Chapter 19 19

19 They walked down the corridor leading to the exit.At this point they were stopped by a guard who seemed anxious.The guard whispered something in Henning's ear. "I'm sorry," Henning said to Randall, "something went wrong, and I'll be right back." Randall used the spare time to go to the bathroom.There are two urinals in the toilet, one of which is used by white-collar office workers.So, he went inside to use the unused urinal.Standing there to urinate, he was surprised to find a caricature of Henning painted on the white wall above the urinal.The cartoon shows a completely naked Henning, with a genitalia instead of a head.Henning held a bag of gold coins in each hand, while a worker's head was under his feet.Next to the manga, there was an angry slogan written in thick lines.He did not know the language.

Randall glanced at the man next to him, who was fastening his pants. "Do you speak English?" Randall asked. "I'll talk a little bit." Randall pointed at the sign. "What does it mean?" The worker hesitated. "That's not a nice word." "Whatever it is—" "It says, 'Henning is a dirty predator of the poor and working people'." Annoyed, Randall left the toilet and walked to the corridor to find Henning.He found Henning standing in a corner with his hands on his hips and a sneer on his lips, watching a painter remove another painting of the same slogan he had seen in the toilet.

Henning greeted Randall with no embarrassment on his face. "Do you feel that something is wrong?" he asked. "I saw the same words and paintings in the men's room just now." "You will see more, now you know how these young people attack me?" "I stumbled across that sign, Carl, and I heard something." "Did you hear that? Did you hear them calling me behind my back? Calling me a petty bastard, a bastard capitalist? What else? Yes, they call me a capitalist, and an exploitative capitalist at that. If you stay longer, you'll hear more. They also call me a lot of words behind the back. It's very rude. Now, you might think that Carl is a monster, huh?"

"I wasn't thinking about anything else," Randall said. "I just don't understand why this is happening?" "I'll make it clear to you," said Henning roughly. "Let's go. I've ordered lunch at the Hotel Mainz. I don't think it's too late. Someone's waiting for us there." As they walked out of the factory and stood in front of the factory, Henning stopped. "It's only six streets away. If you feel tired, I'll find a car." "Let's just walk over there." "This is better because I can take the time to explain to you what you saw. Of course this is a conversation between you and me. First, please turn off your tape recorder."

Randall turned off the tape recorder carefully, and walked side by side with the German printer.They walked for a while in silence, neither of them intending to speak first.Henning took out a bandanna, coughed, wiped his mouth with the handkerchief, and put it in his pocket again. "Well, let me explain to you," he said in an unusually serious voice, "that I never hide anything. I am a very commercial boss. To survive in post-war Germany you must Do this. The war left us with almost nothing and after the war it was the age of the fittest. The only thing that survived was money, a lot of money, and the more the better. I printed the Bible because the Bible has a vast The sales market is very profitable. At the same time, Indian religious books can get a good reputation, but the good times don’t last long.”

He pondered for a moment, and then the two walked forward again in silence. "What happened was that Germans were less and less interested in religion and churches," he continued. "A few years ago, the poor and oppressed and those who advocated science declared that God was dead. There was a big decline in religious belief. At the same time, the sales of "Bibles" have also dropped sharply. In order to make a living, I should switch myself from the "Bible" printing, which is a huge loss, to other areas, so as to recover my losses. As the saying goes, every other line is like a mountain, and I can't Abandon my business and start a new business. So, I gradually won some contracts to print best-selling books, and there are more and more such contracts, including novels, biographies, etc., and there are many obscene books among them. Yes, obscenity in Germany There is a big market for books. So I am going to print obscenity, so that there is money to be made. I need money, a lot of money. I will never allow myself to be poor and helpless again. And I admit that I Had sex with a lot of young, pretty women and cost a lot of money for it. And then Heika Hoffman cost me a lot of money. You're beginning to understand?"

"I'm afraid not," Randall replied. "Of course you don't understand. You don't understand German skilled workers. In that extremely tumultuous transition, I started printing bibles and turned to bawdy literature. In this way, I had a great conflict with the workers in the factory and the union. Conflict. These young workers, especially the senior printers, come from families that have been printing Bibles in our factory for generations. They have a kind of pride in their bones, proud of their profession and the works they have printed They don't even think about the salary. Their grandparents have worked hard printing religious books for generations, and they are proud to have such a high-class job and continue to let their children do this sacred work. Now we are almost completely Abandoned the printing of bibles and other religious books to produce a cheap literature of no value and no class, and many workers went away, ashamed of the books they printed. They hated what they produced They hated me for forcing them to print tons of bawdy books. Gradually, they rebelled and started talking about strikes. I've never had a strike happen before, and many of my good workers never went on strike. And now some workers who are idle at work or those who are about to be fired for a bad job are starting to prepare for a strike. I have chosen a day for dialogue with Hall Zoellner, the first chairman of the Printing and Paper Trade Union. That is, a few months ago, We had a negotiation, but no progress. I could not give up my approach, and neither did Zoellner and his supporters. Negotiations were deadlocked. Today, a week later, I will face A strike unless I can provide a sufficient explanation for the matter."

