repeating)

I am sorry to sound repetitive yet as said, the policy of the bank is individually set a bit differently since a few years

The power of attorney needs not only be signed by the both of you. It has to be notarized as well.

Conflict:

OLIVER

And if I can’t present it. What will happen then?

BANK CLERK WIND

We will need to wait for the Totenschein and the Sz´tandeasmtlich Erklärung who is or are authorized to Nachlassverwalter. He she or them will be in charge to request the bank to act.

OLIVER

Nad til then? What about standing orders, direct debits? Other responsibilities of my parents.

BANK CLERK WIND

I am not entitled to speak about this in detail but rest assured, I will be taking care that things continue smoothly.

OLIVER

But you are family too, correct? Shouldn’t that be overlooked by somebody else?

BANK CLERK WIND

(gets up)

Mr.Wind, Please, again accept my deepest condolences for your losses but there is actually nothing more to discuss. Don’t misundersatnd me yet things are regulated and my hands a re tied.

EXT. COTTBUS STREET – NEAR TOPPER CAR COMPOUND – DAY

Oliver walks and grabs the ringing phone

a call from the military HQ,

OLIVER

Major Wind

SOLDIER STAFF OFFICE 1

Staff Offie One, Unteroffizier Keller, sir. We spoke earlier.

OLIVER

Yes, Unteroffizier. You have intel for me?

SOLDIER STAFF OFFICE 1

Yes, sir. Actually no soir. We checked all your files. There is no home office registration nor other documents. There are your signed application to join the army; later co signed by your mother and your high school diploma. Nothing more.

OLIVER

Nothing else?

SOLDIER STAFF OFFICE 1

No, sir. There are all your diplomas and course certificates within the army and your promotions and order of merits. But nothing from the outside world. Sir.

OLIVER

(speak-thinks)

Is there an address printed on my mothers confirmation letter? An address in Cottbus or Goyatz?

Oliver’s attention is caught by a large car dealer compound with big marketing adds “Toll, Top, Topper.” He looks at it with disdain,

SOLDIER STAFF OFFICE 1

Let me check sir. … It’s on letterhead of a Wind shipyard in Goyatz. Sir.

particularly at a man – JÜRGEN – who appears to be involved with the customers.

OLIVER

On the diploma, is there an address or the name of the high school only?

SOLDIER STAFF OFFICE 1

There is an address, in Cottbus , sir.

Oliver watches the man, with a sense of disgust.

OLIVER

Send then a scan copies to my BW mail address. And prepare it as hardcopies,I will call and give you an address to send the snailmail to. Copy.

SOLDIER STAFF OFFICE 1

Will send scans via email now and prepare landmail, sir. You will provide an address tomorrow, sir.

OLIVER

Copy that. And have them confirmed/ stamped by the authorized or commanding officer. Thank you

SOLDIER STAFF OFFICE 1

Yes, sir.

Oliver hangs up. Disheartened,Oliver looks around, residents passing by

OLIVER

Will not work in this shit whole.

Oliver contemplates his next steps

OLIVER

Worth a try

Oliver turns away form the car dealership.

EXT. IN FRONT OF SHIPYARD WIND – DAY

Oliver gets out of car, branded as a renteed car. He walks and rings a bell at the closed gate.

A Man looks around the corner of the big shipyard hall.

SIGGI

We are closed. Family reasons. Please call Saturday.

OLIVER

(shouts back)

Siggi! It’s me. Oliver

Siggi does not react ….. Oliver is not in his toolbox.

…

OLIVER

Oliver Wind. C’mon.

SIGGI

Jessus Maria, Oliver. Baby Oliver? I am coming.

Siggi nidsappears.

The gate begins to open automatically. Siggi appears running.

Siggi hugs Oliver instantly, tears running down his face.

SIGGI

Oh my God, Oliver I am so sorry. Your dad, he was always such a nice fellow. And boss. And …

OLIVER

Siggi. Yes, he was a good boss. And a strong boss.

Oliver creates a bit of a distrance between the two guys. Siggi looks ath im.

SIGGI

For how long haven#t I seen you, years, no?

OLIVER

Many years. Eighteen to be precise.

Oliver looks around

OLIVER

.. and many things have happened since, I can tell.

SIGGI

We are quite big yes. Not only repairing, we are manily in house boats now.

OLIVER

My father hted house boats. Shit for tourists he called them.

SIGGI

I know, but house boats sell well. and for good prices. We deliver them to Potsdam or Berlin, people paying up to half million.

OLIVER

(surprised)

Really?

