A hand gently shakes the German Captain's shoulder who instinctively reaches out to grab it around the wrist to defend himself, before his mind has even cleared up enough to realise where exactly he is and who is shaking him. "Captain Dietrich", the American nurse Falkowsky repeats for the third time, until her patient finally opens his eyes, blushes slightly at the realisation that he has attacked a woman, one of the camp's nurses no less, and immediately releases her hand. "My apologies", the German officer mutters a bit hoarsely, looking actually chagrined at his own behaviour. "No harm's been done", the black-haired nurse assures him gently. She has volunteered for taking care of the handsome Jerry and the noisy Italian officer after all.
"We'll need to get off your bandages and you sponge washed before redressing the wound", the young woman tells him with a slightly mischievous smile. Dietrich looks utterly perplexed by the announcement. "Sponge washed?", Hans repeats the term he has never heard before in his life and hopes that it does not mean what he concludes that it must mean. "You've been lying in your sweat and grime since your first day, when we had to clean you up after the operation. How exactly did you think you got rid of all this blood?", she asks with a pert tone. The German Captain blushes so vividly, his face turns almost red, as he desperately searches for a way out of his predicament. That they did this to him, when he has lain unconscious is embarrassing enough to learn in hindsight, but that he should undress in front of the young woman and get washed even at the most intimate parts of anatomy violates his indoctrinated sense of propriety so violently that he is at a loss at what to say and use as an argument. "I told you that we have to do this regularly with all our patients, Captain. There's no part of human anatomy I'm not familiar with", the nurse adds with a grin and roguish wink. "And it's much more fun with our handsome patients."
'Mein Gott, wie bin ich in dieses Schlamassel geraten?', the German Captain wonders how he has gotten into this predicament. What his mother or father would have to say about even considering to let the young woman touch and wash him goes without saying. At least, he knows that she has a fiancee. The last time he has gotten involved with a friendly foreign nurse has turned into such a disaster, gotten her killed and broken his heart, that he does not even want to dwell on it and pushes any thought and memories going in this direction to the back of his mind. "Captain? Hauptmann?", the nurse appears to address him not for the first time, as her tone sounds more worried than impudent by now. And Hans notices that she has cut the bandages off his thigh in the meantime. "I will take your help for getting washed where I cannot reach on my own, but since my arms works perfectly fine, I insist on taking care of the rest myself", the German officer speaks with such a stern and determined tone, focusing an almost steely gaze on her that the American nurse is taken completely by suprise and startled enough to not protest. Until now, the young man has appeared rather calm and friendly. But now she becomes suddenly aware that he actually is an enemy officer and quite a dangerous one, given that he has not only been promoted at a young age, but also has a price on his head which Doctor Raymond has whispered about with Doctor Rothschild, when both have thought that she would not be able to listen.
"Of course, Captain, I mean Hauptmann", Mary Falkowsky stumbles over her words in her eagerness to agree with him. Dietrich is a bit taken aback, as he has not intended to scare her into submission, even though it ultimately serves his goal. "You may use either, as it is the same rank title merely in different languages", the German speaks calmly, treating her almost like a spooked horse that might shy at the wrong movement. The rather intimidated nurse helps the lean Captain out of his shirt, even though he would be able to manage on his own, but does not complain about the support which is apparently meant to appease him. Scolding her would only serve to scare the woman more than she already is which is not in the least his intention.
The nurse starts out with washing her patient's neck and shoulder belt which would be the hardest to reach for him, along with his back. After a few seconds of hesitation, Mary Falkowsky asks meekly: "May I ask you something, Captain?" "You may", the young man replies coolly. Inciting her cusiosity and eagerness is not exactly what he intends to do now, but antagonizing and scaring her even more would not be wise either. The part that he feels in no way bound to answer remains unsaid, but both are aware of what the statement implies or does not imply. "The scar ... on your left shoulder", nurse Falkowsky finally dares to ask after a few more moments of struggling against her own anxiousness. "It looks really ugly." The German Captain merely provides a noncommittal murmur as an answer, since no question has been asked.
