I was thinking that he had decided that he couldn't fix himself and was just letting go. I actually shouted out "no!" Then when they panned back and he was in the car on the flatbed I laughed with relief.

"Rauchen verboten" could have a double meaning. As you stated, it normally translates to "no smoking." However, Rauchen could also be the plural of Rauch. Thus, the play on words would be Martin and Lorena Rauch, the Rauchs, are forbidden from East German Intelligence headquarters. Nice catch.