Christopher and His Kind

It's 40 years since

I first wrote about my time in Berlin.

And the book I'm now writing is perhaps

an attempt to set the record straight,

well as straight as it's possible to be.

I destroyed my Berlin diaries you see

so I've had to rely a good deal on memory.

As to why I went in the first place

my friend Wystan Auden was there

and encouraged me to join him.

I could also say I went because

of what was happening politically.

But in fact I went because of the boys.

To me Berlin meant boys.

But my dear that simply won't do.

You're the very last person who ought to go there.

Berlin isn't the right place for you at all.

What on earth do you mean?

It's German darling.

- Wystan Auden thinks it's the most marvelous place.

Auden, such an untidy boy.

And besides what about medical school?

- But Mummy I am not cut out for medical school.

- That's exactly what you said about Cambridge.

Really Christopher you cannot go through life shirking it.

It's time you buckled to.

I'm a published novelist.

Of course you are darling.

But wouldn't it be so much nicer to be a doctor as well?

It isn't a hobby you know.

Any normal mother would be proud.

And I am proud my sweetheart.

You know I found your novel most interesting.

I thought it was ingenious the way you used

your antipathy to me to such creative effect.

But you cannot expect life to be one long holiday.

- I'm not going there on holiday.

I'm going there to get away from you.

- Couldn't you go somewhere a little closer?

Like the Isle of Wight?

- Of course you must do as you wish.

I fully intend to.

- It's only natural that you should want to flee the nest

just as I'm bound to get more lonely.

When I think of what I went through

to bring you into this world.

Months and months of feeling really quite seedy.

Oh well.

So be it.

You won't forget will you darling

that the Germans killed your father?

Take me with you.

You have to stay and look after Mummy.

But for how long?

I'm afraid I can't answer that.

I was wondering.

Do forgive me dear boy I didn't mean to startle you.

No no.

Could I trouble you for a light?

Yes of course.

I seem to have mislaid my lighter.

Suspect it, oh thank you dear boy.

It may have been, would you mind if I?

No no.

How kind.

It may have been stolen.

Oh dear.

- One has to be so careful nowadays don't you find?

Are you going all the way?

Excuse me?

To Berlin.

Oh yes.

Holiday?

I'm hoping for a little more than that.

Ah yes well.

Berlin has so much to offer in certain respects.

Do you live there?

For now.

One never knows what a new dawn may bring.

I hope you don't think I'm prying dear boy but

do you have accommodation in Berlin?

I do as it happens.

- The reason why I venture such impertinence

is that my landlady dear sweet woman

is desperate for a reliable lodger.

Her landlords are ruthless and if they knew

that she didn't have the full quota

they'd turf her out in an instant.

I have a feeling, though perhaps I shouldn't say so myself

I do have a nose for these things,

you might fit the bill perfectly.

My goodness yes.

Well that's most kind of you but--

I'll tell her then shall I?

Here's my card.

Mr Hamilton?

Oh Gerald please.

And who shall I tell her to expect?

Isherwood, Christopher Isherwood.

Wystan.

So here I am.

Yes here you are.

Good trip?

Fine thanks.

Those seats are devilish.

I hardly noticed.

I thought we'd drop your case off

then I'd show you the sights.

Best start as one means to go on.

I decided the Brandenburg Gate could wait.

Don't worry they won't bite, unless you want them to.

They're very accommodating if you have the cash.

But it won't break the bank.

The exchange rate is still very much in our favor.

Oh Pete.

Hello.

What are you saying?

What was that?

We've been something of a feature.

Well maybe more of a B feature.

I have no illusions of the pitfalls of loving a whore.

Are they all on the game?

Most of them yes.

You can't imagine what a state the economy's in.

They look very well on it.

They like to keep themselves fit.

It's good for business of course

and they're shamelessly vain.

The fact that we find them desirable

only proves how very masculine they are.

What do you mean we?

They're nearly all rampant heters

and use our money to pay for cunt.

But don't let that put you off.

They're frightfully good at it.

What name does he go under?

Caspar.

It's about the only thing I understood.

Perhaps you'd better help me trot out the odd German phrase

else I could get myself into the most frightful fix.

Perhaps I better had.

The question is will you understand the answers?

I might have found somewhere to stay.

I got talking to this man on the train.

Little slut.

- Apparently his landlady's desperate for a lodger.

Something about filling her quota.

Anyway I thought there'd be no harm in checking it out.

- You're very welcome to stay here you know.

In fact I'd very much like it if you did.

I need a room of my own Wystan.

And if I start giving lessons which I'm going to have

to earn a bit of cash and subsidize my writing.

Well you can't write poetry with me buzzing about.

Yes you're right.

So I expect you'll be seeing him again this Caspar chappie?

Oh yes I hope so.

I have missed you.

I love English gentlemen Herr Isherwood.

Herr Hamilton's such a charming man.

And you a writer, what an honor.

You can write many famous novels here.

Oh Herr Isherwood this room was made for you.

It's very nice Fraulein Thurau.

- Herr Isherwood you English are so polite.

Well you English men.

There is an English woman across the hall.

She treats me like a slave.

Fraulein Ross I tell her I was a lady.

I have not always scrubbed the floors.

Forgive me Herr Isherwood.

That was the lodger before you.

I don't know what he'd eaten but it won't come out.

Morning darling.

I have the most perfectly frightful head.

Who is it?

Isherwood.

Who?

Christopher Isherwood.

It's me Christopher we met on the train.

I've taken the room.

Oh, Christopher.

Do forgive me dear boy.

One has to be so careful nowadays.