no.1
"R."
"Excuse me?"
"R! The letter R, Fredrick."
The soldier blushed, and began scanning the pile of plastic marquee letters at his feet, "Je m'excuse, Emmanuelle. It is rather hard to hear you from down here."
Flustered, Fredrick ran a hand through his previously styled hair. He quickly selected the requested "R" and passed it up to the girl atop the ladder.
"Merci."
"Oui, of course." he grinned, "Thank you for allowing me to be of some help."
"It is surprising to me that you have time for such things." she remarked, "With your premiere coming up so soon, I'm shocked they let you out of their sight."
"I had actually arranged for lunch with the minister right about now." Fredrick admitted, handing her another letter.
Still atop the ladder, Shosanna frowned, "Should you not be preparing for that, then?"
He shrugged, "Well, you looked like you could use some help. Goebbels might not approve, but I much prefer being of service to you, Emmanuelle."
"I don't suppose they'd find that a substantial excuse." she grumbled, grasping the letter from him.
Fredrick laughed again, "Then I'll tell them I've become the toast of Paris, and simply could not turn down an opportunity to help prepare the marquee for a true Parisian theater."
Smiling, he raised the next letter up to her. Shosanna didn't bother to return his grin, as she already decided not entertain his antics any further. What was it to her if this naive fool of a German soldier preferred helping a young French girl to a lunch with Goebbels? It certainly wouldn't be her they'd come after. And if Fredrick kept his promise, it'd be just a few more plastic letters and Shosanna would have this pest gone, at least until the premiere.
Reaching down now, Shosanna hastily retrieved what happened to be a bright red "L" from him, her fingers almost slipping on the glossy material.
"Careful, Mademoiselle." Fredrick cautioned, "Have you got it alright?"
"I can manage it just fine, Fredrick." The theater proprietor properly adjusted the letter. Once it was fitted to the marquee, she drew a tattered rag from her pocket and began to wipe it clean. Finally finished, Shosanna leaned back on the ladder, admiring her work.
"I believe that's the last of the letters." Fredrick reported from the ground.
She nodded in response. "Oui. We are done."