The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael tells Rohl he has information that could help a defendant but that she wants kept secret; Rohl says he has a moral duty to disclose it.

Scene 118 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Rohl
Michael

Act oneAct two

Begins 55 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 118

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.
Scenes 7–24
The sick schoolboy Michael accepts Hanna’s help and returns to her.
Scenes 25–35
Michael enters an intimate relationship with Hanna, organized around his reading to her.
Scenes 36–96
Michael alternates between time with Hanna and school; their reading ritual and cycling trip continue while he also spends time with friends.
Scenes 97–104
At the trial, Michael finds Hanna among the defendants and hears her admit involvement in selections.
Just before
Scene 115
Flashbacks to Hanna refusing to read and avoiding written choices reveal to Michael that she cannot read.
Scene 116
Hanna admits she wrote the report; Michael pushes along his row past Rohl and the others in a panic.
Scene 117
Rohl finds Michael skipping seminars and tells him so on the law school stairs.
Scene 118
This scene

118INT. LECTURE ROOM. HEIDELBERG LAW SCHOOL. DAY

MICHAEL comes into the room and sits down, smoking a cigarette. ROHL waits.

ROHL

So?

MICHAEL looks at him.

MICHAEL

I have a piece of information.

Concerning one of the defendants.

Something they’re not admitting.

ROHL

What information?

MICHAEL stubs out his cigarette.

ROHL

You don’t need me to tell you. It’s

perfectly clear you have a moral

obligation to disclose it to the

court.

MICHAEL

It happens this information is

favourable to the defendant. It can

help her case. It may even affect

the outcome, certainly the

sentencing.

ROHL

So?

MICHAEL

There’s a problem. The defendant

herself is determined to keep this

information secret.

Two STUDENTS come in for the seminar.

ROHL

A moment, please. Please.

Chastened, they leave.

ROHL

What are her reasons?

MICHAEL

Because she’s ashamed.

ROHL

Ashamed? Ashamed of what?

MICHAEL doesn’t answer.

ROHL

Have you spoken to her?

MICHAEL

Of course not.

ROHL

Why of course not?

MICHAEL

I can’t. I can’t do that. I can’t

talk to her.

ROHL

What we feel isn’t important. It’s

utterly unimportant. The only

question is what we do.

ROHL gets up.