ALL STEPS NECESSARY (excerpt)

ALL STEPS NECESSARY

BLACK

MUSIC AND CHORUS SLOWLY FADES UP: “Deutschland Erwache (Sturm, Sturm, Sturm)”

PROJECTED IMAGES OF KRISTALLNACHT DAMAGE; SIGNS “JUDEN SIND HIER NICHT ERWÜNSCHT”, etc. 

SOUND: BOOTS TRAMPING.  SMASHING GLASS.

SOUND: SMASHING GLASS ECHOES along with the RISING MUSIC until:

SOUND FADES OUT.  IMAGES FADE OUT.  MUSIC FADES OUT.

LIGHTS UP and:

SCENE:

A SITTING ROOM in HERMANN GÖRING’S well appointed home off Leipziger Platz in Berlin.  The walls are draped and one large window looks out on a GARDEN festooned with snow. A BAROQUE DOUBLE DOOR leads to a FOYER; another DOOR to the interior of the house.

A large PAINTING hangs over a BLAZING FIREPLACE. An ANTIQUE TOY TRAIN sits under a glass box on the mantel.

Several large, overstuffed CHAIRS spaced in the room with a large coffee TABLE almost in the center.  A small WRITING TABLE with an ornate FRENCH-STYLE TELEPHONE. A CHAIR to one side.

A large BUFFET table against one wall.  A tray of PASTRIES, a silver coffee URN, CUPS and SAUCERS, several bottles of WINE, a PITCHER of water.

A TABLE DOWNSTAGE holding objets d’art (BAROQUE CHINA, A GILDED DRINKING HORN, DRESDEN PIECES)

FIELD MARSHALL HERMANN GÖRING – 45 – (he describes himself as “corpulent”) on the PHONE.  He dresses in one of his more modest TAILORED UNIFORMS although he wears his MEDALS and IRON CROSS on a RIBBON around his neck. His COLLAR is unbuttoned.

GÖRING
(Intense)
… on my return from Munich yesterday I was absolutely confounded…
(Interrupted; listens for a moment with little patience)
Yes, the memorial for our Secretary in France was a noble affair.  A tragedy he was cut down by that Jew GRYNSZPAN. 
(Beat) 
Of course the German people have a right to their outrage. However I found this action – this instigated riot intolerable. 
(Listens again) 
I understand you had nothing to do with it.
(Listens; then adamant)
My FUHRER, it was not spontaneous. Your Minister of
Propaganda and OBERGRUPENFUHRER HEYDRICH deliberately set loose Storm Troopers creating wholesale destruction of property… 

FRAU GRETA GRUNDTMANN-KORNATSKI (40) ENTERS carrying a BRIEFCASE and NEWSPAPER. She places them on the small DESK and removes several PACKETS, a steno pad and several pencils. She places the Packets on the coffee table.

GÖRING (Continuing)
(On the phone)
…For weeks I’ve been traveling throughout the country imploring the people to collect old toothpaste tubes, every rusty nail, every bit of scrap material. 
(Beat) 
Thank you.  I appreciate your confidence.  But I insist that DR. GOEBBELS be told in no uncertain terms he has neither the right nor permission to upset my plans by creating an earthquake in the economic life of Germany. 
(Beat) 
Thank you.
(Beat) 
Yes, the meeting on the other matter will convene in just a few minutes and we intend to settle it as rapidly as possible.  (Beat)  Thank you.  Heil Hitler!
(Hangs up the phone)

He fumbles with his collar button.

GÖRING (Continuing)
Frau Grundtmann, please record this conference and bring it back for my approval before you leave.

GRUNDTMANN
Yes, FIELD MARSHALL.  And the title of the report?

GÖRING
Report of the meeting on the Jewish Question, Chairman: Field Marshall Hermann Göring, Saturday, 12 November 1938. 

She writes down his dictation.

GÖRING (Continuing)
(Still attempting to button his collar; exasperated.  Throws up his hands)
Damn.  My collar shrunk again.

Grundtmann approaches Göring.

GRUNDTMANN
Permit me. 
(She reaches up to his collar)

Göring lifts his chin while she buttons the collar and adjusts the Iron Cross.

GÖRING
Danke, Frau Grundtmann.  I look all right?

SOUND OF SEVERAL CARS pulling to the door.

GRUNDTMANN
As always, Herr Field Marshall.

GÖRING
Is there anything I should review before the meeting?

GRUNDTMANN
(Takes several sheets of paper from her briefcase and hands them to Göring) 
The most recent list of individuals and institutions who have sent gifts to your Excellency.  Some in thanks for your assistance…

GÖRING
(Looks them over) 
…and a few lobbying for my help.  We’ll discuss them in detail tomorrow after church. 

GRUNDTMANN
Yes, Your Excellency.  Will Frau Göring and the baby join you?

Göring pours himself a glass of wine and tastes it with a connoisseur’s flourish.

