The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

A tram supervisor offers Hanna a promotion to office work; she looks distraught rather than pleased.

Scene 73 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 28 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 73

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 70
At the lake, Michael watches Sophie swim and talks with her and Holger about the American visitors.
Scene 71
Smiling, Michael cycles back toward town.
Scene 72
Michael arrives late at Hanna’s and begins reading Chekhov; Hanna sees through his excuse about school.
Scene 73
This scene

73INT. GARAGE. DAY

A huge tram-shed full of empty trams. HANNA is at the end of the garage, talking to the SUPERVISER, a large man in his fifties.

SUPERVISER

Schmitz, one moment. We’ve got good

news for you. Your work is good,

we’re going to promote you. To work

with me in the office. It’s more

money. Congratulations.

He moves away. HANNA looks distraught.