The Lion of Dusseldorf (COMPLETED)

Kapitel 7: Kampagne

September 1, 1930

Dusseldorf, Germany

Marcus was the lead candidate for the Union alliance (Zentrum and Bavarian People's Party) in the upcoming Reichstag general election on the 14th of September. He was leading the Union Alliance's list. They fielded twenty-one candidates for this election. The Union (all of them came from the Zentrum party) candidates came from various sectors of society – men, women, youth, veterans, and the workers. They were posting their campaign posters on posts and walls. Their candidates also gave leaflets to the town center in Dusseldorf. Some people were looking at them. Some were keeping their leaflets. Some were throwing their campaign leaflets, and some refused to get them. The town center was one of the busiest places in Dusseldorf.

Since he became a Reichstag candidate, Marcus was replaced by Wilhelm as the new party spokesperson on an interim basis until the election result. Despite lacking Marcus' charm, Wilhelm had the bravery to face the journalists and the confidence to answer their questions. It was now a bit cloudy, with temperatures colder than the July heat, when Reich Chancellor Bruning called a snap election.

After posting their campaign posters and giving leaflets, they stopped by a cafeteria to replenish their energy. They ate bread and cold water from the cafeteria. Thankfully, Lottie gave them enough money for their needs. After eating their bread, they went out of the cafeteria. Upon exiting the cafeteria, they met with the Communist Party candidates. One cadre of the Communists shouted, "bourgeoisie lapdogs," at them.

"Terrorist!" Marcus shouted at them. He bid his fellow candidates to leave the cafeteria and meet at their usual spot. Half of his candidates did so, while the remaining half stayed with him.

"Fascist!" said another cadre.

"Leninist boot licker!" said another Union candidate.

Marcus ordered his remaining fellow candidates to go to their meeting spot. The two parties started to exchange tirades while walking. Marcus walked to another corner. He walked, and he saw his fellow party members and fellow candidates exchanging tirades with the fascists. Fortunately, it was another word war between the Catholic candidates and the fascists.

"Fascist!" said another Union candidate.

"Jewish puppet!" said the Nazi candidate.

Marcus called on the attention of his fellow candidates to set up two chairs in front of them. His fellow candidates stopped bickering the fascists as they talked to the owners of the nearby establishments to let them borrow their two chairs. The spot was the busiest in Dusseldorf, so Marcus will use his charm to explain the campaign promises of the Union. While he was giving a speech, the other ten candidates less likely to be elected were giving leaflets and posting campaign posters around Dusseldorf. The remaining ten candidates were with him, giving leaflets while he spoke.

When Marcus saw the two chairs before him, he stood on them and used them. It was now time for him to campaign. He started his campaign with the usual vigor. He brought up a leaflet as a guide to tell the people of Dusseldorf their plans to revive Germany from its seeming spiral into economic collapse. At first, people were listening to him, then left. Then, some women looked at him like a dog waiting for a treat. Then, the mothers followed with children clinging to their hands. Then, the busy street was filled with a lot of people. Most of them are women. When a Nazi heckled Marcus during his speech, the women around the Nazi beat him and dragged him. There was a commotion. Marcus looked at his fellow candidates. They were also shocked at what happened. Soon, he saw the numerous police surrounding the area. With that, he felt calm. He continued speaking and explaining to the people their campaign promises. Marcus used his charm and made some jokes here and there. The audience laughed. Marcus smiled at that. At that moment, he felt that, at least, he had alleviated the people's challenges by a bit. Even at that moment only.