Episode 8: Fodor's Guide to Berlin, Chapter 2

The seasoned traveler knows that even the best laid plans often go astray. If you travel long enough, delays and disruptions are inevitable. Inclement weather can cancel a flight, cars and buses break down, trains are delayed, and workers go on strike. Your luggage may be lost, and you might need to get yourself somewhere quickly and be unable. All this may lead you to find yourself stranded in a foreign land, not speaking the language, with no means of escape.

Jeane, are you just gonna stare out the window all morning? Or help us come up with a plan to escape?

I just can't believe I've locked down all of East Berlin.

That I have no trouble believing, but building a wall to cage us in like animals, shameful.

Flost is gonna be worried sick.

News of the lockdown must have already reached her, so at least she knows why you haven't returned.

That won't be good enough for my wife. I won't be surprised if she tries to tear down the wall herself. If I don't get word to her soon, Martin.

Will be all over this. He'll make sure she's taken care of.

But for how long?

Hopefully not long?

This is all my fault. Perhaps I should try to head home.

We came here to help you and your nephew escape. We will still find a way out for all of us.

That's right. No more sitting around here feeling sorry for ourselves.

The city is shut down, roads and checkpoints closed, trains have stopped running. They are literally building a wall.

And the National People's Army and combat groups of the working class soldiers are guarding the construction, with orders to shoot anyone who attempts to defect. So we need a new plan.

How long are we savi you?

This safe house won't be compromised, But the longer we're here, the harder it will be to cross the border. Every hour that passes means more walls, more land mines, and more guards.

Would it be foolish to assume there was a plan B?

Well, there was a plan BC and D, but this wall has thrown out the whole alphabet.

Are there any papers you can think of that could help? I could make whatever needed.

I'm not sure of it. Huh. That does make me think I have a contact here in the east, a black marketer who we've used before to help move things.

Is he good enough to help move us?

I'm gonna find him and find out where does he live? Prince Lauerberg, I'll go check it out and be back in half an hour.

We'll go with you.

With Javago being hunted, it's best I go alone. I don't want to draw any attention with a group.

If you insist, be safe, I'm sure she'll be back soon. We'll just sit tight.

Do you know Elvis?

Her photo be Elvis?

Yes?

The King My uncle said you were famous, have your own books with your name on it. I thought you might know Elvis, since he's famous too.

I never met the man, but I've been to Memphis, where he's from. Great barbecue and blues music.

Listening to Elvis was al Mattia's firstly in English. Now he reads and listens to anything he can get his hands on. He even fixed his transistor at home to buy it Western Radio.

It's a great way to learn. I used to pretend to be sick so I could read all the magazines in the doctor's office.

My uncle is to me about how you get to travel as the world for work. This is what I wish to do.

I want to see end on everything, not be trapped in a country behind a.

Vall after he goes to university.

Of course, of course, please tell me more about America, hairfo door. What to expect in America.

For an avid learner like yourself, Just be prepared for the multitude of choice. I was almost overwhelmed when I first arrived. Public libraries, outdoor performances of music, movies, theater, all derived from the beauty of free speech.

Incredible, and you can criticize the government openly.

If you so choose. But most importantly, if you have a dream, you can make it happen. If you work hard enough, you can realize it. Anything can be possible.

This is what my uncle told me. But it's great to hear it's true.

And I know better than most. I was born in Hungary, but have made America my home by choice. Really how I first left my home country for France to study in Paris at the Sorbonne. That's when I first saw a small piece of the world and knew I wanted more. And the more I saw, the more I wanted to tell people about it. People who travel, yes, but also people like me and you who grew up in our corners of the world yearning for more.

That's very admirable, gene and naive.

I thought that when you meet people from different cultures, it's extremely hard to start a war. That I could help change things.

But of course woy is what always happens.

