CHAPTER 11.
La Gammar was exquisite and bright as our small group entered. Lavish blood red Nazi flags hung from the walls as Officers to Gestapo men walked around with the swastika on their arms along with some dainty German girl to match. To say the cinema was full had to be an understatement; the place was crowded with crawling Krauts.
Aldo, Donny and Omar were dressed impeccably pristine and their clothes were well-fitted for once. Their hair was slicked back cleanly, their skin had been rubbed clean and their faces had been shaved. I had laughed so hard when Donny had emerged from the bathroom with not a hair on his jaw. Imagine the big scary Bear Jew with no hair; he wasn't so scary anymore.
The men looked amazing in their suits to say the least.
Bridget's leg had to be wrapped in a cast so she had decided on the story that she had gone mountain climbing and fell…a weak story but good enough for our operation to go through. Fortunately most of Bridget's dresses trailed down to the floors only her foot stuck out. She had decided to wear a sparkling pitch black dress along with an elegant dark belt and a fur scarf that she had seated in the crook of her arms. She wore long white gloves to cover up her smaller scars on her arms.
She made an excellent German-American spy.
As for me though, it was going to be harder to come up with a story. Most of the men and women here knew me by my face and the now increasing reputation with Hellstrom and Frederick. A love triangle apparently. Out of the many stories Aldo and I tried to make up to sound believable we settled on one; I ran away after the famed 'Basterds' caught me and wandered through the forest when an ambulance cam by on the road with Bridget in it. Bridget had taken me under her wing as I was 'treated' for my cuts on my body as I helped her recover as well. Then tonight was to be our big reappearance.
That was probably the best fake story anyone had ever come up with and look, it was my story. Bridget had lent me on of her dresses which, unfortunately, felt like I was wearing plastic. It was a red dress with a split down the thigh and revealed my non-cut leg. Now I knew the term 'monkey suit'. At least the shoes were comfortable.
Anyways.
Aldo was supporting Bridget as we walked through the doors of La Gammar, Utivich had driven us here and he was to remain parked outside until the Operation was under way. I had my arm wrapped through Donny's as we stood to the side trying not to attract to much attention. I hid my face behind my curly dark hair and Donny's back when I saw someone look at us and whisper. Bridget was pointing out the important people to us as we formed an odd half circle. I nodded along as my eyes swept through the room.
Frederick's face was everywhere.
Each poster held his regal face, each paper printed his name. His soft baby-like features were everywhere.
I felt sick. My vision swam and I sucked in breaths as a cold feeling went through me. Here I was, in the same spot where I had not even been but a week ago. I raised my eyes to the balcony slowly as something burned in my temple. My brown eyes found cold calculating darker eyes when I swept the balcony.
"Landa."
"What?"
Donny looked to me, confused as I tugged on his arm. He followed my gaze and blinked as he followed the dark haired man that was slowly making his way down the stairs.
"Who is it?"
"The Jew Killer." I whispered back, Donny made an angry noise in his throat as he bumped Aldo's arm then jerked his head towards the SS man. Aldo just raised an eyebrow.
I watched Landa as he slunk his way through the throngs of people silently. His eyes narrowed slightly then turned to slits when he landed on me. I held my head up defiantly as he slowed his gate down, I had to be strong. I ran a hand over my silver purse on my arm; the tags seemed to be burning through the faux leather. Hugo and Wick would have loved this.
"Fraulein von Hammersmark!" Landa said happily as he walked up to our group. We turned towards him as Bridget's smile faltered then regained. She opened her arms widely.
"Oberst Landa, es sind Jahre gewesen. Zerschmettern als je, sehe ich. Colonel Landa, it's been years. Dashing as ever, I see." She complimented and stepped forward, letting him kiss both her cheeks ever so lightly.
"So, was zu Ihrem schönen Bein geschehen ist. So what's happened to your lovely leg?" he looked down to Bridget's wrapped foot, I could literally see the color drain from her face. I gripped Donny's arm as she let out a fake laugh, "Ein Nebenprodukt, von Arsch im deutschen Kino zu treten, kein Zweifel. A by-product of kicking ass in the German cinema, no doubt."
"Spart Ihre Schmeichelei, Sie alter Hund, kenne ich zu viel von. Save your flattery, you old dog," she laughed and hit his chest playfully, "Ihren ehemaligen Eroberungen, in jenen Honigtopf zu fallen. I know too many of your former conquests to fall into that honey pot."
