Hidden Depths by Ally Rose

was startled into sitting upright. ‘Yes, Herr Janowicz.’
    â€˜Waltz, perhaps you could offer the class some insight,’ Janowicz sneered.
    Felix began to feel defensive. As he had grown stronger, a feeling that nobody would abuse, mistreat or belittle him ever again was developing. Perhaps this growing dislike of authority was hormonal and just his age, because at home he also wanted to please less and not always be a ‘good’ lad. Felix didn’t have many problems with Klaus or Ingrid but now he wasn’t so afraid he was ready to debate and disagree with them.
    Today, feeling confident, he thought, ‘I’ll see how far I can push the old fool.’
    â€˜If we didn’t have “one for one” monetary values, those of us in East Germany would continue to feel inferior to our fellow Germans in the West,’ he told Janowicz succinctly.
    â€˜You’re suggesting East Germany was inferior because we were Socialists?’ said Janowicz, surprised. The class bolted upright, listening intently.
    Felix was adamant. ‘We were inferior. Look at the way they made us dress. We were controlled under the pretext of Socialism. Those in the higher echelons of the Communist party didn’t have the same experience, they lived with privileges and perks. They got to wear decent clothes, drive a nice car and accumulate a bit of money.’
    Janowicz was a staunch Socialist who wasn’t going to be persuaded to think any different by an adolescent boy who’d grown brave enough to speak out since the fall of the Wall. ‘Communism was a fairer system. The State looked after its people and now we’ll all have to fend for ourselves. Greed will be the new motto,’ Janowicz said sharply.
    â€˜I’d rather have a free society with everyone given an equal chance than an Orwellian state where “some pigs sleep in beds with sheets on” – and eat bananas!’ Felix said.
    The class laughed en masse, amused by this allegory and reference to bananas.
    â€˜Quiet!’ Janowicz barked. ‘Waltz! I see you’ve read George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”. But you’ve missed quite a lot of schooling and your knowledge is limited.’
    Felix felt this remark was personal. ‘Sir, with respect, East Germany was a Russian enclave run by the KGB or the Stasi, if you prefer. Yes, people had jobs, but there were food queues. It was always a case of double standards, those that had the power and those who had none. Not everyone in a position of authority used their power wisely. And did they care about the rest of us? They didn’t want to give up their power or privileges and if anyone dared complained they were dealt with, severely. And we all know what I’m talking about. We were often controlled by fear.’
    â€˜You have no fear now,’ Janowicz observed.
    Felix agreed but was trying not to sound arrogant. ‘Once people lost their fear and faith in the system, the Wall came down and Communism was dead and buried.’
    Janowicz disagreed. ‘The Socialists didn’t lose faith. World events took us by surprise.’
    Felix was really animated now. ‘Yes, and it probably all started at the ship works in Poland with a union led by a brave man – Lech Walesa, who encouraged the people to fight back. He’s the real unsung hero but because Gorbachev was forward thinking, his policies took the praise. I think the Americans were influencing Gorbachev far more than he cared to let on.’
    Janowicz’s tone was incredulous and sarcastic. ‘Really? Please, do go on.’
    Felix ignored the derision. He had the class captivated and in the palm of his hand. ‘What if the Americans were winning the race in the Star War policies and in an effort to keep up were bankrupting the Soviet Union? Gorbachev offers to introduce glasnost , or perestroika , whatever you call it, as a means of saving face and