The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Hanna clips Michael’s ticket without acknowledging him; humiliated, he bolts off at the next stop.

Scene 43 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct two

Begins 16 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 43

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.
Just before
Scene 40
The tram travels out of town.
Scene 41
Hanna laughs and chats with the driver while Michael sits alone, feeling foolish.
Scene 42
The tram stops and passengers board.
Scene 43
This scene

43INT. TRAM. DAY

HANNA is now in the busy second carriage, collecting tickets. MICHAEL looks up expectantly. But as he holds up his ticket, HANNA makes no reaction except to clip it. She turns away without speaking. The tram comes to a halt again, and MICHAEL, humiliated, bolts for the door.