 Words at war. Citizens of Athens, attention! You will receive into your homes such of our officers as may be billeted upon you. You will put yourself in your possessions at their disposal. You will obey their commands without question and treat them in all respects as your honored guests. Any attempt at insubordination may be met with imprisonment or death. I order of the fear of... The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with the Council on Books and War Time presents another of the most significant programs on the air today. Words at war. Dramatizing the most representative books to come out of this world conflict. Tonight, Glenway Wesket's absorbing novel of the German character, Apartment in Athens. What do you mean to actually invite a German officer to come and live with us? It is a good policy, dear. Is it possible for a Helianus to suggest such a thing? But that's all the more reason, Zoe. The name Helianus is suspect already. But Patrice and old Georgus will believe you've gone over to the enemy. Perhaps they're sternest stuff than I am. Or perhaps they don't love their wives and children as much as I do. Nicholas, our own little Alex, has the spirit to win his only 12. Your cousins will have nothing but contempt for you, so will Alex when he's older. They needn't know. This proclamation today forces any Greek family to take in German officers. If we're forced to it, yes. But if you make a friendly gesture toward the enemy, everyone will know it and will be in disgrace with our own people. Nicholas, I'd be so ashamed inviting one of these Nazi brutes into our home. My dear, I know how you hate the Germans. I'm not exactly fond of them myself. But they're human, too. They need food and lodging. Why, Zoe, we could get 40 marks for the front room. 40 marks of inflation money, perhaps enough for a loaf of bread. But, dear, don't you realize that our problem is one of sheer survival for the duration? No. We've used up all our resources. I have a wife and two children. What kind of a husband and father would I be if I didn't try by every possible means to see that you do survive? But not at the cost of aiding the enemy, Nicholas. Ah, nonsense. We'll serve Greece best by keeping alive until she's freed. Nicholas. How many take the quartermaster corn on the next street? Those officers are in entirely different types, Zoe. They're businessmen. Work long hours. Much better to choose one of them while we can and have one of the other type inflicted on us. You heard the proclamation. You know what's going to happen? You always make things sound so reasonable, dear. Well, dear, you're a woman. You think with your emotions. A man has to keep a clear head. Well, Alex, exciting reader again with those blood-curdling torture stories. Don't you worry. You're like fairy tales to the leader. Well, come and quiet, then, Nicholas. Alex's going to be rather a problem, I'm afraid. Children. Children. Why, they're watching. We're playing a game. Here, put that cushion on the chair, lady. You swing? The soft, scratchy one. I'll get Father's walking stick. And why do you want my walking stick, Alex? It's a bayonet, and the cushion is a German stomach. What talk is this from our son? Poor child. He's playing at war. Well, then, already, he knows so much. I'm practicing, mother. He's practicing. Alex is practicing. Alex, Leda, war isn't for children. You must think of it as a flood or an earthquake. I am a Greek, mother. You'll be proud when I kill my first German. Nicholas, make Alex understand how dangerous this is. He's always dreaming and planning. Soon he'll try to make it come true, and the Germans will catch him. And then, oh, heaven, haven't we suffered enough? Children, you may look at my big travel book on the top bookcase shelf. Daddy! Be careful of it, though. Oh, thank you, Father. Let me get it. Oh, it's my turn to sell it. I want to get it first. Poor little thing, so thin and white. Malnutrition, of course, and the famine's getting worse. The quartermaster corps controls all the food in Athens, Zoe. They're sure to have special privileges. Perhaps if one of their officers lives here, if we treat him well, he might even give us... ...only get food for Alex and Lida. Well, I'm going to see what can be done. Nicholas Salianos, 45, former publisher of school books and scholarly treatises. Once prosperous and understated, Cihoko, wife Zoe, 43, two children, Alex, 12, Lida, 7. Lianos himself was never taken part in active resistance, but... His cousins, Petros and George Salianos, are rebels fighting in the mountains. Anyone named Salianos is suspect. The rest is confidential. Not a good record. If I may suggest, there is nothing against me personally. That may be only because you have not been found out. We know that you Greeks stick together. However, there may be a certain advantage to the new order, if I were a member of your household. I would have you under my eye. We are quiet, retiring people, sir. Struggling to survive under the present difficulties. We take part in no subversive activities. That remains to be seen. I will inspect your apartment this afternoon. Oh, no, this single bed won't do. I need my rest. My wife and I sleep on our only double bed, sir. No argument. A good German knows how to sleep on the ground. Won't her degree to sleep on the floor move the double bed in here. Come here, get