Neanderthal Messiah — 114

Military Station Outside Belgrade, Yugoslavia 1943

‘Liaserl?’ [Through the slit — door bolt unlocks] ‘This is Doktor Wechsler

Please allow him to observe you.’

[Door closes, rebolts.]

[The doctor wears a black uniform with high collar

Skull & cross bones insignia at carotid

White lab coat over.]

[A patient within a 40 year eidetic library -

Poetry, physics, languages, history, mathematics.

She turns a head of shockingly uncombed hair:] ‘Mein Herr.’

[Dr. Wechsler writes onto clipboard:] ‘Shoes without socks.’

[A panzer rumbles by.]

[Doktor Wechsler:] ‘I have zometing for you.’

[Unbolting, and in rolls a projector, loaded reels turn by a 20 metre hall cord.]

‘I have news of your Relatives.

Now in a different world -

Of flashing bulbs and frames’ captured light -

[Flickering]

Of celebrity…Charlie Chaplin, look! The Fuhrer himself, their friend!’

…

[Knob turned off — Einstein with tongue stuck out, frozen image on the wall.]

‘I could offer you a free life in Buenos Aires, for a child.’

[A passport shown with her picture - embossed Italian star within wreath.]

[Liaserl, admiring it:] ‘Natalia, nice name.’

[She thinks then nods, and the door again is unbolted.]

[An injected, flushed 15 year old Tesla family member is shoved

Into her doorway — sweating, nervous, with pants pointing.]

[Liaserl:] ‘I deliver in the New World, or I’ll show it no love. Ja?’