Wehner What's wrong with that? Equality before the law. Just as long as Willy doesn't know. Clean hands! And don't forget, you're not just an official of the government you're also a member of the party. You have a duty to uphold the party's interests. Anything you get hold of, on Genscher or anyone else - let me know. We have to stick together, you and I. Two simple Saxons trying to survive in a world full of cocksure Bavarians and devious Rhinelanders. Two babes in the wood from Dresden, with a wolf from Berlin lurking behind every bush.

Nollau I'm very grateful for everything you've done for me . . .

Wehner So keep me informed.

Nollau I always do.

Wehner First. Yes?

Kretschmann (with Guillaume) West Germany, Günter! The Federal Republic! Not just one so-called democracy - eleven separate democracies tied up in a federation like ferrets in a bag! Eleven separate talking-shops all talking at the same time, with the Federal talking-shop in Bonn trying to make itself heard above the rest of them! Three political parties, in and out of bed with each other like drunken intellectuals, fifteen warring Cabinet Ministers in Bonn alone, and sixty million separate egos. All making deals with each other and breaking them. All looking round at every moment to see the expression on everyone else's face. All trying to guess which way everyone else will jump. All out for themselves, and all totally dependent on everyone else. Not one Germany. Sixty million separate Germanies. The tower of Babel! With not just one weevil in the rafters, but weevils in every timber in the house. We have our defects in the East, God knows we do. But at least we all speak with one single voice. We all sing the one same song. This is our strength. This is why we shall endure when this whole ramshackle structure finally comes tumbling down.

Nollau (with Wehner) One thing that might interest you . . .

Guillaume - Nollau to see Wehner this time. Something about Genscher?

Kretschmann - Leave it, Günter! Not twice running!

Guillaume - Hatstand. No one notices it.

Kretschmann - Hatstand keeps walking into the room and they will.

Nollau The security services are looking for a sleeper. Someone inside our own party. I thought you might wish to institute a few discreet inquiries of your own.

Wehner A sleeper? What do we know about him?

Nollau Not much. Planted at least a dozen years ago. That was when we intercepted a radio transmission to him. Ended with a personal message. Birthday greetings and congratulations on the arrival of his second son.

Wehner Two sons? That's all we know?

Nollau Also his name begins with G.

Guillaume - Don't worry, Arno! The sky's clear!

Kretschmann - A clear sky - that's just what the thunderbolt falls out of.

Ehmke (with Guillaume) Could I have a private word, please, Günter?

Kretschmann - I knew it!

Guillaume - Hold on. Keep calm.