Yes, I was in the United States promoting my guide book when I learned of the Munich Pact. I was so outraged that I cabled the magazine office in London, where I was employed, and told him I was staying put. I vowed to never return to Europe except in uniform, a promise I made good on when I joined the U S Army in nineteen forty two.

Was it difficult to fight for countries? Is it not to own?

Ah?

But that's exactly how it became mine. It wasn't because of birth. It was a choice. I believed in what the US stood for, what it was fighting for. It was a marriage of sorts, and much like my marriage to my wife, it is a decision I've never regretted.

I hope one day to make the same choice.

I hope we give you the opportunity.

Thank you, Jean, thank you.

That must be Rebecca Good and tag youngs. You startled us.

That's the vibe of the whole city. Nervous citizens are filling the streets, and the checkpoints are heavily guarded. I feared as much, but I was able to reach my contact, Ziggy, and he's going to help.

Oh that's great news.

He runs a small car repair shop in Mitta. We're going to relocate there and he'll smuggle us out.

You're sure it's safe.

Well, it's the best option we have. Everyone, grab your things, we won't be returning here, Ziggy. I returned. Hello, Rebecca, come to the back, Siggy. This is my colleague Jeene and our friends.

Pleased to meet you. Crazy day, no Soviet it's always liked to build falls and destroy bridges.

Bad for business. Thank you for helping us, ah, but.

We all help each other.

I get sings in, I get sings out.

I do not ask what.

I only tell you. The cost, which they must tell you, has just sent up much likes of all that is being built.

Of course, See, we don't have a lot of money on us, but I promise to keep you fully supplied with denim jeans and rock fine.

Oh, I do love the Levi's.

And they fetch a pretty penny with the coms.

And like you said, prices just went up.

True, true, okay, so as long as the delivery is big, you have a deal.

But I've on you.

All my usual routes have been closed. The only one left open is checkpoint Charlie.

Can you get us through it?

This this new high security. A normal smuggler would say it is madness. But Ziggy is best smuggler in the world, and Ziggy has an idea.

Some might say crazy.

I say genius.

You see this family automobile right here, A traby that says Schweinschlager family volks band on the side.

Yeah.

So last month I help a folk music band escape to the Vest. They saw a brighter future there for their music. But to escape they could only bring what they could carry, so they sold the rest to me at the fair price, of course, instruments, costumes, even their trusty tour of.

The uncle here.

Nothing trusty about it, Trovi.

I'm leaning toward crazy here.

No, it's genius.

I tell you, sees this flyer here. A Volks music festival, the biggest in Germany, happened yesterday here in the east, in Margdeburg.

I was going to.

Sell my new acquisitions, but I had a little too much to drink the night before and overslept. Whoopsie, only my hangover is your benefit?

Yep, definitely crazy.

No, don't you see these bands from the Vest. There are many, and they all want to get home. I sell you instruments, costumes, everything, and you travel to the Vest as a family band.

That's absurd, Rebecca, We're wasting time here.

It is absurd.

But they aren't looking for a family, and hiding in a crowd does make sense.

I even have papers for you.

Let me see those, these passports, as Heiser. But I can fix them. It won't take long, and I can.

I think it's fallen through a party in the county jail.

Like Elvis, It's actually not so crazy. We can all speak German enough to get by, and if the checkpoint is overwhelmed, I doubt they have time to ask us to audition. Frankly, it's the best option we have. And the clock is.

Ticking all right, I guess if the later Hosen fits wear it. Though much of Germany can resemble the modern world, they have their own distinct tastes in music, food, and fashion, all of which they take great pride in. For example, in fashion, there is the male outfit of led Josen that may defy logic but remain the life of the party. Imagine leather shorts with suspenders, accompanied by a blouse, knee

Whoa nice legs, Jean?

Don't objectify me in my later hosan at least your derndal seems to fit.

Unfortunately, I'm not quite as booksome as this wardrobe requires. I just stuff my bra to get all this cleavage.

