The Prose of Alfred Lichtenstein

Max Mechenmal runs a modest newspaper kiosk, lives off occasional favors from Ilka Leipke, and nurtures a secret fury about his small stature. A rough childhood in an institution for “retarded children” and a stint in a home for neglected kids left him skilled with locks but never quite able to turn his talents into the grand burglaries he dreams of. He drifts through the city, flirting with the daughters of his employers, stealing only when the risk feels low, his ambitions always just out of reach.

One night, after a bitter day, Max encounters a strange, hunch‑backed gentleman named Kuno Kohn in a dimly lit street. Kuno’s awkward invitation to a tavern leads to a tense, booze‑stained conversation about fate, misfortune, and the bitterness of women. As they drink, Max finds himself both unnerved and oddly drawn to the enigmatic stranger, whose cryptic comments hint at possibilities far beyond the cramped world of his kiosk. The encounter promises a shift in Max’s restless routine, yet the true direction of that shift remains uncertain.