Berlin blood

August stood at the window and smoked. Today was his only day off, but he began to spend more and more time doing papers rather than walking on the street. As the head of the department, he was under quite a lot of pressure, but he tried to cope with everything. It was midday, and I wanted to see her — Charlotte. Where did this thought come from in his head? Is this a wish? He had never been so interested in a girl before. Charlotte was the first to occupy all his thoughts. Her way of working was special. Sitting in his office, Augustus could spend hours doing nothing but waiting for a report from her, or, on the contrary, pulling documents so that she would stand longer. Her Chanel No. 5 perfume complemented her perfectly. Charlotte was different in many ways. For example, wearing only black suits to work, her manner of arriving an hour before the start of the working day. August wouldn’t say she wore much makeup. No, on the contrary: a little powder and bright red lips, in contrast with which her gray-blue eyes seemed brighter. He could read women at first glance, understanding what they were like and what they were worth, but this… Charlotte was fraught with a mystery. And even though she spoke directly, there was always some subtext in her words. Perhaps Augustus is wrong. But in their last informal meeting, Charlotte showed her little world. And Augustus found something unusual in him; he still wanted to see her without a mask, alive and a little drunk. He sat down and lit a cigarette, Charlotte still couldn’t get out of his head. The next morning, August woke up at six and, putting on his uniform, went to his workplace. He walked down the street, this was his morning ritual and, looking around, August understood that Berlin, like the whole country, was being restored, and everything was returning to its place. Unemployment disappeared, and so did inflation. The Fuhrer raised the country, and this could not but rejoice. He reduced crime. Entering the building, August met with Franz. — Good morning, Unterscharführer. — Good, Franz. Judging by the fact that you are meeting me, something important has happened. — Yes, it happened. Today there will be a meeting, now the officers are at the planning meeting, then you, the non-commissioned officers, will have the planning meeting. — Why did it happen? — I don’t know, they say the Fuhrer’s decree. — Okay, let’s go. They walked along long corridors. Arriving at the office, August noticed some concern. Having put down his briefcase, he began to wait for a call from his superiors. I wonder what kind of decree of the Fuhrer it is that requires such attention? However, August sat and silently finished the trivial work that he had begun last night. He did this to somehow keep himself occupied and distracted. About an hour later the phone rang and, picking up the phone, August received orders to go to the meeting room. The office was on the fourth floor of the building. August stood up and walked along a narrow corridor, which was a bit dark in places due to its location. He saw other non-commissioned officers crawling out of their small departments and sub-departments and also going to the meeting. Entering the office, August sat down in the very last row, this was his favorite place. He did not like to sit among the crowd; on the contrary, he preferred to sit and watch everyone. — Gentlemen, non-commissioned officers! — the Untersturmführer who had just arrived announced his presence. — Hello. — everyone greeted in unison. — There are two important projects on the agenda, so I want to say right away that we have a huge burden on us, and this week will not be easy! Everyone began to listen carefully. — The first thing I would like to say is that a new organization is opening in Germany — the Gestapo. She will deal with internal affairs, as well as the consideration of especially dangerous crimes. This is a special service, it will work in a separate building, so some departments will be moved there and some employees will be transferred. Lists will be posted later. The second thing I would like to say is that the first concentration camp is opening in Germany. It will be created for political prisoners and especially dangerous criminals. Therefore, most of the work falls on the operational headquarters. August Scholz, we look forward to your department. — Yes sir! — August was glad that it was his department that was responsible. Then there was some nonsense that August didn’t really listen to. It didn’t concern him or his department. He noted to himself that he would need to take the documents and read in more detail about the Gestapo, and about those who were transferred there, and about the concentration camp. Arriving at his department with the documents, August examined it and realized that there was nothing remarkable about it. “Gentlemen and ladies,” he addressed the entire department. — I have two news for you. — Speak up, Unterscharführer. — First: some of you, about two people, will move to a new organization called the Gestapo, an order from above. I will call you separately and tell you where you were sent and what you now need to do. Second, we were given a huge responsibility for the construction of a new facility called,” he turned the folder towards him. — concentration camp. Therefore, those who remain will work at full capacity. Is everything clear to everyone? “Yes,” the department answered. Augustus understood that no one would want to lose this place, especially when they are transferred to an unknown destination and unclear why. But everyone also understood that they could not do anything about it. Augustus went into his office, sat down in a chair and opened a small list of those who were supposed to transfer. Running his eyes, he noticed her. “Charlotte Brown.” He was surprised: why? It was written that she worked better as a communications operator, so she was transferred to this job again. He was surprised: if she worked better, why not just transfer her to another department, where all the signalmen are located? After looking through the list from other departments, he realized that she was not the only one being hired for the position of accountant, apparently this was the workload the Untersturmführer had in mind. Although they hardly touched the communications department. Apparently, Charlotte didn’t fit into the team much. And yet there was something about her that attracted him and at the same time frightened him. Having called people from the