Chapter Thirty-Six: A Step in the Right Direction
July 6, 1941
The mood of the camp changed dramatically. The only remnants of the cheery mood before was the lines of the football pitch still drawn on the compound, the two makeshift goals on either end, and the football still lying out in the compound, looking very lonely. The shock of Stephen's death had come over everyone, even some of the guards. It had been too unexpected. Now, fear ran through the prisoners, as they wondered when Jöchmann would make his next appearance, and who the next victim may be.
Stephen was buried in the prisoners' cemetery; alongside many of the men he had buried during the pneumonia epidemic. Louis, Luke, and Marcel dug his grave. Peter remained in the cooler, alone with his thoughts. When Stephen was laid down in his grave, many attended the little service. Berg even escorted Peter out there for him to watch; but at a distance. Still, Louis would not let him go back to the cooler alone. He told Berg he was coming with them. Berg allowed it, saying that if Louis wished to spend a day in the cooler, that was his choice.
Peter was quiet on his opinion until they were left alone in the cooler.
"Why are you 'ere?"
"To make sure you are okay, mon ami."
"Minus a sore chin, I'm fine."
"Really?"
"Yea."
"Pierre, stop fooling. We all just lost a friend."
"Well, maybe I already got over it." Peter turned his back to Louis, his arms crossed. "Why don't you just leave?"
"Non," answered Louis. "I am locked up in 'ere for a day anyway. But I will not stop bugging you until you talk to me. I know there is something bothering you."
"It's nothin'."
"I do not believe you."
"Fine, Duerr just said somethin' that got me thinkin' was all."
Louis barely heard it, but reacted ferociously. "What? What did 'e say? Did 'e threaten you? You just tell me and I will tell Commandant Géraud and 'e will take care of it."
Peter turned around with an amused smile. "It's okay, Louie," he said softly. "Duerr didn't threaten me."
Louis's expression softened. "Oh. Then what did 'e say?"
Peter told him what Duerr had said about the order of the camp and what he thought would happen amongst the prisoners.
"Oui, it is wrong," agreed Louis. "But you told 'im right. You told 'im that we would stick together. That is what we will do."
"But I'm not so sure anymore," said Peter.
"What do you mean," demanded Louis. "We would never betray each other."
"We wouldn't," asked Peter skeptically.
"You think I would betray you," asked Louis, hurt and surprised.
"No," exclaimed Peter, alarmed. "Never. I would never even think that. I'm talkin' about the prisoners in general, as a whole. Look, we don't know everyone in this camp; not really. And I certainly don't trust everyone in this camp. I was stupid to think I could in the first place."
"Well," said Louis. "No one said it was going to be a walk in the park. No one said it was not going to be risky."
"I know that Louie," snapped Peter. "I've been 'ere the whole time. You an' me, we've done more than most blokes in the whole camp; we've done the riskiest stuff. But I'm tired of all these setbacks. I. Want. Out. Now."
"We all do, Pierre," Louis calmly stated.
"I know," said Peter. "But if I 'ave to watch another man die—especially a friend—I'm done. I'll escape by meself. An' you're welcome to join me. In fact, I implore you."
Louis shook his head. "I would not go. Not unless there was no more 'ope."
"'Ow much 'ope do you think is left around 'ere, Louie," asked Peter angrily.
"Listen," said Louis. "You told Duerr that we prisoners were different. If you leave without going through our plan, then you are only proving 'im right. Is that what you want?"
"I wanna go 'ome," said Peter, not caring that he sounded like a child. "I want peace for a change. I want to remember what peace is." He paused. "I'm tired," he finally gasped out.
"Oui," said Louis. "So get some sleep in this cooler while you can. Because there is a bigger fight to be fought when you get out."
Peter looked up at him. "A bigger fight…"
"Right, something bigger than you or me or even this whole camp," said Louis. "Something I would die for. Something we were fighting for before we were prisoners. Something our friends died for, and something we thought we were going to die for a year ago. Something we were willing to die for a year ago. But we are still in it. Or, at least I am. Are you? We can still fight from 'ere. We can 'urt the Boche by escaping. As prisoners, it is all we can do, but if we do our job, then we win. We might die trying, but the point is: we did not give up. We did not succumb to this treatment. A friend may die, but we cannot give up, because then 'e died for nothing. Pierre, if I die, my only wish is that you will find peace one day, but I would 'ope always that you could fight on more. We can never let the Boche get inside us. Because when they do that…that is when they certainly and most definitely win." He took a breath. "Got it?"
Peter's expression softened. "Yea, I got it."
"Bon," said Louis.
The silence was awkward.
"Now what," asked Peter.
"You can get some sleep," suggested Louis.
