The German Counsel: We are here in Zürich and, if I understand you, you want the German government, which is at war with Russia, to take you across Germany to Sweden because you can get to Russia from there.
Lenin: I'm offering to stop the war.
The German Counsel: Oh, I didn't know you had so much authority.
Lenin: If there was a Bolshevik government in Russia, we'd immediately make peace with Germany. Then how many German divisions could you transfer to the Western Front?
The German Counsel: And now you're asking me for classified information. Do you know my government has locked up more Bolsheviks than anyone else? How can you expect us to help you make a revolution? You have no sense of proportion.
Lenin: All I'm interested in is power in Russia, and it's lying there in the streets waiting to be picked up. Kerensky won't last. He's still fighting the war, and the people are desperate for peace. I shall offer them peace. Then you'll see the real revolution.
The German Counsel: I see your jokes are very subtle. A Marxist wants to use the Kaiser, and perhaps the Kaiser can use the Marxist.