Meyer-Hofmann AG

22

Reichard was exhilarated.

“Did you hear him?”

They had all been there. Not on the balcony, but close.

“He was brilliant. He had them eating out of his hand—it was amazing!”

The board members were all at their places, around the oak table in the club. None of them could quite believe it. It was better than any of them could have hoped for. Heinz Hofmann had literally burst out of Jarvis, like a caged animal given its freedom. After Dr Ecker had pulled the needle from his arm, Jarvis had slept for over an hour. It was not unusual, but they were all worried there would be no time to prep him before his appearance. The plan was that he should be humble, accept the mayor’s thanks, and get out of there, keeping the Meyer-Hofmann connection quiet. But when he woke, there was no sign of Jarvis—it was Hofmann in all his glory. He remembered everything, he knew who he was, who Jarvis was, as well as the group’s shared past. After taking his place at the head of the table, he had calmly asked them to bring him up to date. More like a manager returning from a business trip than the reincarnation of a dead man. They had kept it brief, listing their successes and their recent problems. Nothing had fazed him. He saw the meeting with the mayor as an opportunity to introduce himself. After that, Hofmann had decided they should all meet up back in the club, to rework the company strategy and to better align it with the company’s original goals. Standing like a general addressing his troops, he had leant forward, hands flat on the table, and made a speech as if he had never been away.

“Gentlemen, remember the Führer’s words: solidarity, mutual benefit, the common good. We were chosen to help Germany—to help mankind—live up to those values. Together, we are strong. Together, we can defeat our foes. We must make everyone in the company aware that the fight is not over. That we can and will lead them to our joint destinies. If everyone is made to understand the benefits they will gain by joining our cause, they will be lining up to join us. Only we know the real truth; only we can spread that truth. We were born for this job, and now that I am back, I will see that the job is finished.”Hofmann looked around the table, waiting for a response, expecting solidarity. Dr Ecker was the first to his feet.

“Herr Hofmann, I would like to be the first to welcome you back. But maybe you should give the process you are going through a little more time?”

“I am aware of the situation, but we have no time. You, Gentlemen, have wasted time. We should be much farther along than we are. Now that I have control of the company and of Jarvis, we can move forward. Jarvis is as aware of me as I am of him—we are of the same blood, and we share the same destiny.”

Hofmann showed them all the total conviction and belief that he felt. Within an hour of him awakening, they all believed him. Even Von Klitzing was moved by the passion of the man. Hofmann had left the meeting and delivered a great speech. But where was he now?

The phone rang, and Von Klitzing answered. After listening for a moment, he hung up and turned to Dr Ecker.

“Doctor, we have to go. Gentlemen, we will be back in thirty minutes.”