Joseph Kanon - A Good German

But in fact after the kickoff it was an American show, GI quarterbacks calling the plays, the British blocking, and everyone getting scraped by the rough field in pile-up tackles. The crowd cheered every play, even the referees throwing red foul flags, and swapped money in side bets and whooped until finally the high spirits were infectious, like a Saturday somewhere in the Big Ten. A piece of home. Even the players, healthy and pink in the sun, seemed to be in another country, miles from the pasty, grim bodies in the streets outside.

Jake hadn’t seen football in years, and now, unexpectedly, the sounds on the field took him back to sunny afternoons when nothing mattered except the next ten yards and who you might be seeing after the game. America, where all the houses were intact. But it was the homesickness of an exile-what you missed was your own youth, not a place. He’d been back only once since he’d first sat in this stadium, a Week between assignments, and after that all he’d known was the overseas America of the war, the field mess parties and USO shows that Weren’t really home but a movie of home. He’d be a stranger there now.

But wouldn’t everybody? They’d all been gone too long, were all different, even the MP at the house, maybe a football player, who now thought a dead woman was one less German to worry about. He shifted in his seat, embarrassed by his own nostalgia. Leave the amber waves to Quent Reynolds, making his mother queen for a day at Toots Shor’s. He knew better. The America he’d left, the late editions and cops on the take, was the same unholy mix as anywhere else. And yet there it was, the unexpected longing, triggered by a football game. Who he was, as inescapable and permanent as a birthmark.

A touchdown. The crowd jumped up around him, yelling and slapping backs. Someone passed him a beer. From the corner of his eye he saw Ron leave the cameras to greet Congressman Breimer. He introduced him to a small group of soldiers, presumably Utica boys, who shook hands and posed for army photographers. Souvenirs for the folks. Then he led Breimer over to the newsreel crew, positioning him in front of the play and testing a microphone. Jake left his seat and walked down to the sidelines. Breimer had already begun speaking.

“In this stadium, where that great American Jesse Owens exposed the Nazi lie of racial superiority, we’re seeing today proof of another victory. This great Allied coalition that won the war is now winning the peace, still side by side, still determined to show the world we can work together. And play some pretty good football.” A pause here as the soldiers around him laughed. “Our task here is not easy. But can anyone doubt, looking at these fine boys, that we’re going to succeed? We’re going to help this country up out of the ashes, extend our hands to the good Germans who’ve prayed for democracy during all these dark years, and make a world where war will never happen again. That’s what they’re fighting for now. Today these men are playing, but tomorrow they’ll be back at work. Hard work. Building our future. If you could see them here in Berlin, as I can, you’d know they’re going to win that one too.”

Impromptu, without notes, the sort of thing he could rattle off without even thinking. Huffing and puffing. Another piece of home. Jake looked at him, wondering what he’d been like before-probably the kid waving his hand in class, volunteering to clap erasers and deliver the milk bottles, destined even then for better things.

“And now, I’m told, the Eighty-second Airborne has a little half-time entertainment for us.”

Ron gave a stage manager’s signal, and the cameras swerved to an opening beneath the tiers of seats. A row of white helmets came trooping out, playing a Sousa march. The soldiers cheered. The cameras tracked the band onto the scrubby playing field, brass horns shin-ins as they lined up in formation. The noise was deafening.

“Where are the pompom girls?” Jake said to Ron.

“Very funny,” Ron said. He pointed to the seats. “They love it.”

And they did. Jake looked up at the crowd, stamping and whistling, winning the peace for Movietone News. Then he saw Brian Stanley a few tiers farther up, leaning back on his elbows in a patch of sun, eyes closed, the only still thing in the stands. The band started in on another march. Jake climbed back up the stairs.

“Enjoying the game?”

Brian opened his eyes for a second, then closed them again. “I was. Until The Honorable started in.”

Jake sat down next to him, watching the band below. The music boomed through the stadium.

“My god,” Brian said, “do you think they could turn it down a little?”

“Late night?”

Brian managed a small grunt, then slowly pulled himself up, wiping his forehead. “You know, I’m worried about Winston. He’s been blathering on about the Polish borders. Why?”

“Why not?” Jake said, looking back from the field. The conference, almost forgotten, while he’d been taking coffee with Gunther.

“Because they were decided the minute Uncle Joe crossed them. All this carrying on. It’s not like him.”

“Maybe he’s playing for time.”

“No, he’s distracted. The election, I expect. Pity, coming right during the conference. I think it’s put him off his game. Not like your Honorable.” He nodded toward Breimer, who was applauding the band coming off the field, still blaring. “Lovely piece of work, isn’t he? Extending his hand,” he said, doing a passable imitation.

“That’s what he’s usually doing. As long as you’ve got something to put in it.”

Brian smiled. “That leaves the Germans out, then. ‘Extend our hands.’ On the plane I seem to remember they were getting what they deserve. Ah, peace at last.” This to the field, where the band had finally been replaced by a referee’s whistle beginning the third-quarter play, a background noise by comparison. Brian leaned on his elbows again. “And where’ve you been, by the by? I looked for you at the briefing. Chasing the furlines?”

“No, a story on the black market.”

“You’re not serious,” Brian said, closing his eyes. “That’s an old, old story.”

“Well, so are the Polish borders.”

Brian sighed and went back to the sun. Down on the field, Breimer was detaching himself from the press corps and walking over to a waiting soldier-Liz’s date, alone now, his manner brisk and serious. Breimer put a hand on his shoulder, drawing him away from the crowd in a backroom huddle. Jake watched them for a few minutes, their heads nodding in conversation. More than just a driver.

“Thick as thieves, aren’t they?” Brian said, following Jake’s stare.

“Hmm.”

“Why the interest?”

“He’s seeing Liz.”

“You can’t blame him for that. I wouldn’t mind a look-in myself.”

The crowd suddenly started shouting-another touchdown-but the two heads didn’t turn.

“So what’s he doing with Breimer?”

Brian yawned, indifferent. “Building our future. Been at it for days, they have. He met him at the airport.”

“He did?” Jake looked over at Brian, still as a lizard. “You don’t miss much, do you?”

“Well, it’s my job, isn’t it? All you have to do is keep your eyes open,” he said, closing his again.

Now the two men were moving apart, their business finished, Breimer signaling to a GI that he was ready to leave. Shaeffer hurried out of the stadium without even glancing at the game.

“Hey, Brian,” Jake said, thinking. “You were on the plane. Remember the guy who was afraid of flying?”

“The boots?”

“Who met him? Did you notice?”

“No,” Brian said. “Why?”

“Did you talk to him on the plane? Notice anything about him?”