بخش 08-02

She wanted to read the book in the basement, for old times sake, but Mama convinced her otherwise. Theres a reason Max got sick down there, she said, and I can tell you one thing, girl, Im not letting you get sick. She read in the kitchen. Red and yellow gaps in the stove. The Word Shaker. She made her way through the countless sketches and stories, and the pictures with captions. Things like Rudy on a dais with three gold medals slung around his neck. Hair the color of lemons was written beneath it. The snowman made an appearance, as did a list of the thirteen presents, not to mention the records of countless nights in the basement or by the fire. Of course, there were many thoughts, sketches, and dreams relating to Stuttgart and Germany and the Fhrer. Recollections of Maxs family were also there. In the end, he could not resist including them. He had to. Then came page 117. That was where The Word Shaker itself made its appearance. It was a fable or a fairy tale. Liesel was not sure which. Even days later, when she looked up both terms in the Duden Dictionary, she couldnt distinguish between the two. On the previous page, there was a small note.

PAGE 116 LieselI almost scribbled this story out. I thought you might be too old for such a tale, but maybe no one is. I thought of you and your books and words, and this strange story came into my head. I hope you can find some good in it.

She turned the page. THERE WAS once a strange, small man. He decided three important details about his life: He would part his hair from the opposite side to everyone else. He would make himself a small, strange mustache. He would one day rule the world. The young man wandered around for quite some time, thinking, planning, and figuring out exactly how to make the world his. Then one day, out of nowhere, it struck himthe perfect plan. Hed seen a mother walking with her child. At one point, she admonished the small boy, until finally, he began to cry. Within a few minutes, she spoke very softly to him, after which he was soothed and even smiled.

The young man rushed to the woman and embraced her. Words! He grinned. What? But there was no reply. He was already gone. Yes, the Fhrer decided that he would rule the world with words. I will never fire a gun, he devised. I will not have to. Still, he was not rash. Lets allow him at least that much. He was not a stupid man at all. His first plan of attack was to plant the words in as many areas of his homeland as possible. He planted them day and night, and cultivated them. He watched them grow, until eventually, great forests of words had risen throughout Germany…. It was a nation of farmed thoughts. WHILE THE words were growing, our young Fhrer also planted seeds to create symbols, and these, too, were well on their way to full bloom. Now the time had come. The Fhrer was ready. He invited his people toward his own glorious heart, beckoning them with his finest, ugliest words, handpicked from his forests. And the people came. They were all placed on a conveyor belt and run through a rampant machine that gave them a lifetime in ten minutes. Words were fed into them. Time disappeared and they now Knew everything they needed to Know. They were hypnotized. Next, they were fitted with their symbols, and everyone was happy.

Soon, the demand for the lovely ugly words and symbols increased to such a point that as the forests grew, many people were needed to maintain them. Some were employed to climb the trees and throw the words down to those below. They were then fed directly into the remainder of the Fhrers people, not to mention those who came back for more. The people who climbed the trees were called word shakers. THE BEST word shakers were the ones who understood the true power of words. They were the ones who could climb the highest. One such word shaker was a small, skinny girl. She was renowned as the best word shaker of her region because she Knew how powerless a person could be WITHOUT words. Thats why she could climb higher than anyone else. She had desire. She was hungry for them. THE ANARCHISTS SUIT COLLECTION

35 HIMMEL STREET, DECEMBER 24 With the absence of two fathers, the Steiners have invited Rosa and Trudy Hubermann, and Liesel. When they arrive, Rudy is still in the process of explaining his clothes. He looks at Liesel and his mouth widens, but only slightly.

The days leading up to Christmas 1942 fell thick and heavy with snow. Liesel went through The Word Shaker many times, from the story itself to the many sketches and commentaries on either side of it. On Christmas Eve, she made a decision about Rudy. To hell with being out too late. She walked next door just before dark and told him she had a present for him, for Christmas. Rudy looked at her hands and either side of her feet. Well, where the hell is it? Forget it, then. But Rudy knew. Hed seen her like this before. Risky eyes and sticky fingers. The breath of stealing was all around her and he could smell it. This gift, he estimated. You havent got it yet, have you? No. And youre not buying it, either. Of course not. Do you think I have any money? Snow was still falling. At the edge of the grass, there was ice like broken glass. Do you have the key? she asked. The key to what? But it didnt take Rudy long to understand. He made his way inside and returned not long after. In the words of Viktor Chemmel, he said, Its time to go shopping. The light was disappearing fast, and except for the church, all of Munich Street had closed up for Christmas. Liesel walked hurriedly to remain in step with the lankier stride of her neighbor. They arrived at the designated shop window. STEINERSCHNEIDERMEISTER. The glass wore a thin sheet of mud and grime that had blown onto it in the passing weeks. On the opposite side, the mannequins stood like witnesses. They were serious and ludicrously stylish. It was hard to shake the feeling that they were watching everything. Rudy reached into his pocket. It was Christmas Eve. His father was near Vienna. He didnt think hed mind if they trespassed in his beloved shop. The circumstances demanded it. The door opened fluently and they made their way inside. Rudys first instinct was to hit the light switch, but the electricity had already been cut off. Any candles? Rudy was dismayed. I brought the key. And besides, this was your idea. In the middle of the exchange, Liesel tripped on a bump in the floor. A mannequin followed her down. It groped her arm and dismantled in its clothes on top of her. Get this thing off me! It was in four pieces. The torso and head, the legs, and two separate arms. When she was rid of it, Liesel stood and wheezed. Jesus, Mary. Rudy found one of the arms and tapped her on the shoulder with its hand. When she turned in fright, he extended it in friendship. Nice to meet you. For a few minutes, they moved slowly through the tight pathways of the shop. Rudy started toward the counter. When he fell over an empty box, he yelped and swore, then found his way back to the entrance. This is ridiculous, he said. Wait here a minute. Liesel sat, mannequin arm in hand, till he returned with a lit lantern from the church. A ring of light circled his face. So wheres this present youve been bragging about? It better not be one of these weird mannequins. Bring the light over. When he made it to the far left section of the shop, Liesel took the lantern with one hand and swept through the hanging suits with the other. She pulled one out but quickly replaced it with another. No, still too big. After two more attempts, she held a navy blue suit in front of Rudy Steiner. Does this look about your size? While Liesel sat in the dark, Rudy tried on the suit behind one of the curtains. There was a small circle of light and the shadow dressing itself. When he returned, he held out the lantern for Liesel to see. Free of the curtain, the light was like a pillar, shining onto the refined suit. It also lit up the dirty shirt beneath and Rudys battered shoes. Well? he asked. Liesel continued the examination. She moved around him and shrugged. Not bad. Not bad! I look better than just not bad. The shoes let you down. And your face. Rudy placed the lantern on the counter and came toward her in mock-anger, and Liesel had to admit that a nervousness started gripping her. It was with both relief and disappointment that she watched him trip and fall on the disgraced mannequin. On the floor, Rudy laughed. Then he closed his eyes, clenching them hard. Liesel rushed over. She crouched above him. Kiss him, Liesel, kiss him. Are you all right, Rudy? Rudy? I miss him, said the boy, sideways, across the floor. Frohe Weihnachten, Liesel replied. She helped him up, straightening the suit. Merry Christmas.