SIGGI

Yep. your father was the boss but he focused on the big boats and yachts. And I on the houseboats. I brought more people from Poland. Good buisness. I was surprised he decided to sell.

OLIVER

The shipyard is sold?

SIGGI

I don’t know. Your mum said no, he said yes. They discussed for weeks. I don’t know. Thi swent on for weeks.

OLIVER

(turns interrogator)

Ok Siggi. I haven’t talked with my mum for quite a while. We had situations in Afghanistan. Can you tell me the whole story? What happened to my dad.

Siggi presses the remote, the gate gbegins to close

SIGGI

Common, I show you. There is not much of a story

Together they walk towards buildings at the lakeside

EXT. SHIPYARD – YACHT & SAILING CLUB – DAY

Oliver appear between white buildlings typical for a private sailing club.

Siggi leads Oliver towards the jetties

SIGGI

He asked me if and how I would contnue with the house boats in case he would retire. I told him I couldn’t pay him a share but he was fine with it; it would just have new owners.

OLIVER

He said who? Did they show up?

SIGGI

I found that weird , they never showed up. Nor did he said who.

OLIVER

And my mum?

SIGGI

She was against it. Last thing was, she requested to divide it in the will, he would do what he wants, she would keep her part. …For you.

OLIVER

Me? The shipyard. No way.

Siggi walks a jetty, zwo third out he shows Oliver around.

SIGGI

This is where the accident happened, police says.

OLIVER

What happened here?

SIGGI

He was…. They say probably…Do you need to hear this, really?

OLIVER

…. Yes.

SIGGI

(swallows)

He fell from a ladder,.. broke both legs before he slipped into the lake. Unfortuntely the ladder fell on top of him, hit him on the head, made him dizzy. Trying to stay afloat, he must have tangled with the ladder…. And drowned only a meter away from the jetty.

OLIVER

Nobody around?

SIGGI

The club is closed on Tuedays. the shipyard MOn and TUE has our days off after the weekendds. He was alone, why, god knows.

Oliver looks around, the jetty, the boats. There a a few lamppost with lights and bwtween the a garland with light bulbs. While he is looking around, Siggi recognizes a boat coming in

CLARICE

Hey, can you assist pleasae?

A midsized nice motorboat, driven single handed by Clarice.

She manages to steer the boat slowly longside to the jetty and wrap the steern rope aorng one of the posts.

Siggi assist with the bow rope

CLARICE jumps on the jetty,

identifies herself

CLARICE

Hey there, thank you for a hand, appreciated. Are you Siggi?

SIGGI

Yes, Madam….

CLARICE

Siggi, ma father and I we would like exprss our gratitude and say sorry that Wind shipyard has lost such a great …

SIGGI

Maybe better tell the son?

Clarice switsches tone and style – a real hydra

CLARICE

O? … uh, I am sorry.. you are Harry’s son? …I am so sorry, I didn’t know

Oliver well remembers what she said a few hours ago to uncle Hans, he might even believe her.

CLARICE

You are Oliver, Oli?, Right?

Clarice walks towards Oliver, offers her hand for a handshake, then decides to hug Oliver.

CLARICE

I am soo sorry. I wish for all the strentgh you will need.

Clarices unhugs herself from almots no reaction, and offers her hand again

CLARICE

I am Clarice, your cousin Clarice… Feuer.

OLIVER

Oh, cousin Clarice? Must have been a while we met.

CLARICE

Ah, not more than 15-16 years. Maybe.

OLIVER

Maybe 18. But my mum told me here and there how pretty you become.

CLARICE

Aunt Freddie? Yes, she had so much fun pulling my leg together with my mum. Please say high to her…or better why don’t you both come over. My dad will certainly be glad to ? …

OLIVER

Thank you. But …

CLARICE

No, Insist. I am sure my mother wants me to insist, her sister be treated well.

OLIVER

Aunt Freddie … (has to bite and clears his throat) .. my mother. died this morning.

Clarice stopped in her motions, prepared to speak, stares at Oliver.

SIGGI

(hands over mouth)

Jessus Maria. That aint true. Jessus

Clarice looks at Siggi, back at Oliver

CLARICE

(tears dwell but don’t flow)

My Aunt died? What? When ? How? This morning. What happened?

OLIVER

(no tears, coarse voice)

She was found in her bed, early morning by police. Neighbors called because of a clashing window in the wind.

SIGGI

(deep emotional)

Only one day after?

CLARICE

Does my mum know? …. Guess not. Must go back, must call her. I don’t want her to hear from French police.

Clarice jumps back on her boat, revs the engine. Siggi helps with the bow roap. Clarice uses engine and steern rope to turn around.

