EXT. Simone’s Dress Shop – Early Evening

ALFRED and AURORA, dressed as average French civilians, walk up to an expensive Parisian clothing store that is surrounded by patrolling Nazis. A swastika flag hangs from the door.

ALFRED
Alfred darts his eyes around, eyeing the Nazis.
What are we doing here?
They’re everywhere.

Aurora looks around. She reaches into Alfred’s pocket, secretively pulls out a flask of brandy, and pours it on the bodice of her cream-coloured dress.
AURORA
Change of plan.
Aurora knocks on the door while keeping her eyes on Alfred.
We’re a married couple
looking for outfits for an
upcoming ball.

She takes two gold rings from her pocket and puts one on her ring finger. She lifts Alfred’s hand and places a ring on his finger. Alfred exhales. He leans in to kiss her as SIMONE, the shop owner, a gruff looking woman in her late fifties who wears too much makeup, opens the door slightly and interrupts them. Alfred and Aurora move apart and giggle nervously. Simone looks them up and down and frowns at their obvious lack of wealth.

SIMONE
Sorry, we closed half an hour ago.
Aurora places her hand on the door to stop Simone from closing it.

AURORA
Please, Madame. My husband and I have
been invited to the home of Evelyne Beaulieu.
She is having a party tonight and…
Aurora motions to the spilt brandy on her dress.

SIMONE
You must be more careful, my dear.
But she is an exquisite actress and I do
adore her work. I will help you.

Aurora smiles and walks in, squeezing Alfred’s hand as he follows her from behind.

INT. Simone’s Dress Shop – Early Evening

SIMONE
Oh, what I would give to attend
one of her parties!
Simone throws her hands in the air with excitement.
All of those men in uniform.
It must be quite a sight.
Simone winks at Aurora who replies with a smile. Alfred jokingly frowns, playing along.
AURORA
I’m sure it will be.
Aurora looks around impatiently, trying to find a suitable dress. She spots a floral dress hanging on the wall and points to it.
How about that dress over there?

SIMONE
Simone looks over at the dress and sighs thoughtfully. She looks back and forth between the dress and Aurora and puts her finger on her lip.
That one is not nearly special enough.
Simone’s eyes widen with a new thought of a dress in the backroom.
Please give me a moment. I have one
in the back that is just perfect.

Simone glides over to the radio and turns it on. The “Landler” is playing. She dances to a room in the back and closes a damask patterned curtain behind her.

ALFRED
Alfred turns to Aurora fearfully.
What’s going on?

AURORA
Aurora turns to Alfred.
(whispers)
Evelyne Beaulieu is one of the most prominent
and wealthy actresses in Paris. She owns a large
estate where she hosts lavish parties for the Nazis.
But for the past two years she’s been hiding
fifteen Jews in her attic.

ALFRED
And the Germans know nothing?

AURORA
She’s worried they’re getting suspicious.
Franz Faber’s been asking many questions -
He was found roaming her upstairs hallway
at a party last weekend.
.
ALFRED
How do you know all this?
Alfred looks around, worried about Simone returning. Silence.

AURORA
She’s an old friend of Duncan Sinclair’s – she told
him everything. We need to
go there tonight as guests.

ALFRED
Alfred scratches his nose nervously.
What do I need to do?

AURORA
Aurora looks directly into his eyes.
You and I will find Franz Faber,
drug him, and bring him back to
headquarters for questioning.
Footsteps are heard on the stairs. They look around.

ALFRED
How about the others?

AURORA
Tom will serve the party and help
get the Jews out…

ALFRED
Before Neil locks the Nazis in and
Harry blows up the building?

AURORA
Exactly.

ALFRED
And what about the Jews?
Where will we take them?

AURORA
Aurora looks out the window.
There’s a cathedral nearby.
The nuns are willing
to hide them in the cellar.

Simone opens the curtain quickly and with excitement. She struts over to Aurora with a satin red gown draped over her arm.

SIMONE
I could not find the one I
was looking for but I think this
one will do just fine. Shall
I help you try it on?

Simone motions to a fitting room. Aurora takes the dress, walks over to an upright mirror, looks at herself in the mirror, and smiles. Alfred is staring at her lovingly the whole time.

AURORA
No, it’s beautiful. I’ll take it.