"Ernsthaft, was. Seriously, what happened?" he prodded with a hint of a smile. I gulped, Landa knew something…he knew something…
"Gut geschehen ist, ich habe meine Hand, follishly kann ich hinzufüge versucht…an Berg kletternd. Well, I tried my hand, follishly might I add…at mountain climbing." She laughed smoothly, Aldo relaxed next to me as Bridget laughed, "Und dies ist das Ergebnis. And this is the result."
"Berg kletternd? Mountain climbing?" Landa repeated skeptically, "Das ist, wie Sie Ihren Bein-berg verletzt haben, der klettert?That's how you injured your leg-mountain climbing?"
"Glaubt, dass es oder nicht, ja es ist. Believe it or not, yes it is." Bridget continued to laugh as Landa's lips curled into an amused smile.
Suddenly he burst out in laughter and stumbled away into another group, hiding his face in his arm and sniffling. We stood there dumbly as Landa laughed. His laughter wasn't one who had just heard a funny joke; this was something else, something different. Bridget's lips turned into a thin line as we waited for Landa to come back over. She was indeed a fantastic actor. I brushed my hair away from my shoulders as Landa came back over, disguising his amusement with a straight face. I frowned.
"Vergeben Sie mich, fraulen. Ich bedeute nicht, über Ihr Unglück zu lachen. Klettert es Gerecht-berg? Ich bin neugierig fraulen, hätte was je Sie zwingen können, so eine tollkühne Bemühung zu unternehmen? Forgive me, fraulen. I don't mean to laugh at your misfortune. It's just-mountain climbing? I'm curious fraulen, what could have ever compelled you to undertake such a foolhardy endeavor?"
Bridget gave a small huff, her annoyance clearly etched in her face.
"Gut ich werde es nicht wieder machen, kann ich Ihnen das erzählen. Well, I shan't be doing it again, I can tell you that." She gave a twitch as Landa looked down at her cast, clearly dismissing her. I eyed the man again, something was going wrong…
"Jener Wurf schaut so frisch wie mein alter Onkel Gustav an. Wann kletterten Sie dieser Berg, gestern Abend? That cast looks as fresh as my old Uncle Gustav. When were you climbing this mountain, last night?"
I froze and looked to Aldo who was looking around the room. I was the only one who knew German…Bridget gave a nod of her head.
"Guter Augeoberst…es ist gestern Morgen geschehen. Good eye Colonel…it happened yesterday morning."
"Und, wo in Paris dieser Berg ist. And where in Paris is this mountain?" Landa's voice dropped into a low tone as he looked Bridget in the eye. She stood up straighter and let out a breath. I moved forward a bit as I felt the knife hidden in my dress rub against my skin. This man wasn't talking, he was interrogating. He suddenly smiled and gripped Bridget's arms, she flinched, "Nein ichmen, hänselnd nur Sie, fraulein, kennen Sie mich. Ich hänsle rau. No, I'm just teasing you, fraulein, you know me. I tease rough."
Landa turned to us and I quickly gave a polite smile and backed up into Donny slowly. His eyes hardened when they met mine.
"So wer sind Ihre drei Eskorten? So who are your three escorts?"
Bridget gave a relieved smile as she walked up to Aldo.
"ich bin ängstlich keiner drei sprechen ein Wort des Deutsch. Sie sind Freunde der Mine von Italien. Dies ist ein wunderbarer Italiener stuntman, Enzo Gorlomi I'm afraid neither three speak a word of German. They're friends of mine from Italy. This is a wonderful Italian stuntman, Enzo Gorlomi." Bridget wrapped her arm through Aldo's and smiled as Landa smiled at Aldo, "Ein sehr talentierter Kameramann, Antonio Margheriti. A very talented cameraman, Antonio Margheriti." She motioned to Donny who only pinched his fingers together in the Italian way and squinted his eyes, "Und der Kameraassistent von Antonio Dominick Decocco. And Antonio's camera assistant Dominick Decocco." Omar did the same as Donny, Bridget gestured to me, "Und selbstverständlich, dies ist Rhiannon Tchaikovsky, mein neuer Protegé. Herr, dies ist ein alter Freund, Oberst Hans Landa von dem SS and of course, this is Rhiannon Tchaikovsky, my new protégé. Gentleman, this is an old friend, Colonel Hans Landa of the SS."
