GRGR(24) - Der Springer's Innocence

[David Morris]

Welcome to GRGR(24).
This time around, instead of starting with a summary of the events in each 
episode, I'm just going to jump right in with some observations, and I hope 
everyone else also feel free to do so.  There does not seem to be any direct 
chronological sequence to these three episodes (1. The Pirate Raid of the 
Annubis  2. Katje joins the Counterforce  3. Pirate has "one of his own"), 
so I don't see any need to discuss them sequentially either.  A summary may 
emerge later, but more along the lines of the general direction(s) these 
episodes seem to be pointing...

Courtesy of Mark(AIA)Wright (but no harm done), I unknowingly jumped the gun 
into the first episode of GR24 with comments about Slothrop "getting his 
nose rubbed in it," and (first summary comment) I think that Big Guilt is a 
Big Theme in GR24.  Case in point, let's look at "Der Springer's Innocence:"

After abandoning Narisch (not to mention Bianca) Slothrop is feeling Guilty. 
  Der Springer tries to comfort him with "He's all right, Slothrop" and 
"They weren't supposed to [kill him]."  Slothrop doesn't catch the hidden 
message in Der Springer's words, but we should.

Next, when Slothrop learns which ship they're pirating, he says, "You knew I 
was aboard.  You're setting me up, now, right?"  Springer denies even 
knowing about Slothrop before their first rendezvous, which is highly 
unlikely given Rocketman's fame and Springer's network.  And then he let's 
slip, "I don't control the Russians, and I didn't deliver him -"  But, BUT, 
Slothrop never implied Der Springer had set up _Narisch's_ delivery to the 
Russians.  Slothrop was concerned about his own ass in returning to the 
Annubis.  Der Springer is letting his Big Guilt slip out.

We know that German Rocket-scientists are valuable commodities, and we know 
that Springer heavily recruited, seduced, Narisch into his organization with 
promises of Babes and the Big Time.  But, think about it, WHY would a 
mobster want a rocket-scientist on his team?  As Narisch put it, "This 
S-Gerat strategy he's going out of his way to die for tonight, what does he 
know of the Springer's _full_ intentions in the affair." (516.35)  It is 
very possible that Der Springer's full intention with Narisch was to turn 
him over to the highest bidder!

As Slothrop sez (out of the mouth of a babe: he's no idea of the import of 
his own words): "You're really pushing that innocence today, ain't you?" 
(529.1)  Bingo, Slothrop!

David Morris
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