The Only Woman in the Room

Hedy sits at a party, but her mind is elsewhere. Over the past few days, she’d been trying to remember every detail of every conversation she’d overheard as Mrs. Mandl, hoping to find something to use against the Nazis. After making a long list of military and weaponry plans she remembers, Hedy decides the torpedo system is the greatest weakness in the German army. Her every waking thought, from then on, is dedicated to exploiting that weakness. At the party, Hedy sits next to composer George Antheil. She compliments him on creating a complicated composition, and he invites her to duet. As they play, they each adapt to the other’s melody. Suddenly inspired, Hedy asks George to work on an invention with her that will “shorten the war” (202). 

Hedy and George return to Hedy’s house. He is surprised to find her drawing room full of notes, textbooks, and sketches. She explains that the Germans struggle to create a radio-control system for their torpedoes. Though controlling the weapons remotely is more accurate and safer for those operating it, an enemy can jam the frequency once they figure out which radio frequency the torpedo is using. Overwhelmed and confused, George, a composer, wonders why Hedy would seek his help.