A/N:This chapter is from Klink's POV. Thanks so much for the reviews and alerts! Every single one makes my heart smile.
Movies Are Your Best Escape - 2
I was sure Hogan was up to something, I just wasn't quite sure what it might be.
Certainly General von Kaplow's mysterious briefcase was probably part of it. How on earth Hogan thought he might access it was beyond my ability to speculate, however. I also wondered why Hogan decided that this "holiday dinner" needed to be in my quarters.
The bottom had dropped from my stomach when Hogan referred to me as the prisoners' "loveable Kommandant." I had immediately asserted that I did not fraternize with the prisoners, and thankfully the General had not seemed concerned about it. However, a small piece of me wondered and hoped that perhaps that was how Hogan felt about me.
I was given another jolt when Hogan suggested that the dinner be held in my quarters as opposed to the recreation hall. Instead of a big celebration for the entire camp, apparently this "celebration" was going to be limited to just the General, Fräulein Helga, Hogan, and myself. It seemed a bit odd, but as the General seemed pleased at the prospect I assented.
I felt a bit nervous about hosting Hogan in my quarters for the first time. I managed to hurry over and make sure that everything looked in order before the dinner. I couldn't help but watch Hogan out of the corner of my eye as he wandered through my rooms, and wonder what he thought of my personal items on display.
When he reached my bedroom my foolish heart gave a little lurch. In my loneliness I had sometimes imagined him being there, although in very different circumstances. I impressed every step, touch, and glance of his within the room, saving them for private review later, when I would be alone. I knew I was being exceedingly silly, but what else of him could I have?
The four of us sat down to dinner at my table. It felt very odd. The general, who was obviously very attracted to Helga, immediately sat down next to her. I noticed that he removed the briefcase from his hand and instead attached the handcuff to the bottom of his chair, setting the briefcase on the floor.
I sat in my usual chair at the end of the table, and Hogan took the other end. I had never taken a meal with him before, and I found it difficult not to glance in his direction every few seconds. I ate, but my nerves hardly allowed me to enjoy the Frenchman's cooking. However, I made sure to praise it along with my fellow diners to conceal my distraction.
We were just about done eating when the Englishman Newkirk knocked over Hogan's wineglass and it smashed on the floor beside the general. Hogan chastised his man and instructed him to pick up every bit of glass. Newkirk disappeared under the table.
As I watched Newkirk's legs disappear, I realized what was happening. I was familiar with Newkirk's unique talents, having been the victim of them when the Inspector General had made his ill-fated visit.
Newkirk is going to try and steal the briefcase and then we'll all be shot! Hogan, are you mad? There's an armed guard standing right behind the general!
But, the seconds ticked by and no outcry was raised. The general, if anything, seemed more and more distracted by Helga who in turn was looking more and more tense and uncomfortable.
Poor girl is too lovely for her own good. She attracts the lechers like honey attracts bears.
I found myself babbling nonsense about our meal, trying to provide whatever additional distraction I could to keep the general from happening to look under the table.
The general asked Hogan what Hogan would do if he were to escape Stalag 13.
"I can assure you, he won't," I said firmly.
"As an officer it is his duty to try," countered von Kaplow.
"Also, it keeps me out of trouble," joked Hogan, just as Newkirk re-emerged from under the table.
I noted with relief that Newkirk did not appear to have the briefcase concealed on his person, but he did have a serving platter covered by a cloth.
So, rather than stealing the case, he merely stole the contents!
Newkirk announced that he was nearly done cleaning the mess, and would come back with a dustpan to finish the job. He then disappeared into the kitchen.
He probably will look at the papers and then return them when he comes back to "finish." At least, I hope he intends on returning the contents. If he doesn't we'll all be shot once the general notices them missing.
Once Newkirk had left, the general was ready to get up from the table. I had a moment of panic, but Hogan took quick action.
"To round out a perfect evening, I was hoping that the Kommandant would favor us with a bit of music."
"Oh yes! A violin solo, Herr Kommandant," Helga immediately agreed.
"Oh! You are a musician?" asked the general.
I gave an embarrassed chuckle, "In a small way."
Hogan gave me one of his wicked grins that always made me come undone.
"Oh, he's so modest," he said, "behind his back the men call him Papa Heifetz."
"They do?" I asked, filled with wonder.
"Amongst other things," Hogan replied with his mischievous smile.
"Oh do play for us," begged Helga, "just one number?"
"Oh, really I'm not prepared," I protested.
I really don't want to play for the general. I'm far too nervous!
"Well, if he can't, he can't" said the general, beginning to stand.
"If you insist!" I quickly rose from the table to get the violin. The general could not be allowed to leave the table just yet!
"He can! He can!" Hogan almost pushed the general back into his chair.
As I got my violin and tuned it I thought about what to play. I finally settled on Liszt's O Lieb, So Lang Du Lieben Kannst. I felt it would be of suitable length, and hopefully the emotion of the piece would keep the general distracted. I went through my usual routine of playing rather badly. I had learned since joining the military that being too proficient in music sometimes brought a suspicious eye. It was much better to be laughed at as a buffoon than to be suspected of being a moral degenerate.
I could nearly feel Liszt turning in his grave as the mangled sounds of his Liebesträume left my violin. I shut my eyes and imagined playing the piece, alone with Hogan, and doing it full justice.
As the final note sounded, the listeners began to clap.
"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, Colonel!" said Hogan clapping enthusiastically.
"Thank you," I replied, "now shall we - "
I was going to suggest that we open another bottle of wine, as I hadn't seen Newkirk return from the kitchen yet, but apparently Hogan was ahead of me.
"Do you know Melancholy Baby?" he asked.
"Is that Mozart, by any chance?" I asked. Sometimes the informal titles of pieces were translated oddly.
"No chance at all," said Hogan, clearly disappointed. Obviously, he wanted me to keep playing until Newkirk returned.
"Oh, well, I have another little number that is very well received," I suggested.
Hogan's eyes lit up, "Good! Good!"
I immediately began tuning again before the general could protest, and then launched into Brahms' Hungarian Dance Number Five. I did a better job on that, as I didn't feel it was as dangerously emotive as the Liszt was.
I had hardly begun before Newkirk came hopping out of the kitchen with his cloth-covered serving dish again. He crawled back under the table and was back out in just a few seconds. The mission, whatever it was, had apparently been accomplished. I could see Hogan grinning like a cat with a bowl of cream.
Once I finished the Brahms piece, Hogan quickly brought his part of the evening to a close. I couldn't help being a bit disappointed. He said he was fatigued from drinking the wine because he hadn't had alcohol in so long. He and his men quickly left, as soon as LeBeau had finished in the kitchen.
That left me to entertain the general and Helga on my own. Helga tried to be polite, but soon also begged to be excused as she needed to work in the morning. The general was clearly disappointed, but too well-mannered to put up a great fuss.
After I got the general settled in the guest quarters, I returned to my own and quickly went to bed. I was exhausted from the evening and its worries. However, before I fell asleep I cast a look around my bedroom and smiled.
Hogan was actually here, just a few hours ago!
Liszt's melody echoed through my dreams that night.
TBC...