The Passenger Read online

  “They attacked us in our apartment. I was barely able to escape. Findler was there, he stopped them.”

  “Really?” Becker acknowledged with indifference. “The main thing is that nothing happened to you. By the way, did you sell that old shark your building?”

  “Ten thousand marks down payment!”

  Becker shook his head. “Ten thousand marks! What on earth got into you?”

  “Just tell me: how did things go? Why didn’t you speak to me in Hamburg, and why were you traveling with those Sturmführers?”

  “One thing at a time.” Becker began his report. “So, naturally those junk-dealing Jews caused trouble. You know how they wheel and deal. This time it was on account of the riots and so on. So I said to myself: Becker, you’ve never been a match for these people, and I quickly rang up a friend of mine in Berlin. Then he came to Hamburg along with another one. And when they showed up this morning wearing their uniforms, well, that was all it took, those Jews signed right away! Naturally I raised the price by five grand. You see how I do business? I’m counting the five thousand as travel expenses.”

  Becker gave a proud, contented laugh and placed his broad, heavy hand gently on Silbermann’s shoulder. Silbermann brushed it angrily away.

  “That was extortion!” he stated slowly.

  “How else do you want to do business with Jews like that?” asked Becker, offended. “They told me they wanted to get out of Germany. Their relatives had been arrested, and they kept going on and on. I took it all in very calmly, and finally I said: but you’ve already purchased the ship—and endorsed the transfer order from the Reichsbank!—you have to take it! ‘Well,’ said old man Levi—you know what a smooth talker he is—‘I’m not sure we’re still allowed to do business. And government intervention counts as a force majeure, we have no choice.’ I don’t give a damn about that, I answered, you have to take the ship! Then he started to fuss. ‘First I need to make some inquiries.’ Straightaway I had the boys come over, and lo and behold: everything went smooth as silk. Fool that I was, I should have asked for ten thousand marks more. They were so scared they gave me a cashier’s check right on the spot, although I’m sure they would have preferred to have eked out another two days’ interest. But we know those tricks. At first it’s all brash talk, but once you take a swing there’s nothing to back it up. A lot of whining, that’s all.”

  “You didn’t exactly behave decently,” Silbermann said sharply.

  “I’m not going to get ruined by some filthy Jew! What do I care if they’re having difficulties? Why do they do these outrageous things, murdering diplomatic secretaries and so on. If they shoot at people they have to count on the fact that people are going to shoot back. And whoever sticks his stupid snout out is going to get hit. I’m telling you: I don’t care if there are three pogroms happening at once! I’m not going to get taken in by any Jews because of that, not by a long shot. So don’t be coming to me looking for sympathy!”

  “You’re completely forgetting,” Silbermann said, agitated, “that the person sitting across from you is a Jew. You spend two hours with these people from the party and you start behaving like a—swine.”

  “That’s enough,” said Becker, his eyes bulging the way they always did when he was mad. “You aren’t my superior anymore, understand? The times have changed a bit. I’ve put up with a lot from you, more than from anyone else. But just because I’ve always been considerate, you get cocky, that’s just like a Jew. What do you think you’re living off, hm? Who closed the last deals? Where would you be if I hadn’t been so decent as to take the lead? You think you can impress me with your big mouth? Mine is just as big. So, now I’ve said what I wanted to say!”

  “Gustav, you have to send back the five thousand marks. That’s extortion plain and simple!”

  “And the way I saved your capital is completely on the up and up? Jews always stick together. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Because you’re afraid that a Jew—and one worth millions at that—might lose his money, you want to take away mine! That’s also typically Jewish!”

  “But Gustav, be reasonable for a moment! Do you really want to turn into a criminal in your old age?”

