I said 'But Nazis are nothing to do with reason!'
Franz said 'What do you think reason in action is? If things get in your way, remove them.'
I said 'But the way the Nazis are on is nothing to do with reason!'
Franz said 'But that is on a different level from technique. Of course, the way they are on might be to do with destruction.'
There was a group of Jewish businessmen coming down the
stairs. At least, I thought they were Jewish businessmen because they were like those men who, years ago, had been in the Adlon Hotel when I had come with my father. They wore black jackets and striped trousers: they carried document-cases under their arms. I thought — Or this is the way the mind works; we just call them Jewish businessmen; these images get stuck like flotsam against a grating.
Then — But these businessmen must know that this is the way the mind works: why do they choose to be seen like this? Where are the rings of knowing around their eyes!
Then Franz said 'Are you still in touch with that English friend of yours?'
I said 'Yes, I sometimes hear from him.'
Franz said 'Could you put me in touch with him? He is a physicist, isn't he? I'd very much like to ask him some questions.'
I said 'Yes, I'll give you his address.' I thought — But is that why you wanted to see me?
After a time Franz said 'You remember how Heidegger used to say that human life is only lived authentically when one is aware of the presence of death; that without this, there is only the impoverished rubbish of materialism. Well, what happens when you know that power is self-destructive? What, after all, might it be that is killed?'
The group of businessmen had gone to a table in the lounge. They were sorting out papers and replacing them in their document cases: they were not talking. They seemed both aware and unaware that in the lounge and hallway of the Adlon Hotel there had fallen a slight hush: that people were watching them. It was as if the lights in the auditorium of a theatre were going down: a curtain going up. I thought — They can hardly fail to know that they are on some sort of stage!
Franz said 'If the human race does not learn to look at the business of death it will not be a viable species: there will have been too much self-deception. And how else do we learn except through catastrophe? What is evolution?'
I said 'You mean, you think the Nazis might look at the business of what has to die? But they will be more than self-destructive!'
Franz said 'Do you know what work in physics your friend has been doing in England?'
Franz and I were sitting in the lounge of the Adlon Hotel. We
were eating our cakes and ices. I thought — But we ourselves are just off the stage: is it as if we are prompters?
Then — It was I myself who wanted to ask Franz about physics!
The group of businessmen who might be Jewish were standing round a formation of chairs and a table in the lounge: they were facing inwards; they seemed to be posing for an illustration. I thought — Oh they are still like that image I used to have years ago of the General Theory of Relativity: a group of people stand facing inwards and what each one sees comes round and hits him on the back of the head.
Franz said The head of my department was granted an interview with Hitler the other day. He wanted to make some protest about what seems to be the attitude of the Nazis towards the Jewish academics and especially scientists. Nazis have been saying that if they get power they will turn Jewish academics out of the universities and even out of the country. The head of my department wanted to tell Hitler what a disaster it would be if this policy was carried out; much of the research work in chemistry and physics is being done by Jews; the industrial and indeed even military strength of the country might depend on this work. And Hitler seemed to hear him. I mean he seemed to hear the words — this was the head of my department's description of him — but it was as if he heard something quite different in the way of meaning. It was as if Hitler was getting — the head of my department did not quite know how to describe this — some almost sensuous pleasure from the words; he went up and down on his toes; he seemed to be glowing. And then, when the head of my department had finished, Hitler came over to him and put a hand on his arm and said in a voice that was almost caressing — this is exactly what he said, it makes one's mind go numb — "There are greater things than victory: more terrible things than death."'
There was a group of Brownshirts by the porter's desk in the hallway of the hotel. They were watching the businessmen who might be Jewish in the lounge. The Brownshirts had their feet apart and their stomachs pressed forwards and their thumbs in their belts as if they were peeing. I thought — Oh God, all right, they are showing that they like being peed on.
Franz said 'What do you make of that?'
I said 'I see.'
Franz said The head of my department said that Hitler seemed to have no smell.'
I said 'Do you mean that the Nazis might bring about a change in the world, like devils are supposed to do?'
He said 'A change for the better?'
I said 'Is that what you can't ever say?' Then — 'I have sometimes thought that people like us, you and I, by being observers, might be carriers of what might come after.'
The businessmen were moving towards the door into the street. They had to move past the group of Brownshirts. The hush in the hall had slackened; now it intensified again. As the businessmen went past the Brownshirts one of the latter broke off from his group and followed; he crouched at the knees and let his arms hang down like an ape; he made a grunting noise; then he returned to his group and laughed. One of the businessmen who seemed to be Jewish stopped and turned. I thought — Oh but will not someone kindly go and piss on that Brownshirt if it comforts him!
Franz was looking at me. He said 'Carriers of what?'
I said 'You're not watching.'
Franz said 'I am.'
I said 'Of what we know but can't of course say or even quite see.'
The crowd in the hallway of the hotel had been both watching and trying to seem not to watch the scene going on between the Brownshirts and the businessmen. I thought — But what is the use, for God's sake, in such a situation, of what you can't say or even quite see?
Franz had been looking at the scene in the hallway of the hotel. He said 'You mean, all this is boring.'
I thought — Boring!
The businessman who had turned was still watching the group of Brownshirts. The Brownshirt who had mocked him had now turned and faced him — his thumbs in his belt and his stomach pushed forwards. I thought — But do you not want it to die, this that is boring!
Franz stood up and went over to the Brownshirt and clicked his heels and bowed; then he took out of his pocket a card which he held out to the Brownshirt. After a time, the Brownshirt took it. He smiled somewhat sheepishly. Then Franz went to the door of the hotel into the street and held it open for the group of Jewish businessmen. He bowed to them slightly. The Brownshirts watched him.
I wanted to shout — Oh Franz, I do love you!
As the group of businessmen who seemed to be Jewish went out of the door each one of them bowed to Franz; Franz acknowledged them. When Franz came back past the Brownshirts he stood to attention and clicked his heels again. He seemed to be waiting for some reaction. Then one of the Brownshirts laughed. Then they all began laughing. I wanted to say — But Franz, Franz, be careful; they may kill you!
When Franz came back to my table he said Terrible people.'
I said 'Franz, I will do anything for you!'
He said 'Will you come upstairs with me?'