Biting her lower lip nervously, the black-haired American nurse fights down the fear that has gripped her before. Even if he is an enemy officer, Dietrich would not openly attack or harm her for asking a question, when there are armed guards just around the corner and he is too gravely injured to jump up and hurt her in any quick way. The worst he could do, would be shouting at her or scolding her derisively, but she will survive both. "How did you obtain such an injury?", she finally asks. "Sniper attack", the young officer snaps his curt reply with a grim expression, but every muscle in his upper body has turned rigid with tension, as the memories of the French hills turn into those of detecting the French Resistance ambush laid for Generalfeldmarschall Rommel, the bullet that has hit his previous mentor and Kompanieführer in the head in front of his eyes, killing him instantly, just like his two artillery soldiers directing the heavy ordnance according to his orders have been killed in such a shameful and dishonourable manner without any chance for a fair fight. The last impression overlaying all this is the pain exploding in his own shoulder robbing him briefly of his senses, before his thoughts return unwittingly to his former comrades. Kompanieführer Wilhelm Hartl, Schütze Fritz Jaurig and Oberschütze Oliver Planck, they have all been his friends beyond mere comrades in arms. Now he fights to shove their names and the images of their faces to the back of his mind, as the wound of seeing them die in such a gruesome manner still feels as raw in his heart and soul as on the first day. Keeping his safe distance to his fellow officers and soldiers has served him well ever since for his own protection.
A hand touches his bare shoulder and the young officer flinches in surprise. "I'm sorry for asking ... I should've known better", the nurse whispers with a clearly apologetic tone. The tears glistening in the corners of her eyes stay hidden from Hans Dietrich who does not turn around to meet her gaze, as he mutters hoarsely: "You bear no guilt for what happened, Lieutenant Falkowsky." Swallowing hard, the German feels obliged to add: "I believe in Fieldmarshal Rommel's words that we lead a war without hate here in North Africa. I don't hate you or any of your ... side for fighting against me and my comrades in arms." The sob that follows his statement is clearly audible for him, even though he does not turn, hanging his head instead. "I'm sorry for hurting you through words. I assure you it has not been my intention, Lieutenant", the young Captain apologises with a dejected tone. "You didn't hurt me, Capt'n", the American nurse mutters sadly after getting her worst sobs under control. "I've never met anybody like you, not on our side. And I would never have expected to meet somebody with your attitude among our enemies." Dietrich nods wearily, as he has not the least intention to dwell on or reflect the statement that could mean both their accusation of treason. Thus, he decides for a neutral way out of both his predicaments: "I can continue from here onward on my own with the cleaning. Thank you for your help, Lieutenant Falkowsky."
The American nurse gladly hands over the bowl and the sponge to the German officer who briefly meets her gaze. As she turns to flee from the officer's ward, the Captain asks somewhat dryly: "Shouldn't you check on Lieutenant Marcello or is he even more fearsome than I am?" "I'm not afraid of you", the nurse protests and Dietrich actually scowls now, as he argues: "I'm an enemy officer, Lieutenant. Fearing me would be wise." "Would you hurt a woman, a nurse without a weapon, Captain?", she asks with actual defiance in her tone, as she stubbornly meets his eyes. The German Captain shakes his head after a few seconds of holding her gaze and trying to read what is driving the young woman. Whichever source of stubborn insanity those Yankees appear to possess as he has observed often enough with Sergeant Troy and his two Privates he cannot determine what exactly is going on in her mind. Fortunately, dealing with the Americans and their strange personalities is not his problem on the long run, as he has high hopes of escaping within the next few days.
Nurse Falkowsky meanwhile smiles triumphantly to have forced the admission out of the German officer which has only confirmed what she already has believed before about the young man. Another of both their problems reminds them of its existence, as Alessandro Marcello starts his morning vocal exercises. "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do", he practices his scales. Hans Dietrich and Mary Falkowsky share an exasperated glance, silently united by a common cause. "I'll take care of him once you're finished. Would you translate again, Captain?", she asks gently, noticing the German tense slightly, before he nods with a fatalistic expression. "How do you deal with the other Italians, if you can't speak their language?", he asks dryly. "We just point and make gestures for what we want and most are too gravely injured to be awake during their treatment", the black-haired nurse explains with a shy smile. "None of them is as noisy and chatty as he is." She waves her hand in Marcello's direction who waves back at her with a brilliant beam. Too late, the American nurse realizes her mistake, as a wave of Italian words washes over her, leaving her dazed and perplexed, until the German Captain intervenes and stands up in her defense like her knight in shining armour, arguing with the Italian briefly, until the man looks actually apologetic and tells her: "Mi dispiace. I'm sorry. I did not want spaventarti..." "To scare you", Dietrich translates with a slightly exasperated tone. "It's okay. I'll return in five minutes", she mutters quickly, taking her chance to flee, before the Italian officer stops her again.
