This story is written in the first person, about a boy named Robika who becomes a child opera star at the age of eleven in the ear 1938. Robika is the son of a butcher, a commoner, who has a love affair with a Gabriella, a ballerina, and the daughter of an aristocrat. Although this is forbidden,
they keep their affair a secret, which becomes steamy. Four years later, Gabriella and her family move to Sweden to avoid Hitler's approaching army. After the German Army closes in, Robika no longer performs as the Opera is forced to close it's doors. He is drafted in the Hungarian Army, unarmed. Feeling vulnerable, he volunteers to be the cook for his troop who dig ditches.
in hopes of slowing the Russians coming from the east as the Germans approach from the north. He is caught in cross fire between the Germans and the Russians, but manages to escape on several occasions with his to escape on numerous occasions. Thousands flee for Austria, but Robika and his buddies maneuver their way home. As World War II continues, he is called once more to serve in active duty. Being armed this time, he goes through several life-threatening ordeals but always manages to escape. He is captured by the Russians, but cleverly, Robika convinces the Russian officer in charge to release him. Eastern Europe is taken over by the Russians, and wanting no part of it, Robika goes to work for the American embassy and becomes a secret spy for them. Aware he's being followed by Russian secret police, he keeps a secret love affair, though living a luxurious but dangerous lifestyle. Against his will, Robika is drafted into the new Russian Red Army. Four years later, he's arrested as an enemy spy. He is interrogated, beaten, starved, and imprisoned for a full year. Interrogations continue, worsening with each one. At the final one, he is given a death sentence. On the day of his hanging, he is surprisingly taken away and given amnesty. However, he endures an additional six years as a political prisoner. His inmates consist of politicians in high office as well as Christian monarchs. They all endure torture, starvation, and many of the men die off one by one. The Soviets offer to release Robika, provided he is willing to return to work at the American embassy as a secret spy for the Russians. He accepts their offer and becomes a double agent, only to give his Soviet contact useless information because his heart lies with the Americans. The Hungarian Revolution goes into full force as he hides in the shadows then reports his findings of the Soviet's plans to the officials at the American embassy. Robika begs the Americans to help him out of the country and away from communist Eastern Europe. They offer him a transfer to the American embassy in Vienna, and he agrees. They also provide him with papers and a US army uniform. Now needing additional help of the Soviets, he devises a plan and talks to his Soviet contact about helping him out of Hungary. They agree, provided he keeps them informed about the American's doings. Robika's Soviet contact brings him to the Austrian border in the dark of the night, where he is released on the edge of a field. He walks away, expecting to be shot in the back, but much to his surprise, the car drives away. Once over the border, he thanks God for sparing his life and kisses the ground. End. A sequel for the second part of this story is waiting for publishing as well.
