Dachau: The Harrowing of Hell

21. Dr. Ali Kuci

21 DR. ALI KUCI Dr. Ali Kuci is a short, thin, dark man with a long face, whose doctorate in philosophy from the University of Florence was preceded by special training in political science at London University. He claims to have been the former minister of propaganda in Albania, or so I am told, and I can believe this because he has a nimble brain and a fertile imagination. At one time he impulsively recorded for posterity his opinion of Mussolini 's birth and shortcomings, and after that was confined at Dachau . The years of imprisonment do not seem to have limited his mental and linguistic dexterity. He retains a capacity for warmth and humor that is welcome in this dreadful place. A man of many talents, Kuci admits to being a master of contract bridge. In his country, where bridge is very popular, he was known as the Culbertson of Albania. Later I discover that his bidding is so deceptive that neither his partner nor his opponents have the slightest intimation of his holdings. When he is declarer, he changes from a cunning fox to a charging tiger, exposes his hand after the second or third playing trick and claims the remainder-the Kuci Coup. When he is challenged and forced to continue the play of the hand, he usually makes two tricks fewer than he originally claimed. Sometimes he is saved by a telephone call, which he answers in a soft, singsong voice: "Kuci speaking," followed by a machine -gun delivery in German, Albanian, Italian, or Turkish. He has an unusual talent for discovering hidden automobiles and concealed gasoline containers. One morning he rushes into my office and shakes hands with everyone twice. "My friend," he says, "last night I come to visit you. It is late at night, one in morning. But there are no lights. I have a probI 149 lem. Should I wake you? No! My friend must sleep at night; he works hard. So, I go way. I stumble over gas can. Is funny coincidence because my car runs out of gas in front of your house. So, I borrow some gas. Is all right? Some day you come to Tirana and run out of gas in front of my house. I show you good time." I warn Kuci that the penalty for looting is summary execution in front of a firing squad. If gasoline is stolen, I add, the penalty is worse: the culprit is not given a handkerchief to mask his eyes. He is not impressed. Perhaps because of his royal lineage. One of the inmates says that Kuci claims to be a direct descendant of Alexander the Great. The IPC has decided that recreation and entertainment will help reduce the friction in the camp. Kuci's reputation as a treasure hunter par excellence naturally leads to his appointment as Chairman of the Committee on Entertainment. Kuci immediately discovers 3,000 propaganda-free books and has them delivered to the camp, the beginning of a library. He also searches for music-three orchestras have been organized. Noone can find an adequate practice room for the musicians, so Kuci is given the task. His cameralike mind quickly scans each building and focuses on the shower room. Large enough so that each orchestra could practice there one hour a day, he says. His recommendation is sent through channels and is accepted by the shower room Capo. Kuci's next assignment is to arrange for a theater in which concerts and stage shows can be given, and movies shown. No one can think of a suitable building, but w(: know that somehow Kuci will not only find one, but equip it lavishly. He persuades the people who operate the radio station in Dachau to broadcast special programs to the camp inhabitants daily. Then he institutes a search for movie projectors and a public address system, finds an American radio transmitter that needs repairs, and, after estimating that it will take a week to have it fixed elsewhere, establishes a radio repair service in the camp. There are very few radios in the camp. To alleviate this 150 I Dachau: The First Week shortage, Kuci dispatches four men to a nearby town. Unfortunately , American MPs arrest them on their return, and impound the "wireless sets." Kuci springs the men, but not the sets. Unperturbed , he says that others are to be found, and he knows where. A mild discussion follows at an IPC meeting: Sir Patrick...