Episode 13. Late Saturday night. 1 August 1936.
It worked. Goebbels had gone for it! He sent for me right after the nude tableaux.
I dressed quickly ... donning silk stockings, black underthings and my little beaded black dress ... fussed with my face and hair in the mirror. And then after looking around to make sure that no one was watching, I took my handbag from the dresser drawer, opened it and used a nail file to slit the lining just enough to withdraw the tiny glass vial hidden there.
Ready, I stood up and confidently strode out of the dressing room, the vial hidden in the palm of my hand. Some of the girls glanced at me knowingly ... word of Goebbel's note sure got around fast, I thought. One of them laughed and rolled her eyes when I looked at her.
Katrin, who was standing near the doorway, stopped me to say, "The way out to the main floor is down the hall to the left. Remember, Barbara, the call him "the Ram". Be careful!"
I took in her serious expression ... the tightened little smile lines on either side of her mouth ... grinned, gave her a wink, and following her directions, made my way to the main floor, stopping just short of entering to take in the scene. The main floor of the Apollo was filled with round tables, covered with white tablecloths and arranged to view the stage. Each had a placard with a number stenciled on it and seated about half a dozen patrons.
It was between shows, so the place buzzed with activity, conversation, and laughter. Waiters moved around the room taking orders for drinks. A thick blue haze of tobacco smoke hung over everything.
Goebbels sat at 'Tisch 5', just as Katrin had told me. I recognized his thin face from photos I had seen ... a small thin man, dressed this evening in a plain brown suit with a small swastika pin in the lapel. I walked in his direction. He spotted me immediately and stood up ... beckoning me to come over.
"Ahh Fräulein Moore, please join us," he said, rising to his feet, bowing stiffly, and gallantly guiding me by the arm to the vacant chair next to his.
"Max told me about you, and I must compliment you on your part up on stage ... I couldn't take my eyes off you the whole time you were up there. You have a wonderful body and presence. We really should talk about a film career for you here in Berlin."
"Thank you Dr. Goebbels. I am flattered and so excited to meet you. This is a dream come true for me. Perhaps dear Max also told you I am here in Berlin to study modern German art and literature and I can't wait to ask your views on the subject!"
"Marvelous! We must talk! Perhaps later, after the second show, in my private party chamber backstage?"
Noticeably dragging his club foot, he passed around behind my chair to help seat me, then proceeded to introduce me to the other men at the table, each of whom welcomed me politely. Then much to my surprise and chagrin, the vacant seat next to me was filled by none other than Horst von Hassel!!!
With pleasantries dispensed with, Goebbels and I conversed. He was enjoying himself, talking animatedly about his central role in shaping German culture and the arts in this new era of German national purification and ascendancy. The other men at the table appeared bored to death, as was I, although I took care not to show it. Covertly stealing a glance around the floor, I spotted Klaus sitting alone at a back table. He nodded at me.
Then the second show started, bringing conversation to a close. The lights dimmed and the room darkened. A comedian appeared on stage and launched into his monologue. Within minutes Goebbels had placed a hand on my knee. Leaning close while the audience was laughing, he whispered in my ear, "later tonight."
I smiled. He slid his hand up my thigh, and kissed me on the neck. I tittered. He promptly moved his hand all the way up my thigh. A woman appeared on stage to sing. The audience applauded. His hand pressed home. I tried not to squirm as he slid an over-active finger under the edge of the front panel of my panties. The guy certainly was not wasting any time!
Then someone came to the table ... an earnest-looking young SS officer. Tapping Goebbels on the shoulder, he handed him a message, distracting him.
I saw my chance. I broke open the vial by crushing it in my hand, and surreptitiously reached out over Goebbel's glass. I was just about to dump the contents of the vial into his drink when my wrist was caught in the iron clamp of a man's hand!
I gasped and looked up into the face of Horst von Hassel!