Gertrude Linkmeyer and Colonel Wilhelm Klink are sitting in Klink's private room at Stalag 13. Despite the fact that Wilhelm initially thought General Burkhalter was setting him up with Burkhalter's neice, Lotte, he and Gertrude are getting along beautifully. Gertrude isn't classically beautiful and Wilhelm isn't particularly handsome and they do make a sweet couple. Wilhelm is finally relaxing being around Gertrude. The couple are sitting next to each other on the sofa and Wilhelm has his arm gently around Gertrude's shoulders. He doesn't want to be too forward and he doesn't want to be caught doing anything inappropriate by General Burkhalter. Gertrude leans her head on Wilhelm's chest. "You know, I'm very glad that my brother introduced me to you. I wasn't so sure at first, but I think this is very good for both of us."
Wilhelm smiles at Gertrude. Despite his first impression of Gertrude as being tough and gruff, like her brother, they are getting along very well. "So am I. It is clear that your brother cares about you a great deal if he's going to all this trouble to make sure you're going to be happy." Wilhelm reaches down and strokes her hand.
"He's not doing this because he wants me to be happy. He's doing this because he doesn't want to be responsible for me and my daughter any more. He's trying to make alliances with the high up families in Germany and one of the best ways to do that is to marry me off." Gertrude sounds sad as she speaks about her brother's behaviour.
"He wants to make life good for you and your daughter. It's hard to be a single woman in Germany. You need someone in your life for support and so do I. We can't be ashamed of needing someone else. I watch the prisoners and the guards here in the camp and there's such camaraderie between them and I'm forced to remain separate from it all. It's hard to be alone all the time." Wilhelm explains gently to Gertrude.
"Being along is something I know all about. It must be very hard to be in your position." Gertrude toys with one of the silver buttons on Wilhelm's uniform jacket. Wilhelm watches Gertrude's actions.
Wilhelm reaches down and strokes Gertrude's hair. He pulls the hairpins out of her hair and her hairdo unwinds into two long braids. "Do you always wear your hair like that?"
"Not, not always, but it is easy." Gertrude sits up slowly and looks at Wilhelm intently. She has a slightly flushed face from the warmth of the room and the brandy they were drinking earlier.
Wilhelm notices how much more attractive she is with a little colour in her cheeks. He takes a moment to compose himself before he speaks. "Would you let your hair down for me?"
Gertrude kisses Wilhelm's cheek and then begins to unbraid her hair. "You don't have to be so nervous to ask me things, you know." Gertrude says honestly. She shakes her hair loose and runs her fingers through it.
"I can't help it. I'm naturally nervous around women. I always have been. I've always been worried about doing or saying something wrong and that's only increased in my time of knowing you. You look far more attractive when your hair is down like this." Wilhelm admits to Gertrude. He reaches out slowly and runs his fingers through her hair and down her face.
"I know that I look a lot better with my hair down. If I could wear it like this all the time I would." Gertrude smiles at the gentle compliment Wilhelm gave her.
"I'm glad I'm one of the privileged few who get to see you look like this." Wilhelm comments casually. He notices Gertrude yawn in his arms. "Can I walk you to the VIP hut? I wouldn't want your brother to be suspicious of us."
"Oh, don't make me go back to my brother yet. He's so demanding and he's been pushing me to remarry since my husband was reported missing on the Russian Front. Can't I stay a while longer? I'm enjoying my time with you immensely." Gertrude flirts with Wilhelm.