  “Spare me your lectures on morality. Other people do exactly what I’m doing. Everybody uses whatever advantage he has, but you expect me to be an idealist, is that right? As if you hadn’t made a fortune off the bad luck of others. Now your own luck has turned bad, and we’re the ones making money. But that’s something completely different, is that right? No, my friend, it’s only fair. You may have shrewder heads, but we have harder fists and we’re in the majority. Actually you should be glad I don’t blab on you! So don’t be telling me things. You think I’ve forgotten how you used to take advantage of me? As your authorized representative all I ever earned was three hundred marks. And how much did you make? Because I happen to know!”

  “You are the most ungrateful person I’ve ever met! I’d like to know what would have become of you if I hadn’t hired you right after the war. And now you hold it against me that as the head of the company I earned more than you did? After all it was my money I was working with and not yours, wasn’t it?”

  “And where did you get your money from?”

  “From my father and my own work. I can honestly say that I earned it!”

  “And now I’m starting to earn money for myself. All these years I’ve watched how other people lived. Now it’s my turn! I should have squeezed old Levi for fifty thousand marks! Oh was I ever dumb!” Becker was getting more and more worked up. “Too nice, I’m just too nice. We’re simply no match for you Jews, that’s what it is.”

  Faced with this spontaneous but not exactly blind hatred, it took a while for Silbermann to find the right response.

  “You’ve known me for twenty-three years,” he then said slowly, “through war and peacetime…”

  “Don’t come to me with that old song!”

  “Gustav, if you weren’t … the way things are now, if you were a man of character, then you would…”

  “Stop with all this blathering. You think I’m that stupid? Now you’ve gone and shown your true colors! You’d be happy to rob your friends to help some lousy rich old Jew! People of your kind can’t even have friends unless they’re Jewish.”

  “Did you drink too much? Or did you lose money gambling? Gustav, what’s gotten into you? Judging from all your moral outrage, I take it you have some other dirty tricks in mind.”

  “Dirty tricks? I don’t give a damn how you see it. I just want to tell you point-blank that our friendship is over. From now on each of us is doing his own deals. We no longer have anything to do with each other!”

  “Gustav, what on earth is the matter with you? You can’t fool me. Do you think I can’t tell how hard you’re trying to sound enraged?”

  Silbermann probably shouldn’t have said that, because now Becker really became furious. His face turned alarmingly red before he regained control of himself.

  “This is too much,” he snapped, with feigned obstinacy. “You insulted me … you followed me … you mistrusted me … so now I’ll give you a reason to do so! Because we’re through, we’re finished! You can have Becker Scrap and Salvage Co. I’m giving up my shares, I don’t want to keep a single one, even though I lent my name. So kindly make sure it’s removed immediately. That’s right! And as for the eighty thousand marks, we’re splitting that. That’s the simplest thing. And in return you get all your shares back. And then we’re done with each other.”

  He said that as harshly as he could, but his voice was trembling, and Silbermann, who was at first taken aback by the bold proposition, had the impression that the other man was practically desperate, forcing himself to utter each of his nasty proclamations. It seemed to him that Becker felt obliged to prove that he was equal to the times, rather than following his own volition, his own conviction.

  “Gustav,” Silbermann said quietly, “why are you so intent on becoming a
scoundrel? It doesn’t suit you at all.”

  “You tell me,” Becker asked, switching to his normal voice, “am I not within my rights? A person only gets one chance in life. And I’ve never had one! So now I have to take advantage of it.”

  “You’re mad,” said Silbermann. “You sniveling swindler!”

  “Shut up. If I were mean I could say: Jew! So, do you agree to the separation proposal? Because if you don’t, then I’ll go ahead and keep everything. Another person in my situation would certainly do that. But I’m just soft in the head.”

  “You want to steal my money that I entrusted you with?”

  “The payment is written out in my name.”

  “I’m not talking about the payment, don’t play dumb. I trusted you, Gustav. And I still do. Enough of these bad jokes.”

  “Jokes? I know how you can twist your tongue. That’s why you’re a Jew. But I’ve made up my mind and you’re not going to talk me out of it!”

  “There are laws!”

  Becker laughed scornfully. “If threats are what you want,” he said, “I’m in a far better position than you.”

