Das zweite Leben des Friedrich Wilhelm Georg Platow (1973) - full transcript

THIS FILM IS ABOUT
THE CURIOUS STORY OF

RAILWAY CROSSING GUARD
PLATOW, WHO LOST HIS JOB

IN THE EARLY 197Os
DUE TO TECHNOLOGY.

CONTRARY TO ALL HE HAD
EXPERIENCED UNTIL THEN,

AT 57 HE LEARNED ABOUT LIFE
IN A RATHER UNIQUE MANNER.

Hey, you!

Got a screw loose or something?

Who'll pay for my lost
time? The Reichsbahn?

THE SECOND LIFE OF FRIEDRICH
WILHELM GEORG PLATOW

DIRECTED BY SIEGFRIED KÜHN

RÉSUMÉ



I, Friedrich Wilhelm Georg Platow,

was born on December 11, 1913,

the last of 8 born to tenant
farmer Wilhelm Georg Platow

and his wife Margarete.

The period of the First World War,
which I still remember clearly,

was spent beside my parents
out in the open air.

My mother placed great
importance on tidiness.

Without a provider for the family,
the hard times that followed

forced me, the youngest,
to mature quickly.

…if there's no more
King of Prussia…

I am the King of Graudenz!

Come here.

Come on!

Lad, you could
amount to something!



When my brothers and sisters
moved out of the house,

my mother moved in
with a disabled veteran.

My new father was
a man of principles.

No, don't!

After primary school,

I began an apprenticeship
at the Mixdorf railway station

under Stationmaster Dollwitz.

I learned railroading
from the ground up.

No slacking off there, Platow!

Everything must
be spic and span!

After my training period
fortune smiled upon me.

I obtained the coveted
position of traffic controller

at the Luege station.

On this day I met my wife.

Bravo! Bravissimo!
Who can lay him out flat?

Capisco! I will pay
a hundred marks

to the man who
can knock him out!

The mighty strongman,
the lion of the steppes!

I'll pay a hundred
marks to the man

who knocks out
the lion of the desert!

A hundred marks at stake!

Capisco! Who will dare?

Who can lay out
the tiger of Bengal?

Aha. Come here, sir, come here.

A hundred marks!

Bravo!

Off with the young couple!

Oh, how beautiful!

My wife gave me 3 children.

One Sunday, we had
an unexpected visit.

- Heil Hitler.
- Heil Hitler.

Cheers.

How about a donation for the
brave mothers on the homefront?

- Is it voluntary?
- Of course.

Everything is voluntary
one way or another.

We merely ask.

Well, if it's voluntary

then I'll give…

How much, then?

Nothing.

Some say times are tough for
railroaders in the Third Reich.

But you're having chops
instead of Sunday stew.

Nothing left for Winter Relief.

It's a shame, Platow.
Such a shame.

You could've
amounted to something.

Two weeks later
on the Eastern front:

POW camp on taiga.

War kaput!

War kaput! Peace!

Understand?

Home soon. Home soon!

War kaput.

Peace, understand?

Home soon.

Home soon!

The boy had been
in town on an errand.

It saved his life.

Georgie! Hey!

I returned to the rail crossing.

I've been in this
position for 34 years.

Arriving: the P-112 from
Hollemünde to Warmut.

Where do you think you're going?

Rennmark has summoned me.

The big boss? What did you do?

Train departing. Stand back!

Have fun.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

- You're talking about a person.
- No, it's a piece of paper.

It's a personnel file,

not just a piece of paper.

But you, with your dry intellect,
you wouldn't understand that.

What do you have
against dry intellect?

Nothing! It just
makes me thirsty.

The man had his
position until '43.

Widowed in an air raid

that also claimed two
of his three children.

In 1951, he turned
down advanced training.

By the way, you
offered it to him.

Union member since '46.
Eight years of schooling.

If you see such a file as
just a bit of paper, you're right!

He's been at his
crossing too long.

