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Cold Soldier

Here Sly was up in the Arctic. He knew that since he started his volunteer army life this conversation would come about. Sly was a grunt recruit, and knew he didn't belong.

"What is it, Sly?"

"I want out. I can't be kept by you any longer – not here."

"But I need you."

"You need it. The three-letter word that makes the world go round. I want more."

"If we don't make it together you're in the brig, and if it becomes public, I'm enemy number one around here and in deep mud."

"It's not that I don't like you anymore."

"What is it, kid? You said you were a masochist…and don't mind being a subordinate."

"Well, remember that mad dash to the urinals after you yelled out 1, 2, 3…1, 2, 3…?"

"Those were marching orders, Sly."

"Well, that was exciting, I'll admit…"

"Is it the dressing up or down you object to?"

"Oh, nothing like that."

"Is it the swashbuckling swastika types with their tattoos who are giving you a hard time?"

"Oh, one gets used to redneck types when they're unavoidable…though they aren't my favorite types."

"Is it my Kentucky accent, Sly?"

"No, Sergeant."

"You said you like muscular guys…"

"I think it's the regimen. I just want out."

"But on your application you said you liked discipline."

"Bondage."

"I can't let you go. You're one of a kind and we're two of a kind. You said it yourself. My life is over without you, Sly. But you know, I can't be sure we aren't being recorded. Someone could blackmail us."

"Don't get paranoid, Sergeant Hacker."

"You can always call me just plain Rock. Oh, can't we get into the sack? You've brought up something big."

"Sure Sergeant."

"Rock."

Sly had told Rock that he was here for his service alone, that to his orphaned civilian life Rock was the father and brother he had never known. They had met at a Kansas City bar and Sly was recruited, and since Sergeant Hacker had pull and lots of leeway, Sly accompanied him everywhere—being his cook, entertaining, you name it—in this deserted North Pole base.

"You haven't gone cold on me?"

"Up here? No."

The conversation ended. Sly deserted and soon after his early retirement, Sergeant Hacker met him in Mexico City where they have opened the Opium Flower Shop and a joint account. Go figure.

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