ISSUE: Summer 2007
In October 1940, Orten wrote in his notebook a list of all he was not allowed to do.
I’m not allowed to leave the house after eight in the evening.
I’m not allowed to rent an apartment.
I’m not allowed to move to any section of Prague other than I. or V., and that
only as a subletter.
I’m not allowed to go to the movies, to any bar, coffee shop, restaurant,
theater, or to a concert, except for one or two coffee shops, specifically
marked for me.
I’m not allowed to go to parks or orchards.
I’m not allowed to go to the city woods.
I’m not allowed to travel outside of Prague.
I’m not allowed (therefore) to go home, to Kutná Hora, or anywhere else,
except with the express permission of the Gestapo.
I’m not allowed to ride in the motorcar of a streetcar, only in the last
passenger car, and if this car has a door in the middle, I’m allowed to
ride only in the back half of the car.
I’m not allowed to buy things in any shop except between 11 p.m. and 1 p.m.
and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
I’m not allowed to act in the theater or to do anything else of a public nature.
I’m not allowed to be a member of any club or association.
I’m not allowed to attend any sort of school.
I’m not allowed to socialize with members of the Národní souručenství, and
they are not allowed to have contact with me, to greet me, to stop and
talk about anything other than is absolutely necessary . . .
27 October 1940
Translated by Lyn Coffin with Zdenka Brodska
