by Tony Klinger
Ratwerller was clearly furious as he meticulously began to brush and smooth his uniform down as he struggled to his feet. Before he could vent his anger the small group of musicians struck up the wedding march and all eyes turned down the aisle where Marlene appeared. She was a vision.
I vividly remember thinking that she was more angel than woman at that moment, the wedding guests spontaneously sighed and murmured their approval. She had seen Ratwerller on the floor but not the cause, she moved to help him regain his footing. He smiled at her, “Are you all right Herr Ratwerller?” she asked, he was clearly delighted by this turn of events, “Just a clumsy trip, I’m fine, but thank you for asking, but might I be the first to kiss the bride?” before she could respond he firmly kissed Marlene on the mouth for a little longer than he should, or she should have allowed, had she not been taken by surprise. Marlene pulled away from Rat and turned to face me, her face flushed and angry, but I smiled to reassure her as if it didn’t matter, but when she drew up next to me I whispered, “What did you let that creep kiss you like that for?” She looked at me as if I were stupid and her smile concealed the strength and emotion of her next words, “I do what I have to for what I believe in, that’s more important, after all I’m marrying you aren’t I.”
The preacher coughed to get our attention and we dutifully both turned our smiling faces toward him. The marriage ceremony then continued in time honored German tradition. We accepted his blessing and Helmut, as the best man placed the rings on our fingers after we exchanged our vows.
Thus we were married, to all appearances as a happy couple full of all the normal joys of newlyweds. We kissed deeply, still in full lust with one another. My mother was the first to congratulate us, “Marlene, my daughter, now you promise to always look after my boy, yes?” Marlene hugged my mother, “Of course I promise mother-in-law” “No,” my mother said, “It’s mother or Bertha now.” “I shall call you mother number two!” My mother leaned very close to my new bride’s ear and whispered so only the two of them knew what was being said, “I know about the so called arrangement, but I also know the truth. You really love my boy don’t you?”
Marlene whispered to mother whilst looking at me, “Of course I love him, I always have. But how else could I capture him other than to make it impossible for him to refuse my proposal?”
Both the women laughed conspiratorially and hugged one another. Helmut clapped his hands for attention, and when everyone had fallen silent, “Ladies and gentlemen, it falls to me as the best man, in every respect, to propose the toast to my very good friend Arnie Hessel, who you see before you looking as good as he’s ever likely to look and the astonishingly beautiful and wonderful Marlene, how did he ever get so fortunate. He did nothing to earn such luck. Seriously they are such a fine couple, and Arnie is an example to us all. I can today announce wonderful news, that Arnie Hessel has been selected personally by the Fuhrer himself, Adolf Hitler, from amongst all the artistes in the Fatherland, including poor unfortunates like myself, to be the country’s official artiste and to record the historic times we are about to pass through!”
The crowd turned and applauded me wildly, and despite myself I found their cheering wonderfully exciting. Helmut continued, “Marlene is better known to some of you than she is to me, those of you from this town have watched her flower into a symbol of perfect Germanic womanhood. From my all too brief friendship with her I have learned that she is indeed a woman worthy of Arnie. United they represent all that is good and decent in the Fatherland.” the guests applauded enthusiastically, “therefore, without further ado, the toast is Arlene and Marlene, Mr. and Mrs. Hessel!”
People in the crowd called out, “Speech Arnie, speech!” and I, shy as ever, stepped forward, “Thank you Hynie, for those few kind words, and the rest of them, that were not true at all. As far as the wonderful words are concerned I have been telling Helmut for years how terrific I am, and it is very rewarding that he finally recognizes this.” The crowd laughed, and I continued, “Ladies and gentlemen, relatives and friends, thank you so much for coming, thank you for your wonderful gifts. Now it only remains for me to ask.” but before I could finish Ratwerller rushed up to me and spoke urgently into my ear. I must have paled as Marlene asked me if I was ill. I hushed her and stilled the chatter of our guests, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an important announcement,” the guests fell silent, “It has just been announced from Berlin that Britain has declared war on the Fatherland. We are at war, long live Germany!”
Marlene stepped forward so that she was by my side and led the singing of the national anthem. As everyone joined the rousing chorus we all heard the sounds of the air raid sirens.
Chapter Fifteen
Warsaw, Poland
October 1939
Marlene and I walked down the long series of stone steps leading from the imposing structure that housed the Polish State Art Museum. Now huge swastika flags fluttered proudly from the recently conquered city buildings, including this historic structure, evidence of the country’s crushing and rapid defeat.
“I can’t believe this is all happening so fast. How could the Soviet Union make a treaty to carve up Poland? What did the Polish people do to deserve this fate?” Marlene looked around the handsome city, “they existed between two hungry, greedy giants, that’s what they did wrong. Is the meeting set with Hecht?” “Yes,” I replied, “but our friend the General doesn’t sound too sure anymore. How do we know we can trust him?”
She nodded, “It works both ways I suppose.”
