Hauptfeldwebel Strachwitz:
What are you doing over here by the wire?
Hilts:
Well, like I told Max here, I was trying to get my...
German Soldier:
Achtung!
[Von Luger enters]
Von Luger:
What were you doing by the wire?
Hilts:
Well, like I told Max... I was trying to cut my way through your wire because I want to get out.
Von Luger:
Suche ihn.
Hilts:
Bitte.
[Before Strachwitz can search him, Hilts produces his wire-cutters and hands them over to Von Luger]
Von Luger:
You speak German?
Hilts:
Jawohl, Herr Oberst.
Von Luger:
Wire cutters?
Hilts:
Jawohl, Herr Oberst.
Von Luger:
I have had the pleasure of knowing quite a few British officers in this war. And I flatter myself that we understand one another. [In the gathered crowd of prisoners nearby, Flying Officer Ives blows a raspberry, visibly irritating Strachwitz and Von Luger.] You are the first American officer I have met. Hilts, isn't it?
Hilts:
Captain Hilts, actually.
Von Luger:
Seventeen escape attempts.
Hilts:
Eighteen, sir.
Von Luger:
A tunnel man, engineer.
Hilts:
Flier.
Von Luger:
I suppose what's called in the American Army, "A hotshot pilot." Unfortunately, you were shot down anyway. So we are both grounded for the duration of the war.
Hilts:
You speak for yourself, Colonel.
Von Luger:
You have other plans?
Hilts:
I haven't seen Berlin yet. From the ground, or from the air. And I plan on doing both before the war's over.
Von Luger:
Are all American officers so ill-mannered?
Hilts:
Yeah, about 99 percent.
Von Luger:
Then perhaps while you are with us you will have a chance to learn some. Ten days isolation, Hilts.
Hilts:
Captain Hilts.
Von Luger:
Twenty days.
Hilts:
Right. Oh, uh, you'll still be here when I get out?
Von Luger:
[visibly annoyed] Cooler!
