Young Törless (1966)

Bernd Tischer: Beineberg

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Quotes 

• Beineberg : You recall our conversation about imaginary numbers? We needed to find a way to overcome the inadequacy of reason. This force that keeps logic together despite its gaps and shortcomings... I call the soul. I'd like to lure this soul out of Basini... by hypnotizing him. Because of your unworthy conduct, you've lost touch with your soul. You're about to find it again. If you follow my instructions exactly, no harm will come to you. But annoy me with the slightest objection... and I'll shoot you down. Take this pendulum. Hold your hand steady. Observe the key carefully, and imagine it's swinging in a circle. Look only at the key. Concentrate on the key. Imagine it making a circle. You try to stop it. But you don't succeed. The key swings faster and faster with no help from you. By my will alone. See how strong my influence is over you? Now sit down. Do exactly as I say. Empty your mind of all thought. Stare at this little light... and don't blink. Keep your eyes as wide open as you can. Don't think about anything. Focus all your attention inwards. Your arms are getting heavy. Your legs are getting heavy. Your entire body is getting heavy. Your eyelids are getting heavier and heavier. As heavy as lead. Your vision's growing dim. Your eyes are watering. Your thoughts are slowing down. Slower and slower. Stare inside yourself until you find the point where you feel only your inner self... free of all thought and sensation. You are now completely numb. Your body no longer feels pain.

  [he sticks a hot needle on Basini's forearm] 

  Beineberg : You see? He's in a trance. Your soul has departed for its next existence. It's no longer shackled by nature's laws, no longer condemned to inhabit a fleshly body. Follow the candle. Very slowly. Further. When your mind stands still, your muscles will let go too. Your empty body may float through space. Lean forward. Further. Further still.

  [Basini falls] 

  Beineberg : Damn it! Swine! You were only pretending! Just wait! I'll show you!

  [starts whipping Basini] 

• [first lines] 

  Vater Törless : Beineberg, please keep an eye on my son.

  Beineberg : You can count on me, sir.

  Vater Törless : That's a relief. I trust you. Something solid and decisive about you won me over instantly. Cigar?

  Beineberg : Thank you, sir.

  Vater Törless : I wish my boy were more like you. He always seems so insecure, so unbalanced. I have no idea what he'll amount to. I'm glad to have met you all. And knowing our son is with you makes saying goodbye easier. Especially since he's found such good comrades. Gentlemen, please contact us immediately should anything happen to my son.

  Thomas Törless : What could happen, dad?

  Vater Törless : You understand, Mr. Beineberg?

  Beineberg : Absolutely, sir.

• Thomas Törless : Isn't that like an eye?

  Beineberg : You getting poetic on us?

  Thomas Törless : No, but isn't it like an eye into some strange world?