That night, it was with a great sense of unease that Marlene, now dressed as my chauffeur was later driving the staff car with which I had been supplied by the local German army people. We pulled up outside a large darkened building that had, until recently been a hotel, but now all the signs were out. There were no guests that night. A tall army officer, in greatcoat opens the back door of the car as we stopped outside the main entrance. “Herr Hessel?” he asked, “Yes.” “The General sends his compliments. He has asked me to apologize, but he is confident you will understand. He has a staff meeting and will not be able to attend this evening. However he did ask me to deputize for him, and to buy you a meal.”
I looked from the officer to Marlene and she almost imperceptibly shook her head. “No that will not be necessary, but please thank the General for his kind offer. Did he say anything about any future arrangements?” I asked, “Not to me sir, I’m sorry, is there anything else I can do, a message perhaps?” I smiled, but told him, “Yes, please tell him we will always remember him.” The officer was clearly not thrilled to be the bearer of such a menial message, but promised me he would pass it to his commander. “I shall pass that message to him sir, have a good stay in Warsaw.” He stepped away from our car, “Let’s go,” said Marlene quietly, “the smell of cowardice sickens me.” She drove the car away from the curb, “But that was stupid, do you think you will scare a general with veiled threats from a disabled artiste? We need friends not more enemies you fool. ”
“Don’t call me a fool, it might have been a foolish thing to say, but I’m no fool.” She raced the car through the half empty streets. “I’m not a bloody machine, I have feelings. The man should realize that one day, when this is all over, everyone will have to account for his actions.”
She nodded her head, and I saw her eyes assessing me in her driving mirror, “And that makes you the judge and jury? Don’t forget who is the boss between you and me and remember, you obey my orders!”
“Yes sir!” I said, she didn’t smile, “Perhaps he felt he was under suspicion for some reason, you mustn’t jump to conclusions in this game, learn some patience.” I was fed up with the way she was always seemingly lecturing me, “That’s rubbish and you and I both know it, he got nervous and he didn’t want to risk his fat ass. I got it, you’re in charge, what now?”
As we turned the corner to drive towards the hotel Pols
ki in which we had been billeted we came to a juddering halt as we taken a wrong turn and nearly collided with a floodlit security barrier manned by some Waffen SS guards. The first of the men had one hand on his machine gun and waved us down with the other. Beyond him we could see hundreds of bedraggled men building a large brick wall blocking the main street. “Papers, let me see your papers!” he demanded, and Marlene showed the guard both sets of our documents. His hard features softened when he saw my Colonel’s rank and Marlene’s pretty face. He saluted us. “Sorry about this, but you’ll have to turn around and go via Adolf Hitler Strasse, used to be called Avenue Leopolski or some such Polish name. Just about a half kilometer further up on your left, and it’ll take you all round this rabble.”
“Who are these people?” I asked him looking towards the men building the huge wall. “Jewish labor battalions, being put to good use for a change, are building a wall for their ghetto. All the vermin of Warsaw will be living behind these walls. Keep the rest of the place free from their Jewish stink which can’t be a bad thing eh?”
Marlene was watching me closely, I could feel her intense stare and knew she was silently instructing me to keep silent. “Thank you for the directions.” She said to the guard as she turned the car away from the construction. He waved us cheerily as I saw endless truckloads of Jewish people being driven into the ghetto past us in the other direction. They looked dazed and confused, and of every age and type imaginable. Old men and women, boys and girls, men and women, rich, poor, the Nazis made no distinction, all Jews were being rounded up and forced into the ghetto. The trucks were off loaded and their pathetic passengers were unceremoniously dumped to walk through the gate one at a time, with their one bag each. The names of the new ghetto dwellers were checked off on a list. I wanted to stay and see what would happen to them but Marlene rushed to drive us away.
As my head was turned watching the slave workers laboring with their bricks and mortar one of them, a younger man who had been carrying something on his broad back was casually struck by a guard with the butt of his rifle, instinctively the laborer turned and swung his fist into the guards face, knocking him to the floor, the Jewish man realizing what he had done shouted something but it was lost in the sounds of gunfire as several of the guards shot him, riddling his body with bullets. As we pulled out of sight the last thing I saw of him was the growing pool of his blood forming around his head as the guards circled his body.
“Shouldn’t we do something about that?” I shouted at her. “What do you suggest?” she asked by way of reply.
Later she held me as I shivered in her warm embrace in our bed. For once I had Marlene naked with me and I didn’t want anything more than to take comfort from her. “Tell me you love me.” I said, “Never,” she responded, “Why not?” She kissed me on my neck, which she knew I couldn’t resist, “This is pure animal lust.” she licked the end of my ear, I shivered with pleasure. “You disgust me, you lecherous beast, go on admit it, you love me desperately. I know you do, just admit it.” We became a bit more passionate, I couldn’t help it, our legs were entangled and I loved the feel of her wrapped around me, I was becoming harder and we both kissed with more urgency. Now we were both becoming aroused, “You say it you bastard.” She insisted, “Easy,” I said, kissing that spot between her ample breasts, such a sweet lovely valley, now becoming hot, “I. love. You.” I said, between each kiss of her cherry red nipples, left and right, now prominent and aching to be touched. With my knee I moved her so that we were sideways on to each other, me slightly behind her, her lovely posterior half perched on one of my legs, this left a very attractive opening which I thrust myself into. She smiled as we coupled languidly, slowly, we made a rhythmic loving dance of growing passion, she held her own breasts and touched her own nipples for the pleasure of us both was increasing, “Where did you learn to make love like this?” she asked, “It was very hard for me.” I joked as I momentarily paused, “Don’t stop now!” she insisted, slamming hard back onto me, “why won’t you say you love me?” I whispered to her, with each word she moved her hips until our breath was becoming hurried and united, “Because you are big headed enough already, now shut up and make love to me!”