Peter just nodded and stepped back against the opposite wall. Louis backed to his wall and did the same. They fell into silence, and Peter actually closed his eyes. Louis, now officially bored and beginning to regret coming in here for a day, sighed and closed his eyes as well.
"Is this what you do when you come in 'ere all the time," asked Louis. "Sleep?"
"Try to," muttered Peter. "I'm usually not bein' annoyed by little Frogs."
Louis opened his eyes and saw Peter smiling with his eyes still closed.
"Well," said Louis, pretending hurt. He closed his eyes again, and tried to settle into a more comfortable position.
After a few minutes, Louis really thought Peter had fallen asleep. But he was mistaken when Peter said:
"Thanks Louie. For everything."
The following day, upon release, Peter and Louis found the camp nearly transformed in attitude. The officers had ordered work on the tunnels to continue relentlessly. Surprisingly, the recreation hour was kept as it was on that terrible day: the British and French were permitted to integrate themselves for that one hour. During that hour, most of the efforts were being channeled to preparing for a good escape. A list was already being drawn up for the order of escapes. As promised, Peter and Louis were placed at the top. However, they said that they would not leave unless Luke and Marcel were placed with them. The officers did not object and it was done. The next spots were picked as planned, and were basically drawn out of a hat. Twenty-five spots were filled up and that was when the officers called it off until more of the tunnel was completed.
The report on the tunnels was that the one going from the infirmary had about a week left. The one in the recreation hall, which was pivotal, had about a month left. It was a longer distance, originally, and had had many setbacks because of events in camp. The officers decided that the one in the infirmary would be used at the same time as the one leaving the rec hall, so more people could get out.
The diversion would have to be another show, but the officers were not going to approach Duerr now. The disciplinarian was in a terrifying mood of late. It appeared that Jöchmann had not been able to gain too much ground on Duerr but that it might have cost he and the Kommandant.
August 9, 1941
The rec hall tunnel was completed. The infirmary one had been completed for two weeks already. The prisoners were now anxious to get going. The Géraud approached Duerr about the possibility of another show to boost morale. Duerr flat out refused, saying that morale seemed fine to him, and there was no reason for another show. In short, Géraud reported back that Duerr was not taking any chances right now. Well, the prisoners were determined to find a way around this.
"Maybe we could prove that our morale is low," said Lawrence.
"How so," asked O'Neill.
"An escape," answered Lawrence simply. "Someone makes a go for it. We can get them into the infirmary for a night, and they run for it."
"That in itself will boost the prisoners' morale," argued Géraud. "And we then run the risk of losing privileges."
"But it will make a statement," said Lawrence.
"Perhaps," murmured Géraud, deep in thought.
"I guess we will recruit Corporal LeBeau or Corporal Newkirk," asked Noël. He started to get up and leave.
"Non," said Géraud. "Not them."
"Why," the others asked.
"They would want this chance," said O'Neill. "They are first on the list so send them out. They might even make it."
"If they go, the morale of the camp will go up," said Géraud. "The men like them and always cheer for them. It has to be someone that is unexpected to go and a shock enough that the men really would be affected by it."
"So who would that be," asked Lawrence.
"An officer," answered Géraud."
"An officer!" The three lower grades looked at the Commandant in confusion.
"You are going to go," asked Noël.
"Non," answered Géraud. "Lawrence is going to go."
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"Why?"
"Because you have a background with some of them that they do not appreciate."
"How do you know that?"
"I was checking up on everyone," answered Géraud. "The story came out, but I assure you no one has any more hard feelings. The all believe that it was just because of the rough times during the march."
"Which it was," Lawrence hastily said.
"Do not worry. I trust you," said Géraud. "And they trust you too. However, an officer escaping makes a larger statement than just some other prisoner. If the officer—the man who is supposed to be keeping the moral of the men up—escapes, then that means something has really gone wrong. And if you escape, I bet past sentiments will come out. Then, the morale of the men will start going down."
"Okay, then," said Lawrence steadily. "It makes sense. So, should I really try to escape?"
"Your call," answered Géraud. "At this point, with what we know now, no one could actually blame you for leaving."
Lawrence sighed. "I will come back. I don't want my name to be mud. In fact, I will just hide out in the woods for awhile until they find me."
"That is good enough," said Géraud. "And when you come back, and we get what we need, I will explain to the men what really happened. Your name will not be mud."
"Thank you," said Lawrence.
"But," said Géraud, looking all three lower officers. "For this to work and have the maximum affect on the men and Duerr, no one else can know about this. We will only tell them the truth after it has all gone through. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
Géraud looked at Lawrence. "You make your plans on how you will leave. Good luck."
