“A permit is an unnecessary formality. The arrangements have already been made.” Wohltat was speaking loudly, so that the whole crowd could hear. “Let me be frank. These are not normal times. Our men are fighting a war. Think of the things they have seen, the things they have had to do. This house will allow them to forget, to relax. Here there is a bar, music, games of chance. Upstairs—yes, upstairs. That is the problem. But these are young men, far from home, from their sweethearts and wives. You must see it is better this way for the Hebraic population. A more humanitarian solution. Now your daughters, your Rachels and Sarahs, will be protected from random attacks. Come, join with me. Cut the ribbon in two!”

Eagerly the Warriors pressed closer about the doorway. But Trumpelman did not cut the pink cloth: he merely strode through it, into the depths of the former warehouse. A moment later a large gaming table flew out the open door and landed with a crash in the midst of the uniformed men. Before anyone could react, a wheel for roulette came after and shattered to pieces. Then Trumpelman appeared in the doorway, with a gleaming slot machine in his arms. With what must have been superhuman effort, he raised it over his head and stood there—like a prophet, thought Nisel, a righteous man—bathed in the exploding flash lamps. Then, while the Warriors broke ranks, while they fled in every direction, he dashed it to the ground. Coins burst from it like shrapnel; springs shot out and gears whirled around.

Once more the Elder turned on his heel and plunged into the dark building. This time nothing came from the doorway, but Nisel noticed that one by one the heads of the girls were vanishing from the upper windows. A moment later the whole crowd saw the same six maidens walk onto the steps of Assisi 2. There was rouge on their cheeks and their eyelids were painted. Their hair had been curled with an iron. Then Trumpelman appeared behind them. “My people!” he shouted. “Your daughters are safe! The Judenrat has put a stop to this immoral business!”

The Jews let out a terrific cheer, then cheered even more loudly when the Elder spread his arms and encircled the girls, in their pretty new dresses, within his cloak. They hugged him; they kissed him. Once more the President of the Jewish Council addressed the Jews.

“My people! Return with your daughters to your homes. Remember what you have seen this day. The day we stood up to the Others! Don’t tremble! Don’t fear! The House of Pleasure will never open again. In its place your Judenrat will build a House of Culture, a Temple of Art. Here you shall see great dramas and listen to symphonies. Poets will speak! We shall show wonderful paintings! This place of shame will become a home for the spirit!”

He opened the cloak. The girls ran toward the street, toward their homes, while Trumpelman backed in the other direction, into what had been the factory for furs.