Black shiny car with a red pennants went through the gate straight to the town hall. Ironically birds were happily singing hid somewhere in a safe place besides branches. Boots were clicking on the pavement and on the marble and finally sound decreased on a soft carpet.
"Guten Tag, Herr Generaloberst, Guten Tag, Frau Edelstein!"
"Guten Tag, Müller ... How was your day?"
"I report, Herr Generaloberst that it was very good!"
"Müller ..."
"Yes, Herr Generalloberst?"
"Tell me… Are you standing two meters away from me?"
"Something like that, Herr Generalloberst!"
"It is short all long distance?"
"I suppose it is short, Herr Generalloberst!"
"Then, why are you yelling?"
Behind Ludwig Sophie supressed laughter, quickly transferring snort into coughing. Germany turned away with serious face. Müller was bemused. Ludwig just winked to Sophie.
"Who is this?" Sophie asked when they went to the staircase.
"They moved him here from the front, because of some merit, but I think that he just screamed too loud. You know normally you have grenades, bombs, rifles and when you have a few minutes of rest you hear his voice. What would you do?"
"I would kick him to office." This time the both of them were laughing.
"Herr Beilschmidt, Madame welcome." Suddenly from random door appeared Gauleiter Karl Hanke. He was slim, bald man in a black uniform. He made affectionate gestures when he invited Sophie and Ludwig into his office. In a small room were sitting several generals and high ranked officials. They were smoking expensive cigars and flicking ash to the ashtrays. Oak table was littered with plans, on the wall was portrait of Hitler. Gauleiter sat down in his chair and reached for a large glass made of thick glass. At the bottom was amber scotch. After a few seconds there were two new glasses on the table one with scotch and one with vine. Slowly private conversations died. Hanke said a few laconic words about situation in the city.
"We will destroy it when Russians will get here." He ended, giving the audience a clear sign that he didn't see that situations possible.
"Are you joking, Herr Gauleiter?" Ludwig looked up from his glass. The room fell silent. The clock was ticking. "I can't agree for that."
"I am afraid that you and Madame do not have many things to say in this case. It's my responsibility, it is my city and I am a commander here."
"And because of that you want to send this city to space?"
"Mr Beilschmidt…"
"Please listen to me for once…" Quiet, usually slightly hoarse baritone voice trembled with anger. "Don't destroy it only because you can! For the honour which is so badly understood…"
"Ludwig, listen to me and take it to your heart." The older man spoke like to a stubborn child. "You should mind your pretty Aryan face, show up here from time to time and generally look nice. Nothing more. You have no influence here. Do you understand?"
Germany felt his hands clench into fists. Amber liquid in a wide glass trembled slightly, creating a minor disturbance on the perfect golden surface. In his head, he could hear only the roar of fury.
"You feel too important, Hanke."
"No, you feel too important , my boy. You can create idyll for Führer like you used to, but you should leave the war to people who have some ideas about it."
Sophie glanced nervously at Ludwig, she saw bitterness in his eyes. Meanwhile Ludwig made a quickly review of all horrors of war he had an opportunity to observe during his long live Almost all history of mankind was bloody. Hundreds of lives. Every soul in separate memory.
"You are the one who do not have any idea."
"I am warning you, my boy, only because I like you, you should control your anger."
"You do not want to have any idea."
"Court-martial, purity of the race, faithfulness to the Reich." Gauleiter almost hisses this phrases.
Germany rose, calmly looked at all generals. Sophie shook a little. In her mind she was begging Ludwig not to do anything that they would have both regret. She stared at the tired, porcelain white face of her… of Ludwig. The sun was making reflexes in his hair. She was thinking. "Don't do this kid, just don't. You won't win with them. Be calm, you know how, you are a specialist in being calm." Ludwig stood for a moment then he took his cap and left the room. He slammed the door with such a force that Führer on the wall shook violently. Silent man from the Office of the Reich who was sitting in the corner raised his bushy eyebrows. He was waiting for an explanation.