Rolf Nagel - The End of the World Mafia

The conclusion of an already messed up Sunday?

"Please sit down, Karl." Again, he noticed Marian’s use of this strange combination of the formal “you” and “first name”. Nevertheless, Karl obeyed without questioning. Before him stood a battery of different wine glasses. The amount of cutlery led to the conclusion that they would probably not just be having a snack. A 6-course menu at least was to be expected. He remembered that cutlery is used from the outside to the inside for the individual courses of a dinner. He could cope with the etiquette of upper society at least to this extent.

"Did you have a pleasant afternoon?", Marian asked. His answer came quickly, "A charming afternoon." He didn’t tell her that the stress had almost brought him to the brink of collapse.

One of the elegantly dressed waiters brought them a sherry as an aperitif. He staged this scene solemnly. Then Marian turned to Karl, "I would like to know more about you. What do you do as a profession? "

He said, "I have been working in an international private bank as head of organization for many years now. The Image Bank AG has its headquarters in the city."

“Oh, what a coincidence, my father is also a good customer of that bank and has his business accounts there. The manager and he are long-standing friends." Marian play acted skillfully, as if she were amazed at the coincidence. In fact, she, of course, already knew this from the dossier.

The two of them spent a very harmonious evening together. They enjoyed each course of the menu, even though the food was so clearly arranged on the plate that you actually needed a plan to find it.

During their amusing conversation, they found out that they have quite a lot in common. Marian was amused by Karl's life story and they both became increasingly closer. This very pretty and elegant woman had found interest in Karl’s person. He had never dreamed before that this could be possible. She could with certainty bewitch every man with her charming smile and well-shaped body. What did this woman see in the rather inconspicuous and unobtrusive Karl?

Just before 9.30 p.m. Marian said, "Karl, shall we have our espresso in my suite?"

He immediately replied, "That is an excellent idea."

She stood up and walked to a door at the end of the room, Karl followed her nervously. Behind the wooden door was a lift which led directly to the top floor of the hotel. After leaving the elevator, the bodyguard entered the floor with the sign "Presidential Suite" first, followed by Marian and Karl. The front door of the suite was opened by the bodyguard, but he himself did not enter. After Karl and Marian had entered the room, the bodyguard closed the door from the outside again.

"Truly beautiful and elegant”, Karl said. He left the question open whether he meant the suite, Marian or both.

They sat down on the sofa in the living room, a butler entered from an adjoining room and served espresso. Karl was telling his companion some stories about his city when Marian took the plunge and put her arms around Karl. She kissed him deeply and Karl returned the embrace. At this precise moment, they both realized that their evening together was far from its end.

When Karl woke up the next morning, daylight was trying to squeeze through the thick brocade curtains. Just enough daylight so that he could look at his clock. Was it all a dream? He looked around and watched Marian ecstatically. She was still in a deep sleep, this beautiful and charming woman. He pinched his arm to make sure that this was all not just a beautiful dream.

Then he looked at the clock and was shocked, it was 10.23 a.m. "Hell!" he yelled. "I have to go to the bank, for heaven's sake." In all the years he had never been late for work. What would Mr. Schneider, his superior, say? Exaggerated thoughts immediately rushed through Karl’s head. Maybe he would get a written warning or maybe even his notice?

Meanwhile, slowly and gently, Marian was wakening from her sleep. She looked at Karl questioningly, "Karl, what is wrong?"

"I have to go to the bank straight away, I’m late", he shouted excitedly whirling his shirt around clumsily.

Marian kept calm and said, "Oh Karl, I completely forgot. Yesterday I called my father and asked him to phone the executive director of your bank and ask for two days off so that we can get to know each other better. That wasn’t a problem because my father - as I said before - has been friends with the director for many years."

Karl looked at Marian in surprise. "What? How? Your father has discussed me with the director of the bank?" Karl Grosser, a small department head, had never even exchanged a single word with the director. It was quite inconceivable that the director even knew he existed.

His breath caught at the thought that the director himself was approving his vacation. Who was he? He who only knew his next boss, Vice President Schneider, personally? It was nowhere possible that he would have the opportunity of entering the holy corridors of the executive director. Nevertheless, he slowly liked the idea that the executive director was learning about the existence of Karl Grosser.

His thoughts however quickly went in the direction of possible sources of danger. What would happen if he and Marian ever had differences? Which concentrated power would come down on him then? And would he, little Karl, even survive? Two hearts beat in his chest now. It was undoubtedly clear to him that Marian was telling the truth. Her father actually had these contacts, the situation was by no means doubtful, or was it maybe a bit?

"Let's have a quiet breakfast and then you can stop by the bank. Maybe we can take a stroll through the city beforehand? In the afternoon, I am flying to Paris to meet my father, but I will be back in the evening. Karl, I would love to have dinner again with you this evening. The car and chauffeur are of course at your disposal for as long as you like.”, Marian said, in an almost determined voice.

There was no doubt about it. She had fallen head over heels in love with Karl. Although this was something that she had always only ever hoped for, this happy state of affairs had actually happened. Karl also felt the same butterflies in his stomach.

"Good, then I will do my work in the bank and we will meet at the same time, at 8.00 p.m.," Karl said, acting as if this was all natural for him. But it wasn’t. Within only a few hours, his peaceful and always unchanged life was turned completely upside down. Each minute brought a new surprise. He was just about to ask himself again whether he would survive it all without harm. Or should he maybe go and see a doctor as a precaution?

The magnificent hotel breakfast left nothing to be desired. Afterwards, they strolled together through the city center. Karl saw his city with new eyes - never before had he actually registered these outrageously expensive luxury stores. He frequently went past them, but the fact that the prices did not fit with his wallet always caused him to scurry past the shop windows.

Marian enjoyed devoting herself to the beautiful things of life together with her new companion. She was also unconcerned about the price. She was used to this life of luxury and for her this was something natural. The expedition through the city was very harmonious for both of them.

The lovers drove to the airport and Karl said goodbye giving her an intimate kiss before she boarded the private MacDonnell Douglas MD 83 plane. Marian could, of course, hardly wait to tell her father everything in detail and was looking forward to seeing him in Paris.

Karl let himself be driven to the bank by limousine. The car arrived at the grand and impressive main entrance of the bank. The glass building radiated a modern character. He got out of the limousine, his legs shaking. Wondering what would expect him next, he climbed the steps to the entrance hall of the bank and greeted the doorman. He called out, "Hallo, Mr. Grosser, have a good day." On other days, only an unintelligible murmur escaped his mouth. Karl went to the elevator and waited. The doors opened and, as usual, he rode up to the last but one floor. At least he had got up this far, the only floor above his was the executive floor. The elevator doors had hardly opened when one of his colleagues walked past him. This was one of those colleagues who was permanently full of intrigues. "Hello Mr. Grosser, I hope you had a nice day."