He'll only get it once
his tools are taken away.

With one fell swoop
he'll lose control of his life.

Finished.

- Sorry to disturb you.
- You can disturb me any time.

Go ahead.

He earned respect before,

but he is unwilling to learn.

You can see that and more
by reading that pile of papers.

But… can we afford it?

You certainly can't afford it.

This is your seventh cup today.

- Stationmaster Platow is waiting.
- Yes, in a minute.

The cafeteria had bananas.
I bought a pound for you.

Since when do I eat bananas?

Here, for your kids. Off you go.

Don't think your line of
thought is foreign to me,

or that I'm just a
dusty bureaucrat.

Let's consider the file
from a different angle.

Let's consider its spirit.

There he is.
A terrible stroke of fate:

- His wife, two kids…
- Yes, we all paid for the war.

True, but psychologically
he's withdrawn from life.

His job exacerbates
this because he's alone.

I just mean that your
approach is common:

to make him re-enter life,

open up the world of
formulas and electronics

like a big, colorful book.
You say he deserves this!

Even though we're not
obliged, and society will pay for it.

I'm sorry: It just goes
against my beliefs!

What do you want?

Help him, ok; but take his
own interests into account.

Send him to some local line,
where there's no new technology.

There he can grow old in peace.

Isn't that the humane solution
and in our own interest?

Forcing him to go back to
school would be torture for him.

Take the file away
end the fellow in to me.

And get me a beer.
I'm thirsty from listening to you.

- A beer?
- Yes, and make sure it's cold!

You shouldn't smoke so much.

Stationmaster Platow reporting.

Hello?

You see, mate? Now it's my turn.

Nonsense! Don't talk like that.

You see? You'll be fine.

I've been harsh
to you railway men.

I cracked down on you sometimes.

I've been mean.

I didn't give you any peace.

That fellow was supposed
to bring me a beer.

You didn't like
me either, Platow,

already back then.

I wanted the trains to run.

I vowed during the war
that the trains would run.

Oh, you can't know
how I'm dying for a beer.

Listen, Fritz.

It'll be different for you.

Retire, manage a local line.

Grow dog roses, how
about it? Live a long life.

That's what I should have
done, but I couldn't stop.

An old revolutionary…
Our battlefield…

Where is our battlefield?

I'm dying… for…

a beer.

That's the last time you'll
treat me like a dumb boy!

- Have you decided?
- Liver with vegetables.

- None left.
- Then with cabbage.

- Also off the menu.
- It's not crossed out.

No liver with vegetables, so
no liver with cabbage. Logical.

Why is that logical?

If liver with vegetables
is crossed out,

but liver with cabbage isn't,

logic dictates there are
vegetables, not no liver.

Well, there's no liver. Logical?

But it's not logical.

You can't use the
word 'logical' in that way.

- Two Gourmet Stews.
- Two GS's!

- So, now it's logical.
- Yes, now it's logical.

But there's still no liver!

This kind of thing
really gets to me.

I knew that I'd end up
in the pub today.

I can't handle seeing corpses.

I shouldn't have
become a doctor.

I wanted to be a writer.

I can write the most
beautiful poems.

The night kisses
your mossy face.

Bitter rain plashes the stream.

How did you come
up with 'mossy face'?

Mossy face.

The night kisses
your mossy face.

The night, the darkness.

Velvety, midnight blue…

Kiss…

Lips soft.

Moss rough.

A softly stroking hand.

Face…

Eyes…

This mossy face has a
beard. Now I understand.

The railway tracks get rusty,
when the trains don't run.

A man's soul turns
frosty, without a little fun.

You wanted to tell me
something important.

Progress is steamrolling us.
We're being electrified.

Finally.

Your railway
cottage will crumble.

Your ramshackle
crossing is going electric.

Will you go back to school,
or move to the local line?

Take my advice,
go for the local line.

Grow flowers.

Grow flowers?

That's the second time
I got that advice today.