"But, Carl," said Randall, "you must find some way to let them know that you are in the business of printing a great book of the Bible." "There's nothing," said Henning, "to meet the strike. When Dr. Deckhard approached me, he didn't tell me that he wanted to print the International New Testament. He just mentioned the The book was very new, very special, and very important. I turned him down right after he had stated his plans. I turned him down because it was not profitable for me. I don't make money, Would not accept it. I will never give up lucrative employment, no matter how lowly it may be considered. Do you know what Dr. Deckhard insists on me printing this book?"

Randall shook his head, listening carefully. "He made me swear to secrecy," said Henning, "and he arranged for me to go to Frankfurt to have a secret meeting with Trautmann, and I was immediately flattered. Trautmann was one of the greatest theologians. After our meeting , he gave me a manuscript, and advised me to read it at once, and read it in his presence. And so I finished the manuscript. That was the German cost of the report on parchment and the Gospel of James." Having said that, he turned to Randall and asked: "Have you read the manuscripts?" "Read it only recently."

"Did you get the same shock as I did?" "I was also deeply moved." "This manuscript was a kind of soul-washing for me," Henning said. "I couldn't believe it would change my heart so much, especially for someone like me who is very business-like. It actually Can turn a mercenary businessman back. But that's what it is, it changed the values ​​of my life. Alas, it was a night of soul shaking. There is no doubt that I changed my previous thinking, so I accepted it without hesitation This job. It means that I will give up those jobs that have huge profits and good income. It also means that my income will drop sharply. It also means that I will forget about Heika Hoffman for a while."

