(19)
EXT. HARBOR -- HONGKOW -- SPRING OF 1941 -- DAY
More Jewish refugees flock to Shanghai. Among the newcomers huddling in the harbor is Rose, carrying a BOY on her back and two heavy suitcases in her hands. Rose gasps and puts down her suitcases. She squats down to let the boy get off from her back.
ROSE
(wiping off sweat)
Petr, honey, walk on your own. Mama is so tired.
PETR
(sobbing)
Mama, where is it? I'm scared.
PETR, a boy of two, embraces Rose and buries his pale face in his mother's chest. Rose pats her son on the back and sniffs his soft golden hair.
ROSE
Don't be scared, honey, Mama is here with you, huh?
Rose looks around and sees Hans and Anna in the crowd. She waves to them, tears rolling down her cheeks.
ROSE (CONT'D)
(yelling)
Hans, Anna, I'm here.
Hans and Anna wave back and run toward Rose.
HANS/ANNA
Rose, Rose, here we are.
ROSE
(to Hans and Anna)
Hey, it's so wonderful to meet you guys again.
They hug each other. Hans and Ann carry Rose's luggage and walk her to the car. Petr toddles behind them, unnoticed.
ANNA
Why did it take you so long to get here?
HANS
Our trip seemed much shorter.
ROSE
You know what, the Suez Canal is closed, so we couldn't sail to Shanghai directly. We had to go around Africa, a five-week voyage at sea around Africa.
HANS
Absurdly, here in Shanghai, Jewish refugees aren't even allowed to disembark in the International Settlement or French concession.
ANNA
Just as we've been denied visas to enter those nations in Europe.
ROSE
Anyway, I'm finally here. It's so good to see both of you. What a relief.
Petr tugs at Rose's sleeve. Rose suddenly remembers something and looks around for Petr. She leads Petr to Hans and Anna.
ROSE (CONT'D)
Oh, well, as you can see, I'm not travel alone. Please meet my son Petr. Petr, your Uncle Hans and Auntie Anna.
Petr is so shy and embarrassed as to hide behind his mother. Hans and Anna stare at Petr in surprise, not expecting to see him.
HANS
Your son? You've got a son?
ANNA
Oh, Rose, you've got a son. How old is he?
ROSE
Um, almost two.
HANS
His name? Say it again.
ROSE
Petr, it's Petr.
HANS
The last name? What's the last name?
ROSE
Uh, uh, he has my last name.
ANNA
Your last name?
ROSE
Yes, mine.
HANS
Why not his father's?
Hans looks suspicious and flushes in anger. Anna scrutinizes Hans' expression and becomes nervous.
ANNA
Who's the father?
Rose gets fidget and anguishes, weeping softly.
ANNA (CONT'D)
(anxiously)
Tell me, Rose, tell me the truth.
Rose buries her face in her hands, crying desperately.
HANS
(to Anna)
Stop, Anna, stop, don't ask any more.
ANNA
Just tell me, is Hans the father?
ROSE
No, no, no, Anna, no. what are you talking about? No.
ANNA
If not Hans, who? Who?
Petr is horrified and begins to wail. Hans pulls Petr into his arms and caress his head to soothe him.
HANS
(resolutely)
I'm his father. I am.
Anna is shocked and looks at Rose, speechless. Rose stops crying and calms down.
ROSE
No, Anna, Hans is not the father, he's lying. Don't believe him.
HANS
I'm not lying. It's my responsibility. I'd take responsibility.
ROSE
No, Anna, trust me. It's a long story. I'll tell you later. Let's go to an inn first.
ANNA
You don't need to go to an inn. You can live in my house. My parents expect to meet you, so they let me invite you. They're now waiting for you.
ROSE
Will it bother too much?
ANNA
No, not at all.
HANS
Well, spend tonight with Anna. I'll find a place for you the first thing tomorrow morning.
(CONTINUING)