Three beers, three schnapps.

Nothing too strong for me.
I can't handle it.

Just one beer and one schnapps.

I've got to go home, my wife…

What will happen to my crossing?

Have a drink.

Leave me alone, mossy face.

What will happen to my crossing?

Not even a little schnapps?

Just the one?

The crossing will be schnappsed.

Completely schnappsed away with.

Most uncollegial of you, Platow.
Didn't think you were like that.

Have you brought a
nip with you at least?

No? Shame on you.

You should've been here
at five. What time is it now?

They're doing the same
here as on the Warmut line.

What, electrifying it?

A little birdie told me.

Will we be unemployed,
comrade? Or will we go get training?

Could you move out of the way!

You woolly beast.

Don't touch the dog!

The switches will
be changed out.

At exactly 8:24, central control

will take over the
electric switches.

Hey, Grandpa! Out of the way!

Come on, Platow.
Get to your post, quick!

Faster! Run, Platow, run!

Jack fell down and
broke his crown.

Here, we'll give
you a hand, old man.

- Hey, Platow, press the button!
- The button!

It's up and running!

Look out, you fool!

Reverse!

A hot meal
Or a cold brew,

Whatever you want,
There's something for you!

Today the office had a visit

from Stationmaster Friedrich
Wilhelm Georg Platow

from the Luege station. Stop.

The current situation was
made clear to him, comma,

that due to the electrification
of the railway line

his position is now
redundant, comma,

but that he will be redeployed

and assume responsibility
for the Heinweg signal box

on the local line
to Falkenweser,

comma,

the post that his son is leaving

to pursue further training

at the School of
Transportation, comma,

thus allowing the younger Platow

to be relieved by
his father. Stop.

This appears to all

to be a most fortunate solution

and one in keeping

with socialist
ethics. Full stop.

Well, that was
quite some effort.

Your son's admission is ready.
You can take it with you.

I just need a signature.

His colleagues say
he hasn't slept for days.

Always keeping
an on the crossing.

He's just too old.

Come, let's go have lunch.

I'm not doing it, father.

You little imp!

Going back to school.

As an adult. I'd
feel ridiculous.

You imp!

Take back this
useless bit of paper.

- Boy!
- You little imp!

You didn't leave
Luege back then.

You'll find something else.

It's all the same to
you where you end up.

You'll have to adapt either way.

- Grandmother…
- Yes, what is it, Detlef?

Keep your snotty
comments to yourself!

Is this seat free?

What is it, Detlef?

But you can see that the
window seats are taken.

Thank you.

Your daughter is
much nicer than you.

- Here you go.
- Thank you.

Why is the train so slow?
Isn't this the express train?

Excuse me.

The warning signal is shut off.

Oncoming traffic. The
second track is being laid.

Lunch is served.

What a slow train!

- Are these seats free?
- One moment!

So what's on the menu today?

Saddle…

of…

mutton.

- Well?
- Schnitzel with peppers.

- One or two?
- Two.

- Anything to drink?
- Tea.

- One or too?
- Yes.

- No.
- Now you've confused me.

- Tea for her. Coffee for you?
- Yes.

I'm old, it's true.

Dear daughter, I'm old
and useless, it's true…

At night you can hear
trains from miles away.

At first through the tracks.

It makes a fine…
how can I put it?

vibration.

It took me many years
before I could hear it.

You don't fool me. You're in
your late fifties. I can see it.

How?

You dress to look younger.

It's not my place
to give you advice,

but looking younger
isn't about how you look,

it's about how you act.

You shouldn't look at a woman
as if you find her attractive.

I don't like it when people
try to be what they're not.

I know something about it.

Excuse me, where do
they sell these blouses?

It doesn't matter.

And the way you move
is a dead give-away.

You walk with bent knees.

You can see through the trousers

whether people use
their knees or hips.

You've got talent. So
everything is possible.

Growing roses would be better.

