Taking place in an alternate reality, A Subjunctive Courtship, follows the life of Adolf Hitler if he would have moved to the United States with his mother when he was 5 years old. Instead of becoming the evil man we know him as, he becomes a force of good working for the United States, specifically in the sciences. Later in his life he meets, works with, and becomes best friends with Albert Einstein.
Our story takes place in the late 1930s as Albert Einstein and Adolf Hitler work on theoretical alternate realities, due to Adolf’s interest in the occult.
This scene takes place near the end after Einstein had discovered that every single other reality has Hitler becoming an evil tyrant. He attempts to hide it from Adolf, however, in this scene, Adolf has found out the truth. This is the point where Adolf Hitler has to face the same dilemma the audience has had to face for the entire story – how can Adolf be loved knowing what we know?
EXCERPT FROM “A SUBJUNCTIVE COURTSHIP”
LAB
Albert walks in, hanging his coat up gingerly, just like he’s done a million times, and would presumably do a million more.
He begins speaking before he is fully in the door, with the giddy nature he has been accustomed to adopting with his good friend, Adolf Hitler. Too distracted to notice his dear friend.
EINSTEIN
You would not believe the strangest concept I heard from Elaine earlier. At certain points I find her unknowing of her own complete brilliance.
Adolf Hitler slinks in front of the monitor. He practically melts into the screen with distraught. The screen showing him, in real time, doing the heinous acts he feels he has already done.
Nothing will ever be the same.
EINSTEIN
Oh, dear.
HITLER
(with a far off gaze)
Can you remember the last time you really felt like yourself? Or at least that you weren’t someone different than you last remember?
EINSTEIN
Turn that off. Let me explain.
HITLER
I think I understand now. I actually see it quite clearly now. Like our Autumns in Lisbon.
Einstein slaps the monitor off.
EINSTEIN
What did you see?
HITLER
Myself.
A tear falls from Adolf’s eye and lands on the hot monitor with a sizzle. Before the tear can become but a memory, Einstein grabs hold of Hitler like he’s a small child. This is a friendship as old as time itself, yet as finite and frail as the life it inhabits.
EINSTEIN
You are not that man! Do you hear me, Adolf. You are not that man.
Adolf pushes him away with a strength Albert had never seen before. This is the kind of strength that doesn’t come from athletics. It comes from an awakening.
ADOLF
You don’t know that! You don’t know me!
EINSTEIN
That is incorrect, Adolf. I know you more than anyone. More than Eva even.
ADOLF
(stammering in frustration)
You haven’t seen what I’ve seen.
Beat.
Adolf realizes that Albert Einstein knew about his alternate fate.
ADOLF
I’m leaving the country.
EINSTEIN
What?
ADOLF
I’m getting away. Getting away from all of this. It’s too dangerous. I’m too unstable.
EINSTEIN
You are choosing to be unstable. That is not who you are.
ADOLF
Don’t you understand? It’s all of them! Every single alternate. I am a monster! And monsters must die!
EINSTEIN
I love you, Adolf. Don’t do this.