Auschwitz Day

It is a fine day. At least that is what I thought when the doors to our lab opened and the lights came on. Nothing unusual really. Bob came in with his bucket and mop. I am always happy to see him. He smiles a lot and he does have a word or two for us between his off-key whistles. He is trying to whistle the Blue Danube, something quite impossible if I know anything about it. But he does cheer me up. But Judy, Dr.Judith Kleinfeld to give her full name and title, is quite another cup of tea. Very stern and I don’t think I have ever seen her smile. Bob was making faces at my brother I think when I heard Judy come in. I tried to peer over Bob’s shoulder and see whether it was her. Yes, there she was and she was already getting that white lab coat on. I watched her as she shook her head and got the collars of the coat to settle down. I like to watch. There is nothing to do all day long in the lab really. Sometimes I try to talk to my brother but he is in a world of his own. He is not interested in anything around him. I think of it as a post traumatic shock. The poor fellow had been given a jab of some blue liquid by Judy. He just hadn’t been feeling well after that I think.

But I have a gut feeling that today is not a good day for any of us in the lab. As if to echo my thoughts, I heard Dr. Jenkins come in and walk over to Judy. Dr.Jenkins is the head of research and it is rare for him to come in this early into our lab. Something must be wrong. “Judy,” I heard him say, “We must get those tests done today. We are already behind schedule.” I didn’t hear Judy’s reply. It was a mumble. And Dr.Jenkins thought so too. “Why are you crying,” I heard him ask Judy. Judy crying? That surprised me no end. I was all ears now. “It’s Auschwitz day” I heard her saying between stifled sobs. I have always thought of Dr.Jenkins as a sort of demi-god. But there he was patting Judy on the shoulder and saying, “Now, now. Of course I understand”. Then very uncharacteristically he took out his specs and started fiddling with it in his hands. I knew that he did not know what to say to Judy. “They gassed my grandmother there, you know.” Another sob and Dr.Jenkins put his specs back and scratched his nose. That was a sign he did not like what he was about to say. I knew that. As I told you, I have been watching these lab people all my life, well almost.

Well Dr.Jenkins cleared his throat and said, “Judy of course I understand. But the tests have to go on. I would have let you take the day off but we are short staffed. And the samples have already been fired.” Judy shook her head and wiped her tears and she stood up adjusting her coat. “Of course Dr.Jenkins. I am sure we will get you the results today. I am sorry really. I shouldn’t have let it get to me. After all it happened long ago.” Dr.Jenkins was already on his way out, leaving his words trailing behind him. “That’s my girl. Well get on with it”

I saw Judy coming towards us and I regret to say I scampered back leaving my brother right in the middle of the cage. Judy was all professional now, with no trace of the emotion she had shown just a few moments back. I heard her ask whether the smoke chambers were ready for the inhalation tests. I saw her hand darting inside the cage as she picked my brother by his tail. Well, everyday is an Auschwitz day for us lab mice.
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