The bombs soar overhead and explode on the ground with a thud. Dilapidated buildings catch fire, burn away and topple down. Chinese and Jewish people, shrieking and wailing in chaos, flee their wrecked homes and scurry about in the streets.
Mark, Jacob and the four musicians join other men in extinguishing a fire. Corpses and wounded bodies are tugged out of the ruins. Emilia and Catalina help pull a little boy out of a pile of rubbish. Dr. Behr administers emergency treatment to the injured and sick people here and there, followed by Mina and a group of nurses carrying first-aid kits and stretchers.
MARK
How come the Americans are bombing Hongkow?
EMILIA
The Americans are expected to save us. Why are we harmed so badly?
JACOB
It's retaliation against the Japs. Their target is the Japs, not us.
EMILIA
So, we're innocent victims in the midst of the war, aren't we?
INT. DOORWAY OF A BUILDING -- DAY
When the ALL-CLEAR SIRENS SOUND, Hans peers at the scene out of the doorway.
HANS
An American strategic bombardment.
ANNA
If the Americans win, can we be saved?
HANS
Hopefully.
ANNA
So, we have our chance.
HANS
Our last chance, the only chance.
Hans and Anna step out of the doorway with caution.
EXT. STREETS NEAR RADIO STATION -- DAY
Hans and Anna pass by mutilated corpses scattered everywhere. Anna stumbles over some CORPSES and falls to the ground. She screams and cannot help vomiting. Hans stands her on her feet and hurries her away from the tragic scene.
While wading through a mound of the wreckage, Hans and Anna hear someone wailing. They hurry to remove the debris with their bare hands and drag a pregnant woman from the wreckage. Anna bends over the pregnant woman lying on the ground, wipes the mud and dirt off her face, and bandages up her injured head.
Hans continues searching for more victims in desperation. A little GIRL stands near the window of a burning house, wailing for help. Hans darts into the dilapidated house toppling down in the fire and saves the little girl out of danger.
More corpses are pulled out of the trap. Two VOLUNTEERS take in charge of counting the corpses.
VOLUNTEER 1
More than thirty, more than thirty Jews, died of the bombardment.
VOLUNTEER 2
What a misery. What a jolt.
Kaddish are heard to be recited for the dead.
Hans and Anna are astonished to see Petr staggering along toward them and stumbling over a heap of rubble. Hans hastens to stand Petr on his feet. Petr's face is bruised and his coat torn.
PETR
(whining)
Hurry up, Mama is dying, Mama is dying. Please save Mama. Save her, please. She's dying.
ANNA
Where? Where's your Mama? Where?
HANS
Show us, Petr, where is your Mama, hurry up.
Petr runs, followed by Hans and Anna dashing toward the place where Rose lies. Hans carries Rose on his back and hurries away. Griping Petr's hand, Anna scurries with the boy.
INT. HOSPITAL -- HONGKOW -- NIGHT
Rose has been in a coma. Anna and Hans are at Rose's bedside, watching. Petr falls asleep in a cot nearby. Rose gradually wakes up and opens her eyes.
ANNA
Hey, Rose, how are you feeling?
HANS
Don't worry, Dr. Behr is gonna be right here.
ROSE
(weakly)
Don't bother yourselves about me. Where's Petr?
ANNA
He's fallen asleep just now. He cried a lot. He's so exhausted.
ROSE
Hans, Anna, may I ask you a favor?
ANNA
Of course.
HANS
Please say it.
ROSE
I'm dying.
ANNA
No, you'll be fine
ROSE
(gasping)
I'm dying, I know. After I died, please take care of Petr for me, I beg you.
HANS
We always take care of Petr, we promise.
ROSE
You promise?
ANNA
Yes, we promise.
ROSE
The newspaper said that Walter had been captured, sentenced to death and summarily executed.
ANNA
So, the man who tortured you died?
ROSE
Yes, the man who tortured me and fathered Petr died.
HANS
Did Petr know?
ROSE
No, of course not. Let it be a secret forever.
ANNA
Yes, let it be a secret forever.
ROSE
(a bit cheerful)
I wish I could see you get married by my own eyes, but...
(feeling regret)
Jacob, what a good man. I feel very sad that I can't keep my promise to marry him. Jacob, I'm so sorry...
Rose closes her eyes and dies. Anna stands up and pulls the blanket over Rose's face. Hans takes off his cap to pay last respect. Tears are streaming down their cheeks.
(CONTINUING)