"So, does that satisfy your workers?" Randall asked again. "No, because most of them don't know about it yet, haven't told them about the great project I'm about to work on. Captain Herderling came here from Amsterdam and announced some extremely strict security measures. Only a few Dependable old workers were assigned to print that book, and they knew what they were printing. They were separated from the other workers, and they had to keep the work they were doing secret. Most of the workers still Didn't know this, didn't know the great project I was about to embark on. Didn't know that I had completely changed my mind. In return for the loss of a large profit to my former reputation, I would be a part of this epoch-making religious initiative. " "So they're going to strike next week?" "I'm not sure," Henning said with a sudden grin. "I'll know in a few minutes. We're in the Hotel Mainz, we're going to the restaurant on the top floor, and we'll know the answer then." Randall followed the German printer into the hotel suspiciously, and they took the elevator to the 8th floor. This is a refreshing restaurant, and outside its bright and large floor-to-ceiling windows is the Rhine River that can't be seen as far as the eye can see.The waiter bowed deeply to them both respectfully, then walked through rows of white tables and ushered them to their reserved seats.A man with disheveled hair was already sitting on the seat, and he seemed to be holding a piece of paper in his hand.Henning greeted him in German.When the man saw them enter, he jumped up and greeted Henning. "First of all, Mr. Hall Zollner, I would like to introduce you to an American guest from Amsterdam who will be promoting the book I am printing. He is Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall is the head of the Printing and Paper Trade Union. President, President of our National Printing Union." Henning turned to Randall. "I welcome him here because he's my friend and I treat him as my friend." Henning gestured for Zoellner to sit down, and LaRandall sat beside him. Henning's eyes were fixed on the first chairman's head. "Okay, Hall Zoellner, waiting for your verdict, do you let Hall Karl Henning die or live?" Zoellner had a smile on his face. "Mr. Henning," he muttered, "you will live, and we will all live. We will live because you live. I have good news for you." He put the paper on the table and went on He said excitedly, "The contract you signed is the most ideal contract I have ever seen since I was the chairman of the trade union. No matter in terms of benefits, wages, sick benefits and pensions, this contract cannot be better. I am delighted to tell you that the committee has approved the contract and intends to communicate it to all members this weekend and they will agree without objection." "Great, great," exclaimed Henning excitedly. "We'll forget about the strike, won't we? We'll get the job done together, won't we?" "Yes, yes, hand in hand." Zoellner was also very excited.He nodded sincerely. "You will become a hero overnight. Maybe you will not be too rich, but you are a hero in the eyes of the public. What made you change your mind?" Carl Henning smiled. "I read a new book because of it." He turned his head to Randall. From damned 'Satan' to saint, such a transformation. I suddenly want to share this happy transformation with someone else. I'm a fool, but a happy fool." "When did you make up your mind to do this?" Randall wanted to know. "Maybe it was the night I read that article. But the transition process takes time. Maybe it really started last week when the crisis at my factory was at its height and I was sitting there reading those proofs .What I read changed my mind completely, and made me decide to print this book and restore my old reputation. Now that everything is calm, we must celebrate.” He grabbed a fork, tapped the glass on the table, and summoned the waiter. "We celebrated with a 1959 Boxtin vintage. It's an 8% abv wine, but it's just right for when we're drunk." A pleasant dinner at the Mainz Hotel for more than two hours.After Zoellner left, Karl Henning called his driver and insisted on taking Randall back to Frankfurt. On the way, Henning talked happily about building an indoor swimming pool for his workers that could be as big as the swimming pool used in the Olympic Games; he also talked about his affection for Heika Hoffmann; social life; and mentioned that he had a box in the theater building. On one occasion, he pointed to the vineyards that belonged to him and said that very delicious Mainz wine can be brewed there.When they passed a quiet and old village, he said that it was Hawke Town, where many of his relatives and friends lived.After a while, they entered the highway, the car sped forward, and Henning didn't speak. About 45 minutes later, they were suddenly awakened by a loud voice, and they had already arrived in Frankfurt.White-gloved policemen are busily directing traffic, people are anxiously returning home from work, and some are busy shopping in front of shops.Under other colorful umbrellas, some people are sitting and preparing to eat. Henning regained his composure. "You're going back to Frankfurt, Steve?" "Okay, I need to settle the bill, I want to catch a flight to Amsterdam today." Henning instructed his driver to drive the car to the hotel in German. When they arrived at the hotel, Henning said: "If you need any other information, I will go to Amsterdam in the near future and talk about it after we meet." "Can you tell me the exact date?" "After I've printed the first Bible. Maybe within a week of your public announcement." When the car stopped at the gate, Randall and the printer shook hands warmly. "Thank you for your cooperation, Carl, I just hope you didn't come to Frankfurt to see me off." "No, no. Not just to see you off," Henning said. "I have to come, but unfortunately I can't buy you a drink, because there is an appointment at five o'clock in the bar of the InterContinental Hotel to discuss a business, then Goodbye, friend." Randall waited until the car was gone before walking toward the hotel lobby.He went to the service desk first to see if there was any mail, but he stopped in surprise. A familiar man was walking towards the service desk. It was Plummer again. Met him this morning in Mainz, but now he's here again. A long time ago, Randall read a novel by the British writer Somerset Maugham: The merchant's servant in Baghdad said: "Lord, I was touched by a woman in the marketplace. When I turned around, I found that it was Death who touched me. She stared at me , threatening me... Now, lend me your horse, and I will go to Samara, so that death will never find me." On this very evening, when the merchant found Death in the marketplace, he asked her why she was making threatening gestures to his servants.Death replied: "That was not a threatening gesture, it was just a bit of a surprise. I was surprised to see him in Baghdad. Because I have an appointment with him in Samara tonight." This kind of memory is really out of date, but there is not even a little connection. Randall stopped and looked at him. Plummer, who didn't seem to notice him, also made his way to the desk. Randall