“Well, you were at one time. Tell me, do you find it easy to break your word?”

“What word? I don’t know anything about any word. Stop talking so much. Either accept my proposal or don’t.”

“I don’t! If someone robs you and then you agree to take back half of what he stole, that makes you an accomplice to the theft.”

Becker jumped up. “I’m warning you,” he growled, switching to the formal Sie. “That’s enough of all this wheeling and dealing!”

“I’ll get you sent to jail,” Silbermann declared. He was so agitated he was no longer weighing his words. “And I’ll tell everyone I know about your dirty extortion. I’ll denounce you to your party. I have no doubt that they’ll take the money away from you. Because when it comes to robbing Jews they claim exclusive rights. They don’t tolerate unfair competition. You’ll see who you’re dealing with yet, you disgraceful crook!”

“I’ve always known you were a low-down shyster,” Becker retorted. He had sat back down and was once again using the familiar Du. “Do you even know what you are? A nervous little Jew quivering over his money. If I were like you, I wouldn’t give you a penny, I’d simply have you sent straight to the concentration camp. Where you could denounce me as much as you like.”

“Do you remember what you said to me yesterday, Gustav? You spoke of friendship!”

“I’ve seen what kind of friend you are. Why do I always have to be the stupid nice guy?”

“You don’t believe a word of what you’re saying.”

“But I’m supposed to believe you, is that right? You slick talker, you. Who sent in a false tax declaration, eh? Who bought the building on Kantstraße for a song during the inflation? Was it me? Do you remember how you were the only one to get leave in 1917? And why was that? Because you had purchased war bonds. Something the rest of us couldn’t afford…”

“Are you telling me you wouldn’t have done that if you could have? Are you trying to hold me responsible for the entire system? For the fact that there are social differences? Reproaching me for having money? So that you can justify robbing me? And for a few days of extra leave, for a minor instance of injustice, you want to pull off a major swindle? You’re scolding me for being a capitalist? You? Who want to become one by any means including the slimiest? Don’t be a fool, Gustav. It’s enough that you’ve become a scoundrel.”

“I’m just using my advantage, just as you’ve taken advantage of your situation. That’s all,” Becker said casually.

“There is egoism that is justified and egoism that is not. There are limits!”