MovieChat Forums > Lola rennt (1999) Discussion > I've seen this so many times, but one th...

I've seen this so many times, but one thing still confuses me.

posted a year ago by samoanjoes (57097)
4 replies | jump to latest

In the black and white flashback early in the film, Manni forgets the bag on the train. He quickly begins to rush back to get it before the train goes off, but he is stopped by two cops. Why did they stop him? It's not like they knew anything about the botched handoff in a different location, and it's not like they would immediately suspect he was trying to hop back on to the train (which wouldn't even be illegal). I don't understand the logic behind it.

[–] Stratego (30602) a year ago

Probably because he was acting suspicious, leaving the train as soon as the cops got on and trying to hop back on the train when they got off. Maybe the incident with the bum made them think he was up to no good.

[–] samoanjoes (57097) a year ago

Time Tunnel answered it below.

[–] TimeTunnel (4769) a year ago

Rewatched the scene...that weren't cops, that were ticket controllers.
Manni said to Lola on phone:
"Da waren auf einmal Kontis."
= "There were suddenly contis." (contis = slang for controllers)
"Bin raus, wie immer halt. So'n alter Reflex."
= "I'm out, as always. So an old reflex."

Means, Manni drove often without a ticket.
If the ticket controllers recognized him or simply had an eye for the usual suspect wasn't said.
Ticket controllers are allowed to stop you if you try to sneak away.

The scene is still a bit out of touch though.
Even back then controllers no longer wore uniforms.
They catch more fare dodgers in plain clothes. 🕸️🕷️🕷️

[–] samoanjoes (57097) a year ago

Thanks. It makes sense.