Cottbus

 

The two men sat opposite each
other, across one of the square wooden tables at the style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Schimke Caf?, on the
recently re-named Karl Marx Strasse. In the street outside, the Free
German Youth marched with red flags unfurled, in honour of the visit of
President Pieck.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich gazed through the window uncomfortably.
He liked his new acquaintance, but was unsure of his take on
contemporary events.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;It's good to see things are getting back
to normal.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter was putting the second of three sugars into
his coffee. He looked at the cup in boredom and sickly
discontent.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Harumph.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich made his move.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;You've got to admit it's progress. I
mean it's better than being hungry isn't it?&;quot; You never know,
in time?&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter tutted and interjected
forcefully.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Did you hear Pieck's speech on the radio
the other night? He talked about 'a new age of German humanism.' Ha Ha!
Can you believe it? He actually said humanism! You know, I might grow
to like him. He is a funny man&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich looked on Peter with paternal concern and
mild irritation at his rash 
outburst.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;You know you should keep your voice
down.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich caught with sudden anxiety the sight of
Herr Schimke staring grimly at their table. He had to counter Peter's
nihilism.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;You know there is a new gasworks
opening? The Schwarze Pumpe. I know one of the new foremen - it
wouldn't be much trouble to get you in there. We have to look forward.
I've decided to join the Party. It really is the only way.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich squeezed Peter's forearm insistently.
Peter continued his matter-of-fact indiscretions
unabashed.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;I think I know who you mean.
Wohlauf?&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich nodded blankly.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Yes?Captain Wohlauf. He was my superior
in the Ordnungspolizei in Poland. I remember, once, in '42, we were
ordered to shoot the women and children in a village - I forget the
name.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich's eyes widened in horror. A woman at the
table adjacent turned in shock to listen.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Well?Wohlauf took a baby behind an
outhouse - the mother had just been killed.&;quot; Peter began to
breathe more deeply. Tears appeared in his eyes. &;quot;Wohlauf?he
erm, he?&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Peter!&;quot; snapped Heinrich
impatiently. &;quot;We have to move on?forget the past. What is
important is the future.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter looked to the heavens and wiped his
eyes.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Yes I'm sure Wohlauf is a good Communist
by now. A good humanist! Ha!&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;It's a new way, Peter. A new order for
the world.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Yes, new order. Where have I heard that
before? I'm sure that's what your foreman friend tells himself before
he goes to sleep. For me, Corporal Mueller of the Order Police?well I
am a murderer. I killed people.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter looked at his older friend with a new
suspicion. &;quot;So, Heinrich?where were
you?&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich gazed back sternly. &;quot;It's in the
past.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">His retort was spelt out slowly and exactly, so
that Peter would fully understand him:

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;I was?a cook.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter's attack was cut short by the firm hand of
Herr Schimke on his shoulder. The proprietor snarled his
words:

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;I'm going to have to ask you to leave If
you're not careful. Stop talking shit, you morbid bastard! I get a lot
of Russians, and a lot of Party men in here you know, so shut the fuck
up or get out! It'll be on your head, you
know!&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter drank his coffee without surprise and
prepared to leave.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich wanted to comfort his friend before they
parted. &;quot;This is not our concern you know, Peter. We?are
Socialists now. It is cleansing. And the Russians?we really do have a
lot in common with them, you know.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter smiled weakly to himself.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Yes?I think you might be right
there.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Listen?my son is at the University, and
his tutor spoke to him last week about certain opportunities in the new
security service*. Good stuff?foreign travel and
everything.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich gulped audibly, and proceeded.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;You're making it difficult for me
Peter?I mean, how can I come in here again? They'll start looking at me
you know?anyway, I can tell this tutor about you, in a good way?or in a
bad way.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Peter's eyes widened. He blushed.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;You're a policeman,
Peter.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">The tears returned to Peter's eyes momentarily.
Then he collected himself.

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">&;quot;Goodbye
Heinrich.&;quot;

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">Heinrich turned away from the door and stirred his
coffee.

 

class="MsoNormal">* Staatsicherheitsdienst
(Stasi).          

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal"> 

class="MsoNormal">