Chapter 6

Chapter #6 - 1934

As we arrived in Nuremberg, we were greeted by Micah and his parents. They had moved here earlier in the year after his father was transferred. Gabrielle and I both looked at his father with disdain as he stood there in his SS uniform but did the polite thing and greeted him warmly. His mother could not contain her excitement when she saw Gabrielle get off the train. It was like best friends reuniting after a long separation. I knew that Gabrielle and Micah had been close friends since they were children growing up in Dresden. But I never realized how close she had been to his parents.

“I hope your travels have gone well” his mother. “Micah has told me everything you’ve been up to.” “We’ve been good, and we have had so much fun but it will be good to get back home” Gabrielle answered enthusiastically. “We’ve been gone from Dresden for almost a year and I just can’t wait to catch up with Egon.” “When we left he was graduating from university and was offered a job in the Reich Interior Ministry” His father said. “Alfred here talked to his superior to find him a place under the Reich Minister.” His mother continued. “Greta please, the Reichsfuhrer was happy to help such an ambitious young man.” Alfred continued.

After we arrived at his parents house, Micah and I followed his father into his study for a a drink while the girls prepared for lunch. I noticed a picture of him standing next to his so called Fuhrer watching an SS demonstration. “That was last year at the Reichsparteitag” Alfred interrupted. “The next one is tomorrow if you would like to join my son and I.” “What  are they?” I asked curiously. “Every year we hold a demonstration as a testament to the glory and power of our nation.” Micah interrupted. “I can’t wait to go, I’m so excited”. I stood there with in almost disbelief, a young man who once claimed to despise the National Socialists was now preparing to take part in a show of their so called glory. 

“Gabrielle and I had plans” I said. “I’m sure she will understand” Micah answered. The change in his personality was becoming more apparent with each moment passed. Looking  at them both it was obvious how serious they were and told them I would speak with her to put them at ease. “Had they forgotten that I am not German?” I thought to myself quietly. The entire National Socialist ideology was something I found to be evil and repulsive in every possible way. Being with Gabrielle however, I had learned to embrace even the greatest differences with others. 

“I’ll ask her after lunch if she does not mind me going” I answered. “You and Micah should be about the same size” Alfred answered. “I’ll go into the party headquarters this afternoon and get you the uniform you need.” The thought of wearing an SS uniform made me want to reconsider this entire scenario but they had been gracious to both me and Gabrielle. While considering their offer, the incident at the train station came to mind. The look on the mothers face when her husband was shot so carelessly burned in my mind. I noticed Alfred’s pistol resting on his desk and felt like placing it next to his head and seeing the fear in his eyes. However I knew that would accomplish nothing and simply continued my false interest in what they discussed.

“This year’s event will demonstrate the Unity and Strength of our nation”. “It is our chance to show the world the power of the German nation.” Alfred continued. Their enthusiasm over the glorification of evil astounded me. “You will have my answer after lunch” I said quickly hoping to change the topic. “I just hope that she does not follow in her fathers traitorous footsteps” Alfred warned. Upon hearing such a threat, I was forced to draw upon every fibre of my being to stop myself from knocking him out cold. “If it weren’t for you my son, she would have been taken care of long ago.” “What do you mean taken care of, father?” Micah asked with great concern. “My superior, Reinhard...” Alfred said cautiously. 

He seemed as if he was afraid to continue speaking about this man that neither of us knew anything about. “What about him?” I asked. “He is the leader of the Gestapo and the second in command of the entire SS”. “I made the decision to spare her parents because I knew how much you cared for her my son.” This discussion caused me to wonder if there was ever anything between Gabrielle and Micah that they had never told me. Watching Micah listen to his father lead me to become even more curious of this. “An informant of mine told me of her parents plans to escape but I gave the order to let them go.” Alfred continued proudly.