  “Gustav, it’s not the money I’m concerned about, well yes, I’m concerned about that as well, but there’s more at stake. Please believe me! I simply can’t bear to see a man like you become a miserable lowlife and blackmailer. There still have to be people who maintain their decency and humanity no matter what opportunities might come their way. Who don’t turn into swine just because they see a puddle they might wallow in.”

  “I am a decent person,” Becker said without conviction. “On that point I insist.”

  “Well, you were at one time. Tell me, do you find it easy to break your word?”

  “What word? I don’t know anything about any word. Stop talking so much. Either accept my proposal or don’t.”

  “I don’t! If someone robs you and then you agree to take back half of what he stole, that makes you an accomplice to the theft.”

  Becker jumped up. “I’m warning you,” he growled, switching to the formal Sie. “That’s enough of all this wheeling and dealing!”

  “I’ll get you sent to jail,” Silbermann declared. He was so agitated he was no longer weighing his words. “And I’ll tell everyone I know about your dirty extortion. I’ll denounce you to your party. I have no doubt that they’ll take the money away from you. Because when it comes to robbing Jews they claim exclusive rights. They don’t tolerate unfair competition. You’ll see who you’re dealing with yet, you disgraceful crook!”

  “I’ve always known you were a low-down shyster,” Becker retorted. He had sat back down and was once again using the familiar Du. “Do you even know what you are? A nervous little Jew quivering over his money. If I were like you, I wouldn’t give you a penny, I’d simply have you sent straight to the concentration camp. Where you could denounce me as much as you like.”

  “Do you remember what you said to me yesterday, Gustav? You spoke of friendship!”

  “I’ve seen what kind of friend you are. Why do I always have to be the stupid nice guy?”

  “You don’t believe a word of what you’re saying.”

  “But I’m supposed to believe you, is that right? You slick talker, you. Who sent in a false tax declaration, eh? Who bought the building on Kantstraße for a song during the inflation? Was it me? Do you remember how you were the only one to get leave in 1917? And why was that? Because you had purchased war bonds. Something the rest of us couldn’t afford…”

  “Are you telling me you wouldn’t have done that if you could have? Are you trying to hold me responsible for the entire system? For the fact that there are social differences? Reproaching me for having money? So that you can justify robbing me? And for a few days of extra leave, for a minor instance of injustice, you want to pull off a major swindle? You’re scolding me for being a capitalist? You? Who want to become one by any means including the slimiest? Don’t be a fool, Gustav. It’s enough that you’ve become a scoundrel.”

  “I’m just using my advantage, just as you’ve taken advantage of your situation. That’s all,” Becker said casually.

  “There is egoism that is justified and egoism that is not. There are limits!”

  “Now you want to tell me what’s justified and what isn’t? Everything you did was well and good, and everything I do is wrong? I’ll say it again: I’m simply taking advantage of my situation!”

  “There were times when my situation would have made it easy for me to steal another man’s wallet. But I can honestly say I never did!”

  “You were also always a rich man! That a wealthy merchant doesn’t steal a silver spoon is no reason for him to flatter himself.”

  “Agreed. But I’m not talking about silver spoons. Don’t try to be clever, Gustav, that’s just too much. You know very well that all my business dealings were absolutely impeccable and that I’ve always acted properly.”

  “Meaning I haven’t? More decently than you in any case. At least I haven’t threatened to send you to jail!”

  “You couldn’t have. You wouldn’t have had any reason.”

  “In 1930 you paid four thousand marks less than you should have in taxes, and in 1926 it was as much as nine thousand marks.”

  “In the first place that’s not true, and in the second place everyone does that.”

  “Well, taxes were always taken out of my three hundred marks.”

  Silbermann lit a cigarette. “You’re being a scoundrel and you know it,” he said, exhausted. “And even if I really had dodged the tax, that by no means justifies your abusing my trust. After all, you’re my friend, and I’ve never been friends with the tax office. And even the most decent person would rather pay too little taxes than too much. Only a criminal, like yourself…”

  “I’m warning you, don’t start up again. And now I’m asking you for the last time: do you agree to the proposal or not? If you refuse, then I’ll leave the whole amount with a notary until the matter is decided, since I own fifty-one percent of the shares. I’ll simply dissolve the company. And any remaining assets will be divided one way or the other.”

