The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael returns to his family at breakfast; his father welcomes him back without pressing him.

Scene 84 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 32 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 84

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 81
Michael watches Sophie and friends swim, then runs away when Sophie calls after him.
Scene 82
Michael finds Hanna’s apartment emptied and lies down on the stripped bed.
Scene 83
Michael sleeps curled up, fully clothed, in Hanna’s empty apartment.
Scene 84
This scene

84INT. APARTMENT. DAY

The family at breakfast. MICHAEL slips quietly in the main door, trying to go to his room without being heard. EMILY runs to look.

EMILY

It’s him.

Sheepishly MICHAEL appears.

CARLA

Where were you last night? What

happened?

MICHAEL

I stayed at a friend’s.

PETER

Carla.

PETER looks. He seems to know exactly what’s been going on.

PETER

Get the boy something to eat. I

think we all knew you’d come back

to us eventually.