I watched "The Third Man" at spring term. Then I wrote this story summary.
A train pulled into the station. An
American man, Holly Martins arrived in Vienna. Vienna has been occupied by four
powers since finished the Second World War. There are many racketeers. People
trade goods in the Black Market, such as boots, stockings, wristwatches and all
that for cash. If people wanted it enough, they would run anything. Of course,
a situation like that does tempt amateurs. So, the center of the city is
policed by an international patrol.
He
came to here to get new job. His friend Harry Lime was going to offer him it.
Martins expected Lime to welcome to him, but he didn’t appear in the station.
So Martins went to the Lime’s flat. He climbs the stairs to Harry Lime’s room.
A porter was singing a song in German next to the banisters of the floor above.
Martins asked him about Lime. A porter can’t speak English well, but he tried
to answer. He smattered about the Lime’s last moment. Lastly, he said “Hard
work in this frost.” Thanks for him, Martins knew about Lime was died by
accident. Matins walked to a cemetery. That time he met Calloway and Anna
Schmidt there for the first time. Martins took part in Lime’s funeral. There
were also Kurtz and Winkel attended. They doubted Martins. After got some dirt
to sprinkle over the grave, Martins walled off though the cemetery, watched by
Calloway. Near some parked cars, Martins was called out by him.
“Would you like a lift to town? I’ve got a
car here. ”
“Thanks.”
At the car drove
off, Paine, who is a sergeant drove off after them in a jeep. In the car,
Martins and Calloway got acquainted. Calloway invited Martins in fear of his
shock. Calloway took him a bar. They talked about Lime having a drink. Calloway
wanted to know about him, and Martins also wanted to talk about him. Martins
introduced about himself as a scrubber, but Calloway doesn’t know his name. In
addition, he started to say that Lime is the worst racketeer that ever made a
dirty living in this city. Nothing to say, Martins was angry. Because he thinks
that Martins and Lime were best friends. From knowing that Calloway is a police
officer, Martins exposed a hostility to him. Paine sits at a table near the
window reading as he listens in o the two men.
“Some petty racket with gasoline or
something?”
“It wasn’t petrol.”
Martins suggested Calloway to arrest a few
murderers, but he said Lime was also murderer. Martins makes a dive at
Calloway. Before he can try, Paine pulls him back. Having had too much to
drink, Martins loses his balance and spins around a post. Paine was surprised
at hearing the name of Martins. Differently from Calloway, he is a big fan of
him. Martins talked to Calloway paying some money. But he called his name “Callaghan”.
“Calloway. I’m English. Not Irish.”
“You’re
not going to close your file at a dead man’s expense.”
Calloway changed the topic. Martins stands
up to hit Calloway, but Pain quickly lands a punch on his mouth. He asked about
his new work helping him up.
Paine
introduced Martins to Crabbin. Crabbin represents the C.R.S. of G.H.Q. They
give propagandas by doing a little show every week. Last week they had Hamlet. And the week before is the Hindu Dancers. Crabbin proposed to
Martins that lecture on the contemporary novel instead of making him welcome.
Martins said “O.K.” Then, a telephone rang. It was from Kurtz to Martins.
Martins goes out of the hotel, after telling Pain to read his book, called The Lone Rider of Santa Fe.
“It’s a story of a man who hunted down a
sheriff who was victimizing his best friend.”
“Seems exciting.”
“It is. I’m gunning just the same way for
your Major Callaghan.”
Martins
met Kurtz. Kurtz said police officers get rather absurd ideas sometimes. Martins
decided to search the truth of Lime’s death. He asked Kurtz to cooperate with
him. He refused his demand, but promised to give advice.
693 / 3876 words