"Bravo, Marcello. L'hai spaventata in modo efficiente", Hans rubs in with a bit too much schadenfreude that the Italian has very efficiently succeeded in scaring the nurse away. Marcello's following pallaver about how this has never been his intention, as he is quite the chivalrous, old-school gentleman, the Hauptmann ignores pointedly, while taking care of his personal hygiene before the nurse returns. Moving his leg briefly to lift his body up enough for this purpose sends a jolt of pain through his nerves which however is less intense as it has felt on the previous day. Considering this an improvement which inspires actual hope in him that fleeing from this hell might be possible, Hans finishes his task.
When the nurse returns, she carries an object the German officer would not have expected, a razor. Seeing his scowl and intent gaze directed at the utensil, Mary Falkowsky explains: "I shouldn't hand you this, but I'll take your word that you won't hurt me or anyone else and give it back after finishing your shave." Dietrich is baffled by the words and the trust they imply, but agrees immediately: "You have my word of honor as a German officer, Lieutenant. Thank you for leaving me that much dignity!" She smiles and nods, as she hands him the razor and a fresh bowl from one of the side tables, before removing the bowl with the sponge and definitely more grimy looking water. "I'll get rid of that, before looking after your companion." "You mean 'my tormentor'", the German mutters dryly, making her smile with understanding. 'Geteiltes Leid ist halbes Leid', Hans thinks wryly that a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved, although this sorrow still feels immense.
"What about my leg?", the young officer inquires a bit awkwardly, as the wound has not been redressed and he feels quite vulnerable and exposed even after rearranging the blanket to cover anything but the injured leg. "Doctor Rothschild or Raymond should look at it, before they decide whether you need the thick pressure bandage still", Mary Falkowsky tells him with some honest sympathy. "Thank you, Lieutenant Falkowsky", the Captain replies with a fatalistic tone. Then, he focuses on restoring some of his civilised appearance through shaving with the handed razor after washing his face. The American nurse meanwhile summons her support in the form of Doctor Rothschild who smiles at the German Captain, while eyeing the Italian Lieutenant wearily, as he continues practicing his scales.
"You shouldn't strain your fresh sutures like this, Lieutenant", the medic admonishes the Opera singer who immediately argues: "Ma gli esercizi sono importanti per la voce." When Rothschild looks in Dietrich's direction, searching for a translation, the German Captain provides with a dry tone: "God forbid that he cannot practice his exercises which are important for his voice." Nurse Falkowsky hides her grin behind her hand at the young officer's sarcastic tone, while the American medic smirks openly. "Please make it clear to him that he should not expand his chest too widely through intense singing, Captain", Rothschild tells him sternly. "Non dovresti espandere troppo il tuo petto attraverso il canto intenso, Tenente Marcello!", the German Captain relays this message diligently, eager to make the man stop his constant noise, wearing down his nerves. When he is starting to question whether Troy and his Rats might be preferable company, the situation must be dire indeed. "Si, hai ragione, Capitano, Dottore", Alessandro Marcello finally agrees with a despondently hanging head. "Ma sdraiato qui senza poter cantare, mi sento sepolto vivo come Radames accanto ad Aida."
The German Captain is briefly speechless, staring at the Italian Lieutenant as if he has finally lost his mind. "What did he say, Captain Dietrich?", Doctor Rothschild wants to know. Hans Dietrich raises his eyes toward heaven in a silent prayer that this is all just a dream he will wake up from or some divine intervention might save him from this situation, but no heavenly power considers intervening. With a weary sigh, the young Captain replies: "He just argued that lying here without being able to sing, he feels buried alive like Radames alongside Aida." "Radames, Aida?", nurse Falkowsky asks curiously, before Dietrich or Rothschild can stop or warn her.
Alessandro Marcello's attention is immediately focused on her with an expression of shock in place. "You never heard of Aida?", he inquires with horror that is exaggerated like many of his emotional reactions. "Aida is un'opera famosa of il Maestro Giuseppe Verdi", he starts his enthusiastic explanation. "Radames era un generale egiziano e Aida una principessa etiope schiavizzata innamorata di lui." Mary Falkowsky sends a pleading look in the German Captain's direction who wearily sighs again, before translating for her: "Radames was an Egyptian general and Aida an enslaved Ethiopian princess in love with him." "Oh", the nurse sighs with a slightly dreamy expression, as she tries to envision the romantic scene. "Radames fu inviato in Etiopia per conquistare il paese e catturare il padre di Aida", Marcello tells melodramatically, waving his left arm, as if he was wielding a sword. "Radames was sent to Ethiopia to conquer the country and capture Aida's father", Dietrich translates for the nurse, while Doctor Rothschild interrupts the Italian Lieutenant sternly: "You must not strain your sutures like this!" "Mi scusi, Dottore. I'm sorry", the intimidated looking Marcello almost whimpers and only his father's indoctrination from early childhood on that rolling his eyes is an inappropriate and undignified behaviour for an officer keeps Hans Dietrich from doing so at the sight of this laughable spectacle. Whatever did he do to anger any divine entity that he would be punished with this?