A man sat behind his desk as if he were a god deciding upon who lives and who dies while two of his subjects simply listened to his decree was the only way I could think to describe this experience. “If her father’s file had ever crossed Reinhard’s desk, he would never have left the country.” “He would have either had him executed or evacuated to Dachau.” Alfred continued. “He may have even had his entire family taken with him”. “Thank you father” Micah said. “Just keep her out of trouble when you get back to Dresden.” He warned. “The next officer to examine her case may not be as forgiving”.

With that said, the mood was lifted when we heard Greta and Gabrielle call out to us. “Lunch is ready!”. The three of us turned simultaneously and proceeded onto the balcony where lunch was being served. As I walked down the hallway I took in the magnificent architecture of the house along with the pictures on the wall. There was a photo of Alfred at the opera surrounded by what I would call the circle of evil. Hitler, Goebbles, Goering, Himmler and Hess all in the front row with Alfred right along side. This erased any doubt in my mind when Alfred talked about being able to decide who lived and died. 

He was two seats away from Himmler, next to a rather tall blonde haired man who looked as harmless as a fly. If there was ever a perfect example of the proverbial master race, this man represented that example. “This must be Reinhard” I thought. Who else would be so close to Himmler and the rest of the Nazi leadership. I knew from that moment that Alfred would be someone never to cross regardless how much much disdain I felt towards him and his uniform.

I continued down the hall out onto the balcony and took my place at the table. It was a beautiful day here in Nuremberg. The clear blue sky and shining sun seemed to wash away the hatred for the principals that this house was built on. But I could not forget my principles whilst being amongst people I felt lacked any semblance of the concept so I remained as polite and humble as possible. The occasion began with Alfred giving thanks for the meal with a toast to the so called “Fuhrer” and Aryan superiority.

It just went in the air and out the other to Gabrielle and I as we exchanged subtle yet mocking glances that somehow went unnoticed given Alfred’s dominating oratory. As we began eating I at first struggled to find comfort given the majority of the company at the table but the food and wine helped me find my place. It did not take long to notice how Micah had been swept up in his fathers world when the conversation began to drift towards the Anti-Semitic policies of the so called Reich. I felt curious as to why the government had taken such a stance on the Jewish population. 

“Because for many years now the Jewish masonry has undermined our economy and polluted our culture” He claimed proudly. “How so?” I wondered. “They dragged us into the war and if they are not removed from our society they may drag us into another!” He proclaimed with great enthusiasm. “They must be expunged from our society if we are to truly establish the Fuhrer’s vision.” “I’m sorry, his vision?” I asked feeling naive. “His vision of a Germanic empire to last a thousand years.” 

I found myself lost in what I thought was possibly the most insane concept since his previous remarks about the Jewish population.  The more I listened to this man talk, the more insane he appeared to be. He covered pretty much every aspect of the Nazi ideology, from their hatred of Jewish people and Communism to how their Reich will last a thousand years and eventually control all of Europe. Whilst I couldn’t help but admire their drive to succeed, the insanity of the entire concept overwhelmed me. 

My mind was clouded with madness of Alfred’s devotion to the so called Fuhrer but the confusion was alleviated by Gabrielle injecting herself into the conversation. “How do you plan on achieving this thousand reich Alfred?” She wondered. “How is the Fuhrer going deliver on all of these promises?.” She continued with a touch of sarcasm that seemed to go unnoticed to everyone asides from Micah and myself.

“Everything he has promised us so far my dear.” Alfred replied. “He has already implemented policies to bring us out of economic depression and begun to remove the impure Jew from our society.” Micah added. I’d always thought the Treaty of Versailles was unfair and destroyed what was a glorious country but I felt as if evil forces were already beginning to consume it. It made me wonder if there we no decent men in this country from time to time brave enough to oppose such a tyrannical regime. 

“Perhaps I’m overreacting” I thought. “What types of policies has he implemented to help resurrect the economy?” I asked. “Through working to advance our nations infrastructure through new projects such as the Autobahn network and the expulsion of the Jewry.” Micah replied enthusiastically. “It’s similar to Roosevelt’s new deal in your own country, Bobby” Alfred added. “These projects have created employment for thousands of people.” Gabrielle interjected.

