H. Adler - The Journey

It’s unusual for barracks to be located right here in this neighborhood. Usually the army likes being a bit cut off from the town because it can go about its business without anyone seeing the nasty things that go on. In order to be completely certain of protection from prying eyes, every entrance is completely shut, and even in front of the main entrance three guards are stationed. One soldier stands motionless in a guardhouse, one marches with a loaded weapon back and forth, a third stands in the middle of the entrance and denies entry or exit to any unauthorized person. Here one has to have permission to do anything. Yet only a few are permitted, and only under very specific orders, which cannot be violated. Whoever might still want to try anything forbidden will pay for it. Because everyone knows this, that which is not allowed never occurs. Everything is kept strictly in order and therefore nothing really happens, it all just goes according to plan. No one can really say how it all happens. Proceedings simply run right along according to unalterable orders that are fulfilled reluctantly, but without complaint. The proceedings take forever, though they are carried out in herky-jerky fashion because they have been practiced only once. The preservation of the future is guaranteed as soon as the instructions are handed out. Captain Küpenreiter has given them out, he himself not having thought them up or issued them at his own bidding, for he is only here to execute the will of those in the know, though he is not simply a tool of obedience. When Küpenreiter says something, it’s clear to everyone and it gets done.

The sentry who stands in the middle of the entrance suddenly shakes his head. This is an agreed-upon sign that the prisoners can move through the barracks entrance. They have earned the right to do so. The slaves enjoy the rights of their masters and are better off, despite their powerlessness, than those who live freely in reduced circumstances. “Grab those shovels and picks!” They’re allowed to do so, even if they must do so. The slaves are free. They can listen and obey. They drink in the commands and are allowed to follow them. The soldiers can also listen and obey. The slaves and the soldiers. Everything is arranged, and thus it just happens. The route across the open yard is well known. The experience has been imprinted. One after another like a row of ducks. The citizens of Leitenberg have to remain outside, even Mayor Viereckl himself. The slaves move along on their own feet through forbidden terrain. They enjoy the air of the closed-off district. Together with their masters they share a similarity that allows them to live a shared life. If you’re not allowed, then you can’t. That spells freedom, Fritz! You’re free to do what you must. You must, because you exist. The journey happens as it is supposed to. It follows the itinerary that was prepared beforehand. You see Küpenreiter, who for you is unapproachable, and yet you also sense his closeness. You belong to him, not he to you. He can yell at you, but you can also listen to it because you have such beautiful rabbit ears that can hear so well. Just be careful! You must. Whoever is not allowed will be locked up. Küpenreiter doesn’t like to leave his soldiers, because when he screams at people in the town it means nothing. They are not part of the army like you are, Fritz, for only you enjoy the complete and unmediated freedom that disturbingly slips in between the order and its fulfillment. Only those who remain in bondage perpetually feel the inevitable power that hangs cryptically over the free.

The prisoners step one after another into the familiar sheds. They recognize the place, although the room appears to be shrouded in darkness after they come out of the glaring light of day. They know where the rifles are stowed, which they are not allowed to touch. They also know where the picks and shovels rest, which they are allowed to grab. They may take them and place them on their shoulders and cross the yard once again, their eyes blinded by the light. Now they hold in their hands something strange that has been created by the efforts of unknown others. The prisoners arrive by themselves, and by themselves they leave and head back out to the entrance and out of the barracks. The sentries let them pass undisturbed and never once worry about the shovels or the picks, because the prisoners have a right to them. That’s why they move along unafraid and march confidently through town. They have a clear conscience, for they are only doing what they’ve been ordered to do.

They don’t have to show their papers, and for that matter they couldn’t if they wanted to, since they don’t have any to show. They are trusted because they’ve been rounded up, and they have been rounded up because they are imprisoned. That’s why it’s all right. If one permits something or orders it, a trust also evolves that forms a set of assumptions that prove true, even if they are not the only assumptions formed. Each single instance cannot be reviewed, Fritz, yet in the army hazy dreams disappear, because here pure essence is realized. You are not just pretending, you are it, a pure essence. That’s why you should not worry that no one knows who you are, because you are known, even more than you know yourself.

And so the gathered prisoners leave the barracks through the entrance through which they entered only a few minutes before. No lengthy hospitality has been extended to the men in these hallowed halls, yet what good would it have been if it had. Pure essence and pure purpose won’t stand for any delay. You’re on top of it all, Fritz. Nobody seems to worry that the youths with tools hurry on through or might become unruly. The ringing sound of the blades being sharpened is seen as harmless. Nothing out of line occurs, nor is one’s faith in one another betrayed. Willingly the prisoners fall in together as they gather before the barracks without anyone needing to order them. Such willing cooperation anticipates each command, thus paving the way for the freedom of the trains. The head of the train company must be very pleased. Whenever it pleases him he can see the trains headed just where they’re supposed to. Nothing can come as a complete surprise. Everything is there and in order, just as on the first day of creation. Any deviation is out of the question, because it is not accounted for in the plans. No one should think anything special if he hears a train. It’s not hard to refrain from certain anxieties if you are hauled off. You only have to come along, which anyone can do. Each single train car is a component of the willing allegiance of the entire fleet.

You want to know where you are headed? That’s not necessary, because you’ll know soon enough. Everything has been set up without even disturbing you. There will be a whistle, just wait there. Your suggestions and objections are too late, there can be no allowance made for them any longer. If you think that it would be any better in Leitenberg, you’ve got it wrong. The magic order also rules there. To the same degree. It’s better if you don’t know too much about it. Abandon yourself to your dreams, if that comforts you, but you shouldn’t believe them! Beware of curiosity! It only lays the ground for fear and anxiety as soon as it’s satisfied.

The break is over. Everyone get up! Paul walks on, Fritz walks on. All three hundred men walk on together. Even some of the uniformed officers just coming out of the barracks. They all walk on together. They all certainly have a destination ahead of them, because that’s the way it is. And so it comes to pass. So it was said in the beginning, and so now the only thing remaining is for it all to be fulfilled. The path falls steeply down away from the dumping grounds. Onward, left, right! Just get on the train. The journey has already begun. Is Captain Küpenreiter waving at the train? Whoever travels along does not look around and therefore does not know. Whoever refuses to travel will immediately be shot, and with good reason. Here foot traps will be set! So forward! Stay in line! No one will hesitate to shoot! Warning! Rattraps have been laid out! No stopping! Watch it! È pericoloso sporgersi! So move it!.. That’s written everywhere because so many dangers are lurking. Latet anguis in herba! That’s what the Romans have already posted in their parks. Everywhere there are warnings against loitering. Vermin are unhealthy and will be spit out in reams. But to spit openly in the train car is forbidden because of tuberculosis. Shooting someone is much more hygienic if there is lime available. The town’s plans for disinfection are to rid Leitenberg of dreck. In Ruhenthal it’s no different. Cleansing takes place everywhere, and for the same humanitarian reasons is everywhere forwarded, endured, forbidden, and directed. The train is directed toward its destination, and therefore cannot lessen its pace. Leaning out of the windows is dangerous because of the engine smoke, and therefore it is forbidden. The loss of the right hand leads to serious bodily injury. One recognizes a dog by its muzzle. According to the law, nobody has the right to choose his own end. Stopping is forbidden because the journey has begun. If there is no travel, there is no way to pass the time. For proper execution, shake and mix fifteen drops in a glass of water. Not by the trains but rather through human indifference shall you recognize them! Credit and safety above all! A general insurance society versus executions and legitimized assaults.