GÖRING
Emmy’s still in the country. 
(Looks out the window) 
Ah, the snow’s starting to fall – The lodge will look even more beautiful this time of year. 
(Back to Grundtmann)
Why don't you take a few days off and join Emmy. 

GRUNDTMANN
It would be my pleasure.  I can leave next Tuesday and return by Friday.

GÖRING
Done.  Emmy always enjoys your company.

A uniformed LUFTWAFFE SERGEANT (GORMANN) wearing a NAZI ARMBAND opens the DOUBLE DOORS revealing a portion of the FOYER with FRENCH DOORS leading outside. 

Old world, almost Edwardian DR. ERNST WOERMANN (50), and moon-faced WALTHER FUNK (48), carrying a briefcase, ENTER.  They wear civilian clothes under overcoats that have a dusting of snow.  NCO takes their coats and hats.

Frau Grundtmann rises as they enter.  They nod cursorily to her and she sits once more.  NCO steps outside and closes the doors.

Woermann wears a stern look.

GÖRING
HERR FUNK punctual as usual.

FUNK
Your message said to be prompt, Herr Field Marshall.

GÖRING
(Winds the clock)
You seem disturbed, DR. WOERMANN. Has our meeting interfered with your schedule?

WOERMANN
Not the meeting, Marshall Göring.  It’s the damned demonstrations.  They’re wreaking havoc with our foreign policy.  How could you permit it to get out of hand?

Funk places the briefcase on the floor next to a chair.  He opens it and withdraws a thick file.

GÖRING
Out of hand?  I didn’t have my finger in the action. The first time I saw the wreckage was on my drive from the rail station to my office on Thursday.

WOERMANN
And the Fuhrer?

GÖRING
He assured me he had no knowledge…

Door OPENS and cold, blonde, GENERAL REINHARD HEYDRICH (34) ENTERS wearing his officer’s OVERCOAT. Flakes of SNOW on the shoulders and on his SS CAP.  Gormann helps him remove the coat revealing his SS UNIFORM.

HEYDRICH
(HITLER SALUTE)
Heil Hitler.

The others respond with their salute.

GÖRING
GENERAL HEYDRICH…

Heydrich pulls out a HANDKERCHIEF and blows his nose.

HEYDRICH
Excuse me, this damned cold.

 GRUNDTMANN
(With a polite bow)
Would you care for some tea, General?

HEYDRICH
If you would be so kind.

 GRUNDTMANN
I’ll have it for you in a moment.

Grundtmann EXITS.

GÖRING
You should avoid driving in your open top car on winter days, Reinhard.

HEYDRICH
It’s habit, Field Marshall.

GÖRING
I fully understand.  Addictions are difficult to break.

Grundtmann ENTERS followed by Gormann who carries a TRAY with TEAPOT and TEA CUP and SAUCER.

FUNK
Will DR. GOEBBELS join us?

HEYDRICH
He’ll be here momentarily.  His car was behind mine.

Gormann places the tray before Heydrich who sits.  Grundtmann pours.

FUNK
(Refers to his file)
I reviewed your Four Year Plan, Field Marshall. It’s well thought out.

GÖRING
But you have reservations…

FUNK
Not at all.  Perhaps a refinement here or there.

GÖRING
I count on your financial expertise.

DR. PAUL JOSEF GOEBBELS (41) ENTERS.  Thin, acerbic, a CLUBFOOT, he wears a crushed FEDORA and LEATHER OVERCOAT.  He SALUTES.  The others return the salute.

GOEBBELS
(Sharply) 
Gentlemen.

GÖRING
Dr. Goebbels.  We can begin.

Goebbels removes his hat, brushes his hand over his hair.  Gormann takes his coat.

GOEBBELS
(Sharp, testy.  His hands flutter as he speaks)
Let’s get on with it.  We’ve wasted too much damned time talking and not enough time acting on this deplorable situation.

GÖRING
(Smiles disingenuously) 
Always a man of action.  We could have used you during the war, Dr. Goebbels. 

GOEBBELS
I attempted to enlist, Field Marshall. As you are fully aware, I was turned down for service because of my youth.

GÖRING
What the army lost, the Reichsbank and the university gained…

GRUNDTMANN
Excellency, is everyone present?

GÖRING
All of you know my personal secretary Frau Grundtmann-Kornatski.

She rises and the others bow politely.

 GÖRING (Continuing)
For the record, please give her your names and responsibilities.

Frau Grundtmann sits at her desk.  As they announce themselves she writes down their names and titles.

GOEBBELS
Dr. Josef Paul Goebbels, Ministry of Propaganda.
(Moves off and paces nervously behind the chairs)

FUNK
(Smiling) 
Walther Funk, Minister for Economics. 
(Warms his hands at the fireplace)

HEYDRICH
(Clicks his heels)
OberGrupenfuhrer Reinhard Heydrich. 
(Coughs into his handkerchief)

Goebbels reacts with mild disgust.