"You must tell me later how this continues", Mary Falkowsky whispers to the German officer who does not scare her any longer especially in the presence of a male Doctor, before leaving to retrieve their breakfast at the medic's order, while Rothschild turns to Dietrich after sufficiently having scolded and intimidated Marcello. "How does your leg feel, Hauptmann Dietrich?", he asks the younger man who winces slightly at the touch of the medic's fingers. "Better than yesterday", Hans tells him honestly, hoping that he will be spared the pressure bandage. "Stand up, please!", Rothschild orders professionally. When the lean Captain tenses visibly, he adds as an explanation: "I don't care that you have nothing to wear at the moment. I need to see the strain on the sutures to get an idea whether they will hold." Pushing himself into a standing position by mainly leaning onto his left leg, the young officer briefly fights to keep his balance, before the American medic supports him under the shoulder. "You're far from fully stable", Samuel Rothschild scolds him sternly, before bending down to take a clearer look at the muscle and sutures. "But the stitches hold well enough and no additional bleeding is occurring. We will settle for a normal bandage which will allow you to wear underwear from now on." Dietrich breathes an audible sigh of relief. "Thank you, Doctor", the young officer replies with honest gratitude. "You're welcome. Try and keep standing, as this makes the bandaging a bit easier. Should I accompany you to the 'facilities' later?", Rothschild inquires, still amused by the well-bred young man's choice of wording. "That would be very welcome. Thank you, Doctor", Hans Dietrich answers, as he leans against a table for support, while the Jewish medic winds the bandages around his leg, before helping him into the hospital gown to allow the German officer to preserve some dignity.
Rothschild notices that the lean Captain is more agile than on the previous day, as he provides him with support, but still not able to walk on his own. By the time they return to the officer's ward, Mary Falkowsky has prepared the breakfast for the two patients. Turning toward the arriving duo, she smiles at them gratefully, as Marcello is blabbering incessantly, pointing at the different breakfast parts and smiling at her, while he tries to compliment the meal. Without American coffee violating his sentiment, he is quite fond of the foreign cuisine. "What's he saying, Captain?", nurse Falkowsky inquires curiously, as she helps the German officer to sit down on his cot again and find a comfortable position for eating his breakfast. "To summarise, he's complimenting you or whoever is responsible for the content of the breakfast for its excellent taste, quality and amount through countless creative metphors", Dietrich translates, before adding with a smirk: "I told you not angering him with coffee would work miracles." The nurse smiles back. "Can I hear the rest of the love story now? Of Radames and Aida?"
Marcello smiles at her fondly. "Che donna meravigliosa. Potrei baciarti." Dietrich chokes on his coffee at the words and seeing his reaction the nurse asks curiously: "What did he say?" "That he's glad about your enthusiasm", the German Captain replies quickly, averting his gaze. "I don't know much Italian, but every medic knows that 'donna' means 'woman'. What did he really say, Captain Dietrich?", Rothschild asks with an amused smirk. Hans Dietrich briefly glares at him, before grumbling: "He said that she is a wonderful woman and he could kiss her. But it's only meant as a proverb in Italian, not literally." Mary Falkowsky grins widely now, as the Italian Lieutenant beams at her throwing her a theatrical kiss. "Il comandante militare Radames tornò in Egitto trionfante, con il padre di Aida, il re Amonasro, in catene. Il felice faraone lo nominò suo successore e gli promise in moglie sua figlia, la principessa Amneris. Incitato, spinto dal suo amore per Aida, Radames chiede la libertà dei prigionieri di guerra etiopi invece di ucciderli tutti, cosa che gli viene concessa dal faraone, tranne Aida e suo padre che dovrebbero rimanere come ostaggi", the Italian Lieutenant starts his enthusiastic plot description from the point where he has dropped it, as he is waving his left arm triumphantly, until he notices the American Doctor's stern gaze and lowers it again, looking quite sheepish.
