Читать книгу The End of the World Mafia - Rolf Nagel - Страница 6

Marian and her father decided in favor of Karl. Yes, without noticing what had been happening, Karl was selected as the chosen one. He was the chosen one for the grand overall project.

Although Marian was still a bit queasy at the thought, father and daughter developed a plan for a first meeting between her and Karl. The victim’s regular walks were most suitable and harmless for this purpose. Only the park bench of course came into question as a place of approach.

Should in spite of the dossier and the video shooting the daughter find no liking for Karl during a live encounter, she could withdraw from the situation at any time. The candidate would never know that he had been on the shortlist and about the plan that the father and daughter had come up with.

The meeting on the park bench and the invitation to dinner completed the first steps successfully. Marian had definitely taken a liking to Karl. Moreover, despite her concerns and her bad conscience, she felt attracted to Karl.

As she waited for him in the hotel restaurant she began to have doubts again. Will this daring endeavor really be a success? Should she not tell Karl about it at a later point in time? Tell him that he had become the victim of an intrigue without noticing it? Even worse - that she was main perpetrator in this plan.

So as not to face these unpleasant issues any longer, Marian decided not to give further thought to the matter for the time being. There was not much time for that anyway because, as the chauffeur had informed her by phone, Karl was already in the car on his way to her.

Karl took great pleasure in letting himself be chauffeured through his city. Not having to drive himself was something new for him. He saw things he never experienced when he drove himself. The chauffeur drove him in a quiet and dignified way through the streets of the city arriving at the gates of the excellent hotel just five minutes before the agreed time.

The hotel of course had several stars and other awards and was the temporary luxury home of royalty. A page standing at the entrance dressed in livery and a black top hat opened the car door. Karl’s chauffeur informed him subtly that Karl was a guest of Madame Rosso. He led Karl in a dignified way into the overwhelmingly large lobby where the concierge at the reception desk greeted him with the words, "Madame Rosso is awaiting you, Mr. Grosser, allow me to show you the way."

This meaningless chatter of the hotel staff was nothing new to Karl. Having attended some bank events, he knew how to behave and move around in such situations.

You had to react to the hotel employee’s pompous speech that is a remnant of the last century in an assured and sensitive way. These people recognize immediately whether you measure up to the situation or not.

The consequence of carelessness is that when you are arrogant, you end up being ostracized by the whole hotel. All the more because, from the staff’s point of view, generous tips are not to be expected. In these noble hotels, it is the hotel staff’s compulsory way of thinking that the holy halls should only be entered by the appropriate clientele. Getting out of the ostracism of the hotel staff is usually as an impossible task.

The hotel concierge moved elegantly through the hotel lobby and led Karl through the restaurant area towards a door marked "Private". When he opened the door, Karl entered a dining room that had the elegance of the '20s. Numerous silver candlesticks with lighted white candles, costly carpets, a great English fireplace and a dining table with seating for twelve gave the room that dignified something. It reminded you of a journey from the past century through to modern times. We are after all living in the year 2013 with internet and 3-D televisions.

Marian sat at the end of the long table and the concierge announced Karl’s arrival, "Madame, Mr. Grosser." Karl handed Marian the bouquet of flowers and a waiter appeared straight away carrying a large vase made of crystal glass.

At the same time, Karl noticed a man in a black suit standing at the back of the room. According to his stature and behavior, he could easily recognize him as being a bodyguard. My God, what kind of a theatrical performance will this evening be for Karl?

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.