Free Aladdin's Problem by Ernst Jünger

she was pouring it, he said: "I've reserved a spot for you." And when she had left:
    "Friedrich, you don't realize what you've just said: that is the countermove to the motor world."
    But then irony came into play after all:
    "And it's also good business."
    He must have had a Chasidic rebbe among his ancestors.
    61
    Sigfried Jersson, the great banker, had asked Kornfeld and myself to meet with him: we sat together in his office. Soundproofwalls, double windows and doors; no noise penetrated.
    A man's taste is revealed, at first sight, by the paintings or, if the walls are bare, by the proportions — indeed, even more strongly by the latter: the invisible harmony dominates. This was the case, and I did not feel that something was missing. The main price of such an arrangement is the complete insulation.
    Old Jersson was dressed like one of the senior members of the Jockey Club. He would have fitted in there physiognomically as well. His Berlin office was only a dependance, but he was often here, for he loved the city. It was rumored that he had once chartered one of the fastest planes in order to take a check to New York; the interest accruing in several hours was greater than the expense. Perhaps this was merely an anecdote, like those told about Rothschild.
    Whenever he wanted to peruse a document, he would use his monocle, which was attached to a black ribbon. He did so now as he picked up the presentation that Kornfeld and I had written at Sigi's prompting. It was the only paper lying on the desk. His viewing .2 no doubt, a gesture, for it was obvious, as his quest revealed, that he had perused the contents meticulous I nurtured no great hopes. His invitation was probably sparked by a certain curiosity, or else the banker wanted to do his nephew a favor. Occasionally, such potentates start a firm for poor kinsmen, even lithe business runs purely at a loss. Sigi had once told me: "The old guy often doesn't know what to do with his money. He then drives new nails in to hang it up."
    By inviting us, Jersson probably meant to determine whether we were personally reputable or Bohemians with fantastic ideas to Sigi's taste. That was what his questions boiled down to after he sized us up through his monocle. I could introduce myself as having a degree in sociology and as one of the directors of Pietas_ This was not disadvantageous. I noticed that he had had the firm investigated. So our meeting was probably more of a personal introduction, for the banker was also informed about Kornfeld — he asked him several questions concerning geology, which was not a random move, for Jersson had also made quite a name for himself in petroleum and he often dealt with prospectors.
    The oil magnates have taken on the role of kings — their nets encompass lands and seas.
    The meeting lasted three quarters of an hour, and had been tailored to that timespan, for a secretary appeared without being summoned and saw us out.
    Two robust men followed us all the way to the street; they had searched us for weapons when we had entered. As we left, Jersson shook our hands. He said: "My son-in-law is a master ofthe unprofitable arts, but sometimes a blind chicken can peck up a kernel."
    62
    Nevertheless, I was surprised that we were invited back. This time, Uncle Fridolin was also there. The banker had flown in from New York and landed on the roof; he presented the summary of his reflections:
    "Gentlemen — I have no interest whatsoever in pipe dreams or in running a pious establishment. Funerals have always been a sound business and could become a big business in these times; a genuine and widespread need exists. After reviewing the documents drafted by Messrs. Kornfeld and Baroh, I am prepared to form a company; I would advance the initial capital. I would not like the name of my bank linked to it; I suggest that Herr Fridolin Gädke should sign for the firm. I will have the necessary contracts drawn up and submitted to you by the end of the