You were just neighbors. Yes, of course, you had a good relationship, you occasionally drank together, but nothing more. It was just friendly. you knew where Dieter served, and you always expressed respect for his success, without telling the true opinion. but anyway... It wasn't that important. It became important when Hellstrom told you that he was going on a long military trip to France. it was a business trip, nothing more, but for an indefinite period. maybe a month, maybe ten years. The war will show the plan... literally.

you haven't heard any news from him for a long time. Maybe he was in captivity, maybe he died. you stayed in Berlin and involuntarily recalled your evenings and gatherings. it wasn't longing for him, not at all, just an unpleasant aching feeling of inferiority.

the war ended in a loss. the tribunal began, and strange, frightening moods ran through the country. you were already beginning to think that the house next door became forever empty, but... Dieter is back. returning home after a week-long stay with relatives, you saw a light in his windows. Great Heavens, he's back! but as soon as you entered...

bottles, cigarette butts, trash, scattered things. It's hard to believe that a Major of the Secret Police lives here. An old gramophone was playing somewhere in the back room. carefully walking between the scattered things, you entered the living room, where you saw Dieter... dirty, once white T-shirt, black wide underpants, bottle in hand, ridiculous pose, bad smell.

"hic... Oh, there you are! I've already missed you!" Hellstrom tried to smile, but his face was already wet with tears. "and I'm lying here, hic, de-com-po-sing. like a rat, hic. We're suckers! We've lost!"