I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

"What do you mean?" Matthias turned his head to look at him.

"I’m talking about the border policy." Werner lowered his voice. "Think about it. The inspections are getting stricter, and there are more and more rules. What does that tell you?"

Matthias frowned. "It means... the higher-ups are paying more and more attention to border control?"

"Exactly!" Werner tapped his fingers on the tabletop. "And I have a feeling this is just the beginning. There might be a big change in border policy."

"A big change?" Matthias’s voice was tinged with skepticism. "What kind of big change could there be?"

Werner took a deep breath and began his carefully prepared speech. "Look, the West’s propaganda offensive is getting more and more intense lately. Every day, East Germans are fleeing to the West. How could the Party and the government not be worried?"

This was no lie.

In East Germany, thousands of East Germans were fleeing to the West through Berlin every day. In the first half of this year alone, nearly 200,000 had escaped. The East German Government was indeed considering taking stricter measures.

Matthias nodded. "That’s true. At our checkpoint, we catch a few people trying to cross illegally every day."

"So think about it," Werner continued, guiding him. "If they really tighten border control, how important will those inspection posts become? A department that seems like a backwater now could become a key department very soon."

Matthias fell into deep thought.

"You mean..."

"I mean, if you go to that border inspection reserve unit now, there are fewer people and less competition. It’d be easy to snag a team leader position." Werner lowered his voice. "When the policy really does change, you’ll be part of the old guard. A promotion and a raise would be a matter of course, wouldn’t they?"

Matthias’s eyes lit up. "Now that you put it that way, it really does make sense."

"Besides," Werner continued, fanning the flames, "isn’t your current job getting harder and harder? Instead of just taking abuse here, you’d be better off switching sooner. If there really is a big move, you’ll already have a firm footing in the new department."

Matthias raised his glass, drained it in one gulp, and slammed it down on the table. "You’re right! Better to take the initiative than wait here to be dealt with."

Werner was inwardly pleased, but he put on a concerned expression. "You should still think it through, though. A transfer isn’t something to be taken lightly."

"I’ve made up my mind." Matthias stood up. "I’m applying for a transfer tomorrow. The border inspection reserve unit, right? It already sounds more promising than my current job."

"Then let me be the first to congratulate you on your promotion." Werner raised his glass.

The two men clinked their glasses. Matthias began to drink with even more gusto.

After a few more drinks, his tongue was loosened.

"Werner, did you know we’ve been doing some strange training lately?"

"What kind of training?" Werner asked, feigning indifference.

"Building temporary checkpoints, rapid street blockades, and nighttime patrol drills." Matthias shook his head. "They say it’s to deal with emergencies, but who knows what kind of emergencies?"

Werner felt a jolt.

’This training... it sounds a lot like preparations for building the Berlin Wall. It seems the gears of history have begun to turn.’

"That does sound unusual," Werner nodded. "All the more reason to believe my earlier judgment was correct. There’s definitely going to be a major adjustment to the border policy. Matthias, you might find yourself standing at a historical crossroads."

"If you say so, then it must be true." Matthias patted Werner’s shoulder. "Brother, you’ve got a good eye for these things. If you hadn’t tipped me off, I’d still be waiting around like a fool to get disciplined."

Werner smiled. "That’s what friends are for, helping each other out."

Just as he spoke, the tavern door was pushed open, and several men in border police uniforms walked in.

Matthias’s smile vanished instantly. He lowered his voice, "My colleagues. It’s best if they don’t see us talking."

"Of course." Werner nodded, stood up, and patted Matthias’s shoulder. "I have other business, so I’m heading out. Remember what I said. Opportunities like this are rare."

"Don’t worry, I know what to do," said Matthias. "I’ll buy you a drink some other time."

Werner walked out of the tavern. The night wind, carrying a slight chill, blew against his face. The streetlights stretched his shadow long, and the clanging of a distant tram could be heard.

He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

’The plan is going smoothly. Matthias, my pawn, will soon be in position. Once the Berlin Wall goes up, the border checkpoints will become one of the most important channels between East and West Berlin. At that time, with Matthias on the inside, my business will be able to proceed smoothly.’

*******************

6:00 PM, August 12, 1961

Time until border lockdown: 6 hours

Werner stood on the roof of a five-story abandoned textile factory and lit a cigarette.

The sun was setting, and all of East Berlin spread out beneath his feet like a carpet about to be torn in two.

"What’s coming is finally here." He blew out a smoke ring, gazing at the seemingly ordinary military trucks in the distance on Friedrichstrasse.

One, two, three... fully twice as many as usual.

Footsteps sounded from downstairs. Keller came up to the roof holding a ledger, a hesitant look on his face.

"Boss." Keller set the ledger aside, his brows furrowed. "Today’s cargo has been inventoried, and the profits from the foreign trade shop have been settled. But..."

Werner flicked away his cigarette butt and turned around. "But what?"

"A squad of army engineers showed up at the docks. Said they were there to repair the roads." Keller rubbed his chin. "Also, there’s a construction crew digging holes over at Potsdamer Platz. They say it’s to install streetlights. I just feel like... something’s not right."

Werner took a West German Mark coin from his pocket and spun it between his fingers. "Keller, the wheels of history have begun to turn."

"What does that mean?"

Werner tossed the coin in the air and caught it securely. "It means nobody sleeps tonight."

*********************

「Prenzlauer Berg District, East Berlin.」

Eva quietly pushed open the door to her son Hans’s room. The five-year-old boy was fast asleep, clutching a worn-out teddy bear.

Moonlight filtered through a crack in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on his innocent face.

She sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking her son’s forehead.

’If I leave tonight, what will happen to Hans? Should I take him with me? Or...’

"Mama?" Little Hans opened his eyes drowsily.

"It’s nothing, sweetie. Go back to sleep." Eva kissed his forehead gently.

Little Hans closed his eyes again.

Eva returned to the living room where her mother was knitting.

A while ago, she had moved her ailing mother into her apartment to take care of her.

Two bags sat by the sofa—a large leather suitcase packed with all their valuables, and a small canvas bag containing only a change of clothes and a small amount of money.

"Mama, I’m asking you one more time." Eva sat down next to her mother. "Come with me and Hans to West Berlin. There’s a better life there."

The old woman didn’t stop her knitting needles. "Eva, you’re talking nonsense again."

"It’s not nonsense!" Eva lowered her voice, not wanting to wake the child. "Werner said things here are going to change soon. If we don’t leave..."

"Change?" Her mother scoffed. "Child, I’ve lived for over fifty years. What changes haven’t I seen? War, famine, reconstruction... But this will always be my home. Your father is buried in the cemetery across the street. How could I leave him behind?"

"But Little Hans’s future..."

"Little Hans’s future is right here." The old woman’s tone was firm. "East Germany is a socialist country. The boy can get a free education here and become a useful member of society in the future. What does West Berlin have to offer besides decadent luxury?"

Eva fell silent. She knew there was no point in saying anything more.