I stared at Landa's champagne glass as he smiled proudly of himself. Aldo raised his eyebrows again.
"Bon journo." Aldo offered. I shook my head and bit my lip; this man was going to give us away. I stepped on Aldo's foot and shot him a warning look.
"Herr, es sind ein Vergnügen…, sowie Sie wieder Rhiannon sehend. Wo sind Sie gewesen? Hellstrom hat nach Ihnen vielmals gefragt. Gentleman, it's a pleasure…as well as seeing you again Rhiannon. Where have you been? Hellstrom has asked about you many times."
"Well…I've ist gewesen mit Bridget für einen Tag nach ich…ist zurückgekommen. Well…I've been with Bridget for a day after I…came back." I smiled politely, Landa simply nodded and turned his attention away from me.
"Die Freunde unseres geschätzten Sterns, der von allen od uns bewundert worden ist, dieses unverblümte Juwel unserer Kultur wird natürlich unter meinem persönlichen Schutz für die Zeitdauer ihres Aufenthalts sein. The friends of our cherished star, admired by all of us, this outright jewel of our culture are naturally going to be under my personal protection for the duration of their stay."
Aldo, Donny, Omar, Bridget and I stared at Landa as he gave a smug smile. I unhooked my arm from Donny's as Aldo cleared his throat.
"Gratz'ee. Thank you." He gave a nod. I cleared my throat.
"Ich bin ängstlich ich muss benutzen die Toilette, entschuldigt mich. I'm afraid I need to use the restroom, excuse me." I smiled and took a step forward. Landa suddenly grabbed my hand and kissed it, the grip he had on it was enough to tear my skin in half. I gulped
"Wenn ich Sie nicht wieder sehe, der unglücklich wäre dann Auf Wiedersehen Rhiannon vorläufig. If I do not see you again, which would be unfortunate, then goodbye Rhiannon for now." He pulled me closer, the irises in his eyes retractred, "Schutze Zoller hat gesucht Sie ebenso. Schutze Zoller has been looking for you as well."
"Ach, gut vielen Danke Oberst Landa. Ich hoffe, Sie durch das Ende von heute Abend zu sehen. Oh, well thank you Colonel Landa. I hope to see you by the end of tonight." I walked away slowly as Landa turned back to Aldo and asked him to repeat his name. My mind was blank; I could barely hear people whisper about me as I made my way up the stairs to where a door was. This had been a terrible idea.
I continued up the stairs slowly, trying to regain my composure as I spotted the back door where no doubt Shoshanna and her husband Marcel were. It was odd, when I first came here I had hated Shoshanna because she was in Dieter's words 'French and a traitor'. But now here I was working alongside her like an old friend as we strived to reach our goals. She still slightly resented me of course, I had been in the Nazi army but I couldn't blame her. I smiled politely at three girls as they crowded around a Private dressed in an impeccably white uniform; they just frowned and turned up their noses.
I could break their spines in half the little-
"Rhiannon?"
I stilled as I brushed against one of the German girls as a voice sounded next to my shoulder. The girls whispered something and walked away as I turned around slowly. Dieter stood before me in a pristine white suit, his soft smile curved on his lips as his chestnut hair fell rebelliously away from the gel.
No.
Dieter was dead in the basement with Hugo, Wicki and Archie…this couldn't be…it just couldn't be him…
"Rhia, Sie sind zurück! Rhia, you're back!"
"…Frederick…"
Frederick's bright face broke out into a blinding smile as the fog cleared from my mind; Dieter's face was slowly washed away and replaced with Frederick's as the Private stepped towards me.
"Ach sind mein Gott, Sie kein Geist, während jeder sagt, dass Sie sind! Ich sorgte so, als Buttz zurückgekommen ist, sagend dass sie Sie entführt haben! Oh my god, you're not a ghost as everyone says you are ! I was so worried when Buttz came back saying that they kidnapped you!" Frederick rushed forward, throwing his arms around me and holding me tightly against him. My eyes travelled to where the Basterds were. Bridget was still conversing with Landa. I wrapped my arms around Frederick's neck and pulled him closer, closing my eyes and inhaling his fresh scent. No matter how much I hated these men, Frederick was different to me…more human. He released me softly and smiled as he went to kiss my cheek. I smiled and stepped away as an Oberst walked by.
