"He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career."
― George Bernard Shaw, Major Barbara.
Führer room, Munich, Early morning of 30 September 1938.
"How did we lose the war against such faint-hearted people?", mocked the Führer as blew. Just a few moments ago, he was celebrating with his cabinet the peaceful acquisition of the Sudetenland ― Czechoslovakia's regions primarily inhabited by Germans, through an agreement with the British, the French and the Italians.
He has coveted Czechoslovakia for a long time and saw the perfect opportunity after the Anschluss ― the annexation of Austria. As for him, almost all of central Europe belongs to Germany by right.
Has everyone forgotten the millennial Holy Roman Empire, whose dissolution was simply by the weak will of the prideful emperor Francis II in 1806, not by the people? And even after the dissolution, what was the constant desire of the German ethnic? The reunification!
It was almost achieved in 1871 with the birth of the German Empire, but again, the low leadership of Wilhelm II separated us one more time.
I promise today my beloved Germany that this is the last time you have to shed blood. He said solemnly to himself as he drank a sip of sweet wine, and saw the streets of Munich through the window.
After a while of meditation, he took a copy of the agreement.
"Hmmm... Fortunately, the raid was not necessary, and the industrial installations are safe. Those Czechs don't dare to provoke the British and the French.
Haha... I would have liked to see Beneš's face as accepted Chamberlain's call for the agreement. That happens when you choose weak allies.
Coming back to the important matter, we need more and better tanks for the coming war. I hope our intelligence is right, and ČKD is developing a new model better than the LT vz.35."
All of a sudden, while he reflected, someone knocked on the door.
"My Führer... My Führ...", an inebriate low voice reached him very narrowly, interrupting his thoughts.
"Goebbels? What are you doing here?", said disgusted the Führer. He had told all at the meeting that he was exhausted and asked them to not call him until the midmorning.
Goebbels hiccuped multiple times and then pointed himself, under the serious Führer's gaze, before saying: "My Führer... I think... my afterwards speech is... is (hiccup)... almost ready. Now we are (hiccup)... really a world power again"; he did try to sound formal and inspiring at the last phrase, raising his hands in a sign of victory, but failed.
"You!", began the Führer and added: "Bothering me at this hour, ignoring the salute!".
He wanted to kill Goebbels at that moment, but after sighing merely said: "Come in".
Goebbels opened enormously his eyes, despite his drunkenness. The Führer was very rigid about allowing people to enter his room.
"My...", he began to apologise.
"No matter, after seeing Munich through the window for a long time, I would like to talk with someone. Come in", The Führer didn't let him finish.
"I'm really worried about our economy. The plan of revitalising intern agriculture is not succeeding as much as we need; we also need much more rubber, copper, tin, cotton and other strategic minerals than we currently import... And worst of all, the reluctance of the army command to go to war!..." The Führer sighed and then looked at his friend.
A long silence took control of the room.
"(hiccup) My Führer... (hiccup) the path you've chosen for (hiccup)... carrying Germany to new heights is one of sacrifices and (hiccup)... death", finally, Goebbels replied with difficulty, looking at the ground because when he raised his gaze all started to go around.
The answer surprised Hitler. This subordinate had never expressed such an open opinion. Normally, Hitler would have got angry for this behaviour, but perhaps seeing Goebbels so drunk or perhaps feeling emotionally weak after his previous contemplation, he did not scold him but instead asked him an unbelievable question: "My friend, do you think I'm wrong?"
"I don't know my Führer (hiccup)... I don't know (hiccup)... But I trust you", feeling the warmth of his leader, Goebbels opened his heart.