”And now let us get down to business,” he said. “I’ve known all about your work for the last two years.” Then, as I looked puzzled, he explained : “I’m the man who sits behind the desk in Moscow and keeps track of the reports.” He smiled suddenly but his eyes remained cold and watchful. “ In fact, I’ve been sent over here especially to see you and tell you that we all think you’ve done splendidly and have a great future before you.”
A shiver of fear ran up my spine. What was coming now?
To my astonishment, he drew himself up stiffly in his chair and looked at me seriously.
”You are very fortunate. A great honor has just been bestowed on you. The Supreme Presidium of the U.S.S.R. has just awarded you one of the highest medals of the Soviet Union—the Order of the Red Star.”
I stared at him.
”The Red Star,” I said dazedly.
I don’t blame you for being overwhelmed,” he said. It’s an honor that few people receive.” He pulled a clipping, in color, from his pocket. “This is a facsimile of the decoration,” he said precisely. “The original will arrive very shortly. But you can take my word for it that this medal is one of the highest—reserved for all our best fighters.”
I was thoroughly angry. Now I knew the Score! The work that I had done for the cause had been small and unimportant and he, of all people, should know that fact.
P254
And here he was offering me one of the highest medals of the Soviet Union! It wasn’t just Bill, I said to myself ; it’s the Organization itself that’s trying to buy me off. First, they used money, then a fur coat, then an air-conditioning machine—and now this!
I fought down a hysterical desire to laugh. ( . . ) The Russian people were fighting and dying on the front, but they weren’t getting any medals. (Etc.)