this brat out of the bathroom. And hereafter, this will be for my exclusive use. I shall dine here alone. No one else in this house is to eat until I have eaten. Here are two dozen shirts, Mrs. Salianos. Wash and iron them perfectly. Or you will do them over again. Nicholas, how outrageous. Oh, dear, don't take it seriously. It's just the German love of order. How can we sleep in the kitchen? Why must this captain have the sitting room as well as the bedroom? He studies at night. And you know his eating alone is quite an advantage to us. He'll never notice how much we get of his food allotment. You're such a clever cook, dear. I can't stand it if he orders me about the kitchen. Let's not anticipate the worst. If we're tactful and do our best for him, he'll appreciate it. How can you be so soft? Nicholas, you're a Greek gentleman, and this Nazi bully treats you like a servant. Zoe, you're too overwrought. Please trust me. I shall wear him down with courtesy. Zoe, darling! Right beside you. Shall I turn on the light? No. Let's lie here in the blessed darkness. I'm worried about these nightmares of yours. They're no worse than the nightmare we live by day. Darling, I'll talk you to sleep again. We've had such delightful times in our lives. These memories should sustain us now that things are difficult. I remember once when you and I were walking in the royal gardens just before we were married. How beautiful you were. The Greek statue will come to life. Nicholas, why did you even consider sharing our privacy with this Nazi officer? And then there was another time when we wandered among the ruins of the Parthenon. I remarked, and I thought it rather good, too, that even the fragments of the classic age of Greece have a character and a quality we admire but cannot equal today. All of these Nazis are beasts, all of them. Greece is a volume of history, and every stone is a page for the sensitive to read. Our very name has a poetico significance to other nations. Nicholas, it's no use. Don't try. So the old charm doesn't work anymore. I will now inspect your icebox, Mrs. Inna. Moving but three onions, half a cup of olive oil, a cup of curd. Hey, did you try to hide this piece of cheese in the corner? No, sir. Put it on a plate in my room. Where's the bread? There is no bread, Captain Golder. When any food enters this house for myself or for you, I want it reported to me. For the next two hours, I want absolute silence. There's your quartermaster, Nicholas. Well, dear quartermasters or bookkeepers, too. They like to check up on things. It's their habit of mine. We were going to live on the leftovers. There aren't any. He knows exactly what goes into every dish, and I must account for every ounce. He's turned the table on us. I even have to account for our own food. Careful there, dusting his desk and disarranging the papers. I've knocked over these photographs. So, are they damaged, the glass broken? No, thank heavens. Was that his wife? Must be. And these boys in uniform, his sons. At least I know his human. I've seen him studying them. It isn't German. It isn't Greek. It's a man looking at someone he loves. Giannis, come here. On your knees. No, no, no, no. I'm not going to kick you. Pull up my boots. Oh, yes. That's better. See that you get a high polish on them. I want them standing outside my door in the morning. Is that understood? He didn't leave a lick of soup. Has he started on the chops yet, father? There were three big ones. Surely he won't eat them all? Taking in this glass of wine, Alex. But just look. Don't say anything. Yes, father. No, leader. There's just enough for Captain Coulter. You see, Nicholas, the child's ravenous and that brute in there, gorging and plush. The child might repeat what you see. He's too frightened even to speak. He's just eaten the inside of the chops. There's a lot left around the bones. He's lighting a cigar. I'll go and bring back his plate. Well? Here's an ice tracer. Let me remove your plate. Don't bother. I'll use the plate for an ice tray. The way it is dangerous to cross a German officer. Don't go in, I will. I'm going. Captain Coulter. All of that proud of you is to get up on this. You want me to kick his brains out? Alex, Alex, here. He knows the weight of my fists. Don't you, you sniveling little thief? Yes, yes, sir. What has he done to displease you, Captain? Last night I sent this little rat over to my friend with the two meat bones left over for my dinner. His dog enjoys these little delicacies. Only one bone arrived. The boy stole the other. I didn't. I swear I didn't. I wanted to, but I was afraid to. He lies again. Carry your room, Alex. Please accept my apologies, Captain. My son is a growing boy and suffers from his appetite. If he's trusted with food, he'll steal it. He just can't help it. After this, please let me carry it to your friend's dog, myself. You're great for all thieves by nature. Only you happen to be intelligent enough to know you can't get away with it. I'll have this bread and cheese and take it to my friend with my compliments. Yes, sir, immediately. Alex is a nervous, cowardly boy. Corporal punishment's the only thing for him. I expect to see a marked improvement as a result of my living with you. You'll thank me for the trouble I take with him. Yes, sir. If you'll excuse me now, sir. How much longer? How can you stand as you may live? Be patient, dear. Be