"Wie ist es Ihnen gegangen, Frederick? Ich entschuldige mich jenen Tag für Verabschieden von Ihnen nicht… How have you been, Frederick? I apologize that day for not saying goodbye to you…"
"Ich bin gut…ich kann nicht tadeln Sie gewesen, obwohl…Sie nicht viel von einem auf Wiedersehen Person sind, die ich gekommen ist, zu erkennen I've been good…I can't blame you though…you're not much of a goodbye person I've come to realize." He smiled and straightened his uniform, "Rhiannon…there's something I need to tell you….about Herr Hellstrom…"
I nodded and looked down at my shoes.
"I know, Frederick…I got word of it today…tragedy isn't it?"
"Tragedy?" Frederick looked at me oddly before sighing and pulling me into him again, I noticed movement on the other side of the door where Shoshanna and Marcel were at, "How long are you staying after the show? I would very much like it if you joined me and Goebbels back at his place for a drink."
None of us will be here after the movie, Frederick.
"I'd love that." I smiled, Frederick smiled widely back and looked down at the cinema, "…I should get going now though…I came with a friend."
"Really? Who?" Frederick's head snapped back around to me, his light eyes blazed with green curiosity. I smiled inside.
"A very famous camera man…he's Italian…" we stared at each other for a second before I giggled, "They make good pizza."
Frederick laughed loudly before nodding to himself and turning and kissing my cheeks soflty again.
"It's wonderful to see your beautiful face Rhiannon. Meet me…here, when it's over."
"I'll see you then, Frederick." I nodded, leaning against the railing and watching him go down the stairs and slink through the crowd. I sighed and bit my lip as my throat tightened. After tonight, there would be no 'meeting for drinks'. I was a Basterd, I was born a Basterd, I'd die a Basterd…I'd always be one.
"L'ami du vôtre? Friend of yours?"
I shifted weight on my hips to find Shoshanna walking out of the back room, champagne glass in hand with a killer red dress on. She joined me on the railing and looked out into the crowd. A thin black veil covered her face, hiding the smirk that was graced upon ruby red lips.
"Un vieux l'un…tout est à sa place. An old one…is everything in place?"
"Oui, tous il y a de faire est tout le monde obtient à l'intérieur.. Yes, all there is to do is get everyone inside." She tapped a manicured red nail on the silver rail, her eyes flashed over to me, "Oui, tous il y a de faire est tout le monde obtient à l'intérieur? I trust Raine is ready with his two men?"
The world seemed to spin as I savored her words. Donny and Omar had bombs strapped to their legs along with Aldo. I had watched the Lieutenant hand out the death sentence to the two; I had watched them strap them to their legs with a grin on their faces. My only father was leaving me alone. Donny was supposed to take Utivich back to Boston with him so the Little Man could get back to that journalist job and Donny was…god, Donny was supposed to just live. Then I was…well I was supposed to reside somewhere peaceful with Hugo.
But that was then…
"Ils Sont tout prêt. They're all ready." My voice came out tight as I saw Landa smile and take Donny and Omar's seat numbers, "Aldo apprécie votre Sho-Emmanuelle de coopération. C'est le temps que cette guerre a terminé…et aucun de nous aurait pu le faire si vous n'aviez pas été environ. Nous vous remercions autant de. Aldo appreciates your cooperation Sho-Emmanuelle. It's time this war ended…and none of us could have done it if you had not been around. We thank you so much."
"Vous Fait souhaite le faire hors vivant? Do you wish to make it out alive?" She turned to face me, her obscured face added depth to her words, "Or fait veut vous mourir? Or do you want to die?"
"A ce point que je ne soigne pas véritablement. At this point I truly don't care." I pushed away from the railing as Landa handed Donny and Omar's ticket back, "I'd va mieux. Vous remercier encore. I'd better go. Thank you again."
Shoshanna just nodded slightly as I descended the steps quickly. My eyes swept over the crowd, easily pinpointing Frederick as he conversed with Goebbels and another man. I shook my head as I made my way back to Donny's side again. Landa smiled at us…I hated him, I really did.
"Is it ready?" Donny whispered in my ear, I gave a small nod as I gripped his arm, "Good, here take this before we go…you'll need it. Don't look at it until your safe in the car with Smitty…I promised Hugo."
"Hugo?"
Donny ignored me as he pressed a small bag into my purse inconspicuously as Landa turned to us. I smiled.