We were even more passionate that night than ever before. I don’t know what it was, perhaps what we’d seen, or the danger we were in, or maybe we were just falling ever deeper in love with one another. Later I sat up in the four-poster bed with its red canopy and looked down at my beautiful sexy wife who was still sleeping prettily with her arms and hair framing her perfect face. “I know you really love me,” I whispered as she lay there, still asleep and the phone rang, breaking the spell. Marlene opened her eyes but closed it as soon as she caught sight of the bright sunlight streaming in through the half closed drapes. “Go away world.” She sighed, but the phone continued its insistent ringing, not to be ignored. “Come on,” I insisted, “You can hold it for me.” I told her, she came awake with that minx like smile playing on her full lips, as she reached across my body for the phone she said, “that’s what you said last night.” We both laughed as she picked up the receiver from the night table and held it to my ear.
“Yes, this is Colonel Hessel, yes, I will accept the charges.” I heard the operator attempting to put the long distance call through, “It must be mother, who else even knows where I am and cannot tolerate long distance telephone charges.” Suddenly the whistling and crackling stopped and the operator spoke again, “Putting you through sir.” And then the line was clear, and it was mother. She was very animated and at first I couldn’t understand what she was trying to tell me. “Mother, yes I am fine and so is Marlene, but what is it you’re saying?”
Her voice paused, then realizing that her call to me might be overheard by a nosy operator or others she resumed; “I need to receive a call from our friends, about a football match, I believe I have to be invited if I wanted to go see a match, you understand, and I don’t want to miss the entire season, and I will if I wait for an invitation, its getting close and then there’ll be no games left for me to see.”
It was my turn to pause and gather my thoughts, Marlene, who was also listening as she held the phone to my ear smiled eagerly and nodded her head, excited for my mother and me. “If my friends can arrange a ticket for you it would be essential for you to go. Let them make the arrangements and don’t let anyone else know you’re going so it will be a surprise for all our friends. And don’t worry, they know how to arrange a match I promise you, just trust them and don’t ask any more questions. It will all be fine. You’ll enjoy it. You understand?”
My mother had regained her composure, “I’m looking forward to it, and I shall wait for the call.” The line went dead, and the operator was immediately speaking, “I am sorry but we got disconnected, do you want me to try to reconnect you?” I was disconcerted by her having clearly listened in to our call, but I was learning to be more careful with my outbursts of temper, “No, thank you that was fine.” Marlene put down the telephone, was the disconnection a coincidence or not I wondered. “What happened?” she asked, “We have to get her out of Germany before its too late.” I insisted, Marlene got up and pulled on her silk robe, she sat on the chair by the dressing table, looking at me in the mirror as she combed the knots out of her long hair. “The Movement is not your family’s private escape route. Everyone involved with us is in terrible danger.”
I stared at her hard for a moment before I continued, “they have rounded up my mother’s entire family and sent them to a place called Theresienstadt, have you heard of this place?” I asked, she puffed out her cheeks, “This is good news, this is not one of the worst outcomes, we have information that it is planned as an ideal community for the Jews of Germany, it could be a lot worse for your family than this place. We have heard it might also be used as a transit camp, perhaps for people to be released to America or Britain.” I was not too reassured by this, “I have heard no one ever comes back from
these places, no one ever comes home.” I insisted, “and that is never going to happen to my mother, you know the rumors as well as me, they are killing people, and I don’t like it when you use the word Jews, its Jewish people, I like us to be called Jewish people.” She appraised me coolly, “so now you’re a Jewish person?” she asked, “and before you never gave a damn about religion.”
I shrugged, “I won’t let these Nazi bastards define me.” She lit a cigarette, and paced, which she always did when she was angry, “You would expect me to expose our entire Movement for the sake of one person?”
It was my turn to hold her stare, “For this person I have already killed my father, so yes, whatever it takes is what I will do.
It was very soon after my return to Germany that I visited the large antiseptic office of my nemesis, Ratwerller. We faced each other across his large metallic desk. He peered at me over the neat folders he was working on. “What can I do for you Herr Hessel?”
“You know the reason I’m here.” I said, “Yes, of course I do, but I do so enjoy it when you’re forced off your silly little artistic pedestal where people like me can’t touch you because of your special friends, and now you’re down in my gutter, where we’re all in the mess together. How is our Fuhrer by the way?” He smiled in his feral way, as usual with utter insincerity, “Very amusing Ratwerller, let’s get to business. What’s it going to cost?”