patient. It's better to be alive. No decent man should stand it. I will stand anything for you and the children. This was hard on Alex tonight, but it's no worse than the beatings punnier boys have endured from their school masters. Look at that boy's ribs sticking out. Look at his thins to our face and remember it when you're bowing and scraping to that devil in there. We're better off than people in prisons and concentration camps. How? The captain is our protector from the greater cruelties. As long as we serve him. We're safe. Right to it now. Oh, Nicholas, just think two wonderful weeks. Yes, my dears. The captain's off. Now watch the car turn the corner. You'll be on the plane for Germany in 20 minutes. Maybe the English will shoot the plane down and then he'll never go back. Well, we better not get on that. If he comes back, if he does, I'll get him out on a balcony and I'll trip him and he'll fall over the ballastrade and hit the street squad. Slide! I still can't believe he's gone. Yeah, freedom takes a little time to get used to, dear. We'll eat all the captain's food. We won't have his allotment while he's away, dear. Now, never you mind. A clever family like the Hellianus knows how to have a good time somehow. Oh, Nicholas, will we ever be happy again? It's never too late for a little happiness. You have a comfortable trip, Captain Colter? Yes, yes. By the way, I'm Major Colter now. Why? I beg your pardon, Major. No matter. Will one of our Greeks, too, suit you for dinner, Major? I haven't any appetite. You belated yourself. What? Don't go to any trouble for me. But you are... Yes, I was always particular about food and such, but perhaps I'm different now. I put up fresh curtains in your bedroom, sir. Very kind of you, Mrs. Hellianus. We'd like to please you, sir. There's anything we can do. Nothing matters now. You poor devils, I'm sorry for you, too. I'll be back late, but I try not to disturb you. The trap, that's what it is, a trap. Oh, come on, dear. When he was back in Germany, he remembered all we'd done for him and decided to be pleasant. Fortunately for us, he's a changed man. Changed? He's a German. Remove your boots, sir? No. No, no, no, no. Sit down instead. What? Some little talk. Two men living under the same roof discuss things occasionally. Take that chair, Hellianus. If you wish, sir. Thank you. You're a man of some distinction. A publisher, weren't you? Yes, sir. I was a publisher in a small way. I've noticed your books. They have unusual quality. We Germans admire cuts in any country. May I pour you a little brandy? Very kind of you, Major Governor. More easily with brandy. Thank you, sir. Health, Major Governor. And yours, Hellianus. You're a sensible fellow for a Greek. Tonight, I'm making my will. Oh? That is remaking it. I have property and in time of order, it's hard to handle such things. Yes, there must be many new laws. You're a very well-informed man, Hellianus. In the publishing business, we pick up a good many odds and ends of information, sir. You see, I have no family. I didn't know. No family. I may interest you to know how I am disposing of my modest fortune. You foreigners think of us Germans only as soldiers and world leaders. You forget what we have done for civilization, philosophy, science, music. Yes, indeed, sir. Germany has made a great contribution to the arts and sciences. Music is what I love best. If things were to go badly the next year, the next few years, the musicians suffered hardship and would be the end of music all over the world. Dead silence everywhere. Am I not right? Certainly, the world would be poor without German music. It was the only music. Therefore, my estate goes to a music school and likes the scholarships and the pension fund. Now, if you'll excuse me. Certainly, sir. And thank you for the brandy. Nicholas, you were gone so long. Is anything wrong? There's something I don't understand. What? He's just made a new will. What's peculiar about that? Why, the pictures in his room. His family. All Germans are vindictive. He's changed his mind and offended him. Zoe, he's not a cruel man now. He's a sad man. You think so? Here's a glass of our hot spiced wine, major. I thought you might enjoy it. Very much. Taste of pitch. Nevertheless, thank you. Sit down. Well, thank you. I've just been reading an article by one of our great writers who explains with a wonderful German frankness that German defeat would be really German victory. Well, how is that possible, sir? It would intensify the spirit of the nation and increase the national aptitude for war. A very interesting argument. Absolutely conclusive. Like all of our German thinking. You see, we are so intelligent, we consider the most remote possibility, such as losing this present war. That surprises you, doesn't it? I confess it does. We are the only nation to think in great times. That is why we were governed the word. Who else is equal to the task? If I may suggest, sir, the Americans are able and wonderfully inventive, sir. We have taken all their inventions and we have made something of them. Ah, what fools the Americans are. They are so generous and free and easy between wars. America has been most generous to us Greeks. Fools and their money. Why, in peace time, they help Germany. It's not sentiment. They think it is to their interest to do so. You see, how weak you other nations are