Beda about his brother Leo

Leo was busy only with his architecture. He was the architect for rich people and was always building something outstanding. I remember that in Zabrady Leo built stairs from glass. I remember, as well, the black linoleum – something futuristic. He worked very hard. He employed two building engineers in his office. When he received an order to design a bakery, or a lab, he tried, I think, to please the clients’ wives more than the clients themselves. If, of course, the wives were worth it. He always had plenty of fine ladies.
For Auerbach, the film director, Leo built a villa at the Barrandov. I don’t know whether it has survived.
Auerbach escaped to America and arranged a visa for Leo Mayer. But Leo would never leave. “No way,” he said, “I will stay here as the last Jew, let them carry me in a cage through all Prague, on display: this is him, the last Jew in Prague.” He was killed in Auschwitz. He was killed, and I became a misanthrope.