Doctor in Clover

CHURCH BELLS RING

DOG BARKS

MAX (VO): Vienna is a city obsessed by titles.

In London, I was Max.

Just Max.

In Vienna, I am Doctor Maximilian Liebermann

physician, neurologist, and Englishman, of course.

They don't let you forget that.

The capital of a thousand-year-old empire, it's also a pedant's heaven.

A family's reputation can be ruined by the length of a woman's hem.

There are rules here for everything.

Romantic memories are pathogenic.

They create disease.

Banishment of painful, emotionally-charged memories from one's consciousness

requires an active repressing mechanism...

MAX (VO): This is Vienna's gilded age

and yet there is something unsettling deep below the surface.

A shadow realm the city is struggling to hide.

Welcome to Vienna.

Welcome to my world.

DOOR SLAMS

Holy Christ...

Do we have a name?

Neighbours didn't know her.

WOMAN SPEAKS SLOVAK

What's she saying? You speak Slovak.

Just nonsense.

Get her out of here.

WOMAN SPEAKS SLOVAK - Come, out. Out.

Please.

DOOR CLOSES

"God forgive me. I have tasted forbidden fruit and he will take...

take me to hell."

A suicide.

Then where is the weapon?

Someone must have come in here and taken it.

Door was locked from the inside.

Bolted. - It's the third floor.

Impossible to climb.

It doesn't make sense.

If she killed herself, the weapon would still be here.

The assailant tried to dress the thing up as suicide

panicked, and forgot to leave the weapon.

Her door was locked.

The key was on the inside.

Windows? Flue?

Welded shut.

No one could have made it in or out of there.

So, you're saying we have an invisible weapon

and a killer who can pass through walls, Inspector?

You were on duty when the call came in?

I'm not sure this is the right case for you, Rheinhardt.

It's a cab rank.

We take the first case that comes.

Very well.

There is someone I need you to meet first.

A junior doctor from the hospital, he's asked to observe a criminal case.

I'd prefer not to have outsiders.

You're to afford him every courtesy.

His father is a personal friend.

Doctor Liebermann?

Inspector Rheinhardt.

What do I call you? Doctor?

Max. My name is Max.

And you?

Inspector.

Woman murdered in Leopoldstadt.

Shot through the heart at close range.

Killer laid her out like she was a model in a painting.

You're just here as an observer, right?

The psychopathy of the criminal mind.

Catchy.

A useless life is an early death. - Good morning, Doctor Behr.

There is muzzle bruising.

Also, some powder burns.

Look, weapon must have been old...

Antique. - How long has she been dead?

More than a day. Less than two.

So, in terms of opportunity?

You should widen your search to everyone in the Empire.

May I?

A little malnourished, perhaps? - Mm.

No evidence of cholera.

Anything else?

Sorry.

Just observing.

Did someone put you up to this?

What? - There is no bullet!

See. This is where it entered.

But...

There is no exit wound.

No Sign of tampering.

No surgery.

So, what the hell happened here?

We are victims of a hoax.

Either that...

or someone has been practising witchcraft.

DRAWS SHUT

A vanishing gun...

and a ghost bullet.

She was some sort of mystic.

Would you mind staying silent?

Please don't touch that.

DOOR OPENS

No one knows her.

Knocked on every door, got nothing. - I don't believe it. It's impossible.

No one seen going in or out. No visitors.

What about the concierge?

Rent was paid. Slipped under the door every month.

Says she doesn't know her name.

I want this whole area trawled for witnesses.

You don't sleep until you get me a name, you understand...

er...? - Haussman, sir.

Haussman, someone must know something about her.

The weapon, we're looking for an antique gun.

Maybe a collector, or somebody with military connections?

DOOR CLOSES - INSPECTOR COUGHS

INSPECTOR SIGHS

Do you have to do that?

What?

You're staring.

I was told I could observe you.

Where would you prefer me to look?

I'd prefer it if you weren't here.

It was difficult to tell that from your manner.

Remind me. Why exactly are you here, Doctor?

I thought the Commissioner explained.

He said I was to tolerate your presence.

I'm making a study of criminal behaviour.

Really?

Then why aren't you in a laboratory somewhere, dissecting brains?

Because the way to study the mind is to observe the living.

For example: a policeman, maybe 20 years of service

a position of seniority and yet, he is impatient, he's heavy-footed

he's slamming drawers, eating coffee beans

perspiring even though it's cold in here, forgetting the names of his colleagues, so...

I would have to say he's anxious to get a result.

Not anxious...

desperate.

Maybe it's been a while since he solved a case.

I know and I'm sorry.

It's six o'clock! It's a quarter past six.

Well, I ran all the way.

You're not even changed yet. You're going to be horribly late.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam

hamotzi Iechem min ha-aretz.

So, did you meet with the Police Commissioner?

Yes. He's assigned me to a case.

A murder in Leopoldstadt.

Young woman, shot through the heart. - Hardly a fit discussion for the table.

Let's talk about something more pleasant.

Are you seeing Clara tonight? - Yes.

I'm taking her to see the Beethoven Frieze. Last chance before it's sold.

Sold? - Lovely girl.

Such a sweet nature.

How are things between you two? Oh, mother!

You know there's no point.

Stop pushing him!

Max will do what Max wants to do.

PIANO AND VIOLIN PLAY - INDISTINCT CHATTER

What a pleasure! Oh, thank you.

There.

Gosh, yes.

The Beethoven Frieze.

Gustav Klimt. I wanted you to see it before it's gone.

It's...

Extraordinary, don't you think?

You don't like it.

I find it frightening, to be honest, Max.

Almost like a nightmare. - Yes.

Images of madness...

forbidden wishes.

I'm sorry.

You were hoping I would love it.

Painters these days, they are no longer content just to paint you as you are

smiling, in your best dress, beside a bowl of apples.

I think apples have had their day, Clara.

"To every age its art."

Would you pay more attention to me if I were to pose for you like her?

Well, I think everyone would pay you attention if you were naked

on a 100-foot canvas.

Then perhaps I should volunteer.

Kiss me, Max.

Kiss me now.

What, right here?

Yes. We're playing a game.

Oh? What game is it this time, Clara?

It is called, "Prove to me that I'm more attractive than a painting".

Mm...

The Mayor.

Election time again.

Why don't I introduce you?

I'm no good at conversation.

Oh, Max. What will I do with you?

Sir.

Thank you.

SNAKE HISSES

GLASS SHATTERS

Madam, are you alright? - SHE YELLS

Don't touch me!