A Rude Awakening

I am sleeping in a five star luxury hotel in the middle of modern Berlin. The duvet is made from premium duck feathers. I feel like a princess. A German pop song is drifting through my bedroom window, something about a stray cat with a single man.
I am trying to understand the German words.

Suddenly there is a sharp rap at the door.

Bleary-eyed, I crawl out of bed, clutching my pink nightie with the smiling teddy bear, leaving behind the warmth of my cosy duvet.

"Yes" I muse, trying to shake the dream out of my head.

I open the door slowly, thinking it it room service, although I have not ordered anything.

I am surprised to see an SS officer standing in front of me.

I gasped, "Can I help you"?

"You must leave immediately". I see the hint of steel raging in his blue eys.

"Why, I have only just checked in today"? I swallow, feeling the lump in my throat.

He pushes past me and flings my cream suitcase on my luxury bed. He starts to throw in my clothes, blouses, trousers, underwear, make-up, cocoa butter even the elegant grey suit with the shimmer which I packed especially for the German opera tomorrow night, featuring Wagner.

The German Officer squeeses my lovely grey suit into my suitcase, crushing it completely.
I am devastated.

"You can't just walk in here, playing big brother. I am a free citizen with rights".

"You have no rights Fraulein". He continues to stuff my suitcase until it is nearly full to bursting".

"There must be some mistake, Herr, eh... My name is Bethany Potsmeyer. I am not going anywhere".

"My name is Herr Otto Weissman. This order to evacuate you comes from the Fuhrer".

"The Fuhrer"? Panic engulfs me. "Not The Fuhrer"?All the stories about Hitler and the Second World War all tumble out at once. Adolf invaded Poland. He bombed his way through Europe. He had a massive army. He wanted to take Russia and the rest of the world. I remember The Battle of Britain with The Luftwaffe. The German aces and how Winston Churchill was our hero.

"Yes, put on your shoes Fraulein, the train is waiting for you".

"What train? Oh no!. I am not going to Auschwitz! This is 2009. World War 2 finished years ago. The Fuhrer committed suicide on the 30th April 1945".

"Ja, in April 1945 but the war is still going on".

"It's finished! What are you doing in my bedroom Herr Weissman"?

He pulls out a grey note book and quickly flips through it. My heart is beating one hundred miles per hour and I can feel sweat licking my arm pits and forehead.

"Sorry Fraulein I made a mistake. I am looking for Fraulein Speimeister. She lives close by. Can I help you to pack your clothes"? He smiles, dropping his guard.

"No, just go". I spit out, petrified.

I bend down to pick up my crumpled silk blouse.

I am so relieved and turn to say so but as
I turn around, I catch a glimpse of his jack boots then he is gone.