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STARSHIP
TRUTHERS
I always get the shakes before a drop. The ship’s bartender told me it was unusual. He said that most people get them after drinking, but he also said I was lucky and should be thankful because folks who get to quaking when they’re hungover suffer a whole lot more. According to him anyway. I couldn’t say about that. You see, I’ve never been one of those people. Fact is; I don’t even drink. I meant to say that I got the shakes before we made an assault from orbit. That’s what we call a dangerous military raid like that: a drop. So when I corrected the bartender, he began to understand. At least he seemed to. He nodded knowingly and somewhat sympathetically and said. “Ah, I see. Well, it’s only natural that that kind of drop would give you the shakes.” “Milk shakes,” I told him. “Before each drop all of the guys want milk shakes.” He looked at me and didn’t say anything, but I figured he wanted to know more, so I added: “High energy food. Good source of protein. And who wants to get peckish when you’re in a fire fight? Believe me; you need all the concentration you can get! The milk shakes help.” “And you get the milk shakes?” he asked. “That’s what I said,” I told him. “Johnny Rico used to be the one who had to get them, but then he got killed by the bugs and I was next in line and so now I have to do it.” I’ll admit that I got a little short with the bartender. He was kind of thick and I’m not sure if it was just a put-on to irritate me. Anyway, I finished with: “I’ll say it again if it still isn’t clear: I always get the shakes before a drop. Do you understand? Finally?  |