James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture. That meant turning everyday objects into tools. Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north. Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box. A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel away the top layer of a card to uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. THE SECRET TOOLS OF WAR FREEDOM IN A DECK OF CARDS
STARTING OVER SAFELY Protect Your Finances, Evidence, and Peace of Mind Change is on the horizon, and while deciding to leave a marriage is never easy, it can also be the first step toward reclaiming your life. If you are preparing for a divorce, you’ve already done the most challenging work, but it requires careful planning to ensure you’re safe and on the path to a happy, successful future for yourself. You should take three essential steps to ensure this new chapter starts off right. SAFETY FIRST The most important thing of all is your safety, especially if you are leaving a narcissist or an abusive partner. Identify a safe place you can stay, like a friend or family member’s house, and make a plan with them so you can act quickly if need be. Have a bag of essentials and important documents ready to go in a place where your partner won’t find them. Protect your private information by changing passwords on social media or email accounts. SECURE YOUR FINANCES You also need to ensure you have the financial means to support yourself. Open a separate bank account and gather key financial documents like tax returns and credit card statements. Make a list of any shared marital debts and assets, and monitor your credit report for any unexpected changes. As soon as you know you want to leave, save some cash in a safe place for immediate or emergency costs. COLLECT EVIDENCE The more evidence you can gather about why you are getting a divorce, the better your outcome will be in court. Keep a journal to list any negative incidents and when they occurred. Save any texts, emails, or voicemails that show your spouse has been abusive or manipulative. If your spouse has physically harmed you or damaged any of your property, take photos or video. Save all this information in a private place, like a safe at a friend’s house or password-protected cloud storage. You don’t have to go through this alone. A support system of trusted loved ones and the right lawyer can help you navigate these changes. At Bruce Law Firm, we know what it takes to protect you on your journey to the happy life you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on
a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped.
And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping-Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point.
Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse. Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?
OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!
The book can be downloaded for FREE at DivorceInformationBooks.com
2 • BrucePA.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator