The Butterfly Boy by Tony Klinger

Author:Tony Klinger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Second World War, Artist, Handicapped, Resistance, Christian Underground, German, Jewish, Polio, Hitler, Nazis, First World War, Mouth Painter
ISBN: 9781782346838
Publisher: Andrews UK
Published: 2013-02-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The Wolf’s Lair - Berchtesgarten, Germany

Summer 1939

The large airy room overlooked a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped mountains. There were about twenty guests standing in the room, chatting convivially, if somewhat stiff and formal. Among the group were Germany’s new order, the elite of the party and the state. I was standing next to an attractive blond woman, her name was Eva.

“Have you been here before Eva?” I asked, she nodded, sipped from her drink and replied, “Oh yes Herr Hessel, many times, but I have never seen you before. Of course like everyone else in Germany I have heard of you, seen your cards and of course purchased many. They’re charming and you must be very rich!” She giggled again, and held her hand in front of her mouth as if horrified by her words, but I decided to humour the obvious gold digger, after all she was very attractive, I bowed to her. “Thank you kind lady, let us say I have enough money that I no longer need to count it any more.” She giggled again, “Perhaps I could help?” she asked. “This is my first time here,” I said, “And perhaps my last, so tell me, what happens next, more drinks then we say our goodbyes without ever meeting the Fuhrer?”

She stopped playing the coquette at this moment and leant closer to me, then whispered, “You are about to find out.” I turned to follow her look as Adolf Hitler entered the room. He was smaller than I had imagined, and quite thin. His silly moustache and strange hair seemed right on his head. He was dressed in typical German country gentleman’s clothes. Smiling broadly and holding the hands of two very pretty little blond girls he walked through the throng who greeted him like a god. “Come along my girls, it is a nice party and you can play anywhere and with anyone, just keep back from the edge. Hello everybody, lovely day, yes?”

We all chorused back greetings to him. Almost everyone present shouts “Heil Hitler” and raises their arms in salute, everyone but me. I had the excuse that I couldn’t do so, but I was secretly glad at that moment, because I would hate to salute Hitler. He had been properly briefed and realized that the only person not making the standard salutation must be me and he walked directly to me. I bowed so that he should know I wasn’t being offensive. “Hessel, we like your work.” He said by way of greeting, “Thank you sir,” was the only thing I could think of.

“You are an example others must follow. Made a success of yourself despite a disability. To be admired. We will put you to good use for your country.” I swallowed nervously as he stood looking up into my eyes, “thank you my Fuhrer.” He smiled, and his smile was very winning, for a moment I found myself forgetting all the horrors, the stories, the rumors and just saw a kindly man, “You mustn’t be worried.

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