"Gee, thanks, old chap for the support."
"Anytime, Capitaine."
August 13, 1941
The men came back from work in their usual mood of being very tired and grumpy and looking forward to the rec period. Of course, they had to wait for the other work details to come back. While they were waiting, Lawrence put on his façade and began to act really sick. O'Neill went on with it. Lawrence coughed a lot and complained about his chest being real tight. He gave himself a hoarse voice as well. The prisoners around him were concerned. After some time and enough people aware of his condition, they began to insist he get checked out by the medic. In the act, he originally refused, but even more people began to insist, fearing another epidemic. So, Lawrence complied and went to the infirmary. Duerr was made aware of his illness by the medic, Wilkerson, who was also fooled by Lawrence. Duerr began to fear another epidemic as well, so Wilkerson kept Lawrence overnight. Come roll call, Lawrence was discovered missing.
As anticipated by Géraud, the prisoners were furious, especially the British. They felt cheated. Even though some were sympathetic and said any man had a right to escape if he could, the overall mood was that they had been betrayed. Naturally, the prisoners turned on O'Neill, to see if he knew anything. Once again, as it had been on the march, rank was thrown out the window. The British were all over O'Neill. It was only after a few coolheaded people got into it that things were calmed down and it was determined that O'Neill knew nothing.
Duerr raised the alarm immediately. The two medics were thrown into the cooler for their assumed involvement. Honestly, they didn't know anything either. They had been asleep when Lawrence left. The infirmary was inspected thoroughly by guards looking for a tunnel. Every prisoner held their breaths while waiting for the verdict. But the guards found nothing. Afterwards, Géraud persuaded Duerr to release the medics under the logic that they would have escaped too had they known.
Surprising to many, Lawrence was only captured about three hours later. He was sent straight to the cooler, and this time, no one objected to seeing one of their own put in the cooler. They teased him for being caught so quickly. Some felt pity for him; other only scorn. Géraud let is all pass because it was needed.
A few days later as the mood settled down some, Géraud approached Duerr about having another play. Although Duerr seemed almost compliant, he still refused. Géraud decided more mischief needed to be done.
"Caporals LeBeau et Newkirk," asked Noël.
Géraud nodded. "Oui. Tell them to do what they want. Do not escape; create mayhem."
"Mayhem, eh," Peter echoed thoughtfully with a gleam in his eyes. "Sounds like somethin' up our alley, eh Louie?"
"Oui, Pierre," answered Louis, rubbing his hands together.
Noël smiled. It was the beginning of the recreation hour and he had just given Géraud's request to the two corporals. He was confident they would get something done.
"I will leave you two alone to scheme," said Noël. "Need anything?"
"Can you fetch Luke and Marcel for us," asked Peter. "Sir?"
"Of course," said Noël. "Just do not forget who I am."
"We will not," called back Louis.
When Noël returned with Luke and Marcel, the two were anxious to find out what was going on.
"We've got orders to create some mayhem," explained Peter.
"We are inviting you two to participate," said Louis. "It is--of course--voluntary. We all know that creating mischief these days is never a good idea."
"Well, only if the creep shows up," said Luke.
"Right," said Marcel. "So, I am in."
"Me too," added Luke. "I'm bored otherwise. And you chaps always have the fun."
"If you want to sit underneath this stage all day and sew civilian clothes, be my guest," said Peter.
"Okay, okay," said Marcel. "Settle down. We do not need a fight. With the tension these days you will 'ave the whole camp involved."
Peter rolled his eyes, but Louis grabbed his arm.
"Wot?"
"We will start a fight."
"Are you barmy? Didn't you just 'ear Marcel—it would be…" Realization struck him. "Louie, you're a genius."
"Oui. Je sais."
"So, can we do it now," asked Luke eagerly.
"Certainly," answered Peter. "Louie, you an' me will get into an argument, and start pushin' each other. Luke, Marcel, you try an' break it up. Then, we'll start throwin' punches."
"Fake, right," asked Luke warily.
"Of course," answered Louis quickly. "Though, when people actually think it is a real fight, some real punches will probably be thrown. But it would not be realistic if that did not 'appen."
"But the goal," said Peter. "It's to get as many involved as possible. So, when people start gatherin' around, knock 'em about to get 'em into it."
They all nodded.
"Okay, let's do this," said Peter.
They went outside, and when they passed Noël, they winked at him. He walked off to find Géraud. Outside, Peter suddenly started talking as if they had been arguing for some time now.
"'E was bein' a ruddy traitor," he said loudly. "An' that's all I've got to say about it."
"Well, I do not see any reason to why someone cannot escape if they want to!"
"Because we've got an agreement!"
"Hey guys," said Luke. "Keep it down."
