herbert

by the same author:

Herbert 2
Herbert 3
Herbert 4
Herbert 5
Herbert 6
Herbert 7
Herbert 8

Herbert Miller glances over the crowded platform of Hamburg's central station but his mind is absent. „I hope to see Tom again" he murmurs, „perhaps I can help him to prove his identity."

He is glad that he started the train-journey at Dammtor station. There were only a few passengers on the platform and it is more comfortable for a 70 years old gentleman to enter the compartment and to find his seat. And especially he always enjoys the few minutes between Dammtor and central station. On the right-hand side the beautiful panorama of the city and the Alster Lake appears marvellous even on a gloomy winter morning like today.

Just before reaching central station the train passed the imposing art exhibition hall and immediately Herbert’s thoughts stray back to that fascinating story which was the reason for the train-journey he just started. He grasps almost mechanically the inner pocket of his jacket to make sure that the precious book was with him.

The train creeps out of central station. Herbert gazes at the newspaper, is just about to read a political comment when he decides to first seek the toilet. He gets up, walk a bit shakily through the long pullman coach. The passengers are still restless, he almost climbs over handbaggage, smilingly strokes the hair of a bold youngster trying to make him trip over a streched foot. He almost reaches the doors of the compartment which open automatically and can just avoid a full sprawl between the doors because his foot gets caught in the hem of an over-colorful piece of clothing. His precious book falls on the floor, a few leaflets scatter out of the book. Herbert tries to collect his nerves and annoyence. An elderly hand gathers the book together and gives it to him. Herbert looks at the distressed face which is trying to say „ I’m sorry". Herbert turns away abruptly.

Once in the toilet-cabin he wonders where he has seen this face before. Outside the cabin he stands contemplating for a long time. He stares out of the closed train doors, the coupling links of the train swing him back and forth. He recognizes the „Wümme-Niederung", a moist swamp landscape along the river Wümme, and knows that this means the train is reaching Bremen soon. He returns deliberately slower, stealing a few glances at the elderly face which indicates earlier features of beauty. Herbert returns to his seat in the rear of the compartment.

Bremen central station is not so crowded. A few passengers leave the train. A YOUNG MAN about 26 years climbs into the dining car with a brown briefcase in his hand. He has a full reddish beard and in spite of the drizzly weather he wears dark glasses.
He manages to find an empty place. A young lady comes up to him, points at her suitcase and makes it clear that the seat belongs to her. He reluctantly leaves the seat, but luckily a couple leaves the dining car so he finds place. He orders coffee, places a packet of Chesterfields on the table and removes a WRITING PAD and a ballpoint pen from his briefcase and starts scribbling almost ilegible notes and diagramms.

Herbert cannot concentrate on his newspaper. He closes his eyes: a young face with beautiful features, a slender figure draped in COLOURFUL COSTLY TEXTILES seems to torment him, he mumbles a few names but then shakes his head.

Softly and smoothly the IC Schauinsland moves with tremendous speed towards Osnabrück. The sky is still dark and grey. The countryside is flat, sometimes a bit hilly. A few lakes, the water almost frozen, pass by and Herbert wonders how he could approach this elderly lady.

"I wasn’t very friendly to her the first time" he thinks. „Pull yourself together old chap" he murmurs. „ In your youth you’ve often fallen in love with portraits in the ART EXHIBITION HALL. You’re now 70, calm down your imagination". Graciously, the train is slowing down and the voice on the loudspeaker is announcing: „Meine Damen und Herren, in wenigen Minuten erreichen wir Osnabrück Hauptbahnhof". The train stops, the colourful coat in front of the compartment stands up. Herbert is distressed. „I"ll never see her again" he thinks. There was a jostling and bustling in the car. A loud group of ski-tourists climbs in – confusion and chaos. The last suitcases are just shoved into the train, the soft piping sound of closing doors and the train moves on „zur Weiterfahrt nach Münster". It’s terribly loud in the compartment but Herbert is overjoyed to see the colourful coat back on its place. He decides to have a snack and perhaps a good tea in the dining car. Should he dare to invite his „portrait"? I’d love to ask her a few questions. He straightens up and walks with firm steps towards the front of the car.