Red Army General :
I carried out my orders. I sent in all of my boys. But the Germans engulfed us. They have, artillery, aircraft, tanks. And me! What did I have?!
Khrushchev:
A sacred duty to resist! I have to report to the Boss. [puts a pistol on the table] Perhaps you'd prefer to avoid the red tape.
[Khrushchev walks out of the room to address political officers. There is a gunshot, then he begins.]
Krushchev:
My name... is Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev. I've come to takes things in hand here. This city, is not Kursk, nor is it Kiev, nor Minsk. This city, is Stalingrad. Stalin-grad! The city bears the name of the Boss. It's more than a city, it's a symbol. If the Germans, capture this city, the entire country will collapse. Now, I want our boys to raise their heads. I want them to act like they have BALLS! I want them to stop SHITTING THEIR PANTS! [briefly pauses] That's your job. As political officers, I'm counting on you. You, what's your suggestion?
Officer #1:
Shoot all the other generals who have retreated. And their chiefs of staff, too.
[Khruschev looks at another.]
Officer #2:
M-make s-some examples. D-d-d-d-d-de-port the families of the d-d-deserters.
Khrushchev:
[bored] Yes, yes, that's all been done.
Danilov:
Give them hope!
[Kruschev walks over and looks at the officer standing in the front, who motions with his eyes toward Danilov.]
Danilov:
Here the men's only choice is between German bullets and ours. But there's another way, the way of courage, the way of love of the Motherland. We must publish the army newspaper again. We must tell magnificent stories, stories that extol sacrifice, bravery. We must give them hope, pride, a desire to fight. We must make them believe in the victory. Yes, we need to make examples; but examples to follow. What we need... are heroes.
Khrushchev:
[looks around, wryly] Do you know any heroes around here?
Danilov:
Yes, comrade. I know one.
