Document 25

Anonymous report of conversation at "Female Worker" Factory, Leningrad, 1930

RGAE, f. 7486s, op. 1, d. 102, l. 212. Typed copy.

A couple of women workers talk to one another.

"Those damn bastards, they won't give you time off," says a weaver to her work pal.

"But where we are ain't so bad," says a young weaver wearing a red kerchief. "Not a single Komsomol member in our section, and when one shows up, we immediately make it hot for her." And, looking around nervously, she burst out into a shrill laugh.

"Parasites like you oughta be driven out of the factory," declares a male voice addressing the women workers.

"Don't even bother to talk to him," says an elderly weaver, turning to a co-worker. "He must be one of those promotees: has a pencil sticking out of his pocket."

"Can't you tell he's a Jew," declares a third woman laconically after taking a good look at the facial features of the stranger. "Everyone knows who the Jews stand up for."