Passazhirka

Setting: An ocean-liner heading for Brazil in the early 1960s, and flashbacks to an Auschwitz concentration camp in the 1940s.

ACT 1:

Scene 1 (An ocean-liner, 1960s):

German diplomat, Walter, and his wife, Liese, are excited to be leaving Germany for a three year post in Brazil. As they discuss how Brazil will be a positive change for them, Liese is suddenly panic-stricken by the sight of a passenger aboard their ship. This passenger resembles a prisoner from Auschwitz, Martha, where unbeknownst to Walter, Liese served as an S.S. officer in the female camp. Liese heads back to her cabin to try and regain her composure, remembering that Martha was sent to her death at Auschwitz. Liese calls for the Steward and bribes him to get information about the passenger. Walter rejoins his wife, ready to go dancing, but as they leave the cabin Liese sees the passenger again and drags Walter quickly back into their cabin. Liese then confesses to Walter that she was an S.S. officer, stating that