These Fragile Regimes by Ward Wagher

These Fragile Regimes by Ward Wagher

Author:Ward Wagher [Wagher, Ward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: .ISBNincl, War, Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9798870521602
Published: 2023-11-25T05:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

May 17, 1946, 4 PM

Reich Chancellor’s Office

Reich Chancellery

Berlin, Germany

Heinrich Schloss slapped the letter down in disgust. “Binns,” he shouted.

“Yes, Herr Reich Chancellor?”

“What’s on the calendar for tonight?”

“I believe you are scheduled to have dinner with Frau Schloss in the apartment tonight, mein Herr.”

Schloss nodded. “You saw the letter from Gauleiter Berlin?”

“Yes, Herr Reich Chancellor. I must say he lives up to his reputation for arrogance.”

“You are correct, and I need to instill some humility in him… if possible. Get him over here.”

“Now, Herr Reich Chancellor?” Binns asked.

“Yes, now. If I am lucky, I can ruin his plans for the weekend. Mendel does a decent job, but I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble. When was the last time he did something that came to my attention?”

“I believe it was about three months ago when he attempted to levy taxes on aircraft flying into Tempelhof.”

“That’s right,” Schloss mused. “I had forgotten about that. I may bring that up again if I decide it’s worth embarrassing him.”

“Yes, mein Herr,” Binns replied.

“You might as well get him over here so I can ruin his Friday night. He has certainly ruined mine.”

Binns chuckled as he left the office. Felix Mendel was a likable man and respected, though he couldn’t keep his mouth shut and sometimes made questionable decisions. The initiative to tax flights into Tempelhof stalled because Schloss had federalized the facility. He had to point out to the Gauleiter that he had no legal right to tax the operation.

Fifteen minutes later, Binns brought a nervous-looking Gauleiter to Schloss’s office.

“Sit down, Felix,” Schloss said. “We need to talk.”

“Of course, Herr Reich Chancellor. I am at your disposal.”

“Yes, of course,” Schloss said as he held up a sheet of paper. “Can you explain what drove you to write this letter to me?”

Mendel turned pale. “I did not mean to offend, Herr Reich Chancellor. A group of Gauleiters have been conversing about the upcoming elections. They are nervous.”

“Are you nervous?” Schloss asked.

“I trust you, Herr Reich Chancellor. But holding elections represents a radical shift in our polity. I believe it requires more discussion.”

“Fair enough. We conducted numerous workshops during the Party Congress on this topic. It seemed to me like we had thoroughly aired the differing opinions. Has something new come up?”

Mendel sighed. “I apologize, Herr Reich Chancellor. A group of Gauleiters is worried about what will happen if the Nazi Party loses the election. They fear they will be dismissed.”

Schloss grinned. “And they have ample cause to worry. But what do you think, Felix?”

“I have a family business that I can return to. You have honored me by appointing me to this position. But, I have never viewed it as a sinecure. I am not entitled to the position. My letter was written in response to a request from the other Gualeiters. They felt I might have some influence with you.”

“That’s an honest answer,” Schloss admitted. “Now I am embarrassed.”

“How so, Herr Reich Chancellor?”

“I demanded you immediately come to my office, and I was prepared to yell.



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