followed closely behind him, walking quickly past him so that he could only see his back, hoping that he would not recognize him and not attract the attention of the British reporter. "Sir," called the reporter, "my name is Plummer—" "Yes, Mr. Plummer, what are your orders?" "If anyone calls me, tell him I'll be back in an hour. Because I have an appointment at the bar at the InterContinental at 5 o'clock. If you have an urgent question, you can find me there." It was as if a basin of cold water had been poured on Randall from head to toe.But he made his way to the elevator anyway.When he was about to reach the elevator, he secretly looked back, and Plummer had long since disappeared. In the elevator, he began to calculate. Carl Henning said to him: I have an appointment at the InterContinental Hotel at five o'clock, a business appointment. Plummer said he had an appointment at the InterContinental at five o'clock. Both of them said they were asking in the bar. Added up; perhaps a coincidence? Think again; maybe a conspiracy? Recall Henning's words again: I refuse to meet with him, and I don't allow this guy to set foot in my office. Think again: no conclusions can be drawn. At this time, Randall decided not to worry about it anymore, but to go back to Amsterdam immediately tonight; and he will no longer work at night, he is going to see Angela.Then tomorrow, what will you do tomorrow?What about in the future?He will send someone to closely monitor Carl Henning's actions. When Randall arrived at Amsterdam airport on a short flight from Frankfurt, a luxury Mercedes was waiting for him.He returned to the Amstel Hotel hoping to receive or see some letter from Angela, and there was one.Angela said she had arrived in Amsterdam and was staying at the Victoria Hotel, and she hoped to see him soon. He hastily showered, changed his clothes, and left Henning and Plummer alone.After going downstairs, he asked Theo to drive him to the Victoria Hotel.When he arrived, he walked to the door of Angela's room in three steps at a time and rang the doorbell.Then he heard her footsteps slowly approaching the door. When he opened the door, he couldn't believe his eyes, he stood there in amazement.He saw her only once, in her country, and then he separated from her.He didn't realize how charming she was at the time, but since then, her smile often appeared in his mind.Especially today, when he saw her for the second time; he was overwhelmed by her beauty.As far as he could remember, she was just a beautiful woman, but he had never imagined that she could be so beautiful.She was the most decent woman he had ever seen.She came over naturally, put her soft lips on his lips, and gently took his arm, and he realized that she had become an indispensable part of his life. Theo drove them to a famous Indonesian restaurant nearby.After dismissing the Turkish driver, he knew he was completely relieved, and there was no work to bother him anymore.Randall took Angela's arm through the revolving door, and a polite black waiter ushered them into the small room. They sat at a table against the wall and ordered many famous Indonesian dishes, such as Java ham and beef, bean soup, and coconut milk soup.They happily finished a bottle of wine.They express their deep love for each other with their eyes and fingers. After leaving the hotel, they walked arm in arm in the cool summer night.They stopped and went, stopping from time to time to listen to three young people playing guitar and singing along the road.They walked under the bridge, looked at the lights of thousands of houses in the city ahead, and listened to the sound of flowing water under the bridge, a sense of warmth surged in their hearts. On this alluring summer night, they stood motionless side by side on the bridge, enjoying the deep love from each other alone. Angela mentioned that Naomi had found her an office this afternoon, on the same floor as Randall, and very close, almost next door. "I know, I arranged this." She hesitated. "Do you need me to be so close to you every day?" "I hoped so in the past, and now I want it even more." "Are you sure you're right? Steve, you barely know me." "I've been with you for a week, every day, every night, every hour. I know you, I know you very well. Angela." "I feel the same way," she said softly. He turned his eyes to the canal, glanced, then turned to look at her again.He found her eyes closed, her lips moving, her hands clasped together.When she opened her eyes, she smiled at him. "What are you doing? Is it praying?" She nodded. "Pray for what? Angela." "Pray for what I'm about to do." She was still smiling. "Steve, take me to the hotel." "Which hotel?" "Take me to your hotel. I want to see your room." "You really want to visit the room where I live?" She slid her palm under the bottom of her hand. "No! It's you. I want to stay with you." They were naked and lay side by side on a large double bed.They stared at each other, kissed each other, and mingled messages of love with their tongues.She stroked his firm belly, and Randall stroked her plump buttocks... contentedly.He thought to himself, he has experienced many things about men and women before, but it has never been as sweet as it is now.Not to mention being with Barbara, even with Darina and the many Darinas before her, it is only a physical union.As for Naomi and the many Naomis before Naomi, it was a game.In short, it can be said that since he became an adult, he has had countless romantic affairs overnight, but he has never been so united as tonight.Thinking of this, he felt a sense of sadness.Why?Is it because all these years have been wasted?Or cry with joy? From the time they lay down on the bed, neither of them said a word until at 6:20 the next morning, a burst of non-stop ringing of the phone woke them up from their sweet dreams. Randall grabbed the phone in a daze, at first it was in the wrong direction, and finally he put the phone in the right place. "Who is it?" he said quickly. "Is that Steve? I'm George Knight," came the urgent voice on the other end of the phone. "I'm sorry to wake you up so early. But I have to. Are you up? Hear me Did you say anything?" "I'm awake, George." "Well, listen, this is a very important matter. I want you to come to the Uristraße Hospital - the most famous hospital in Amsterdam. The affiliated hospital of the Free University. I hope you can be there in an hour, Do you have a pencil by 7:50? Better write it down." "Wait a minute," he found a pencil in the pen holder, tore off another note and put it on the table. "I found it," he said. "Remember, Uli Street Hospital. The address is Bellerand 1115. The hospital is located in Butveldt, a new part of the city, and taxi drivers will know the place. Call one at the hotel. a taxi. When you walk into the hospital, you tell the woman at the information desk that you're going to Lori Cook's ward on the fourth floor. I'll be there, and we'll all be there." "Wait a minute, George, what the hell happened?" "You'll find out for yourself later." He paused, then continued, "I can't talk to you about this on the phone. How should I say it? Something out of the ordinary has happened and we need you to go there ..."