"-bene, ciò non dovrebbe essere troppo difficile di trovare, arrivederci. -well, that shouldn't be too difficult to find, goodbye." Landa finished saying as he downed his champagne, he turned to me again, "Arivederci. Goodbye, Rhiannon."
"Arrivederici, Oberst Landa. Goodbye, Colonel Landa." I smiled back as Donny and Omar led us away from the trio. I looked back as Landa conversed with Aldo and Bridget, I smirked. Finally a chance to see Aldo nervous and we have to go and do some mission.
"Bathroom to the left." Donny whispered as we headed to the big doors. I nodded and unhooked my arm, "Be quick, wait for us out here."
"I'm giving you twenty." I whispered back as I stopped and went the other way through the crowd and towards the ladies room. Donny let out a laugh before disappearing with Omar.
I walked quickly down the hall, keeping my eyes low as I dug into my purse for the timer that was to set off another miniature explosive on the locks in the theatre so nobody could get out…one of Shoshanna's brilliant ideas. I brushed past a couple and burst into the clean bathroom.
"Hallo." I stuttered as a woman screamed in surprised at my sudden intrusion. She laughed and turned away from the mirror as she leaned against her stall door. I blinked and reached for the gun in my dress, "Oh, hallo Francesca…long time no see."
"Rhiannon!" Goebbels interpreter replied happily as she adjusted her gown for the evening. Her sickening perfume washed over me. I quickly locked the door behind me and tossed my purse over my shoulder. Francesca blinked as I pulled the gun from my hip, "Rhiannon…what is going on?"
"Shut up you lazy pig." I growled, pointing the gun at her, "I have no time for your stupid games. I know you speak English as well as the other two so listen up."
Francesca eyed me as I heard the theatre men calling to close the door quickly. She inched towards her bag. I fired. The glass shattered behind her and she screamed, dropping to the floor and crawling under the sink. I rolled my eyes as I walked over to her and crouched down as far as this plastic dress would allow me.
"So here's the deal, Mondino…I'm going to, along with my friends, burn the cinema to the ground with Hitler, Goebbels and the other big three men in it…I'm also hoping to burn you as well. You and I both know that I am not kidding, you and I also both know that even though I am young and did not particularly rank amongst the Nazi's, I am higher than Frederick yes?" I waved the gun in her face as I unhooked my purse and took out all the chains. They clinked and crashed in the tiny bathroom, "You see these? All of my friends, killed, by your damn 'brigade'. Now, I know what you must be thinking…but I don't really give a crap about what your traitorous mind is thinking…if you could think at all."
"I'm a traitor?" Francesca screeched, getting up from under the sink and jabbing a finger at me as I stood up as well, "You're the one that was with Dieter Hellstrom!"
"Yes well, the past is the past and so on…" I cocked the gun and pointed it at her stomach, "unfortunately you won't be able to look on your past anymore."
"What."
Bullets pieced through Francesca's slim frame as if she were nothing but paper. Blood splattered behind her and onto the sink as she collapsed on the floor. There was a scream and a stall door blew open as a small German girl burst out. She stared at me…I fired at her as well.
I pulled Francesca's body and the other girls' body into a corner as I heard the beginning of the movie sound throughout the halls. I smiled, Donny and Omar should be well into their plan by now. I tucked the gun away into my purse and pulled out the miniature device I would use. I opened the window in the bathroom and peered out, the cool French air hit me in the face and I smiled, tonight would be the night Hitler died.
I leaned against the wall and waited for Donny's cue, nothing could go wrong…if it did…well, Shoshanna still had her plan that nobody knew about, I looked up at the clock in the bathroom. Marcel would have locked the doors by now, then he would have taken his place behind the screen waiting for his wife's cue as well. My heart thumped in my chest as I stepped over the bodies and went to unlock the door. I dropped a small detonator into the trashcan and stepped out into the hallway.
Everybody was in the theatre by now, the hallways were more vacant than ever. I bent down and undid my shoes, throwing them into the bathroom and relocking it. I crept around the corner and stifled a gasp as Aldo stood in the middle of the room sipping champagne. I crouched behind a plant and ripped part of the dress off so I could move easier. I stuck the hair pieces into the plant as well and managed to hide it all beneath the soil. I peeked around the green leaves, eying the guards at the entrance as they watched Aldo then looked outside in boredom. I waved my hands as Aldo spotted me, he blinked.
