Leave the damned thing, Emil, take a suitcase with some suits in it.”

“But my Otti likes listening to the radio!”

“And I thought you didn’t want to tell your old lady about this whole deal. You must be pissed out of your mind, Emil!”

“And what about you and your Tutti? You’re pissed yourself. Where’s your Tutti in all this?”

“She sings. I tell you, how she sings!” And again, he moves the moist cork in the bottleneck. “Let’s have another!”

“Cheers, Enno!”

They have a drink, and Borkhausen continues: “You know, I do want to take the radio after all. If I can’t get the damned thing in a case, then I’ll tie it on a string and wear it round my neck. Then I’ll still have both hands free.”

“Go on then, mate. Well, shall we pack up?”

“Yeah, let’s. It’s getting late.”

But they both stop and stare at each other with silly grins.

“All things considered,” Borkhausen begins, “life is really pretty good. All these nice things here,” he gestures at them, “and we can take our pick of the lot, plus we’re doing a good deed because we’re taking them off a Jewish woman who only stole them in the first place…”

“You’re right there, Emil—we’re doing a good deed for the German nation and our Führer. These are the good times he has promised us.”

“And our Führer, you know, he keeps his promises, he keeps his promises, Enno!”

They gaze at each other, eyes welling with tears.

“What on earth are you two doing here?” comes a sharp voice from the doorway.

They jump, and see a little fellow in a brown uniform.

Then Borkhausen nods slowly and sadly to Enno. “This is Herr Baldur Persicke, whom I spoke of to you, Enno! This is where our troubles start!”

Chapter 8

SMALL SURPRISES

While the two drunks were talking together, all the male members of the Persicke family had filed into the room. Nearest to Enno and Emil is the short, wiry Baldur, his eyes glinting behind his highly polished spectacles; just behind him are his two brothers in their black SS uniforms, but without caps; next to the door, as though not quite sure of himself, is the old former publican Persicke. The Persicke family has had a bit to drink as well, but the alcohol has a different effect on them than on the two housebreakers. Far from becoming emotional and dull-witted, the Persickes are even sharper, greedier, and more brutal than in their normal condition.

Baldur Persicke barks, “Well, out with it! What are you doing here? Or is this where you live?”

“But Herr Persicke!” Borkhausen whines.

Baldur pretends only now to recognize him. “Ah, it’s Borkhausen from the basement flat in the back building!” he exclaims in mock astonishment to his two brothers. “Herr Borkhausen, what are you doing here?” His surprise takes on an edge of sarcasm. “Wouldn’t you be better advised to look after your wife, the lovely Otti, a little bit—especially at this time of night? I’ve heard tell of convivial gatherings with well-placed gentlemen, and your children rolling around the courtyard at all hours, drunk. Don’t you think you should put your children to bed, Herr Borkhausen?”

“Trouble!” mutters Borkhausen. “I knew it the moment I saw the spectacles: trouble.” He nods sadly at Enno.

Enno Kluge is no help to him at all. He is swaying slightly, his brandy bottle dangling from one hand, and he doesn’t have a clue what’s going on.

Borkhausen turns back to Baldur Persicke. His tone is no longer plaintive so much as accusatory; all at once he is deeply offended. “If my wife does behave in a certain way,” he says, “then I’ll take responsibility for it, Herr Persicke. I am a husband and father—by law. And if my children are drunk, well, you’re drunk yourself, and you’re no more than a child yourself, for Christ’s sake!”

He looks angrily at Baldur, and Baldur glints back at him. Then he gives his brothers a discreet signal to get ready.

“What are you doing in the Rosenthals’ apartment?” the youngest Persicke barks again.

“But it’s all according to our arrangement!” Borkhausen assures him, eagerly now. “All agreed. Me and my friend here, we’re just on our way now. We’re running a bit late, in fact. He’s going to the Stettiner, I’m going to the Anhalter.