… "It is not an option. If the competition grabbed you, they would not mess around; just shoot you and float your body down the river. The Americans or the Austrians would take you to jail and sentence you to ten years and if you had bad luck, they may even hang you. This is why I pay the big money, son. For a weeks pay, you could buy a first class train ticket to Paris visit the Eiffel Tower and come back with some pleasant memories. Are you interested?"
For a moment, Arthur considered accepting Brummer's terms, but suddenly, the answer hit him.
This would be like being in the army during the war, without the protection of the uniform. Like Lilo's husband, no quarter given, fight to the finish. If I killed someone, it would haunt me for the rest of my life even if I quit the job, he thought. "This is just like the French Foreign Legion," he remarked quietly.
"Precisely, my friend. Except the pay is much better."
Arthur thought for a while and gave Brummer a long look. "I am not a coward, sir, but I do not want to risk prison."
"Up to you, son. However, if you change your mind, just come back."
Arthur saluted, turned around, and marched out.
On his way to the other side, he stopped in the middle of the bridge, looked at the slow flowing, dirty water of the River Inn passing under him, and let out a big sigh.
I stood at this same spot roughly three months ago, with a war going on around me. I feared the uncertain future. Everything is quiet now, but my fate is just as uncertain, and my fear did not diminish. Nothing has changed. I could work for a farmer, as Lilo suggested. I could become a monk or accept Brummer's offer, ending up dead or in prison. If I joined the Legion, I could die just the same, but at least someone would record my death, and my chance of landing in jail would be slim. That's what I am going to do, he thought. As to seal his decision, Arthur spat into the dirty water of the Inn.