Home By Marquel When There Are No Heroes

When There Are No Heroes

article2Marquel, TPVs NYTimes Lazy Americans Section correspondent was walking through a public space when he stopped for a latte and read: Gate Bearing Notorious Slogan, “Arbeit macht frei,” Is Stolen From Dachau Site.  The police said at least two adults must have been involved, noting that they not only had to cut the heavy object loose, but also had to heave it over an outer gate. The sign is infamous. It says, in German, “work makes you free.” Marquel was on the phone with Interpol asking whether the sign had shown up.

“It was first spotted in Shanghai,” the inspector said. “Installed at the entrance to an Apple factory. They really want those kids to work harder.  We tried to get it back but they got wind of it and it disappeared again.”
I asked, “no sign of it?”
“Oh sure, we’re on top of it. It then appeared briefly at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Some bigwig decided it would send a message to American workers. We arrived five minutes too late. It was gone.”
“Any sign of it since?” I asked.
“It’s hard to hide a sign like that, especially if people want it read.”
“So where’d it go?” I asked.
“Tuesday night it appeared at the entrance to the U.S. Capitol building. The Tea Party put it up to encourage the new congressmen to work harder. We actually got our hands on it, shipped it back to Germany, and it was diverted in transit.” He said.
“So it’s missing again?” I inquired.
“We’re watching the most likely sites. But so far, no sign of it.”
“Where are you looking?” I asked.
“First the obvious places, prisons and such. Then a lot of Florida resorts where absolutely no one works. But we’ve got a big tip and we may have it by morning.”
“Where’s that?” I asked.
“The Stock Exchange. It looks like they’ve already put some mounting brackets over the entrance.”
“Why do you suppose they want it?” I asked.
“I suppose because nobody works there.”
“Why not the Federal Reserve?” I asked, trying to help.
“Well, similar work habits, but at the stock exchange they don’t work. And they’re rich. Nice combination if you can do it.” He asserted.
I wondered whether work would make the Stock Exchange free. I guess it depends on what freedom is. Certainly not to Janis Joplin who sang, “freedom is having nothing to lose.”
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BY MARQUEL: When There Are No Heroes

8 COMMENTS

  1. This is hysterical and historical. Loved it:
    “It was first spotted in Shanghai,” the inspector said. “Installed at the entrance to an Apple factory. They really want those kids to work harder. We tried to get it back but they got wind of it and it disappeared again.”

  2. Apparently there is a market for Nazi memorabilia and this sign will cash in a small fortune

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