in your intellect. The Americans help us to prepare for the next war against them. What's there be another war, Major? War is the only way of life. Peace is a weak thing. Germany wants victory in you time, of course, but if this is not the time, we will have the future. There will always be another war, if we honor us forever and forever. History will give the Germans another chance. I hope you've learned something of our ideals from this talk. I found it most stimulating, Major. I'm a very lonely man these days. We Germans have great hearts and a capacity for suffering. There's only thing we can do to make you more comfortable, sir. Nothing, nothing, nothing. Don't put yourself out, it isn't necessary. Good night. Good night, Major Colin. Nicholas, you know I'm always nervous when you let the Major draw you into conversation. My dear, I'm becoming his friend. It's a great step ahead. While he hasn't inspected the kitchen or checked on the food for two weeks, we're eating better, Zoe. These Germans are very clever, Nicholas. They invite your confidences by pretending to give theirs. It's only pretending, darling. This was real, I'm sure. Something's troubling him. There were tears in his eyes tonight. He's a very lonely man, Zoe. Nicholas, you're more of a child than Alex and Lida. Alex plays at war, and I play at being a philosopher superior to war, is that it? You're always ready to believe the best of everyone, dear. Never trust a German. Not a sweet stubborn wife. You don't think I always agree with the Major, do you? No, I don't think that, but... Well... It's only that you're so absent-minded, dear. Sometime you won't think and you'll say the wrong thing. Oh, I'm very careful, very discreet, and kindness always pays. Never with a Nazi. Just your counts, anyway. I think I'll take him in this cup of coffee for a nightcap. He seems so melancholy. Nicholas, please don't talk anymore. Oh, I promise. I'll just hand him the cup. Must you come in here just now? I'm alone. I need to be alone. Oh, forgive me, Major. It's too late now. Too late to stand on ceremony, shut the door. Yes, sir. I feel very bad. I've talked too much already. Why did I take you to my confidence? What possessed me? I'd better go back to the kitchen, sir. Or if you're ill, may I call a physician? If I can do something for you, sir... No, it makes no difference. You're a good fellow, to be honest, aren't you? Perhaps you're not, I don't know. I can't judge. The German officer loses confidence in his judgment about the men. It's the end of everything, isn't it? Sit down, I'll be honest. Thank you. But if I can... That's good to tell, my trouble. Passes the time. The deadly time. You Greeks and the other horror nations. That's your blasted conceit. You think all the suffering of war is on your side? It's not so. I told you I had to make a new will. This is what happened. Just before I returned home to Germany, my eldest son was a fighter pilot, crashed. Oh, what a tragedy, sir. Almost every family has to give a son for the fatherland. But... While I was on my way home, my house in Königsberg was destroyed in an air raid. My wife was burned horribly. And you suffered all this in Salishan? And after I got home, my younger son was killed in Russia. A young boy, a green soldier. Your entire family? For three days. My wife and her frightful bandages comforted me for the death of our sons. She restored my faith in the future. In Germany. Then she died. Sir, words... Words cannot express. I cannot say... I do. I do. I'm so weary of this war. I can't fight anymore. I'm in hell. Hell, hell on earth. Oh, how intolerable it is. You think that two men with too much power should have brought all this tragedy upon us other men? Two men, what do you mean? What two men? I mean the Fuhrer and the Duchy. Why, you vile freak, how dare you? How dare you? I wouldn't offend you, sir, believe me. Oh, sir, forgive me. It was only I felt so grieved over your sorrow. How can I help this swine like you? No, my sorrow. I already stepped, sir. You poor, rascally freak. I thought you were more intelligent than the others. You know what comes next, I presume. I now telephone the military police to come here and take your custody. You unfortunate woman, you. Your husband's under arrest. Go away. Nicholas Hillianus, since you are to die in the morning. You are permitted two minutes private talk with your family. I will wait at 30 p.m. My darlings. Nicholas. Zoe, we have only a moment. It belongs to Alex, Alex, my son. Yes, father? Your mother's been right all along. And I've been wrong, terribly wrong. I'm paying for my cowardice. Oh, no, no, you'll die a hero, Nicholas. Your father leaves you a name to be proud of, Alex. It's no matter. Alex, tonight I want you to steal out of the house and make your way to the mountains. You know where our cousins, Patriots, and the Argus are. Father, I would any way tomorrow. No, tonight. They'll think you wouldn't leave me. Never trust a German son. Remember it every moment. Never trust a German, a German who seems to have gone soft. It's a hard lesson. Learn it. There you go. Quickly. What is the lesson, Alex? Never trust a German. Tonight on Words at War, we brought you a dramatization of Glenway Wesket's novel, Apartment in Athens. The radio dramatization was written by Phyllis Parker. In the cast, Wendell Holmes played Elianus Peter Cappell.