Oliver watches her depart, her mobile to her ear. Siggi wraps an arm around Oliver.

SIGGI

Only one day and she follows him? I am so sorry Oli.

Frozen in time and emotion Oliver – no tears -has no ida what to think, who to believe, what is actually happening.

He kinda wakes up….checks the time and realizes the time.

OLIVER

I need to go back to town, my mother made an appointment for this afternoon. Curious what this is about.

They walk back on the jetty

SIGGI

You should return the rental in town. I’ll bring you dads car tomorrow. No need to payr a car.

OLIVER

Shall do, Thank you Siggi.

SIGGI

What ever you need.

Oliver turns and checks the jetty again with a thoughtful look.

INT. OFFICE – NOTARY WAITING ROOM – DAY

Oliver enters the room, still in his dune jaket approaches the secretary who looks at her wrist watch.

SECRETARY NOTARY

It’s after four, we don’t take appointments this time opf the day.

OLIVER

Excuse me, yes. I am here on behalf of my mother. Friedericke Wind.

SECRETARY NOTARY

You cannot be her “on behalf”. She has requested a personal appointment with Dr. Nebel. And ..

OLIVER

.and it will stay personal. Please tell Dr. Nebel, her son is asking to see him.

Please.

SECRETARY NOTARY

I don’t think he has time, he is in an appointment.

Oliver looks at his watch.

OLIVER

Yes, with my mother. Since six minutes. Tell him I am sorry for being late and that I will be patiently be waiting in his waiting room.

The secretary is suprised by this attitude, walsk back to her desk.

She looks into the semi-conneczed waiting room.

This soldier in his sand dune combat gear has leanded back, closed his eyes and doing nothing.

She peeks again. Unchanged. She gets up and walks into the notary’s study.

NOTARY NEBEL

What is it you are asking for? Your mother is not in the office.

Oliver opens his eyes and gets up.

And I believe we have no business to discuss

Oliver has spoken with so many people the last hours. He’s had it.

OLIVER

My mother died. Last night, this early morning.

He is looking at the reaction. Of the notary only. His body language speaks, the notary does nbot.

Notary Nebel looks Oliver in the eyes.

NOTARY NEBEL

In my office, please.

He turns and walks.

NOTARY NEBEL

Mrs. Singer, and a clients warrant for Mr.Oliver Wind.

Oliver follows the notary. Turns

OLIVER

And no condolences?

Closes door.

INT. OFFICE – NOTARY STUDY – DAY

Oliver closes second dorr.

NOTARY NEBEL

This city is so fucked up.

Oliver surprised

OLIVER

No condolences either.

NOTARY NEBEL

I told her yesterday, to leave twon for a couple of days. But she wouldn’t listen.

It’s getting weird, Oliver takes a deep breath … Knock on the door.

NOTARY NEBEL

Yes

Secretay comes in, puts the two pager infnot of Nebel and leaves.

Oliver is about to speak, the notary lift his hand with his fist clenched.

Second door closes.

NOTARY NEBEL

You must have many questions, I am sure. Therefore I suggest you let me tell you what I am allowed to tell you. And after that we’ll see which questions I may answer. Does that sound?

OLIVER

Might be a good short cut.

Oliver sits opposite Notary Nebel.

NOTARY NEBEL

Well then. Let me start woith a short cut too.

Do you know the expression platonic lover, Oliver?

OLIVER

Go on.

NOTARY NEBEL

I was at your house yesterday evening until eleven or so. After what happened the day before …..

Fade

INT. OFFICE – NOTARY – DAY

The door opens from the study, notary Nebel walks out with Oliver.

NOTARY NEBEL

Please stay in contact with me or ..(turns to secretary, stressing it).. with my office.

He turns again

NOTARY NEBEL

Mrs. Singer, hand me the envelope we signed yesterday with Mrs. Wind.

Secretary Singer opens a cabinet and selects from files.

NOTARY NEBEL

… there a way more details that I am not entitled before the will is opened to the family.

I ensure you, make sure to stay for the time being, I will send out the invitations and announcement tomorrow first thing.

Secretary returns with an envelope, hands it, Nebel opens it and puts it on thebtable.

NOTARY NEBEL

Please sign here…. And here.

OLIVER

What is this?

NOTARY NEBEL

Once you signed, it will be a fully notarized Power of attorney, signed by your mother yesterday afternoon.

This time Oliver is really stunned.

EXT. OFFICE – NOTARY – DAY

Notary Nebel lets Oliver out. Oliver still in combat and piece of paper in his hand.

NOTARY NEBEL

Please stay. And dig. Some of your questions will be sorted before the funerals.

END OF ACT 3