Oh wow, don't you both look fantastic. Hear the completed West German passports. I must say I'm proud of my own handiwork. Please note the German names and commits him to memory. Where's Mattias? He's working on Zika with Ziggy. Come this way, Oh go, I think I fixed it. Give it a try.

It might not be roomy or reliable, but it will get you across the finish line. I assure you.

Where will we put the instruments? They won't fit on our laps.

Stuff them in the trunk.

Whatever you say, I'll drive in case we get stopped the ab sheet Ziggy, thank you for the help. Good luck.

I look forward to my airlift of Levice.

You have my word.

If you are renting a car on vacation, try to avoid the Trabant. One of the shittiest cars in automotive history, the Trabant was first produced in nineteen fifty seven by an East German car manufacturer. It features a duroplast body on a one piece steel chassis, front wheel drive, a transverse two stroke engine, and independent suspension. For those who don't speak car, none of these elements make for a very road worthy vehicle, hence its well earned reputation as

Gene, watch out, Stasi police car up ahead?

Shit, everyone, get down on the floor. What do I do?

Just keep your hands on the wheel and look straight ahead.

I know, I know, we're passing them.

What's the police car driver doing?

Shit? He's pulling out and following us. What should I do?

Keep calm? We don't know if he's onto us yet. Don't want to tip him off.

What if your friend, Zuki you got a better offer to sell us out?

He wouldn't risk it.

I don't know. His only loyalty seemed to be to cash.

I'm sure as the Soviets have put a pretty big bounty on my.

Head, then make sure you keep your head down.

There's a stop light coming up ahead as he's still following. Yes, they're pulling up beside us. Keep very still.

Okay, I'm going to ask you a few questions.

Hum.

If the answer is yes, stay silent. If no, do not look like you were talking to yourself. Is there just one police car? Is he looking at you?

Hm?

Does he have both hands on the wheel just one hand on the wheel?

Hmm?

Okay? What are you doing making sure we're prepared?

Why did you get that gun?

Sickie really loves his leviys gene. When you hear a gunshot, drive like hell.

Hold on, everyone, okay, just drive, I'm done.

What are you doing? I said, drive? I'm dating on a phone.

I am is as fast as it goes.

Hold on, are you going?

You can't outrun them in this piece of crap, but maybe we can lose them. Damn it, they made the turn. It's one way down this alley because.

I've only got one bullet left. Hold it steady. I shut their tire.

Wow, that was like John Vayne.

Nice work. But now what are covers more blow than their tire?

We need a new place to hide in a new plan fast.

I know a place by Zarriva, very close an old abandoned Soviet shipyard would be safe point the way.

The river Spree might sound small, especially as it is often viewed in comparison to the enormous Rhine River of Germont, but the Spree is nothing to be sniffed. At approximately four hundred kilometers in length, it flows through the Saxony, Brandenburg and Berlin states of Germany before cutting into the Czech Republic. In Berlin, the Spree was where the original center of Berlin was built and now holds many of its greatest attractions, such as Museum Island, where one can

You know, Jane, you stare at a river like I used to as a boy. Back then, this time of year, the Spree would be filled with swimmers. Now it's illegal and you'd only get shot.

Hopefully it's not that way forever.

A riven never stays the Sames they say.

Nope, can never step into the same river twice.

I want to thank you, Jean for risking your life to save us. You are more like your father than justin looks. He would be very very proud.

Honestly, I don't know what to think about my father right now. Humh For so long I thought he was dead. I grieved him and made my peace with it. But now not only do I learn he's alive, but that he's been helping the Soviets for years. If it's true, it betrays everything I believed for so long.

I can tell you from experience, many men are forced to make opromises. Only they can know the whole truth. I suppose, but I know this, he is still the man that you think he is.

How can you be sure?

Because I know he tried to escape to the Vest. He had me make him a passport.

What are you doing?

I've kept it in the lining of my coat to give to you when we crossed. But there's no need to wait.

Here. My God, it's really him. I haven't seen him in so many years.