"Military commander Radames returned to Egypt triumphant, with Aida's father, king Amonasro, in chains. The happy pharao made him his successor and promised him his daughter, the princess Amneris, as his wife", Hans Dietrich starts his translation, as the American nurse focuses a pleading stare on him. Looking quite starry-eyed, she whispers, enticed by the plot: "Opera is so romantic." The German Captain scowls at her, as her replies: "Ususally, Opera is full of tragedy and absurd plot twists which lead to the main characters' death." "That's still so romantic. It's even better than the movies", Mary Falkowsky counters unperturbed. "Please, don't stop translating, Captain! You must tell me how it continues." With a fatalistic expression, as if he would have been ask to sign his own death sentence, the young officer continues with reluctant translation: "Incited by his love to Aida, Radames asks for the freedom of the Ethiopian prisoners of war instead of killing them all which is granted by the pharao, except for Aida and her father who should remain as hostages." "That's true love!", the black-haired nurse whispers with awe in her voice and Doctor Rothschild is exchanging an exasperated glance with Hauptmann Dietrich at the young woman's naivity.
Marcello looks less impatient, as he realizes the nurse's enthusiastic reaction. "Che meravigliosa!", he agrees, before continuing his awaited plot recount: "Sulle rive del Nilo, Aida attende Radames mentre progettano di fuggire insieme. Amonasro fa pressione su Aida per scoprire dove attaccherà l'esercito egiziano. Quando Radames arriva, Amonasro si nasconde e ascolta Radames mentre rivela i piani militari ad Aida. Amonasro si rivela e Radames si rende conto di aver inconsapevolmente tradito il suo paese." The German Captain grimaces at the story of unwitting betrayal of one's country which feels uncomfortably familiar, as memories of a SS officer without respect for truces, the Red Cross or basic human decency tingle at the back of his mind. Wannsee can rot in whichever ditch the Rats have left him for the vultures and jackals for all Hans Dietrich cares.
"Please, Captain, would you continue translating?", Mary Falkowsky repeats her plea which the young Captain has ignored, while his expression has turned more grim and dark. "I'm sorry for my inattentiveness, Lieutenant", the young man mutters a bit sheepishly to be caught off guard like that. "On the banks of the Nile, Aida waits for Radames as they planned to flee together. Amonasro pressures Aida to find out where the Egyptian army will attack next. When Radames arrives, Amonasro hides and listens as Radames reveals the military plans to Aida. Amonasro then reveals himself, and Radames realizes he has unwittingly betrayed his country", Hans translates wearily for the eager nurse who looks shocked by the plot twist. Marcello is delighted to have such an attentive audience. American captivity is definitely not the worst that has ever happened to him. While the Italian provides some enthusiastic compliments to the nurse, the lean German is trying to get some bites of his breakfast in between translations which he tries to keep short, intent to enjoy his food at least a bit as long as it still is lukewarm.
"Radames viene imprigionato per il suo tradimento. Amneris gli offre la libertà se rinuncia ad Aida, ma lui rifiuta. Viene condannato ad essere sepolto vivo", the unnerving Italian opera diva finally continues with the plot. "Radames is imprisoned for his betrayal. Amneris offers him freedom if he renounces Aida, but he refuses. He is sentenced to be buried alive", Hans Dietrich translates for the American nurse. Marcello moves his left arm to his throat, imitating an exaggerated struggle for air, as he provides the final scene description: "Aida si è nascosta nel caveau per morire con Radames. Accettano il loro destino ed esprimono il loro amore l'uno per l'altro mentre soffocano. Sopra, Amneris prega per la pace e piange la morte di Radames." "Aida has hidden in the vault to die with Radames. They accept their fate and express their love for each other as they suffocate. Above, Amneris prays for peace and mourns the death of Radames", Dietrich translates, suppressing the urge to provide the undignified display of rolling his eyes at the Italian stage actor. "Oh dear", Mary Falkowsky whispers with unshed tears in her eyes.
"As I warned you. The Italian opera is full of plot twists, dramatic deaths and tragedy, Lieutenant", Hans comments, forcing himself to sound less harsh than his mood would ask for, as she is not Marcello. "It's wonderful. None of my dime novels even gets close", Mary argues at which the German Captain stares at her as incredulously as the American medic. "I could listen to him all day", the American nurse whispers with a slightly dreamy expression. "I can't", Dietrich remarks dryly. "Do you want to switch places with me?" Rothschild laughs heartily at the remark, while the American nurse looks a bit baffled, before smiling as well, as she tells him: "I fear that won't be possible, Captain." "Too bad", the German officer counters with irony, trying to alleviate his dire situation a bit through humor. "Get some rest, Hauptmann Dietrich!", Doctor Rothschild advises the younger man with a friendly smile. "How exactly do you suppose I can rest next to him?", the young Captain asks sarcastically, waving his hand in the direction of the Italian Opera singer who has started singing Radames' aria, mimicking the suffocating with his beloved Aida. For a moment, the young officer catches himself wishing that he might actually suffocate, before scolding himself mentally for even thinking something like that about his fellow Axis officer.