on a whim, i'm in the midst of some bizarre movie-script barracks. it's basic training. we've got to go through all kinds of aptitude tests and training before we can learn first aid, but the sergeant and his buddies waste no time in getting us recruits our weapons, even bringing out the high-powered scopes and rifles for us to salivate over. i ask a couple of questions, so i am thereby marked as a troublemaker; sarge doesn't plan on giving me anything but seven kinds of hell.
i come across a scrap of a report in the washroom -- something that probably should have been shredded, as it gets my blood boiling. i confront the sarge with it: me, the angry, impotent bleeding-heart. "this is disgusting, but i bet you don't even care! i'm just some worthless wimp leftie scum to you, huh?"
"yer damn right!" he bellows.
i'm done, i'm out, waste of time. what in the hell was i doing, going into the army in the first place? that stuff stopped interesting me when i was in my teens, anyway.
so out of the barracks without a backward glance, into downtown: it's night, the streets are almost empty of cars. orange halogens spill down the sides of the old stone buildings that fill this part of town. across the street, under the shifting tree-leaf shadows, i'm into the park.
now this is more like it: people in all sorts of strange carefree getup, wandering, gathering, sitting, talking... no one imposing anything on anyone else. and of course my friends are there; gordex, armourtime, the dr, sitting on the grass, look up as i pass and greet me as if it is the most natural thing in the world for me to be there. i briefly wonder if they were waiting for me, knowing i'd bounce out of there in short order, or if they even know of my brief flirtation with the military. it doesn't really matter; there's little to fear out here compared to inside those walls. halfway across the park, i can see cheese running about, with a swishing of skirts and a bouncing of curls. just doing her thing.
here is freedom, and honest adventure, at the expense of no lives, and no mindless conformity. and we have many hours 'til morning.
16 years ago
