The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Marthe finds Michael working in his room, asks whether he is serious about working, then leaves after they smile at each other.

Scene 94 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Marthe
Michael

Act oneAct two

Begins 35 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 94

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 91
Driving through rainy Berlin, Michael and Julia exchange tentative thanks and promise to meet soon.
Scene 92
Michael asks to take Julia on a trip and proposes collecting her tomorrow at ten; she smiles, and he hugs her before she goes inside.
Scene 93
At law school in 1966, Rohl welcomes a small seminar on the Third Reich legal system; Marthe corrects his greeting to include women.
Scene 94
This scene

94INT. STUDENT DIGS. NIGHT

MICHAEL is working alone at his desk, a light on. The door of his extremely modest student digs is open. MARTHE appears at the door, silently. He looks up.

MARTHE

So this is where you are.

MICHAEL

Yes. Come in.

But neither of them move. MARTHE just smiles from the door.

MARTHE

You take work seriously.

MICHAEL

Oh I don’t know.

MARTHE

You’re rather a serious boy.

MARTHE shrugs slightly.

MICHAEL

It’s how I was brought up. What

about you? Are you serious?

MARTHE

You’re sure you want to work

tonight?

MICHAEL

Well I do. But I won’t work every

night.

MARTHE

See you tomorrow.

They smile at one another. She goes.