list and explained to them that they were moving to other departments, he, as he should, told them what awaited them and who they needed to go to. He hasn’t called Charlotte yet. For some reason, Augustus did not want to say goodbye to her. He didn’t even have her phone number, just her home address. But coming to her house every day because he wants to see her… no, that’s too much. August looked out of the office and said loudly so that she could hear: — Charlotte Brown, come to me! She turned around, finishing her cigarette, put out the cigarette butt in the ashtray and walked, as always, with a proud gait. — Did you call me? — Yes, Charlotte, by order you are moving to the communications department of the Gestapo. Many people say that you worked better in the communications department. — Okay, do I need to get anything? — Only personal items. — Okay, is that all? — Provide the latest reports to me today. — Fine. — She lowered her head and left. It was clear that Charlotte was not happy about this news, but she could not help it. Charlotte worked with him until late at night. August had to close the reports of his now fired subordinates. He didn’t want to sit with papers, but most likely, tomorrow he would be called to the construction of a new facility. Yes, what a commotion! It’s going to be a tough week. When her work was finished, Charlotte gently knocked on the boss’s door. — Unterscharführer August? — Yes, Charlotte? — I didn’t wake you? — No way. — I brought the report, as you asked. — Thank you, I’ll watch it tomorrow, it’s very late today. Charlotte, tell me, can I accompany you? — Yes, of course, if it doesn’t bother you. They left the building. The warm April breeze hit my face. It was a beautiful night, they walked through the streets slowly and, stretching out the walk, discussed everything from clean streets to the new government and changes. “To be honest, Charlotte, I didn’t think that people in the Gestapo would be partially recruited from the SS. — Well, where else can they get them from? In addition, the SS is an already formed operating organization. True, I thought that they would take people who are higher. I can’t understand why they need us, people who entered there only because we have nowhere to go? “That’s exactly what they need.” You won’t get away from them. — How do you know? “My father always hired such people. They had nowhere to go, which means that no matter how bad times may be, they will never leave, they will always be tied to a place. — Well, there is logic in your words, it’s a pity that now I have to get up even earlier to get to work. Although it is not far away, I still need to find out where it is and understand everything that I have to work with. — I kept wanting to ask you, why did you leave your last job? Charlotte wanted to pretend that she didn’t understand the question. But I guessed that the number wouldn’t work. She looked up at the sky, looked at Augustus, sighed and said: — I don’t really like people, in large numbers. — What? “August didn’t understand at first. Only then did it dawn on him what exactly Charlotte meant. All the signalmen work in the same room, wearing headphones, and although they can’t hear each other, they still see and can communicate, apparently that’s what was stressing her out. — So you don’t like sitting in crowded places? — No, I don’t like to work when there are large crowds of people. “I like to sit with the girls in a cafe and I can stand the presence of people, but I don’t like to sit in a huge space where there is only one table, a chair, and you are in the middle of this mess.” “So that’s why you had such sadness in your eyes when I told you about your transfer.” Sorry, Charlotte, I didn’t choose the people for transfer, the officers did. You felt comfortable there, right? You were sitting on the edge. — Yes you are right. I hope that when I find myself in a new place, there will also be a place on the edge; I don’t like to be in the center. — I understand you partly, I was very happy to work with you and, as an employee, you completely satisfied me. Know, Charlotte, I wouldn’t mind meeting you in a different setting. — Yes, we had a good time then, it’s true. — If anything, I’m always glad to see you. — I do you too, I hope this is not our last meeting. Approaching the house, Charlotte entered the entrance. Looking into her eyes, August realized that if he didn’t do this now, he might regret it for the rest of his life. He came up and kissed her on the lips, which today turned out to be without red lipstick. This kiss was light and non-binding, it was better than any confession with words. Going home to Rudolf and remembering this kiss, Augustus wondered how it happened that an unfamiliar feeling grew in his heart, which he despised, and which caused him only horror — love? He didn’t notice that when he reached the house, for another fifteen minutes he just stood like a fool at the door and looked at her. Until a man came up and asked if he was okay? August entered the apartment. Rudolf was a little drunk, but this time he did not sit with prostitutes, which was already pleasing. — Hi, friend! — Great, are you drinking again? — Well, why do I drink right away? Okay, I’m relaxing. — Look, you have to go to headquarters tomorrow so that none of the seniors notice you. — No, don’t be afraid. — How was your day? “Well,” he stretched, taking off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt. — Not bad. — Not bad? My friend, you are glowing with happiness! Something happened? — Well, I… — Well, you? — Kissed Franz’s sister. — Come on?! They say that no one could kiss her, and in general she doesn’t really like men. — Rudolf, this is all gossip. Stop doing that. — Okay, okay, will you go to a new facility tomorrow? — How do you know? — Well, everyone knows about this, they raised everyone. — I see, I’m going to bed. Going to the second room, August undressed and immediately went to bed. Overwhelming emotions made him sleepy, but his thoughts were only about this kiss. August was promised a promotion if he succeeded. Therefore, his soul was filled with joy. He didn’t think that everything would go so quickly for him. Therefore, Augustus had to supervise the construction of the new facility. He thought a lot about what would happen next? What else will their new Fuhrer come up with? Augustus felt that this was just the beginning. The beginning of something big, but very scary. “Good night, Charlotte Brown,” having said this, August closed his eyes.