Who are you, with your sad eyes?

A princess with worries.
And you?

With the railway. You
worked that out already.

DIARY
Werner Ossenberg.

Platow.

Hey, that's you!

It's your turn.

Admission letter, please.

Thank you.

- A six-week course.
- Yes.

How old are you?

- 37.
- 37?

I would've guessed younger.

But it doesn't matter.
You're not too old!

- Married?
- No.

You'll live in the
residence hall.

Well then, good luck to you,

Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Platow.

No, Friedrich Wilhelm Georg.

One moment.

May I have it back?

Here it lists your name as
Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Platow.

That's right.
That was my father.

Oh, you have a father…

Well yes, like everyone.

How old is he?

20 years older, around 60.

So very old.

Oh well, we'll all
be old some day.

Good luck then.

- Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Platow.
- Yes.

- Til we meet again.
- Until then.

Now here I die in peace

In the arms of my friend

Her I die in peace

- The hours…
- I'm Platow.

I have an urgent question.

What is idealism?

Idealism? The
opposite of materialism.

You'll learn more
in today's lesson.

Any other questions?
I have a lecture to give.

Good morning.

My name is Dr. Justus Fiebig.

'Justus' is Latin
for 'the fair one'.

I will try to live
up to my name.

Let me pose a few questions
to see what you know.

- What is materialism?
- The opposite of idealism.

Go on.

You said we'd
learn about it today.

Materialism is eating, drinking,
living, and not believing in God.

By this definition I'm a
true materialist, Doctor.

A banal answer, but
true. What is dialectics?

Dialectics. From the
back, then from the front,

next, around the side,
lastly, through the middle.

Main thing is, get to the goal.

I see you know these
terms. How is that?

20 years of night school.

What is class struggle?

Good morning, Fiebig.

So what is class struggle?

That the tracks are in order
and the trains run on time.

I know you, you're…

Can I help you?

I'm sorry, I must've
made a mistake.

The similarity, though…

- Where are you from?
- Heinweg.

The Heinweg signal box.

- You're not from that dump…?
- Luege, perhaps?

That was my father.

I remember my father saying,

"There's no further
training at my age," etc.

So I said to myself,

"You've been in your
little station for 34 years."

- "Back in '51 I had…"
- Your father, you mean?

Yes, as I said to him, "It
was back in '51, Father,"

"that they wanted to train
you, and you didn't go."

"Did you ever ask yourself,"

"when the cold winds blew,"

"in the loneliness
of your crossing,"

"if you'd passed up an opportunity
you'd never have again?"

And now someone else is
doing what you did 20 years ago.

Wait - who is…?

Oh, of course! Your father.

Because electron beams

can only bridge

a wider distance

in a vacuum,

the interior of

the electron microscope

must continually be evacuated.

This results not only
in a more efficient…

Very good, Platow, very good.

Excuse me, is this the
Ditfurt and Klatow residence?

'Tis I, the galloping mailman.

Telegram for Mr. Ditfurt.

By the way,

there's a concert tomorrow.

You should go.

Make sure you
wear a decent suit.

It's Bach's Double Concerto,

performed by the Philharmonic.

"Culture"

"is every second
heart attack of my life."

Who said that?

Erich Weinert, you philistines.

Here are the tickets.

It wasn't Erich Weinert,
it was Hans Marchwitza.

And it isn't "heart
attack," it's "heartbeat."

"Culture is every second
heartbeat of my life."

Or that way. Where's
the bottle opener?

What about you?

Aren't you going?

Today is a first
heartbeat day for me.

Anyway, I went to a concert
as a little boy. It's nothing new.

Moving, isn't it?

- My shoes are pinching.
- Shhh!

I don't care for this one much.

For what?

- For this movement.
- Which movement?

Where do you think you are?
Some beatnik cafe?

- Come on, let's go.
- Where?

Where the prices are cheaper,
the waiters less snooty

and the music less
loud and electric.

Platow junior!
What a coincidence.

