Grusha arrives at a collapsing glacier bridge while fleeing from the Ironshirts with a stolen noble infant. Despite the warnings of terrified merchants and the immense physical danger of the two-thousand-foot drop, she chooses to risk her life on the rotted ropes rather than let the child fall into the hands of the soldiers.
FIRST MAN: Take your time, young woman. You won't get across here anyway.
GRUSHA: But I have to get the baby to the east side. To my brother's place.
MERCHANT WOMAN: Have to? How d'you mean, "have to"? I have to get there, too - because I have to buy carpets in Atum.
GRUSHA: The bridge isn't quite rotted through. I think I'll try it.
MERCHANT WOMAN: I wouldn't - if the devil himself were after me. It's suicide.
GRUSHA: All right, I 'll tell. The Ironshirts are after me. I knocked one down.
SECOND MAN: Hide our merchandise! If they catch her they'll make mincemeat out of her!
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