Zdenka Bystrická

„They called me into the office. I told myself that I hadn't done anything. And there sat Kelemen, if that means anything to you, he was the top communist here. Kelemen, the director. I was, with apologies, completely confused about what they wanted from me. But they solemnly told me that they were offering me membership in the party. At first, that I would only go to these and that, to learn and so on. When they said that, I said, well, I'm in my ass, because I'll never get in there. But sometimes he really uses his brain. I said that I was very sorry, but the party requires the whole person. And I have two small children. I couldn't devote myself to it like that, which would make me sad and the party doesn't deserve it. I don't even know where I came up with those words. And they just nodded their heads, I have the materials for it at home, they just nodded their heads and said: 'Okay.' So I didn't have to go there.“ 1:42:58 – 1:44:18 – They wanted to entice Zdenka to join the party, but she refused

„Personally, it completely crushed me. I had no words. In short, I cried. And then, when the checks were done – lessons learned from the crisis, we went to the principal's office one by one, where the whole bunch of key officials were there, headed by the principal. And they asked questions. My husband and I were lucky enough not to be at school during the most culminating period, so they didn't actually know much about us. So we both focused on the fact that it was terrible, but that Palach was the worst, so it was a shame for every life, they couldn't say a soft F to that, so they just nodded their heads.“ 01:36:25 – 01:37:36 Job questions during normalization’s interview