That photo is a few years old now, but I'm sure he hasn't changed.

Happened to him?

Za KGB took him in the night before I could give it to him, No Chavai. Maybe they had heard of his plans, Maybe they just needed him for theirs. When Martin told me you would be my escort across, I thought I'd give it to you. Hopefully you'll meet him again before I do. For me, most likely in the next life, but please keep it for him and, with luck, one day put it to use.

Thank you. Hopefully one day we're all together toasting to Mattais's graduation. What is this in the passport? A postcard?

It's the last message I received from your father.

There's no message or address, only a quote from a certain point onward. There's no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached.

I wasn't sure what it meant, but I recognized his pathfinder signature, so I knew it was your father. Thus I knew it must mean something.

It's a Franz Coffka quote, Ka ka kafka. He must be in Prague.

You two do think alike. You know I have more passports in my coat lining. I was saving them to use his leverage once we were in the West. But in case something happens to me while we are trying to escape, I want you to have them, Jeane. These men are extremely dangerous.

Then Rebecca is the safest choice to hang on to them. Plus it earns you bonus points with the CIA.

Rebecca, you boys have our plans se figured out yet.

Still working on it. But in the meantime, I want.

You to have zies.

Three French passports for men. I doubt we can use them.

No, they're for French radicals in a secret group called Vier talmejour. They think they're being funded and supported by the OAS, but it's really the KGB using them as assassins for their own communist agenda.

Assassins in France. Do you know the target?

President Charles Dago?

Shit?

Shit? How long do we have?

I made the original passports three weeks.

Ago, which means they're probably safely in Paris and prepping for the mission.

It also means we have even more urgency to get across and get these photos into the proper hands. We need a plan and now the.

Reality is after the shootout, the Stasse will be looking for us and the car. The border will be on even more high alert than it was. There's no slipping through anymore, no matter how good the forged passports are.

You're right, we need a direct approach.

You said, Checkpoint Charlie is the only exit point. Do you know how it's laid out?

There is a gate and a guard station with multiple soldiers.

What kind of gate?

A raised arm?

How tall?

And I have no clue.

Geane, what are you thinking.

I'm thinking that if we can't get over or around the gate, maybe we can go through it, or rather under it.

Hmm. The Trobby would never fit underneath the gate, not as it is.

But what about without our roof and windshield?

You're serious?

We'd have to wait until late when there's no traffic, create a distraction, and hopefully zoom right under while the guards aren't looking. Of course they'll notice soon enough, but hopefully we'll be on western soil before they can do anything about it.

It's crazy, but it just might work.

It's not like we have any other options, but it is a risk.

The tools in the ship I can alter the car, take off the roofs of ndshield.

I'm good with mechanics.

That's great, Matisas.

I can even use.

Some of the scrap metal in the shipyard to reinforce the trunk in case the soldiers shoot at us.

Good thinking, my boy.

Now we just need a good distraction.

I've got an idea for that. See those pro pane tanks. They're mostly empty, but put them all together and light them up and they would make one hell of a distraction.

I'll help you stack them.

Great, let's get to work.

You boys get started and I'll be back as soon as possible.

Where are you going to.

Do some recon at checkpoint? Charlie and check the height of the gate. Seems pretty important for.

Your plan by yourself in that dress.

Might as well put this darndal to good use. Mattias, pass me a piece of that charcoal?

And what is that for?

A lady never reveals her secrets. I'll be the saying.

That's the last one. Should be enough to create an explosion that gets everyone's attention.

And at this distance no other buildings will get damaged while people hurt.

I've got over here too, Uncle, it's the cars ready.

Looks like you boys have been busy. The car actually looks better without the roof and windshield.

You're back.

What did you learn about the checkpoint?

I learned that a girl in a dirndl can get away with about anything in this place. See the black line on the back of my leg, that's the height of the bottom of the gate. I drew it on there while I was asking the guard directions to Alexander Platz. It was amazing to see how many guards wanted to help impressive as always, but don't be fooled. It is well guarded and heavily armed, and the shift changes at the top of the hour.

