‘Ah, when you show him the second article he will be pleased with your hard work.’ Vasile sipped his coffee, and pointed to mine. ‘Drink up.’
That made me anxious. He was definitely after something. I held the cup to my lips and pretended to sip.
‘That book in your pocket.’
I looked down. I’d put Darkness at Noon there for the aeroplane journey. I hadn’t finished it, and wasn’t sure that I wanted to now. It would always remind me of Vasile, talking and watching.
‘If you have finished with it, could I have it? It is useful for me to read books in English and expand my vocabulary.’
I handed it over to him, and he held it to his chest like a prize. He was so pleased that I felt a bit bad then for resenting his many requests. He looked down at his feet, and then stood, pushing his chair back.
‘Your suitcase! Someone has stolen it!’
‘I have it, Vasile.’
I knocked on it, leaving it where it was. He sat down, and looked under the table. Don’t ask, I thought, please don’t ask. He leaned across to me, his voice low.
‘Do you have any spare trousers?’
‘I don’t.’
‘You are wearing trousers. You have other trousers.’
‘I do.’
Vasile scowled and stood, his chair skidding away from him. ‘I will go now.’ Still clasping the book, as if he’d stolen it, he walked out of the airport.
‘Enjoy the book!’ I shouted after him, and then added, ‘I like Bela Lugosi!’
That made no sense, but it felt good to say it and I saw him shudder. I sighed, picked up my suitcase and went towards the image of a plane which I hoped meant Departures.
On the other side, in the waiting area, I was still annoyed about his final request, especially after I’d given him the book. I opened my case, took out the notes I’d made of his Dracula extravaganza and put them in the nearest bin. I smiled for a bit. I’d finally got one over on him. Then doubt began to creep in. Why had I done it here? I should have waited until I was at Heathrow, among people who had enough trousers. The seats around me were filling up, but I couldn’t hear any English being spoken.
I put my suitcase on my lap and tried to remain calm. I’d be home soon. I could go and see if Julia was around. Maybe Mr Benstrup would be so impressed by the interview that he would write me a great reference when I finally found a traineeship in journalism to apply for. I told myself this, even though I knew it wasn’t going to be possible for a long time. I’d have to go to night school and take some courses first, and when would I be able to afford that? I knew why none of my applications to newspapers had led to an interview. They wanted their trainees to have O levels, or at least one. I applied to Mr Benstrup’s advert in the local shop because I was desperate, and he was equally desperate with the deadline for visas coming up, but when the film I was most looking forward to seeing was Jaws and not another interminable tribute to The Seventh Seal, I knew that I was in the wrong job.
Now I looked back to the bin, realising I’d just thrown away material which I could use to write a proper article on. Not the bits about the tour, but the attitude of Romanians to something that British people had actually heard of. Then again, I had more material than that which Vasile had fed me. I decided, while it was fresh, to write down anything I could remember that might make a good travel piece, not for Vasile, but something that might have a market.
I sat down in a café area, took my notebook from the suitcase and stared out of the window. The sun was bright outside, and it made the interior of the airport look grubby.
I wrote down the names of the museums and the hotel, and then all the names that I had heard or used: Vasile, Mihaela, Marku, Ana, Ingrid, Mircea, Nadia Osipova, Elisabeth-Sanatorium, Sanatorium E. I wrote a description of the church by the lake, the lake itself, the streets I had walked around, the feeling of watchfulness. I’d come with no understanding of what to expect, Romania didn’t make it into the papers often, but if I wrote an interesting piece on visiting the city maybe a broadsheet would pick it up. Unlikely, without a news story to go with it, but now I vaguely remembered something about President Ford arranging a visit to Bucharest in the coming months. It might be enough.
I listed what I had been served for my meals and I described the hotel room. I didn’t mention the stain in the bathroom, but it was in my mind. Would the article be positive or negative? I didn’t feel it could be neutral. I’d check the papers when I got home and see where they pointed. I wrote down what I remembered about ‘Drăgan’s’ appearance, so I could check this against photos of the real film director.
