FATHER quotes from The Pianist (2002)

FATHER

Five thousand and three.

MOTHER

Is that all?

FATHER

Yes, five thousand and three zlotys, that's all we've got left.

It's three thousand and three zlotys too much,
[Reading from newspaper)
'Re: Further restrictions regarding liquid assets: Jews will be allowed to keep a maximum of two thousand zlotys in their homes.'

MOTHER

What are we supposed to do with the rest?

Deposit it in a bank. Blocked account.

HENRYK

Banks? Who'd be stupid enough to deposit money in a German bank?

We could hide the money. Look here. Can hide the money in flowerpot.

FATHER

No, no, no. I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll use tried and tested methods. You know what we did in the last war? We made a hole in the table leg and we hid the money in there.

HENRYK

And suppose they take the table away?

MOTHER

What d'you mean, take the table away?

HENRYK

The Germans go into Jewish homes and they just take what they want, furniture, valuables, anything.

MOTHER

Do they?

FATHER

Idiot! What would they want with a table?

MOTHER

What on earth are you doing?

FATHER

"Re: emblems for Jews in the Warsaw District. I hereby order that all Jews in the Warsaw District will wear visible emblems when out of doors. This decree will come into force on the 1st December 1939 and applies to all Jews over twelve years of age. The emblem will be worn on the right sleeve and will represent a blue Star of David on a white background. The background must be sufficiently large for the Star to measure eight centimetres from point to point. The width of the arms of the Star must be one centimetre. Jews who do not respect this decree will be severely punished. Governor of Warsaw District, Dr. Fischer."

MOTHER

Good, they're here. Yitzchak Heller's been waiting for you, Henryk.

HENRYK

What's this about?

MOTHER

Sit down, have tea, I'll start lunch when the girls get back.

HENRYK

So, what are you doing here?

FATHER

He brought cakes. His father's back in the jewellery business and doing well, isn't that so, Yitzchak? Amazing. Jewellery.

We're recruiting.

HENRYK

Who's recruiting?

Don't be clever with me, Henryk. I've come here as a friend. They're bringing Jews in from all over the country. Soon there'll be half a million people in the ghetto. We need more Jewish police...

HENRYK

Oh? More Jewish police? You mean you want me to wear a cap like yours, beat up Jews with my truncheon and catch the Gestapo spirit. I see!

Someone's got to do it, Henryk.

HENRYK

But why me? I thought you only recruited boys with rich fathers. Look at my father, look at us, I mean...

Yes, I'm looking at you and that's why I'm here. Your whole family can have a better life. You want to go on struggling for survival, selling books on the street?

HENRYK

Yes, please.

I'm doing you people a favour. And what about you, Wladek? You're a great pianist. And we've got an excellent police jazz band. They'd welcome you with open arms. Join us. You've got no work!

Thank you. But I've got work.