Amerika: The Missing Person

Grete Mitzelbach, the Head Cook at the Hotel Occidental, takes Karl under her wing as they are both German speakers. She calls Karl her “fellow countryman” (89) and is determined to get him a job as a lift operator at the hotel, claiming it will improve his station. Karl is desperate to start over, so he accepts the job.

The Head Cook invites Karl to stay at her apartment with three adjoining rooms. Karl is introduced to Therese Berchtold, the Head Cook’s typist who also resides at the apartment. Therese tells Karl that she feels very isolated. As she explains her exhausting duties to Karl, she mentions the nearby town, Ramses, where she often runs errands. She begs him not to speak a word of this to the Head Cook, as it would appear ungrateful, and Karl promises not to. Therese begins to sob, and Karl realizes how “bitter” (95) life must be for the hotel employees.

Karl meets the serious Head Waiter and his fellow liftboy Rennel, a “vain boy with dark eyes” (96) who leaves for the city on his nights off in a fancy suit. Rennel frequently asks Karl to cover his work shift for him.

Karl sleeps in the lift-boys’ dorm, an uncomfortable room with many beds.