I also wrote down Marku’s story about his sister, and wondered what could be behind that. Could I follow this up? Was there a story I could write? Vasile hadn’t seemed to care whether I was going to follow that up or not, and that made me want to more. I couldn’t see how I would bump into a Romanian-speaking German woman, or German-speaking Romanian, at a huge festival in the centre of an enormous city. Still, it was a story, and stories were what I had to focus on.
I bought a coffee with sterling and opened my Wainwright. I’d neglected my journalism training recently and he probably had hints on what I should be focusing on before it started to fade into memory. I tried, but I couldn’t focus on the words. I had to soak up this last bit of Bucharest, this place of stern faces and polished shoes, while I was here. Would Moscow feel similar? I was determined to do a better job in the USSR. By day a film reviewer and by night an investigative reporter, if I could find something to report. Unlike Romania, the USSR was always newsworthy.
I looked at my watch and saw it was nearly time to board. I finished my coffee and lit a cigarette, my last in Romania. Thank God. I checked one last time that my passport and ticket were still in the left pocket before I went to the boarding gate.
It still felt odd to have a passport. For years I’d watched all those ships leaving Harwich and never been able to get on one. I’d asked Mum if I could get a year passport, just to go across to Holland and see it, wouldn’t even get off the boat, but she said we didn’t have any spare cash for jaunts like that. And we never had, not until she made Dad sell his fishing boat. Didn’t keep him off the water, though, and that’s where I would still be if he’d had his way. I preferred aeroplanes.
I’d been unprepared for this trip, but it wasn’t as alien as I had been expecting and this made me wonder what I had missed. I would be more observant next time. I put the pen in my right jacket pocket, and felt something odd. I pulled out a small, hard box. A ring box. I looked around. No-one was watching me. I opened it. There was a thin gold ring, maybe a wedding ring, sitting in a cream silk slot.
Had Mihaela put this in my pocket when she said goodbye? Who was I supposed to give it to? I tried to lift the silk, see if there was a note, it was empty apart from the ring.
I closed the box and put it back in my pocket. I definitely had to ask more questions.
ROMANIAN MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
Compilation of REPORTS on REGINALD EDWARD WALKER
9–15 May 1975
Day 4
STARLING called on the subject early and remained with him all day. The subject looked very unwell in the morning, so it can be certain that he was inebriated the previous night. This makes what he said more credible. The subject was driven to the Bucharest Film Studio, Buftea, at 9:00. After a short walk around the film sets, STARLING introduced him to ASH taking the role of “Mircea Drăgan”. The subject showed no signs of suspicion, and conducted the interview as well as he was able in his state. STARLING adapted the words of ASH to make more sense.
The subject fell asleep in the car after this, so STARLING did not have to explain why they were driven to Meeting Place 3. OAK brought BOLDEA to the meeting where STARLING was to translate.
Background: MARKU BOLDEA works in a factory at which our best informer was murdered. We have been trying to get him to agree to assist us in the normal ways (patriotism, money, other adv
antages) but the only thing which we have found to sway him is finding information about what happened to his sister (ANA BOLDEA) some years earlier (see addendum, below). It was decided that using an outsider figure would impress BOLDEA as to our efforts to discover the truth, and find his sister. Added benefits were that the subject would understand only what STARLING told him. It was not necessary at any point for the subject to go along with the plan, as long as BOLDEA was unaware of this. This depended on STARLING being able to accurately read the expressions of both parties.
What was not expected was that the subject would agree to help BOLDEA. He has proved to be entirely malleable and eager to assist. We are sure that we can make something of this revelation. STARLING will provide a full personality evaluation. In order to facilitate this, the battery was removed from the subject’s travel clock alarm so the subject would ‘miss’ his flight.
