The scene occurs in Klaipeda; a small fisherman's town in Lithuania during WWII. The Russian army is now in control of the town and have disrupted everyones lives. The people have reacted in many ways; from subversion, to defeat, to survival. HELENA is a local girl that has leveraged her beauty to help maintain the local clinic the town depends on. MIKHAIL is a Soldier that has fallen for HELENA. His conscience and choices now weigh heavily.
EXT/DOCK/SEASHORE/MORNING
MIKHAIL and HELENA are standing at the edge of a small dock. HELENA looks out to the Baltic sea. She has her arms wrapped around herself. The cold morning sea breeze brushes past them. No words are exchanged. Only the crashing of the sea, and the screech of the sea gulls can be heard. There are small empty fisherman's rafts all around them, bobbing in the waves.
HELENA
(softly)
Do you know why the boats aren't at sea today?
(beat)
HELENA
(cont.)
Because the men are being made to build your factories.
MIKHAIL
This isn't my war.
The winds blow stronger, making HELENA'S SKIRT and hair flap violently.
HELENA
(excited)
Do you think you can clean your conscience by
putting yourself above the rest of us? You are
here. You are wearing the uniform. You have
gun in the holster.
MIKHAIL
But I have no choice.
HELENA
(crying)
Then explain to me what I have.
(beat)
MIKAIL
(pleading)
You can leave. Go to Switzerland.
HELENA
Will you be on the boat with me?
MIKHAIL hesitates to answer. HELENA, hearing his response in his silence, turns and runs back to town. MIKHAIL is left alone on the dock.
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