The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

After the meal, Michael answers the waitress’s “mother” remark as if it were true; outside he kisses Hanna as the waitress watches.

Scene 57 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Waitress
Michael

Act oneAct two

Begins 23 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 57

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 54
Michael sells his pyramid stamp for cash and runs into the street exhilarated as his reading continues.
Scene 55
Hanna and Michael cycle down a sunny hill through the countryside.
Scene 56
At a café, Michael orders for Hanna while a nearby group of boys jokes; Hanna watches them nervously.
Scene 57
This scene

57EXT. CAFE. DAY

The meal finished, MICHAEL is alone, paying the bill.

WAITRESS

I hope your mother was happy.

MICHAEL

Thank you. She enjoyed her meal

very much.

The WAITRESS goes. HANNA returns from inside. MICHAEL holds out his arm to her, which she takes. They walk away towards their bikes. He is smiling. MICHAEL looks round, then dares to reach across and kiss her on the lips. The WAITRESS watches.