WOERMANN
Dr. Ernst Woermann, Foreign Office.
(Sits and scans the room with weary eyes)

Frau Grundtmann rises and hands each person a packet.

GRUNDTMANN
Your packets contain today’s agenda as well as a number of reference items.

They open the envelopes and examine their contents.

Grundtmann sits at her desk. Throughout, Frau Grundtmann takes notes.

GÖRING
(Completely in charge) 
A few moments ago I talked with Reichs Chancellor Hitler.  The Fuhrer demands that we Aryanize the entire economy as rapidly as possible. All we’ve done until now is dream up wild schemes and attack the problem half-heartedly.

GOEBBELS
(Forceful) 
You haven’t read the newspapers or looked out your window.

GÖRING
You mean that chaotic demonstration of yours?  Breaking glass – destroying property?

HEYDRICH
(Smug) 
They already have a name for the night of November 10: Kristallnacht.

GÖRING
“Kristallnacht” — very poetic, General Heydrich, but I’m sure your thugs do not read poetry.

HEYDRICH
Don’t patronize me, Field Marshall.  My men are the cream of German manhood.

GÖRING
We’ll see what kind of men you command when we meet a real fighting force.

Heydrich rises from his chair.

FUNK
Gentlemen, please let’s get down to business.

Heydrich moves to the fireplace.

GÖRING
Thank you, Minister Funk. 
(To Goebbels and Heydrich)
These demonstrations have harmed my ability to coordinate the German economy efficiently.

Funk sits and fidgets with his papers.

HEYDRICH
(Pointed)
Jewish businesses have been destroyed.  Isn’t that what we wanted?

GÖRING
General Heydrich, it does no one any good if shops are destroyed and goods thrown into the street since German insurance companies will end up paying for damages.  Furthermore those goods belong to the people.  Dr. Goebbels, I hope that in the future your irritating disturbances do not disadvantage us.  I’ve had enough of them.

GOEBBELS
Since when does the Field Marshall presume to have authority over anything to do with civil order?

GÖRING

You call it civil order when warehouses are looted, bales of clothing burned, valuable assets stolen? We need that materiel to support our armed forces.

HEYDRICH
I believe Dr. Goebbels will convince the German people that the Jews started the riots in order to collect the insurance in order to collect the insurance.

Funk stands.

FUNK
(Hesitant)
General Heydrich, no matter what we say in public, those business establishments – most of whom are German – will still want compensation and our insurance companies must make restitution.

WOERMANN
There’s more at risk than broken windows and insurance, gentlemen.  Our foreign policy is at stake.  The British and French signed the Munich Agreement with the understandingagreed that they have no desire to interfere with our annexation of land settled by nationals of German origin. and However they may look upon this as an act of provocation.

GÖRING
Dr. Woermann, no one gives a damn about the Jews here or anywhere else.  If they did we would know by now.

FUNK
I assume you have something specific in mind, Field Marshall.

GÖRING
(Picks up a folder and opens it)
Regarding Jewish owned property
(A glance at Goebbels),
I will issue a decree – with the support of the competent government agencies – that we process all payments through correct channels so that the German insurance companies do not suffer. 

WOERMANN
What of insurers linked to other countries?

GÖRING
I anticipated your question, Dr. Woermann, and invited Edouard Hilgard of the Insurance Companies Association to attend this meeting.  He’s best qualified to tell us how they can be protected against damages.

WOERMANN
What of insurers linked to companies in other countries?

GÖRING
invited the representative of the Insurance Companies Association, Edouard Hilgard, to attend this meeting, Dr. Woermann.  He’s best qualified to tell us how they can be protected against damages.

GOEBBELS
(Highly agitated)
Goddamn it! I didn’t come here to listen to a boring insurance salesman chatter about statistics. 
(Strides to the door)
I came to discuss the central issue.  I have better things to do. 
(He yanks open the door leading
 to the foyer)

GÖRING
Dr. Goebbels, I would appreciate it if you would remain.

Goebbels stops in mid-stride.  A leaden pause and then:

GÖRING (Continuing)
Frau Grundtmann, please escort our guests to the library. I have a new portrait you might enjoy seeing.  It captures a certain joie d’vivre.

They hesitate and then follow Grundtmann out. 

GOEBBELS
What is this all about?

GÖRING
You’re going to stay as long as I want you to stay.

GOEBBELS
By what right?

GÖRING
The Fuhrer requested I hold this meeting and have you present.  After you threw a monkey wrench into my machine, I had doubts.  I had doubts because I don’t know how much longer you’re going to be useful to our cause.

GOEBBELS
I know you, Hermann. Always playing one against the other.  All I have to do is lift that telephone and call the Fuhrer and we’ll find out who’s useful.

Göring picks up the RECEIVER and offers it to Goebbels.

GÖRING
(Pointed)
LIDA BAAROVA.

GOEBBELS