  Silbermann tried once again to change Becker’s mind. “Gustav,” he said slowly. “You can’t possibly do that! Look, that would be…”

  Becker stood up theatrically. “I consider our conversation ended,” he said formally. “I’m now going to the notary and will deposit the money there. I feel all the more compelled to do so because you, as I happen to know, intend to leave the country. Consequently there is a danger that if you get hold of the funds you might transfer them abroad. This way, however, your share of the company will be placed in a blocked account. Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Silbermann!”

  He actually made a move to leave.

  “I accept,” said Silbermann. “But I will never understand how you”—here he corrected himself and switched to the formal Sie—“how you could do something like this. In stealing from me you are dirtying yourself. Disgusting!”

  Becker was visibly on edge. “Would you finally shut up with all your dumb talk,” he muttered gruffly. “Don’t take me for such a sentimental fool. Money has no smell,” he quipped. “Because if it smelled like you, I wouldn’t take it at all.”

  Becker placed his briefcase on the table and Silbermann looked on without interrupting as he drafted a deed of partition. Now and then he glanced in his notebook, which led Silbermann to believe that Becker had previously had his lawyer spell out the various points, and had therefore been entertaining the idea for some time.

  “Actually your portion would amount to only forty-one thousand marks,” Becker said after a while, “since you only have forty-nine percent of the shares.”

  “Yes, and you have fifty-one, for which you didn’t pay a penny. Which you are supposed to administer as trustee, according to our agreement.”

  Becker testily put down his pen. “Is there anything else you’d like to say?” he asked sharply.

  “The only legally valid agreement is the p
artnership! As you are undoubtedly aware. Or would you like to declare in a court of law that the agreement was a fiction?”

  “Stop talking this nonsense, you! Or else I might feel forced to…”

  “To what?” asked Silbermann. “If it came to a trial, you would lose miserably. You can be sure of that. After all, there is our written correspondence. I still have your letter in which you affirm our oral agreement. I even have it … wait a moment … yes—I even have it on me.”

  Becker tossed down his pen. “It’s good you’re bringing this up now,” he said. “That’s fine with me. Let’s take the matter to court. If you were to win—assuming that you really would win—what would that bring you? First you’d already be a guest in a concentration camp, you can bet your life on that. And as for your money? Everything would be in a blocked account, and by the time the matter made its way through the courts all Jewish property would have long been seized. And then there’s the billion-mark atonement levy. So be my guest, let’s take this to trial.” He stood up once again.

  “Idiot,” Silbermann said, with disdain. “On top of everything else, you expect me to cheer you on, is that it?”

  Becker sat down again. “What you should do is shut up,” he said. Then he continued writing and muttered, “I won’t put up with your taunting. You … you are far too common, too coarse for my taste!”

  Despite his indignation and distress, Silbermann couldn’t help laughing.

  Becker finished his draft and handed it to Silbermann to look over.

  Silbermann merely glanced through it and said, “I see you’ve mastered the technical side of theft as well as the theoretical. Should I sign this, or do we want to have it notarized?”

  “It’s already six thirty,” Becker stated. “The notary will be closed, but if you sign the contract and the receipt—naturally you’ll receive a counter-receipt from me—and if you hand me the letter, I’ll pay you your share right away. You can keep the company shell, as long as my name is removed. There are hardly any liabilities, and in any case they’ll be fully covered by what’s in the postal checking and bank accounts. As far as the receivables are concerned, well, I’ll let you have fun with that. I don’t think you’ll get Ollmann to pay, now that nothing’s left … Apart from that there aren’t any. You have methodically dismantled the business. If it were up to you, in half a year I would be penniless and you’d be in Paris. I’m not completely stupid.”