What are you doing here
in this retirement locale?

- We were just leaving.
- Out of the question.

First let's share a
nice bottle of wine.

Don't be a wet blanket.
You're not your father.

- On me, of course.
- Great.

- Have you made a selection?
- Yes.

This wine: it's dry, mature
and not too expensive.

- Two bottles or three?
- Three.

He's our professor, Dr. Schildt.
We call him Shilly-shally.

Teachers can't avoid
being given nicknames.

- And what's your name?
- Malvine.

- Shall we dance?
- Youth before beauty.

Shall we dance?

Cheers.

Cheers, Friedrich Wilhelm!

Don't drink so much.

Why not? It's free.

Platow, you look much
older than usual today…

Strange!

You look tired; shall we go?

Cheers!

He's like a tiger.

He's like a tiger.

As much of a tiger
as a man can be…

Stop this immediately!

Please leave the premises!

- We haven't finished our drinks.
- I don't mean you.

- Now, or I'll call the police!
- Then we'll all go.

- Seven bottles of Klosterkeller.
- I find your attitude stinks.

- I could say the same of you.
- 79.10 marks.

- I love you.
- Already?

Yes, totally.

What is electricity?

When the spark clicks!

Now here I die in peace

in the arms of my friend.

- Where do you live?
- Nowhere.

- Come home with me?
- I'll think about it.

A freight train engine, amazing!

Hey, Doctor, I remember
these from the last war!

- Your old man, you mean!
- What?

Let's see if the boiler
still works! Come on!

- Let's get her going!
- Get wood!

I haven't been on
one of these for years!

- Hurry up!
- We've got the wood!

- Rudi!
- Yes, here! Come on!

Take a look at this!

You can be the stoker!

A mighty blaze

of dancing flames

Oh, dearest mother

stay by my side…

Stationmaster:
the all clear signal!

Departure!

- Is the bugger jammed?
- What?

We're getting her into gear now!

- Take the brakes off!
- Okay!

Hey!

You lot!

Add more wood, stoker!

Enough already.

I'm bringing her
into the station.

Hey, where are the others? Gone?

About time. Here.

I saved this one.

We can drink it alone.
I've been waiting all day.

Those two had
other plans anyway.

Go away. And shut your mouth.

Rudi?

Rudi?

What?

I can't do it.

You can't do what?

The schoolwork.

You'll manage, Georg
Friedrich Wilhelm.

- Your body is strong.
- But not my brain.

And you, Rudi?

How old are you?

- 37.
- I'm ancient.

Come along.

You rascal, you could
be my son. You know that?

You're so good to me.
You must be in the Party.

What?

Stop.

Okay, now let's get ready.

Places, everyone.
No dilly-dallying.

- Morning.
- Morning.

How are we today?

You managed to
survive last night?

Today you're the traffic
controller at Wilferode.

Now give the signal
to enter the station.

Right. Now the line is ready
for the train to pass through.

Got it?

Good.

Next to that.

A seven minute delay.

Not your fault, happened
back in Walzburg.

- What are you doing?
- Bloody hell!

Platow, remember:

If the switch fails, the green
light shuts off automatically.

The G1230 can't enter the
station. It has to wait outside.

What's wrong, Platow?

I've never caused an accident.

I have an accident free record.

It can happen to anyone.
Don't take it so hard.

Look, here's what we'll do:

We'll put the train
back on the tracks,

and off we go again.

VIGNETTE

My back is slightly cold.

Yes, that's how it was.

Take a look at this.

You must try the herb
butter. It's really delicious.

I want to tell you everything,
but I don't know how to put it.

You shouldn't talk
while eating anyway.

Bon appétit.

I don't know if you'll
understand me.

What do you actually do?

At the moment I write
articles for the local paper.

I used to be in the
chorus at the theatre.

And what's your training?

At the start, I worked
for the post office,

then for a theatre obsessed
technical draftswoman.