Okay? I mouthed to him, Aldo simply sipped his champagne and then nodded with a flick of his head.
I shifted and held up the device as the guards turned away once again. He nodded slightly again. I grinned and gave him a thumbs up as I timed my escape to where Donny and Omar were currently walking down a long hallway at. Aldo looked around 'nonchalantly' and then locked eyes with me.
Get 'em.
I ran across the floor quietly as the guards turned around back to outside. I slammed up against the far wall as Omar came over and threw me a smaller gun. I peeked around the corner, Aldo was still standing there, the guards hadn't noticed. I followed Omar quietly around a corner as Donny continued to strip off his black jacket to reveal a really well fitted white collared long-sleeved…shirt. I nodded as Donny threw me a miniature gun to wrap around my wrist. I smiled.
"You know, these could have come in handy like, when we started here."
"You're tellin' me." Donny grunted as he adjusted his shirt and slipped into the bathroom, I looked to Omar.
"He planting the bomb in there?"
"Change of plans apparently." Omar shrugged as Donny came back out. He eyed me and then a grin spread across his face.
"What?"
"I gotta plan…go to Shoshanna and wait for the signal. When Omar and I burst in, hit the locks and run out through the attic and out the window." He grinned as he straightened his hair, I blinked.
"…I'm guessing this will all be your doing?"
"Right." Donny smiled then his eyes widened as he motioned to a waiter turning around the corner. He bent down and kissed my lips swiftly, his warm breath ghosted over me and I felt tingles shoot through my spine. I smiled against his mouth as I shoved him away. He grinned, "Wait for the signal."
"Hurry. Good luck you two. Love you both."
I took off down the hallway, passing the waiter and getting a double-look as my ripped off dress trailed after me. I sprinted up the private stairway to Shoshanna's film room quickly, noticing how everything was purely quiet save for the sounds of the exploits on the screen. I stopped for a second to catch my breath as I heard a German troop shout out something in the movie accompanied by gunfire. I shook my head; Frederick's name would go down in history.
Frederick…
I slowed down as I got closer to the film room. Frederick was going to die tonight and if I survived…if I was the only one to survive…where was I to go? Dieter was gone, Hugo and Wicki were gone. Donny, Omar and Aldo were going to die in a matter of minutes…and hell to Landa…although Bridget…no, I wouldn't even try to stay with her. I could always go with Uti somewhere then try to leave as I tried to live out the rest of my life. Everyone I had loved and cared about was dead or was going to be dead…all in a matter of days.
If I survived tonight.
I stopped as I came to Shoshanna's door; the film running was louder in here than I expected it to be. I knocked softly and looked around me, trying to hear if anyone was coming up. I knocked again impatiently as I heard another gun fight on the screen.
"Shoshanna! Emmanuelle!" I whispered urgently as the German troops watching the movie clapped at a part. I knocked again, "Shoshanna! It's me, Rhiannon!"
RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT.
My hand hesitated over the door as my blood went cold…that wasn't in the movie. I shouldered into the door harshly, it was locked. I looked around me again as I took a step back and kicked the door open. The door flung open into the film room and I stepped inside. The room stunk of blood and gun smoke. I put a hand over my mouth as my eyes landed on Shoshanna's crumpled body near her projector. Her red dress had holes in her stomach as she lay gasping for her life. Her head turned towards me, our eyes met. Shoshanna just sighed and turned her head away as her hand fell from her side. I moved forward and stopped as my foot connected with something soft.
"Frederick!" I cried out as I followed the starch white suit up and landed on a face. I dropped to my knees next to his fading body, running my fingers through his chestnut hair. His soft brown eyes gazed into my face as his fingers trembled over mine. I let out a sob, "Oh, Frederick…what have you gotten yourself into?"
"I love you." He coughed as he slouched in my grip, I nodded, "Rhia…you have to…understand…please…I love…you…"
"I love you too." I looked up as the screen began to go blurry from the projector. Frederick sighed and closed his eyes as I reached into the purse at my side, "Please be better in the next life, I know you didn't mean this. You're such a sweet man, Frederick."
