He grinned. Mielke still had a sense of humor in those days. That was before the Russians got hold of him. About Marx and Engels and Lenin they never did have a sense of humor.

“There’s nothing mad about it,” he said. “The KPD’s the largest Communist Party in the world outside the Soviet Union. You’re not a Nazi, that much is obvious. I suppose you’re SPD.”

“That’s true.”

“I thought so. A social fascist. You hate us more than you hate the Nazis.”

“You’re right, of course. The only reason I helped you back there was because I want you to die of shame when you have to tell your lefty pals that it was a cop that supports the SPD who took your pot off the stove. Better still, I want you to go and hang yourself like Judas Iscariot for the betrayal of the movement brought about by a Red being indebted to a Republican.”

“Who says I’m even going to tell them?”

“I guess you’re right. What’s another lie on top of all the other lies told by the KPD?” I shook my head. “It’s a low, dishonest decade that’s ahead of us, make no mistake.”

“Don’t think I’m not grateful, polyp,” said Mielke. “Because I am. Those bastards would have cut my throat for sure. They wanted to kill me because I’m a reporter for The Red Flag. I was doing a story about the workers’ community at Felseneck Colony.”

“Yeah, yeah. Brotherly love and all that crap.”

“Don’t you believe in brotherly love, polyp?”

“People don’t give a damn about brotherly love. They just want someone to love who loves them back. Everything else is bullshit. Most folk would give the keys to the door of workers’ paradise for a chance at being loved for themselves, not because they’re German, or working-class, or Aryan, or the proletariat. Nobody really believes in the euphoric dream that’s built on this book or that historic vision; they believe in a kind word, a kiss from a pretty girl, a ring on a finger, a happy smile. That’s what people—the individuals who make up a people—that’s what they want to believe.”

“Sentimental rubbish,” jeered Mielke.

“Probably,” I said.

“That’s the problem with all you democrats. You talk such unutterable nonsense. Well, there’s no time for that kind of clap-trap. You’ll be giving that speech in the cemetery if you and your class don’t wake up soon. Hitler and the Nazis don’t care for your individuals. All they care about is power.”

“And things will be different when we’re all taking orders from Stalin in some degenerate workers’ state.”

“You sound just like Trotsky,” said Mielke.

“Is he a Social Democrat, too?”

“He’s a fascist,” said Mielke.

“Meaning he’s not a true communist.”

“Exactly.”