Then nothing for a long time.

I'm a journalist.

Good for you.

Writing about workers while
you keep your hands clean.

- Nobody sent us.
- Listen, comrade.

We weren't talking to you.

So this here is the
famous railway connector?

The Yanks forgot
to bomb this one.

Sure are a bunch of
idiots out there. Enough.

Better go, the bugger's
getting impatient.

See you, reporter.
Want an autograph?

- 7:30 at Szeged.
- Don't forget flowers!

I know how to tell you now.

A handcar.

An actual handcar!

This belongs in a museum.

It's missing the
lever and the seat.

Also the crank.

Easy enough to rebuild.

- Is it worth it?
- Definitely.

Have you ever done
something wrong?

Who hasn't?

And you didn't know what to do?

There's always
something you can do.

Sometimes y ou
don't know what it is

and think there's
nothing you can do.

What if you try and
still can't find a solution?

Then you haven't
tried long enough.

And if you're sick
and tired of trying?

And the other person
just won't help you?

And it goes on and on, not
just for weeks, but for years?

Then you start seeing a
strange face in the mirror

and want to spit at it.

Did you do that?

What?

I'm going to rebuild it.

I can manage it.

We can give it to the museum.
I noticed they don't have one.

You're a philosopher.

As you say, my dear.

This carriage was built in
1880 for the King of Saxony.

The wax figures wear
period railway uniforms.

Comrade Director?

This colleague has
found a handcar.

Please excuse me for a moment.

- Come in.
- Go in, comrade.

At the freight station,
a genuine '58 model.

He wants to give
it to the museum.

He deserves some reward.
He's a student here.

He'd like to go to Cuba
or the Soviet Union.

- That's not necessary.
- Don't be so modest.

He actually just
wanted to donate it.

- Have you brought it with you?
- It's not that simple.

It's still at the freight station.
It's too heavy to carry.

It'd have to come via tracks.
They'd have to be cleared.

You need merely give the
word, Comrade Director.

It's not ready to roll yet.

Very nice. See you later.

Here are your two rooms.

Very nice, thank you.

So how do you like it?

- Dieter.
- Yes?

I have to tell you something.

Later.

No, now.

I'm listening.

In the capital…

there are many
stages and actors.

SHORT STORY

One of the most renowned
was Martin Wasser.

No one could hold
a candle to him.

For many years he
was in the hit play

"Millionaire's Opera" by…

the author's name
is unimportant.

He played the
male lead, a worker.

Martin Wasser's
standard of living

was not at all comparable
to the financial hardship

suffered by the character
he played on stage.

He…

Money wasn't something
he had to worry about.

After he took off his
working-class costume,

he jumped into his
Mercedes and whizzed home,

where he enjoyed the
possessions that he had acquired

by playing a poor worker.

A ravishing wife
awaited him there as well.

And though he enjoyed the
company of other women while on tour,

he nonetheless believed

that he wasn't
betraying his wife.

He thought his personality
was large enough for all.

But she didn't think so.

One day she told him

that she was leaving him.

Him, the great artist.

Suddenly he realized she meant
more to him than he'd thought.

His entreaties were in vain.

She fled to the city where
she had once been in a chorus.

She, who once lived in
luxury, now lived in an attic

and eked out a living
by writing articles.

When Martin Wasser-learned this,

as he sat in his empty
apartment after a performance

with a glass in his hand
before the empty TV screen,

it slowly, oh so slowly,
became clear to him,

as slowly as the autumn
leaves abandon the bleak trees,

that she must've been filled
with infinite disappointment.

She had fallen in
love with something

in the man on stage.

The good bloke,

the mew man.

But then this new man came home,

sat before the tube and
expected her to serve him.

He snored beside her in bed

and stank of cognac
in the morning.

He was brusque and
unreasonable all day…

until evening arrived

and he became the
other, the worker.

When Martin Wasser realized
this, what do you think he did?

You tell me you want to try to
work things out with your husband.

