Susan 8

Col Cohen begins, "whatever sins US soldiers may engage in, not your worry, that's for US MP's. You would report by radio anything untoward you witness, but not intervene."
I nod.
"The German civilian police have identified a serious lack and been badgering us for some time. That is, police themselves will be kept quite busy near to their stations. What is needed is auxiliary patrols by vehicle of rural and village areas. Highly unlikely you'd encounter real firearms - gun control is very strict here. Likely you could trip over homemade weaponry. Everything from settling old grudges to killing gays to burning down the nearest mosque or synagogue is likely to come out of the closet and fast. Now tell me, is that in keeping with the role you seek?"
It's a stroke of good fortune. I've been given an A list, a dozen items in no particular order of desirability. If anything on the A list shows, I'm to go for it and vigorously. If not, stall for time by getting every picayune detail approved by Gen Strasser.
I smile, "yes Ari, we can do business."
"Good, now the President himself has authorized this option. That secret will remain between you and me. For obvious reasons, the dangers of groupthink. If it became known Mr P was for, then any objections - perhaps valid - would vanish. The Bay of Pigs fiasco started in exactly that way.
"So Job One, cooperation of the Police Chief in Ulm. Job Two, a majority consensus among US officers on nearby bases."
And so the Col and I are ushered into the Chief's office. Negotiations are carried out entirely in German. Ari's is flawless, mine a whole lot better after that one-on-one instruction in the Crystal Palace.
The Chief is absolutely delighted to find someone finally addressing his concerns. Even more so discovering the job is to be done by Canadians.
With ridiculous ease we walk out with his written endorsement of our overall plan.
After the adrenalin buzz of achievement fades, I face an ethical issue. I clearly benefitted from the general prejudices here. First, the overpolite reaction to Jews, a hangover of past events. Second, the reputation of Canadians as opposed to Americans.
After much thought, I dismiss all this. We didn't cheat the Chief out of anything; two-sided transaction: he benefits and so do we.
The Col and I practise our presentation skills. He will start by introducing me and the cultural background. That is, US officers have every right to feel it is too small a contribution to make. However, that's all there is, the real question is how to make best use of it.
We will be attending officer meetings on a dozen bases. At each, a vote will be held. If overall 60% of US officers present vote to accept, it's a go.
If not, we'll try Plan B.
I ask Ari, "wouldn't it be a timesaver to present Plans A and B at the same time?"
Easy laugh, "now there is proof positive of being a rookie. Three times as much debate and then split the vote. We'd never manage to get a consensus."
I laugh.
He winks, "you'll soon see, these people are a lot more fractious than that publishing crowd you're used to."
We both laugh.