The RV looked spick and span, everything in its right place, well at least the right place for Hank, others may think differently. Rascal would have preferred the dog biscuits a little lower down and not in a sealed container, no matter how he tried to convince Hank otherwise, he reluctantly accepted that three a day was all that he could expect.
“ Ship shape, Rascal. Coffee and check the net.”
Hank was a wee bit upset, nothing new posted, it was going to be a long week without his friends and the local river was unfishable. He wished he was going to Roscoe, but like Rascal he accepted his lot. Reflecting on his misfortune he quickly abandoned wallowing as he realised that his old friend Willowhead, who had so much wanted to go, had been denied in the most cruel of fashions. “ Heck Rascal, that son of a mule would be driving everyone crazy with his enthusiastic illegible banter. Boy do I miss him.”
Reflecting is a poor second cousin to living and tends to clog the brain , confusing reality, mixing past and present and before you know it you don’t know where you are. Hank was somewhere else when the knock came to the door and it took a bark from Rascal to stir him to action.
The last thing Hank expected was a military type, imposing in his uniform, sparkling buttons, mirror like boots, straight square chin and that certain look of authority and a stare that seemed to go over your head and still hit you between the eyes.
“Lieutenant Chuck Andrews, I am looking for Hank, is that you sir”
“Howdy, I might be Hank and this might be Rascal and you might be General Eisenhower Sir. Old men have to be cautious, ID please.”
The officer scowled a little at this but offered Hank his ID.
Lieutenant Chuck Andrews, US Air force, special assistance unit.
“Howdy Chuck, I am Hank, please come in, coffee’s brewed and if you smoke, smoke. If you smoke cigars I’ll have one too. Now what can this old sailor do for the Militarrrry”
The Lieutenant eyed Hank cautiously’;” Sir, I have received orders to escort you to Hill Airforce Base for interrogation. Any questions you may have will be answered when you get there, do I make myself clear.”
Hank gulped loudly, “ Yes Sir, like the film Sir, crystal clear. Oh chit, have we been invaded by aliens ?
”.
“Wisecrack, Eh ? Start your engine Hank and follow me and DON’T DO ANYTHING FUNNY, IS THAT CLEAR”.
"Crystal clear Lieutenant
"
Starting the RV, Hank turned sheepishly to Rascal, " Chit my old friend, when you wake up in the morning you really don't know what the day has for you. This don't sound like a trip I want to make, must be some sort of cock up I expect, I hope."
TBC