You insist that you can
fight for your happiness.

But I may not.

What kind of happiness is it,
when one can fight,

but the other may not?

One will be happy

and the other will
fall by the wayside.

Listen, you're a nice guy.

Yes. Lucky me, huh?

- Dieter, I…
- Go. You're free to take off.

I can't look at you anymore.

Finally. There you are.

She's gone.

Up and left.

The husband comes and,
just like that, she's gone.

I can't take it anymore.
I don't want to.

I know everyone thinks
I'm a happy-go-lucky fellow.

But for me it was serious.

You're a child.

I was very serious.

Do you see me crying?

Let that young upstart
have her, I thought.

- 60-year-old me.
- You're 60?

34 years at my crossing,
then it was taken from me.

So backhandedly…

You have to look
for better things.

I always suspected it.

I knew there was
something odd about you.

And I always knew that
I'd lose my temper with you.

Here. Have an apple.

Thank you.

NEWS BRIEF

If we weren't so used to
impossible things coming true

in this rapid era of science
and technology, we might doubt

the veracity of the singular
story that played out

at the Transportation School,
unprecedented in railway history.

Dr. Schildt, you uncovered
this outrageous scam.

How did you do it?

I knew from the very beginning.

- But there was, of course…
- Of course.

As administrator, how can you
ensure this will not happen again?

We have held critical meetings

and resolved that such a
thing will never happen again.

- Bravo. That's sure to help.
- We should've known much sooner.

In 1945, in the GDR…

As you can see,
ladies and gentlemen,

this excellent collective

takes full responsibility
for the matter.

What is your
opinion, Dr. Schildt?

He recently caused a terrible
accident with our model trains

because he cannot free himself
from his outmoded thinking.

It was immediately clear to me

that he is incapable of
model-based learning.

After reviewing the case,

and keeping in mind the
pertinent responsibility,

we in Warmut democratically
decided that the son…

Yes, the son.

- The son.
- Well, you know…

Who would've thought
it possible? I mean…

If I'd suspected, I
myself would've…

- I blame myself.
- And so what happens now?

Well…

He must immediately
discontinue his training.

And I hope he will consider
his actions with remorse.

Let's ask the man himself.

Where is he?
Wasn't he just here?

- What?
- Dear Listeners, we'll find him

just as we've found out
so many other things.

I'm a reporter! That
man who just passed…

We are always happy
to speak to journalists.

- Yes.
- First, you must fill out a form.

Then you'll receive
authorization to access the tracks.

But there's no time
for that at the moment.

There he is! What's
that thing he's on?

Well… It's a handcar.

- It was invented by a Frenchman…
- Does he have authorization?

- Certainly.
- How can you be so sure?

Because you can't
access the tracks without it.

He's on the tracks,
so he must have it.

- And if he doesn't?
- Good sir, that's impossible.

All the switches and signals
are controlled from here.

Automatically.

That means all journeys can
be entered in advance and saved.

Nothing can go wrong.

- There's something on the track!
- You're seeing things.

There, on track two!

- The track is shut off.
- The D123.

- It's behind it.
- Can the D-train cross?

Impossible. The signal
turned to "stop" automatically.

Now the object, whatever it
is, is moving to the side track.

All right.

- He's blocked the track again!
- That can't be.

Is he crazy?

I'm calling in the railway police.
He'll regret this.

I can't help it.
You must admit

that this person is very well-versed
in the electric track system.

He knows we're up here
working for him. It's great!

Come take a look at this!

Has he completely lost his mind?

Who can authorize me
to access the tracks?

Oh, drop dead!

Stop! I take it all back!

You've convinced me!
You get an A! An A!

Now stop it! Enough!

Damn.

I, Friedrich Wilhelm Georg Platow

born at the start of the century

and raised in difficult times,

worked for 34 years

at a railroad crossing.

What is it now, Detlef?

That's the famous railway man.

He always goes incognito.