“Stand easy, Guido.”
I switch from Attention to At Ease, which is not to say I am at ease at all. I have been summoned to the Officer’s Tent, which is not surprisin’ as it is obvious I am gonna take some kinda flack for the afternoon’s skirmish. What does take me off guard is that Sergeant Smiley is there as well, sportin’ a sling for his arm and a deadpan expression.
“Sergeant Smiley here has given me his version of what’s been going on with your training group that led up to the event I witnessed this afternoon. Would you like to tell me your side of the story?”
“I’m sure the sergeant’s account is complete and accurate … sir,” I sez, crisp-like.
Normally, I would have just clammed up until I had a lawyer, but so far no charges have been mentioned, and I somehow don’t think this is a good time to make waves.
“Very well,” the officer nods. “In that case I feel compelled to follow the sergeant’s recommendation in this case.”
It occurs to me that maybe I should have offered up some defense, but it is too late now, as the officer has already swung into action. Pickin’ up a quill, he scribbles his name across the bottom of a series of papers that have been sittin’ on his desk.
“Do you know what an army that’s been growing as fast as ours needs the most, Guido?” he sez as he’s writin’.
I start to say “Divine Intervention,” but decide to keep my mouth shut … which is just as well as he proceeds to answer his own question.
“Leadership,” he sez, finishin’ his signin’ with a flourish of his quill. “We’re always on the lookout for new leaders … which is why I’m so pleased to sign these orders.”