Georg Bauer was a 22-year old German mercenary before the Ring of Fire brought Grantville to the past. Out of work, Bauer traveled to Jena. While there, he learned of Grantville, and decided to travel there for employment. When he arrived in Grantville, Bauer was directed by Chip Jenkins to apply with the Laughing Laundress Company, owned by Chad Jenkins. However, Bauer had difficulty in dealing with the American culture. Morever, he was beaten up at the anti-German Club 250, and subsequently charged with urinating in public.