Summary

Alex waits for Dieter in the Fairytale Garden. When Dieter arrives, Alex tells him that he needs a place to hide an escaped prisoner, Erich. Dieter is alarmed that Alex has been taking so many risks, including housing Erich in his own apartment, telling him to instead bring Erich to his apartment overlooking the Garden. They continue, Alex telling Dieter that he needs to meet with Campbell as well. However, he does not mention Markovsky’s death, “[keeping] him alive, even to Dieter” (209), saying only that he has been transferred back to Moscow. Dieter is impressed that Alex has managed to glean all of this information over simple bar chat. They continue talking about the arrangements to bring Erich to Dieter’s apartment. Alex cannot resist asking Dieter if he knows what it means if the Party calls somebody’s membership book in...