Konrad's New Receptionist

"I can assure you Herr General I will get on it at once." Kommandant Konrad Aufswade said into the phone, his voice shaking. As he listened to the reply on the other end, a young woman entered the building.

"No, no. I will be thorough... Yes... I understand." with that he put the phone down, now visible sweating. That was when he noticed the woman, now standing at the desk. He stood. "Yes, how can I help?" he said as calm as can be.

"Kommandant Aufswade correct? Emma Heinzberg." She said.

"Heinzberg. Heinzberg? Oh yes, Miss Heinzberg, you called in for the receptionist job."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." she replied.

"At last someone finally came in. All these phone calls, half of them absolute rubbish. I was starting to lose my mind. Welcome. Normally I would interview you, but I have things to do." he said, picking up a pile of papers. Then he stopped for a moment.

"You would not happen to be a man?" he said. Emma looked at him very confused.

"No, Herr Kommandant, why."

"Because the last receptionist I had turned out to be a man. I only found out after a full year. What made it worse was he spat in my coffee every morning and kept strange photos of the Führer in the desk drawer; it was unsettling."

"No need to worry Herr, Kommandant. I won't do such things."

"Good." he said half relieved. "Like I said, I'm busy today, so I'll let you work the day. Do a good job, it's yours, mess up... Honestly I'm so desperate you might still get it."

With that he turned towards his office. Emma sat down behind the desk as he went into his office, only to come straight out.

"One last thing Miss Heinzberg." he said, placing a photo down on the desk. "Take a look at this man." She looked at it; it was of a man with a cunning, almost mischievous smile. His British Commando's hat on, slightly skewed to the left. "Handsome, isn't he?" He asked. Emma looked from the photo to Konrad and gave a small nod. "He's also cunning, sly, a master of disguise and has been the pain in my bottom for the last year and a half." Konrad added.

"Why?" Emma asked.

"This man has been making my life difficult since this war ended. Sabotage, stealing documents among other things. His name is Hogan Hutch and should he step one foot in here I want you to apprehend him." he then placed a Walther P38 on the desk. "With force if need be."

Emma, a little shocked, just nodded.

"Good. I'll be in my office if you need me." Konrad smiled before going into his office and shutting the door.

Emma slipped the gun under the desk and began trying to tidy it a bit. She had just finished stacking papers when a man walked in, keeping his head down and going over to one of the walls. He looked at the painting that hung there, one of the Führer himself; Adolf Hitler. But he kept glancing at Emma, who had noticed his strange behavior.

"He looks better in this painting than real life, doesn't he?" the man said, in a British accent, turning to face her. "You are a new face here, what's your name?" he asked, flashing a cunning smile.

"Emma Heinzberg. I'm the Kommandant's new receptionist. Is there anything..." she suddenly recognized him and scrambled to her feet. "You... you are him, don't move." she said, though not sure how he would respond.

Hogan just chuckled. "What did he tell you about me?"

"That I am to apprehend you by any means necessary..." she said, pulling out the gun with a shaky hand. Hogan looked at her directly in the eye. It was all the assurance he needed; she could not bring herself to pull that trigger. Emma came around the desk, gun pointing at him. Hogan didn't flinch.

"Is that supposed to scare me sweetheart? Listen, I mean you no harm. I just want to see the Kommandant."

"No way." she said.

"Don't make me do this." he said. Emma felt a drop of fear run through her; what was he going to do. Carefully, Hogan raised his hands and stepped towards her. He locked eyes with her as he did so. He stopped and gently put his hands down on the gun, pushing the barrel towards the ground. By now, Emma was genuinely confused as to why he hadn't wrestled it from her. Without missing a beat, Hogan leaned in and kissed her. She was so taken aback that she released the gun into his hands.

He broke the kiss and stepped towards the office.

"Wait... Hey stop..."

"Relax sweetheart." Hogan said, pointing the gun up and leaning against the wall. "I've been in and out here for years; unless you're a bridge or something like that, I mean you no harm." Suddenly the gun went off as he accidentally pulled the trigger. Both of them jumped at the sudden bang.

"Why the hell was this thing already cocked? That's very unsafe." he said, tossing it aside. "I'll be back out before you know it sweetheart." With that he entered the office leaving Emma really confused.

......................

As Hogan entered the office he slammed the door in a hurry behind himself.

"Morning Kommandant." Hogan said. Konrad immediately dropped the page in his hand and sighed frustratedly. Hogan took no notice and sat down, as if he belonged there.

"What are you doing here Hogan. How did you get in? Did she just let you through?" Konrad asked.

Hogan smirked. "No, quite the opposite. She tried to shoot me. If it weren't for her bad aim I might have died."

Konrad looked up at him. "Are you serious?"

"Oh yeh. After she missed she got hold of me and almost broke my arm. I had to throw all the gentlemanliness aside to fight free and get in here."

Konrad scoffed. "You, a gentleman. I highly... Why am I having this conversation with you; get out!"

"I just got here. So, tell me: What's old Adolf up to?"

"You are to refer to the Führer by his title. And I shall tell you no such thing about the V-5 program."

"V-5, new rocket I presume?" Hogan said.

"Yes, and better... Get out!" Konrad said, slamming his fist against the desk. Hogan looked back at the door then at Konrad.

"I honestly feel safer here with you instead of passing by her again."

"Get out, or I might just call Miss Heinzberg to come fetch you."

"Alright, alright. No need to resort to violence." Hogan said, slowly making his way to the door. Cautiously he opened it then looked over at Konrad before exiting

......................

Hogan closed the door behind himself and made his way for the exit. He stopped for a moment and looked at Emma, who now seemed worried.

"No need to worry sweetheart; after that, the Kommandant won't want you going anywhere anytime soon." he said. "See you around." With that, Hogan exited the building and went over to a black Mercedes-Benz 770. The car had belonged to Hitler himself; until Hogan and his crew got swiped it. He climbed into the car and started it. He made sure to scratch the paint against the sidewalk. He hadn't learned much today, but his brief interaction with Emma gave him hope that things may get a bit easier.

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