The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael finds Hanna’s apartment emptied and lies down on the stripped bed.

Scene 82 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 31 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 82

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 79
After sex, Hanna tells Michael he must return to his friends.
Scene 80
After Michael leaves, Hanna washes out the milk bottles, picks up her luggage, and leaves the empty apartment.
Scene 81
Michael watches Sophie and friends swim, then runs away when Sophie calls after him.
Scene 82
This scene

82INT. LANDING & HANNA’S APARTMENT. DUSK

MICHAEL opens the door. He goes in. The apartment is emptied, the rented furniture in place, all trace of HANNA gone. He looks round. He looks at the empty bath, the tap above it. He opens the kitchen cupboards - some coffee, sugar, that’s about it. He goes into the bedroom, the bed stripped bare. He lies down on the bed.