A train pulled into the station. An American man, Holly Martins arrived in Vienna. Vienna has been occupied by four powers since finished the Second World War. There are many racketeers. People trade goods in the Black Market, such as boots, stockings, wristwatches and all that for cash. If people wanted it enough, they would run anything. Of course, a situation like that does tempt amateurs. So, the center of the city is policed by an international patrol. He came to here to get new job. His friend Harry Lime was going to offer him it. Martins expected Lime to welcome to him, but he didn’t appear in the station. So Martins went to the Lime’s flat. He climbs the stairs to Harry Lime’s room. A porter was singing a song in German next to the banisters of the floor above. Martins asked him about Lime. A porter can’t speak English well, but he tried to answer. He smattered about the Lime’s last moment. Lastly, he said “Hard work in this frost.” Thanks for him, Martins knew about Lime was died by accident. Matins walked to a cemetery. That time he met Calloway and Anna Schmidt there for the first time. Martins took part in Lime’s funeral. There were also Kurtz and Winkel attended. They doubted Martins. After got some dirt to sprinkle over the grave, Martins walled off though the cemetery, watched by Calloway. Near some parked cars, Martins was called out by him.
“Would you like a lift to town? I’ve got a car here. ”
“Thanks.”
At the car drove off, Paine, who is a sergeant drove off after them in a jeep. In the car, Martins and Calloway got acquainted. Calloway invited Martins in fear of his shock. Calloway took him a bar. They talked about Lime having a drink. Calloway wanted to know about him, and Martins also wanted to talk about him. Martins introduced about himself as a scrubber, but Calloway doesn’t know his name. In addition, he started to say that Lime is the worst racketeer that ever made a dirty living in this city. Nothing to say, Martins was angry. Because he thinks that Martins and Lime were best friends. From knowing that Calloway is a police officer, Martins exposed a hostility to him. Paine sits at a table near the window reading as he listens in o the two men.
“Some petty racket with gasoline or something?”
“It wasn’t petrol.”
Martins suggested Calloway to arrest a few murderers, but he said Lime was also murderer. Martins makes a dive at Calloway. Before he can try, Paine pulls him back. Having had too much to drink, Martins loses his balance and spins around a post. Paine was surprised at hearing the name of Martins. Differently from Calloway, he is a big fan of him. Martins talked to Calloway paying some money. But he called his name “Callaghan”.
“Calloway. I’m English. Not Irish.”
“You’re not going to close your file at a dead man’s expense.”
Calloway changed the topic. Martins stands up to hit Calloway, but Pain quickly lands a punch on his mouth. He asked about his new work helping him up.
Paine introduced Martins to Crabbin. Crabbin represents the C.R.S. of G.H.Q. They give propagandas by doing a little show every week. Last week they had Hamlet. And the week before is the Hindu Dancers. Crabbin proposed to Martins that lecture on the contemporary novel instead of making him welcome. Martins said “O.K.” Then, a telephone rang. It was from Kurtz to Martins. Martins goes out of the hotel, after telling Pain to read his book, called The Lone Rider of Santa Fe.
“It’s a story of a man who hunted down a sheriff who was victimizing his best friend.”
“Seems exciting.”
“It is. I’m gunning just the same way for your Major Callaghan.”
Martins met Kurtz. Kurtz said police officers get rather absurd ideas sometimes. Martins decided to search the truth of Lime’s death. He asked Kurtz to cooperate with him. He refused his demand, but promised to give advice.
(680 words)
