'52

Revolution

"So you were probably taught what they want you to know. That Germany and Japan fought a war for freedom and conquered europe and north america. Leaving the rest of the land free for the nations who didnt join the war with the allies." I nod in agreement that that was what they taught me. "It was never like this, monty. I fought with the French resistance when mussolini, our fascist dictator, took over. I saw horrible things and learned what they were doing to the unfortunate. It is not forgiveable."

I grit my teeth at this point. I lean in close and listen to the next sentence. One that shocked me.

"Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, disabled people and blacks. Thrown on a train to poland. Never to be seen again in the 'work' camps. I had a Russian friend, Monty, he was a communist working in warsaw in 1940." He breaks out in tears all of a sudden and i try and show him compassion by giving him a swig of my whiskey from my small metal bottle in my pocket.

Id never seen mario cry. He was a tough son of a bitch who lead rebellions against almost every corrupt govenment. But he had never told me that his family were Gypsies living in Turin, italy. That his family were captured by the infamous SS officers while he was in Warsaw. His friend, Ivan the communist, had seen the trains go in and out everyday overspilling with the limbs of the near dead. To reach their fate deep in the Polish countryside.

"This was the Holocaust. They hid this from us, like they hid the warcrimes they did in France, and the fact that they had invaded Poland and France first." He passes me a ciggarette and i try to light it with my matches. "Lemme see those..." I pass the now more composed Mario the box. "1951. Theyre a year out of date. Here, have mine" he pulls out a pack of '555' cigarettes and a box of swan vestas. "Almost feels like home, you like british stuff?" He laughs wiping his forehead and eyes with his favourite cloth. "They make the best quality stuff. Spitfires! Enfields! I mean, i love Italian stuff but it is always a breaking yes? British stuff... well its special, it makes you feel good just like the Italian stuff, but it gets the job done eh? Kinda like you Monty you know!"

"I wouldnt count on it..." i interrupt
"Look. This revolution needs a leader. Someone with brains and who isnt afraid to break rules. That took guts to come and find me! a book thief, a revolutionary and now your 2nd in command! We need you. Monty. Take this..." he hands me a Luger pistol and stands back. "That suits you, be careful with that. I suppose you fired one before?" I reply with a nod and bewildered i look around at the vast amounts if weapons.

"We have groups everywhere. This is HQ. Not much at the moment but with 18 men and women working for us it cant be that hard to up our game. We have ties to Moscow, Warsaw, Paris, Rome, London and Vienna. Its brilliant!" He adds
"This is a stupid idea. But i have to agree with you. Ill do it."
He stares at me blankly with amazement. They had a leader and i was it. I was actually doing this now. I couldnt believe it. I was afraid and scared but happy and ready.

"Where do we start?" I say boldly.
"We build, steal and beg our way into weapons, We gain trust in people, we spark a Rebolution. That kinda stuff. Its all a game but when you get it wrong. You die!" He laughs as i put my hands in my pocket in discomfort.

"Theres a Nazi parade in the market in three days. We use incendary explosives and burn their little show. We need you there."
And with that, i left for home to think it over.

This was a Revolution. And i was leading it...