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Casablanca

Act 1 - Part 2

[A FLASHBACK TO PARIS – the story goes back in time to when Rick and Ilsa were in Paris, before the German army entered Paris ]

ILSA: Now, I really know the meaning of happiness, Richard. It's being here in Paris with you.

RICK: And the German army, fifty miles away. Who are you really, Ilsa ? What were you before you came to Paris ?

ILSA: Ha ha ! At the beginning, we said no questions, Richard.

RICK: You know, I can't help wondering why I should be so lucky, why I should find you waiting for me to come along.

ILSA: Why there is no other man in my life? Well, that's easy. There was. He's dead.

RICK: I'm... sorry. I know we said no questions. I'll never ask another.

MUSIC

ILSA: Richard, you must leave Paris before the Germans arrive. You're on their blacklist.

RICK: Ah, their roll of honor.

ILSA: Oh, don't joke, Richard. You must leave.

RICK: Oh, no, no, no. We must leave.

ILSA: Yes. Yes, of course.

RICK: Now, the train for Marseilles leaves at five. Say, why don't we get married in Marseilles ?

ILSA (starting to cry): Oh, no. Oh, that's too far ahead to plan.

RICK: Ilsa ? What's the matter?

ILSA: Nothing, darling. Nothing. Mm. It's just that I love you so much. Oh, it's a crazy world. Anything can happen. If you shouldn't get away -- If something should keep us apart, wherever you are, wherever I'll be, I want you to know, Richard...

ILSA: Kiss me... as if it were the last time.

[STORY MOVES FORWARD IN TIME AGAIN - BACK TO CASABLANCA AND SAM AT THE PIANO]

SAM (sings and plays piano):

You must remember this

A kiss is just a kiss

A sigh is just a sigh

The fundamental things apply--

(suddenly stops playing)

Boss! Wake up!

RICK (groans)

SAM: Boss, you have to wake up. That lady's here. This ain't no memory in Paris -- she's right here.

RICK: Ah, you're as drunk as I am, Sam.

ILSA: No. No, he's not, Rick. I'm here. I left Victor at the hotel and came back. I'm-- I have to talk to you.

RICK: Funny about your voice, how it hasn't changed. I can still hear it:

"Richard, dear, I'll go with you anyplace. We'll get on a train together and never stop."

ILSA: Don't, Ricky! I can understand how you feel.

RICK: You understand how I feel? How long was it we had, honey?

ILSA: I didn't count the days.

RICK: Well, I did. Every one of them. Mostly, I remember the last one.
You and I were going to run away from Paris together.

ILSA: Oh...

RICK: But you didn't meet me at the train station, did you?

ILSA: Please, Rick...

RICK: There was a wow finish. Me standing on the train platform, the last train about to pull out. But you didn't show up and Sam had to push me on the train.

ILSA: Ohh , the Rick I loved in Paris would let me explain... but this Rick, looking at me with hatred-- I'll be leaving Casablanca soon. We'll never see each other again.

RICK: You'll see me before you go.

ILSA: No, Rick.

RICK: Oh, yes, you will. Some night you'll lie to Laszlo and come to me.

ILSA: No. No, you see Victor Laszlo's my husband. And was, even when I knew you in Paris.

[STORY CONTINUES THE NEXT DAY]

RICK: Well, Laszlo, I wondered when you'd come to see me.

LASZLO: Captain Renault and Major Strasser kept me busy for the past twenty-four hours.

RICK: Well, there's no use fencing around. You've come about those letters of transit , haven't you?

LASZLO: Yes, I have.

RICK: You and Strasser and Renault. It seems to be the general impression in Casablanca that I have those letters.

LASZLO: Let's assume that you have them.

RICK: All right, go ahead.

LASZLO: You must know it's very important I get out of Casablanca.

RICK: Why you more than any of the others stuck here?

LASZLO: It's my privelege to be one of the leaders of a great movemen. You know what I've been doing. You know what it means to the work, to the lives of thousands and thousands of people that I reach America and--

RICK: Don't you ever wonder if what you're fighting for is worth all this?

LASZLO: You might as well question why we breathe. If we stop breathing, we die. If stop fighting today's enemies, the world will die.

RICK: What of it? Then it'll be out of its misery.

LASZLO: You know, Monsieur Blaine, you sound like a man trying to convince himself of something he doesn't believe in his heart. That wasn't always your attitude. You brought guns to help the people in Ethiopia. You fought against the Fascists in Spain.

RICK: I was well-paid both times.

LASZLO: The winning side would have paid you better. Isn't it strange that you always happen to be fighting on the side of the underdog?

RICK (chuckles): Well, let's say that I'm not a good businessman.

LASZLO: Are you businessman enough to appreciate an offer of a hundred thousand francs for those letters?

RICK: Oh, I appreciate it. But if you offered me a million francs, I wouldn't accept it.

LASZLO: Very well, then. You have the letters of transit. You won't give them to me. But I want Ilsa to be safe. Monsieur Blaine, I ask you as a favor to use the letters to take her away from Casablanca.

RICK: You love her that much?

LASZLO: Yes, I love her that much.

RICK: Oh. Sorry, but it's no deal.

LASZLO: But why?

RICK: I suggest that you ask your wife.

LASZLO: My wife?

RICK: Yes.

[We hear male voices singing "Die Wacht am Rhein" -- the German national anthem.]

RICK: Who's singing that song?

LASZLO: Probably Strasser and his Gestapo agents. They followed me here.

RICK: Well, don't start anything. I don't want any trouble in here that'll force Renault to close my joint.

LASZLO: You have no objections to your band playing music for me while I sing, do you ?

RICK: No, go ahead. I'm neutral. If one customer can sing, they can all sing.

LASZLO: They all will sing. (to Sam) Are you ready?

SAM: Yeah, we're ready, Mister Laszlo.

LASZLO: Then, play it!

[The band plays, Laszlo sings the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, quickly joined by others in the café, who drown out the singing Nazis.]

LASZLO AND THE CAFE PATRONS

ANNOUNCER: And so ends Act One of " Casablanca " starring Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, and Paul Henreid. In just a moment, we will hear Act Two.

Go to Part 3