For a brief instant I wondered if she was beginning to buy into all this rhetoric. “Our nation might just recover from the great war but I still have my doubts about the method in which we are getting there.” “How do you mean young lady?” Albert asked. “The Fuhrer has done nothing but unite through hatred and contempt of the Western Powers and against the so called Jewish threat.” 

“When one allows themselves to be driven by their hate and anger it eventually faces them as the instruments of their own destruction.” “If you have any doubts  Bobby, you should come to the rally tomorrow!” “If it is okay with father of course!” Micah suggested with great enthusiasm. “Micah is right, you need to see for yourself what the Fuhrer has in store for us.” Alfred answered. “I’ll find you a uniform and you can accompany Micah and the rest of his Brigade.” The absurdity of the suggestion astounded me. But as their guests I felt I was caught in a narrow place. With Gabrielle looking at me to decline the invitation and the others looking at me as if they were trying to convince me to join the SS.

“Gabrielle and I actually had plans for tomorrow...” I began to say before being cut off. “You should go, I want to hear all about what happens too” Gabrielle interrupted. Shock and disbelief overwhelmed me for a brief instant. Despite my interest in history, I wanted no part of this. “You should go Bobby, at the very least its a chance to be apart of history albeit a questionable part” She insisted. “Alright count me in.” I finally relented. “You won’t regret this decision” Micah added.

I’d almost forgotten his mother was sitting at the end of the table as she had not spoken a word since we sat down at the table. “The Fuhrer is a very convincing speaker” She said. “I promise that any doubts you have about him will be washed away after the rally, it is really a sight to behold.” I’d seen President Roosevelt speak in public numerous times and I didn’t think it would be possible for anyone to be more captivating or convincing than him.

“Alright, I’m looking forward to it” I said hoping to redirect the focus of the conversation but to no avail. “Go with Micah and he will get you a uniform.” Alfred directed. Despite my great reluctance to put on an SS uniform, I felt relief just getting away from the table. Promising Gabrielle to return soon I followed Micah back inside and into the wardrobe at the end of the hallway. Just stepping into the room to try on such a uniform took me a moment to remind myself why I was doing this.

When Micah pulled out the uniform, all in black with silver linings I momentarily found myself admiring the fashionable appeal of it. After trying on the uniform I found myself looking in the mirror and jokingly saying to Micah; “If theres one thing your Fuhrer has done well for your people, its select decent uniforms.” After the laughing had subsided Micah prepared some instructions for me in order assimilate into the crowd. “Try to avoid speaking to others wherever possible unless its necessary, some officers may not be accept as my father.” 

“I’m sure you know how to give the proper salute” He continued. “Of course, I only see it everywhere I go.” “Good, just follow us and you should be fine.” “You may even get to meet the Fuhrer depending on his schedule.” I was still astounded as to how one man could be so revered by so many people but managed to feign excitement. Walking back down the hall to rejoin the group made me feel like a total forgery. “If I didn’t know you I’d assume you were one of us” Alfred joked. Gabrielle seemed to almost to enjoy the sight of me in this uniform. “Come find me in the guest room later” She suggested. “And bring that uniform with you.”

She winked and smiled before turning away and in that moment I felt as if wearing this uniform at least for the time being had been worthwhile. Despite my numerous moral objections to wearing this uniform, her smile in all its beauty let me know everything would be okay even though I was arguably being thrown into a shark tank. The chance to observe a new chapter in history and most beautiful girl in the world supporting me helped to alleviate my fear.

“Tomorrow will be our Sixth Party Congress and people from all over Germany will be in attendance” Alfred said. Leni Riefenstahl will also be covering the event to have it turned into a documentary about our triumphant national will.” “You mean a propaganda film?” I sarcastically asked. “Who said anything about propaganda? He laughed. “The West should know that whatever they impose upon us will never break our will.” “That we are a resilient nation that triumphs in the face of all obstacles, whether it be a mockery of a treaty or through the betrayal of our own leaders.” “Despite all these attempts, we are only just embarking on the Fuhrer’s grand design of an empire to last a thousand years.” 