"Still, 'e was always a little off, even in the march."
"You were stupid enough to steal the potatoes."
"So we could eat a little better that night!"
"You know what: I am not surprised that a thief like you would not have already escaped. You talk about a traitor—"
Peter pushed Louis hard. "Traitor? I'm turnin' me back on me country!"
Louis pushed Peter back. "Lawrence was not turning on 'is country. 'E decided to try and save 'is own skin! Which is what thieves do!"
Peter grabbed Louis's shirt collar and pulled him close. "You ruddy Frog, 'ow would ever know? I bet you're some toff who's never even gone 'ungry before!"
Marcel stepped forward quickly and tried to make Peter let go of Louis. "Let's settle down boys."
Peter pushed Marcel away. "Back off Frog. This isn't your fight."
Louis wrestled out of Peter's grasp. "Do not push 'im!" He 'hit' Peter in the gut.
"Alright, that's it. You asked for it Louie!"
Peter 'hit' Louis back, punching him in the jaw. By this time, a crowd had formed around them because of their argument. When punches started being thrown, the crowd came closer and started cheering. Marcel and Luke tried to break them apart and in turn got pulled into the fight as well. They staged it as a fight between the French and British. That really revved the crowed up and made tension go up between spectators. The four fighters started bumping the crowd and knocking the right people so that they started really fighting one another.
After another minute of the ruckus, the guards stopped blowing whistles and started firing shots into the air. That made everyone hit the deck. The guards made everyone stay down that was in the area. Those not around wisely moved away to watch from a distance. Géraud arrived on the scene coincidently at the same time as Duerr. The two officers got everyone up and in a terrible looking formation. Uniforms were dusty and bedraggled. Some men were sporting black eyes, swollen cheeks, busted lips, or bloody noses. Some hats and jackets were still strewn out on the ground.
"So," said Duerr. "You all decided to start a flight club? This is not the streets gentlemen. You are in the military and now in a military camp. Discipline is the only club here. Unfortunately, it seems that this has been lacking of late. So, because of this latest escapade, I believe no one will mind that your lunch rations will be taken away for one week." This elicited moans and groans from the prisoners involved. "No rec hour for two weeks, and lastly the guilty party who started this will be sent to the cooler for the next two weeks."
Everyone looked at each other. It looked like no one was going to fess up and tell on Peter and Louis.
"Berg," said Duerr. "Put Corporals Newkirk and LeBeau in the cooler."
"You can't do that," argued Peter. "Just because we were involved doesn't mean we started it!"
"Oui," said Louis. "It could 'ave been any of these men."
"I decided it was you two," said Duerr. "Berg, take them away."
"Kommen Sie," said Berg. "Raus!"
"Okay, okay," muttered Peter. "We're rausin'."
Peter and Louis stepped forward and allowed themselves to be escorted to the cooler. As they passed Duerr, Peter smiled. "You were right, you know."
"I know," assured Duerr with a twitch of his lips. He looked at Géraud. "Recreation hour is over, Commandant. Have your men go back to their appropriate barracks."
As they were off, Luke said to Marcel. "I kind of like this. We help start the mayhem but don't get in trouble for it."
"It is all about first impressions," said Marcel. "We simply 'ad better first impressions than Peter and Louis."
In the cooler, Peter and Louis settled down after Berg closed the door on them.
"I guess they don't really care about the whole solitary part anymore," said Peter.
"That is fine with me," said Louis.
They fell into silence and Peter closed his eyes.
"Pierre?"
"Hmm?"
"You did not mean anything out there, did you?"
"No, never."
"Okay."
Louis lay back against the wall as well.
"Louie?"
"Hmm?"
"You didn't mean anythin' either, did you?"
"Non."
"Okay, good."
More silence.
"That was fun. We should do that again one day."
"If we ever need mayhem again, we can do it then. But I do not see why we would need to do something like that again."
"Yea, me neither."
The next day, Géraud was summoned to Duerr's office.
"Okay," said Duerr. "You were correct that your men are falling out of line. However, I cannot guarantee a show again. With our new…overseer…that will be difficult. I will try, though, to make it possible for you to do something. I know that Jöchmann is leaving in a month for a conference in Berlin. I suggest that you plan your little play for then. But the punishments given yesterday still stand. And should anymore mischief occur, you can consider your play out of the question."
"Yes, sir," answered Géraud. "I understand completely, and I will make sure that my men understand as well."
"Good, now get out."
Géraud spread the word about the play, and the word was also spread that Lawrence's 'escape' and Peter and Louis's 'fight' had all been a part of a ploy to make it happen. To everyone fooled, it was the best joke yet. They were another step closer to getting out of there.