“Most respectfully, I think they could be useful. The Rosen family has operated this business for many years, and they have done so more or less efficiently. I propose that we keep them on as employees. They will be even more efficient under my leadership.”
Globočnik seemed skeptical and raised his chin. “They are Jews. We can expect no loyalty. You will have to be watchful.”
“I can assure you that I will tolerate no laziness or inattention,” Maximilian said confidently. “Work will be done diligently and promptly under my supervision. Allow me to start filling orders for the project at Lindenstrasse at once.”
Globočnik nodded. “Very well. I am depending on you, Maximilian. Do not disappoint me.” The SS general slapped a crop against his leg and walked out the door.
Maximilian winked at Eli and Jakob and said, “You see, I told you that I would protect you.”
“Oh, we feel great,” Eli scoffed. “You just stole our business. What the hell is Lindenstrasse?”
“Oh, that’s the new name for Lipowa Street. The Nazis are clearing the old athletic fields and they’re going to build a labor camp there.”
“What sort of labor camp?”
“Well, they don’t tell me everything, Eli, but I’ve seen some plans. There will be several workshops and barracks for laborers. The workshops will produce products needed by the German army.”
“And where are they going to get the laborers for their workshops?”
“They don’t share every detail, but it doesn’t take much imagination to know that the only workers in this area are Lubliners. So I guess they will recruit workers from the city.”
“Recruit?”
Maximilian shrugged. “Poor choice of words. You know what I mean.” Then he turned and scampered after Globočnik.
“Over my dead body,” Eli said. “I will never work a minute for that scoundrel.”
The day’s exchange hung heavily on Jakob’s shoulders. For all of his adult life, he had run his business honestly and ethically, as had his father before him. Now it was Nazi-controlled and an instrument for building labor camps. He sighed. “Maximilian has no integrity, Eli, but our options are limited. For the time being, we will continue to operate the business as before. We will pray for better days.”
“Are we supposed to follow Maximilian’s orders? I cannot do that.”
“I doubt he’ll ever come around, except to drop off material requisitions or to collect his commissions.”
Eli’s jaw was set. “Papa, it’s time to get out. I mean leave Lublin. I’ve been talking to Esther, and we think things will only get worse. She wants to find a cottage somewhere in the countryside. Before they give us three hours to get out of our house, we think we should pack up and move out of Lublin altogether.”
“Where shall we go, Eli? A cottage in the country? How will we eat? How do we survive? And if we rely on provisions from some other occupied Polish city, how is that an improvement over what we have now? All of Poland is under occupation.”
“What if we all moved north to Lithuania or Latvia? The Kaplans moved to Lithuania.”
“The Kaplans have family in Kaunas. What is waiting for us in Lithuania, and what do we do when we get there? Do we have jobs, a business? How do we survive in Kaunas?”
“I will find work. There’s a large Jewish community in Kaunas.”
“Have you considered how you will make this journey to Kaunas, Eli? Certainly not on the roads. The Russian army crossed the Polish border a month ago and they are Germany’s ally. If you go north or east, you will run into them. No, son, as distasteful as it seems, it’s best if we carry on as before. As of right now, it is functionally still our brickyard. Maximilian cannot possibly run this business on his own. He needs us or he will fail, and you heard the ruthless Globočnik: failure is not an option. That is our leverage. We will use Maximilian as necessary to survive until things settle down.”
CHAPTER NINE
LUBLIN, POLAND
NOVEMBER 1939
WEEK 8 OF THE NAZI OCCUPATION
“Here,” Maximilian said as he handed a paper bag to Eli. “I have something for you.”
“What is this?” Eli said.
“Armbands,” Maximilian said flippantly. “I saved you a trip to city hall. There’s quite a line there now. In the bag are white armbands, one for each member of your family. Each band has a blue Jewish star, which has to be visible at all times. Whenever you go out, you must wear them.”
“For what reason?”
“The Nazis don’t give reasons; they give orders. If they catch you without the band, they’ll punish you. What’s the big deal, anyway? Wear the band; don’t cause any trouble. By the way, the Germans are charging Jews two zloty apiece for these armbands. I paid the bill for you when I picked them up. You’re welcome.”
“Who came up with this idea? Was it your buddy Globočnik?”
“Oh no, this order comes directly from Governor-General Hans Frank. He decreed that all Jews in Poland must wear the Star of David and all Jewish businesses must permanently display the star on the window.”
“For what purpose?”
Maximilian smirked. “I think you can figure it out. But be thankful that there will be no Star of David hanging over this brickyard, because it’s not a Jewish-owned business anymore, is it? Never underestimate the advantage of associating with Maximilian Poleski. You know, my mother always told me that we have royal blood. From the first Polish dynasty, no less. That’s why she named me Maximilian.”
“Oh, please.”
“Seriously. General Globočnik was impressed when I told him I had royal blood.”
Eli scoffed. “Let me bow deeply before you, your lordship. Then get the hell out of my brickyard.”
“My brickyard. We’ll need to change the Rosen and Sons sign. Repaint it ‘M. Poleski—Building and Construction Materials.’”
“Is that all? Can I get back to work?”
“Don’t be like that. I’m protecting your family. You still have jobs while many do not. In case you haven’t noticed, the SS is rounding up Jews, especially craftsmen and those with building skills, and sending them to Lipowa Street and other labor sites. You didn’t get rounded up, did you? Nobody in your family was dispatched to a work camp. You can thank me for that. Jewish houses in the nicer part of town are being confiscated and given over to SS officers. You, your father and your brother still have your homes. You could show a little gratitude.”
Eli did not hide his disdain. “Okay, Maximilian, I’m very, very grateful. Is that it?”
“Well, no it’s not. I have a couple more agenda items. Housekeeping items, they say. I need an office here at the brickyard. Louis doesn’t need his office; he’s rarely here. I’ll take that one.”
“Why on earth would you need an office? You don’t do any work.”
“How would it look if the owner of the brickyard didn’t even have an office? We must keep up appearances. And I want an office where I can conduct some of my private business.”
“What private business do you have, Maximilian?”