On arrival back at the hotel, STARLING introduced the subject to NICO, with a view to gauging the subject’s interest in her. NICO was rejected. It could have been assumed that the subject was just overtired, but noise surveillance revealed the sound of the subject moving furniture against the door. He did not respond to knocks on his door. It has still been noted that he continues to look at MIHAELA ZAMFIR, and we could focus here next.
While he was out of the room with STARLING and NICO, a piece of paper was found with restricted information. The paper was removed, and LEAF summoned STARLING for an explanation of this information. STARLING explained that OAK had insisted that the subject be given this name, as BOLDEA had been assured that everything he said would be translated for the foreigner who had promised to help him. LEAF remains unhappy about one name in particular but it is hoped that the subject will not pay too much attention to it.
Following up on the observations from the previous night, LEAF was able to recover a number of partial letters from the bin. These are reproduced here:
Julia Julia Jul (all crossed out)
Mum I’m sorry I know I promised. It will take me a bit longer [illegible] forgive me [illegible] pay you back
Julia [illegible]
Addendum
Father ——, of the Biserica Buna Vestire Belu, reported that one of his parishioners, ANA BOLDEA, was presenting with a condition which threatened to undermine social cohesion. She, or another, had created injuries in her wrists, ankles and abdomen which (it was said) mimicked the wounds of Christ. He called it fabricated ‘stigmata’, and said that his church was empty because everyone was queuing outside the BOLDEA residence to worship at the bedside of the child (11 years old at this time).
Father —— warned that this was escalating into a situation which could threaten the state. People were describing her as a sign that they should rise up against the President of the Republic, that he was the embodiment of the anti-Christ, and she could lead Romania back to spiritual purity. The girl became a focal point for treacherous sentiment.
ANA BOLDEA was removed from the family home for medical tests, and her mother was allowed to accompany her. The mother was not allowed physical access in case she was responsible for the injuries. There was no improvement and pilgrims started to gather outside the hospital. This meant word spread even more widely.
It was decided to remove her to a place that her family would not be aware of, and return her when she had been cured. To encourage this, a German-speaking contact (NADIA) and translator (INGRID), told the family that ANA was being taken to a sanatorium in the German Democratic Republic where they had specialists in blood disorders. There would be no danger of requests for visits as few people could travel to the German Democratic Republic. Thus, the interest would die down and the girl would be forgotten as a symbol of resistance.
NADIA and INGRID removed the girl with the parents’ agreement, and she was driven to a different sanatorium to that named, Sanatoriu 4, Minsk. However, when they stopped for a meal break, the girl disappeared and has not been traced.
Day 5
The subject was heard to get up and pack in time for his flight, before phoning MIHAELA ZAMFIR who then had to inform him that his flight home today was ‘cancelled’. The subject showed some discomfort, as did ZAMFIR. It may be that the investigations into her background and that of her family should cease in order to keep her more emotionally stable. She asked if someone else could take over her dealings with the subject, but we intend to build on the interest he has in her.
The original purpose for the subject’s visit was to see whether he would be happy to carry items to and from London. STARLING was originally going to be used to ask him to do this, but it has been decided that ZAMFIR would be a better person to ask as the relationship between the subject and STARLING appears strained. After the subject’s response to BOLDEA’s story, LEAF came up with another family-orientated suggestion for the request. If the subject agrees to this, it can be assumed that he would be amenable in other places while carrying out his official ‘work’, as hoped.
The subject left the hotel alone and was followed to the National Museum of Art (CALEA VICTORIEI). STARLING was able to catch up with him here, and discussed an idea for a second article to be written on the Romanian tourist industry. The subject was unwilling to go into much detail, and they arranged to meet later.
The subject visited a number of rooms (see Appendix) and then left the Museum. Took STR. C.A. ROSETTI (cont. after crossing B. DUL N. BĂLCESCU), left onto STR. ALEX SAHIA, left STR. PICTOR VERONA, through PARCUL GRĂDINA ICOANEI, EREMIA GRIGOESCU, left STR. DIONISIE LUPU, right J.MICHELET, left B. DUL N. BĂLCESCU, right STR. 30 DECEMBRIE and CALEA VICTORIEI back to hotel.