I let Frederick's body fall from my arms as I stood up and waited for the new film to play. I watched Frederick's face on the screen begin to skip and blur even more. I watched across the way at Box one where the Fuhrer was currently supposed to be sitting. All I had to do now was wait for Donny and Omar to come in blasting their guns…I looked around La Gammar through the projector's square hole. I was going to miss France; I was going to miss this. I looked back to Frederick's dead body then back to his fading face on the screen. A few people in the audience stood up and began to shout and look to where I was at; I just stared at Box one as the film suddenly stopped. Shoshanna's face appeared on the screen. Goebell's stood up in Box one and began to scream obscenities.
"Who wants to send a message to Germany!" Shoshanna's clear face rang out throughout the theatre; I smiled cruelly and held my finger over the button as Shoshanna laughed on screen, "I have a message for Germany! That you are all going to die."
I eyed the door opening in Box One as Donny's distinct face peeked through then disappeared.
"And I want you to look deep into the face of the Jew that is going to do it!" I nodded as I saw a flicker behind the screen, Marcel was ready, "Marcel…Burn it down."
I pressed down on the trigger as the screen lit up in flames, the red and yellow licked their way up the screen as Shoshanna laughed in the film. Women and men screamed loudly as gunshots rang out in Box One. I watched Donny and Omar open fire into Hitler and Goebbels…I looked back to Frederick's body, I would him have died like this, not by Donny's hand. I chucked the remote into the running crowds as they crammed to the locked and barricaded doors. I chucked the gun into the fast growing flames as they burned the Nazi building down. I heard an explosion and looked to find Donny standing alone as the balcony began to shake and collapse. I screamed as Donny jumped back to the door.
"DONNY!"
I watched helplessly as smoke flew up in front of me and forced me to turn around and choke on smoke. I risked one glance back and found fire covering the hole. I tripped and stumbled out the door as the screams echoed behind me. I fell to my knees and gazed at Shoshanna's burning body; I reached forward and tugged on Frederick's shoulder. He didn't move.
"Goodbye." I whispered as I got up again and took off through the halls as another bomb exploded somewhere in the bathrooms.
I didn't know how I got outside, I couldn't remember how I ran past the guards and into the smoke filled streets of Paris as the Kino burnt down behind me. I don't remember crying and collapsing in an alley as sobs racked through my body. But I do remember reaching into my purse and pulling out the satchel Donny had shoved in there earlier.
I coughed into my hand as people came out of their stores and houses to stare at the growing fire. All those holes in Frederick, Omar hadn't been standing next to Donny when I heard the first bomb…I squeezed my eyes shut as I let out a bloodcurdling, grief filled scream. I couldn't describe what I was feeling. Aldo was dead, Omar was dead, Donny was dead, Frederick was dead, Hicox was dead, Wicki was dead, Hugo was dead and Dieter was dead…I had nothing left. I opened my eyes as I unraveled the pouch and let the objects fall into my lap as I wiped my eyes, spreading my makeup slightly.
A chain, ring and slip of paper fell into my lap softly. I picked up the paper as I picked up the ring in my other hand; it shimmered and danced in the fire embers that were rising into the sky. I opened the note to find Hugo's messy scrawl. I sank into the ground.
Rhia,
I'm dead by now if you haven't seen me yet. Donny better have given this to you, I asked him to. You're a underwal person to be around, sorry I didn't stay alive so you could go home with me and make sure I stayed out of trouble along with Wicki. You showed me that even though I hated everyone in the world that I was okay. God only knows how much I longed to keep you forever, for you to keep saying that…but I don't believe in God, not anymore. I miss you.
Don't die in this Operation, I need you to survive until you're at least my age. Aldo wants this too, we all do. Ich liebe dich Rhiannon, I want to meet you when you're older again. There's a ring I bought and wanted to give to you but never got the chance. I would have married you, much to Aldo's and Donny's anger but I would have. Donny's going to take care of you all right? That damned Jew better, I'm not above kicking his ass in the afterlife. So take the ring, my tags my pride. You were all that ever mattered to me. Ich liebe dich.
Hugo Stiglitz
I stared at the ring in my hand as I tucked the paper away. I would have said yes, I would have said yes to anything he'd have offered. I slid the ring onto my left ring finger. I lifted the chain that had fallen and gently turned it in my hands as I slowly got up and walked into the slightly crowded street. I already had Hugos' chain along with Wicki's over my neck. I tilted the silver tag and stopped walking in the street.
Donny J. Donowitz.