I felt as if I should go and find him a soap box at the rate he was talking. To my own surprise it had actually become entertaining rather than absurd so I simply let him continue. “Historians in a thousand years from now will look back and speak of a Germanic-Aryan culture triumphant thanks to the leadership of Adolf Hitler and in the face of Western oppression.” 

“And how do you plan on achieving all of this?” I wondered. “The first step is to rid ourselves of the mockery that is the Versailles Treaty and regain our lost strength and territories, then to expel Jews from our society.” He ranted. For a moment I began to think I was listening to a broken record rather than a grown man who had become indoctrinated in this National Socialist garbage.

“This vision will never become reality if the Jews are allowed to remain among us contaminating our professions, our culture and most importantly our race!” Micah interrupted. Despite how wrong what he said was, I was simply glad somebody managed to quiet his father. “Don’t you agree, Robert?” Micah asked turning to me. In an effort to be diplomatic I gave the indication of being unsure. “Jews have never harmed me personally, but I grew up in a different place under different circumstances.”

“Spend some more time here and I promise you that your perspective will change” Micah and Alfred suggested. “I’ll see what Gabrielle wants, we were planning a trip to Austria after we leave here in a few days.” “But if she gets comfortable then perhaps things will change.”

“Nonsense stay here with us!” Greta offered. “We have plenty of room, If you like you can stay in the guest room.” I appreciated their generosity but felt like I had already spent enough time in this house to last me a life time. “I’ll talk with Gabrielle and let you know what we decide.” “Take all the time you need” Alfred said reassuringly. I took my plates into the kitchen and proceeded down into the guest room where Gabrielle was waiting for me. 

“How did it go?” She asked. “You seem a little distressed.” “The food was great but I can’t help but think they are trying to indoctrinate us into this twisted ideology.” I answered. “First they want me to attend this rally of theirs and then they give me this stupid uniform that represents wrong on so many different levels.” Gabrielle moved to calm me down before I let my frustration get the better of me by sitting me down on the bed. “If its any consolation, you look handsome in the uniform no matter what it represents.” Again for a second my troubles suddenly vanished until I remembered what I had come to tell her. 

“Do you still want to go to Austria after the rally?” “Of course” she answered. “Micah’s parents have offered to let us stay here.” “Why would they do such a thing?” She wondered.

“I’m not sure”. “Maybe his father wants to keep an eye on us”. “How  so?” “Perhaps he’s worried you will follow in your fathers footsteps and that he won’t be able to protect you any longer.” “Not only for your sake but for his too, we’ve both seen how ruthless the SS can be.” “He’d never do such a thing, his parents have loved me since we were children.”

“It might be the only reason my father escaped.” She continued. I felt as if she may have been right in that assumption, nothing else could explain why he got away while so many were thrown into camps. “Perhaps we should decide what to do next after the Rally tomorrow.” We agreed and postponed our decision until after this party rally I had found myself being stuck in. 

I placed the uniform back in the closet while feeling a sense of relief for finally being able to take it off. I just wished I never had to put it on again but if Gabrielle wanted me to go plus the chance to experience a moment in history were too difficult for me to simply let pass. “You know for what its worth, you look quite heroic in that uniform.” Gabrielle said. “If it didn’t represent such evils then I’d never get tired of seeing you in it.” I couldn’t help but smile for a brief second upon realizing a mild touch of humor in what she said. “You need to rest” She continued. “You have a long day ahead of you”. 

As we lay down together I contemplated the future. I was trying to picture our lives together at different points in the future. All I knew is that what ever my future involved would also involve Gabrielle. With all the uncertainty in the world during the present I felt that I seeing where I’d be anywhere after the coming days would be impossible. Even back home in America, the economical situation was far from certain.

 

Right now I felt as if only one thing was certain, that I was truly heading into the unknown.

Author's Note

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