"Gustav Hasvord. The Short-Timers " - читать интересную книгу автора

three months. Three months. All I do is take hand-shake shots at award
ceremonies. That's number ten, the worst. I'm bored. A high-school girl
could do my job." He gives MPC's to a pretty Vietnamese cashier.

Outside, an apprentice Viet Cong forces me to submit to a boot shine
while his older sister exhibits her breasts to Rafter Man.
"Relax, Rafter. You owe it to yourself. You'll be in the field soon
enough."
"Come on, Joker, cut me a huss. How can I teach geography if I never
see the world? Take me to Phu Bai. Okay?"
"Right," I say. "And then you'll get yourself wasted the first day
you're in the field and it'll be my fault. Your mom will find me after I
rotate back to the World. Your mom will beat the shit out of me. That's a
negative, Rafter. I'm not a sergeant, I'm only a corporal. I'm not
responsible for your scrawny little ass."
"Yes you are. I'm only a lance corporal."


Rafter Man and I stop by the USO and exchange a few off-color jokes
with the round-eyed Red Cross girls, who give us donuts. We ask the Red
Cross girls if they expect us to satisfy our lust with a donut and they
explain that a donut hole is all we rate.
In the USO there are barrels and barrels of letters which have been
written to us by children back in the World:

Dear Soldiers in Red Alert:
We have learned that men in Vietnam alive or dead are the bravest. We
are all trying to help you all
to come home to your house. We'll buy bonds. We help the Red Cross to
help soldiers. We'll help
you and your allies to come back. If possible, we'll send you gifts.
From Your Country,
Cheri
Dear Friend in Battle:
I am eight years old. I have one brother. I have one sister. It must be
sad over there.
Sincerely,
Jeff


Dear American:
I wish I could see you instead of talking on this Card. We have a dog,
and it is so cute. It is black
and has long hair. My name is Lori. I will always remember you in my
prayers. Tell everyone I love
them and I love you too, so good-bye.
Your Friend,
Lori