Sergeant. 3001458
My fingers ran over the grooves of Donny's name as I unclasped the chain and fitted it around my neck along wit the others. I stood in the middle of the street watching the flames go up higher into the sky. I took a deep breath as a French woman screamed and yelled for someone to put out the fire. I looked down to my dirty hands then back up to the building…the mission was completed…after so long we were done. Hitler was dead, Goebbel's was dead…
BEEP. BEEP.
I spun around to find an army truck glaring down at me as it puffed fumes into my face. I blinked as a Nazi hopped out and began to stalk towards me. I stood still, an ever growing smile swept across my face. He stopped suddenly and looked at me.
"Hands up!" he ordered, pulling out a gun and aiming it at me. I raised them obediently as another man hopped down from the truck as well with a sack in hand.
"Bag it."
I frowned. Bag me? I wasn't some toy they could just toss around. I lowered my hands as the men eyed me viciously. Nobody knew my face; nobody knew who I was here. Not anymore. The first officer stepped into the light and I stilled. The Russian, Karnofsky, aimed the gun at my head as the remaining crowds around me filtered away. I spit at the ground.
"What's the point of this?"
"Landa ordered you to a base. Got your captain and Little Man in chains sittin' and talking." Karnofsky replied as the second Nazi crept around me cautiously. I blinked. Aldo and Uti were alive. I stepped forward.
"Just what do you think you're playing a-AGH!"
I let out a shrill scream as the brown bag slid over my head and tightened around my throat. The Nazi struggled against me as I screamed and kicked against his arms. I was dimly aware of me being handed over to another pair of arms then being hauled onto a truck and forced to sit down. I felt sharp metal cuffs cut into my skin as I felt the truck pull away and down the road. I couldn't see a thing through this thing but I remained still despite the strong urge to flee. Aldo and Utivich were safe, that's all that mattered now. I felt a man slide in next to me and bump my shoulders harshly. I growled but kept still.
I must have dozed off somehow because the next thing I knew I was being roughly manhandled out of the truck and thrown onto the rough concrete as my feet slipped in the rain. I was dragged haphazardly into a warm building which stank of pride and Germans. I took a deep breath through the bag as I was forced over to a table, my hip jutted into it harshly and I heard the clanks of bottles clinging together for a moment. I let out a pained groan as the bag was ripped from my head. I took a breath of air as I stared down into a light brown tabletop. My eyes trailed the phone cord I was leaning over to a pair of powerful looking hands.
Landa.
"Well, well, well…look who has joined us." he gave a wide grin and waved to the Nazi's to unchain me and forced me into the third chair. I looked around as they went away, Landa got up and began to pace as he talked into a microphone.
Joy couldn't express my feelings when I saw Aldo and Utivich around me. Uti smiled my way as he leaned against a pillar. Aldo gave me a curt nod then went back to staring at Landa as he unbuttoned his suit bowtie. i gave a sigh of relief and closed my eyes as Aldo leaned into me.
"Did they-?"
"Done." I nodded back, looking up at him as I rubbed some circulation into my wrists, "It's over…we don't even need Landa anymore so to speak."
"Good." Aldo gave me a once over, his eyes straying on the ring which was resting perfectly on my finger, "You look nice."
"-anything that I've done in my guise as an SS Colonel was sanctioned by the OSS as a necessary evil establishment cause of the Germans….and it was my placement of Lieutenant Raine's dynamite of Hitler and Geobells' opera box-"
"What the hell is he going on about?" I asked Aldo as Uti gave a sigh behind me and slumped even further into the wall. Aldo just rolled his eyes and Utivich sipped his wine as Landa directed something at us. I blinked…damn this guy could really go on forever…
"-do you have all that sir?" Landa finished into the mic. He wore the biggest smile ever, "And I look forward to seeing you face to face as well sir…Lieutenant Raine? He is right here sir."
Landa walked forward and handed Aldo the mic before moving away. Aldo took the damned thing and held it up to his ear. I crossed my legs and watched Aldo.
"Yes sir." He cleared his throat and waited as the Operator talked to him. I smiled as he gave a small microscopic smirk. He nodded as he finished, "Yes sir."
Aldo put the mic back away and handed it to Landa who just simply smiled and nodded in happiness. I turned to Aldo as Landa conversed with his men about getting a truck ready.
"What do we do?"
"Kill 'em both." Aldo shrugged, passing it off as something else as Landa turned back to us.
"Shall we head out then?"