Progress was a thing that many could consider under different forms of interpretation. For instance, one could see progress as the progression of something already planned towards a set goal. That is more or less the set interpretation of the definition. However, there is another interpretation not discussed often. Granted, so few people know and even less understand this form of progress in itself.
It is the form that dictates that the status quo is maintained, and there is no evident danger within the near vicinity or within the near future.
Now, how does that tie into the basis of progress? It does not seem to be even so much as related towards the set definition. But then again, it is all based upon interpretation… and in order to understand this interpretation, one must delve into the minds of those who know it all too well.
In this such case, take the staff of Stalag 13.
Monkey Business is not a rare occurrence, courtesy of their resident "guests" that occupy the hostels provided by their hosts. As such, while one officer in lets say, Berlin, might view progress in this case as being the form of ensuring that none of these "guests" leave their "suites" without any authorization, the staff of Stalag 13 views it in the more rarer interpretation. That being that progress does not pose any true danger within the future or in the area. If such a thing were to occur, this would be viewed as a regression, away from progress and more towards imminent danger.
So as Maestro Hogan's grand ensembles formed and began to practice in all of their arranged areas within the camp, the guard staff kept to their regular routines, knowing that at the very least, progress was being made in not actively putting everyone in near and imminent danger.
But progress is never infinite… every now and then a few kinks are thrown into the gears turning the great machine. And as it happened, just only a week before the grand debut, such a thing did occur.
HH
Albert Burkhalter was not a very musical man. Not by any chance. Wilhelm Klink, for as much as he enjoyed the classics, was only good for listening, rather than interpreting, the classics. Robert Hogan had Klink's fine tastes and lacked the incompetence Klink had for interpreting any such forms of music.
Those 3 men made up that perfectly balanced equation on that day, as they gathered to listen to the grand ensemble of Stalag 13 practice. Each of them were all dependent variables in their own way, but like any grand problem... there was always an independent variable at play.
Enter Wolfgang Hochstetter, who's staff car had drove into camp at a rapid speed and nearly hit poor Sergeant Kristman (who was standing guard just off the steps of the Kommandantur). Getting out and giving Kristman a near second heart attack, Hochstetter blazed a trail of pure irateness into the camp office, only to find his typical target of choice not bumbling around at his desk. Even more surprising... the normal mountain of paperwork that would sit so prominently on top of it was not longer present.
Making his towards the desk of Klink's usually present secretary, Hochstetter found himself confused even further, as he discovered that not even Fraulein Hilda was present at her station.
Like a beast hunting its prey, he began to prowl for the insufferable Kommandant. His eyes became alert to any presence of motion around him, and yet still... nothing was near... for all was quiet, save for the faint sound of music coming from outside...
Music...
HH
For all the headaches the men he had under guard had caused him, even Klink had to admit that they were good.
They were by no means professionals, but the ad hoc orchestra that had been formed was something to behold. Men from all different corners of life, with different forms of expertise and musical education, somehow formed one of the better musical ensembles that Klink had ever heard in his lifetime. Even better then some German orchestra performances that he had attended (that detail was to be kept in his mind of course).
Take the usually inept Sergeant Carter, who seemingly lacked discipline with his own mind at times, but when playing the trumpet... professionalism reigned over him with ever note played. The jazz ensemble led by Sergeant Kinchloe produced wonders with the sheet music given to them. Even with some older pieces, though some errors were made, they were hardly even noticeable unless one was familiar with the piece being played.
Looking towards his left, Klink was pleased to see that General Burkhalter (who had arrived earlier in the day to "inspect" the product of the bill that Klink had managed rack up over the course of the month) was not grimacing, even as he watched Colonel Hogan pound on the Timpani as the band played a piece.
For a minute, it almost seemed like things were going to move smoothly without a kink in the gears for once.
Almost...
Like a bolt of lightning, the door to the recreation hall burst open and the menacing figure of one Wolfgang Hochstetter plowed through. Like the predator he was, Hochstetter set his eyes on his prey, and already Klink's headache was beginning to return to him.
"KLINK!" He yelled. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
"Ah... M-major Hochstetter, how nice to see you! Me and General Burkhalte-"
"Klink, that does not answer my question! What is going on here?" Hochstetter snarled.
"What do you mean, Major?"
"What do I... WHAT DO I MEAN? What are these prisoners doing with instruments?"
"Major, why do you wish to know?" Burkhalter chimed in.
"General Burkhalter, I am sure that you are aware of the upcoming visit of General von Meyer. Naturally, the Gestapo is handling matters of security to ensure the General's safety." Hochsetter explained.
"So why does the Gestapo see reason to barge into a prisoner of war camp when they should be handling said security, Major?"
"Well, you see General, when we had word of an ensemble being invited to play at a party being hosted Kellereischloss we of course ran through a security check. Much to our surprise, we found that said musical ensemble was being led by a certain Colonel Hogan..."
"And this concerns you how, Major?" Klink asked.
"Because you dummkopf, this man is the most dangerous man in all of Germany! And letting a bunch of prisoners play music with hardly any security? Are you truly mad Herr Kommandant?"
"Hold it Major, I protest to this insinuation." Now it was Hogan's turn to chime in. "Look, I get it... we are Prisoners of War. But what aren't is a bunch of two bit crooks. I've given Klink my personal word that no escapes will be made at the party. We are there to play music and that will be it." Hogan stated.
"And why should I trust you, my dear Colonel."
"Because I am sending my own men to help guard the castle Major. You forget that General von Meyer is also a friend of mine... and as such his safety is on my own conscious as well."
Klink wanted this conversation over with. He could see a sort of amused look on Hogan's face while General Burkhalter's expression had become exceedingly darker.
"And I presume the ever reliable Sergeant Schultz will be apart of this detachment?" Hochstetter asked.
"Naturally, as he is Sergeant of the Guard. You seem to have doubt in us all being loyal Germans Major."
"It is my job to have doubts on you all being loyal Germans!" Hochstetter snapped.
"Oh really, does that include personal friends of the Führer, Major?" Hogan asked as he pointed towards a very iritated General Burkhalter.
"Bahhhhh!"
Hochstetter left as quick as he came, leaving the officers and the ensemble alone to their own devices once again.
"Klink..." General Burkhalter finally asked.
"Yes, Herr General?"
"For once, and only this once... I ask that you don't try to interfere if something happens at the party."
Unknown to Klink and Burkhalter, Hogan had turned his back away from the conversation, and a suppressed grin was plastered on his face.
HH
"This is most unusual, Sir."
"And why is that?"
"Well, it appears our contact is going to be dressed in an American uniform."
"American? In plain sight?"
"Jawohl, Herr General."
"Is there anything else to look out for?"
"Yes, our contact also said to focus on the Kettle Drums."
HH
"Everything has been set up Sir. The contact on the General's staff knows who to look out for."
"Alright, thanks Kinch. Any news in any of the other departments?" Hogan asked.
"Well, looks like Klink is holding up to his word. He's got Schultz and Langenscheidt forming up with a detachment and having them go get their uniforms pressed for the party." Kinch replied, looking down at his notebook.
"Dang, he's really pulling out all stops with this one."
"Yeah, and it looks like Burkhalter for once isn't saying anything."
"Funny thing about Burkhalter, you know what he said to Klink after Hochstetter left, Kinch?"
"Lay it on me."
"He said that if anything happens, do not interfere..."
"Looks like he wants Hochstetter to get a little surprise."
"Yeah, but that's what giving me a funny feeling. He said that out loud in front of everyone."