Points of interest:
It looked as if the subject was going to take STR. ICONANEI before taking STR. ALEX SHAIA. There was a queue for food ahead, which may have been the reason, but it was one of many sudden changes in direction which could indicate inept attempts to shake any tail.
Outside the British embassy the subject picked up a cigarette packet, mostly likely a dead letter box. LEAF will be alert to finding what may have been in this box.
The battery taken from the subject’s travel alarm clock was replaced
Bin contents – Holidays in Romania
Noise activity – nothing worth noting
No phone calls scheduled for this night
Day 6
With the subject showing most interest in ZAMFIR, an arrangement was made to provide her with make-up and clothes appropriate for her new role. This is all she has asked for at the moment. LEAF instructed her to make contact with the subject when he next left the hotel and instructed her in how to introduce the idea of the package.
STARLING also made an agreement with the subject that he would write an article on the Romanian travel industry, partly to refute the Western obsession with associating our country and heroes with monsters.
The subject left the hotel after talking to STARLING, and took CALEA VICTORIEI to the National Museum of Romanian History. It is positive that he is conducting independent research unconnected with the film article he came with the intention of writing. LEAF believes that we should consider delaying more visitors’ flights to see how they fill their time.
When the subject left the Museum, he continued south on CALEA VICTORIEI to the DMBOVITA river. OAK observed ZAMFIR approach the subject who looked happy to see her there. She made physical contact, but has reported that the subject claims to have an emotional attachment in London which prevents him from acting on any interest. (See letters, Day 4.)
While the subject was out, LEAF was able to check the notes he had made during his conversation with STARLING, and they look positive. The subject has put leaflets provided by STARLING within this notebook, and intends to write it up when he returns to Britain. There was a discussion about delaying his return further to encourage him to write it more quickly, but LEAF disagreed with this.
The subject had a final meal with STARLING and he reports that they ended on good terms. STARLING insisted on escorting the subjec
t to the airport to see him onto the plane.
Bin contents – Holidays in Romania
Noise activity – mumbled to himself. The name “Vasile” was audible multiple times
No phone calls scheduled for this night
Day 7
STARLING called on the subject early to breakfast together, and escorted the subject to Otopeni airport for his flight at 9:30. STARLING says that, unprompted, the subject gave him the novel he was carrying – a copy of Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler. Contained within this book (p.46) was the business card referring to Mr Attridge. STARLING handed the book over to LEAF and it was later established that its positioning could indicate the word ‘pince-nez’ (‘pinch nose’, or could refer to a type of corrective ‘eye glasses’). It has been noted that STARLING has displayed a habit of acquiring items from visitors to our country. He has been heard to explain this as providing evidence that the people of the West are wasteful and do not value their possessions as they have too many of them. However, LEAF believes it to be a mere craven desire to acquire Western goods for his own use. Previous items acquired (razor blades, ‘Zippo’ lighter, pens, a pair of socks) have not been correctly logged and cannot be found in the archive.
On leaving STARLING the subject displayed some odd behaviour, shouting, ‘Enjoy the book! I like Bela Lugosi!’ STARLING has no explanation for this outburst, and there was no evidence of the subject having consumed any alcohol. Given this behaviour and the acquisition of the book, it must be considered that the placing of the business card was a signal of some kind to STARLING, and the card itself could be a way for STARLING to contact persons unknown in the British Secret Services. Enhanced surveillance of STARLING is to be strongly recommended.
On passing through the airport, the subject was observed to place some papers in a bin. These were later retrieved and proved to be the notes he had made on the article suggested by STARLING. It must be considered that STARLING is pursuing his own ends in a way which alienates foreigners.
The Starlings of Bucharest Page 5