The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

A doctor diagnoses Michael with scarlet fever and orders months of isolation; his mother keeps his sister away.

Scene 11 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Doctor
Carla

Act oneAct two

Begins 4 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 11

As a law student, Michael sees Hanna, his former lover, on trial for war crimes and must face the secret that shaped their teenage relationship.

Scenes 1–6
In 1995, Michael prepares breakfast for Brigitte, then is alone in his apartment and looks out the window.
Scene 7
Hanna finds and comforts Michael while he is sick, creating their first connection.
Just before
Scene 8
Hanna carries Michael’s satchel and pulls him along the street.
Scene 9
Michael reaches his block and tells Hanna he will be fine; after he goes inside, she hesitates at a crossroads while he watches.
Scene 10
At dinner, Michael’s family argues over his illness; he insists he needs no doctor, while his father refuses discussion.
Scene 11
This scene

11INT. BEDROOM. BERG APARTMENT. DAY

MICHAEL is lying in a single bed, his face violently inflamed. CARLA is with the DOCTOR, a much older man.

DOCTOR

Remind me, how old are you now?

CARLA

Michael’s fifteen.

DOCTOR

It’s scarlet fever. He’ll be in bed

for several months. At least.

MICHAEL turns into the pillow, a wet patch beneath his head. Delusional with fever, he senses a presence at the door. He turns. It’s EMILY. But at once CARLA’s arm pulls her away.

CARLA

Keep away. He’s contagious.

They vanish. The door closes. In the corridor the DOCTOR is heard.

DOCTOR

Burn the sheets. Complete

isolation. And three months is the

minimum.