That's in twenty minutes.

No time like the present.

Then, Rebecca, come stand over here please so we can measure.

Please tell me you've shrunk, because otherwise the car is still too tall by a couple of inches.

Shiser, this won't fit.

What the hell are we going to do?

I've got it. You didn't shrink, But we can shrink the car. What do you mean. Watch if we release some pressure in these tires, we can lower the height. It'll be close.

I can do this fun for me too.

That's enough. Still needs to be drivable, Rebecca, measure again, got it by a kneecap.

We should just be able to make it under, hopefully.

With our heads intact. Is the diversion ready to We.

Stacked all the propane tanks and collected all the oily rags and flammable materials. It will make a beautiful bonfire with an explosion large enough to draw everyone's attention here to the shipyard and away from the gate.

Then let's pack it in and light it up. I'll drive this time.

Checkpoint Charlie is a crossing point in the Berlin Wall, located at the junction of friedrich Strasse, Ziemerstrasse and Mauerstrasse, which coincidentally means wall street. Checkpoint Charlie was originally designed as the single crossing point on foot or by car for all foreigners and members of the Allied forces between East and West Germany. The name Charlie comes from the

Okay, everyone, stay on the floorboards, keep your heads down, and the blankets and cushions over you for protection. Yes, and almost time for the shift change. Why haven't the tanks exploded yet?

Maybe there wasn't enough gas left in them after all.

Damn it, they're changing shifts. It's now or never. What do we do?

Just go for it?

All right, stay low and hold on. Here goes nothing.

For it?

I am. It's got like three horsepower?

How far are we?

Three hundred yards to the checkpoint? I'm killing the likes so they don't see us two hundred yards? Shit, shit, I think they've spotted us one hundred. Yeah, our diversion is working. They don't see us.

First saw horse up ahead, hold on, day ahead, Here goes nothing good.

We're through. We made it, is everyone okay?

Besides a haircut from that gate arm, I think we're all good.

Why is they not shooting? Because they can't anymore? My boy, Via in's a vest.

That's right, Mattias. You're free to.

Save whatever I want?

Is that case? I love alb I love America.

Great sit down, now that we have that settled, Rebecca, can you please take me to the hotel. The stassy may not have killed me, but Vlosta certainly will.

Yes, sir, one last trabby tour.

Jean.

Is that you?

Hi, darling. I'm so sorry. You must have been worried, sick at.

The phone to the embassy all day until Martin told me you were safe. He said the East Germans canceled your visas and he had to get new ones issued.

It was one of the craziest twenty four hours of my life. But this is one instance where I am truly proud to be an American.

Yes, what a waste with that wall. They sure won't be getting many.

Tourists and that's for certain. Go back to sleep. I'll join you soon.

Good night, my love.

It's like cappuccino afforl though Doncazette.

Woods in Morgan. Jean is one of those coffees for me.

I'm bringing them up to Vlasta, so anything you have to say better be quick before these get cold.

I just wanted to let you know that Jevago and Matteias made it safely to the US Embassy are in good hands.

I'm very happy to hear that. Thank you. Did you also tell Martin about my father and Prague.

I did, but he said that all of that is going to have to wait. First. He needs us to transport those passport photos of the French assassins from Jevago to Paris immediately, of course he does. The murder of Charles de Gaul would threaten peace in Algeria and the very existence of NATO itself, which is exactly what the Soviets.

Want, and we certainly can't let that happen. So when do we leave?

The plane departs at noon?

Oh boy, then I guess I better tell Vlasta to drink this fast.

I'll see you at the airport.

Alfas in Berlin.

Bonjour, Pelli.

Fodor's Guide to Espionage is created by Lars Jacobson, written by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jaglain, and directed by Sabrina Jacklain, produced by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jaguline, and executive produced