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Chapter 4: Garrett
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Four Garrett /fyou've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds wilJfollow. -Anny saying T he mist crept in on tiny rubber-lire sandals. It slipped soundlessly around the room and snaked into the corners, under the bunks, iO[o the wall lockers, through the military tucks in the blankets, into our bones and minds, and into our dreams. I dreamed mat I was riding my grandfather's favorite horse, Chief Bowles (actually Chief Bowles number five) out on Goodnight Ridge near the ranch. It was early morning before sunrise and the ducks were tlying southwest. I could not see them because of the mist, a heavy fog that seemed to Iifr from the grass and swirl into the sky in folds, but since 1 could hear the whir of their wings, I knew they must be low. Their soft sounds beckoned me to follow, but the harder I looked for them, me more difficult it was to see them. I urged Chief Bowles forward, first at a trot, then at a gallop. At the Outset, the mist clung to him and seemed ro slow him as if it were a net, but men ChiefBowles seemed ro break ftee and was JUSt about m burst into the clear starlit Texas morning when up loomed a barbed wire fence, forcing him ro turn sharply- roo sharply-and I fdt myself tumbling over the stallion's mane, and I saw the ground, covered with mist rising up ro meet me. ... Light exploded inm the room, causing a montage of fireworks across the back of my eydids, and I knew that Rancek was on the prowl again. "On your feet, numbnurs!" I opened my eyes to the bright dots of the fresh light and blinked in defense, struggling for consciousness and attempting to toSS off the covers at the same time. J could tell that Trailer and Budwell were already out of their bunks and on their feet. Entangled in my dream, I had been late in getting am of my bunk, so Rancek concentrated on me. "Cmon, sleeping beauty, let's see some quick reaction time from you. Hustle! Husde!" I made it to the floor and quickly assumed [he position of attention. Lucky so far, I hadn't yet called any focus upon myself, bm it looked like my luck had run am. "What's your name, Rip Van Winkle?" "Sir, Candidate Jefferson Bowie Adams." "Well, that's a hell of a moniker. Jefferson and Adams. Your pappa think you're presidential stock, huh? Bur, I don't think I remember President Bowie. Did Poppa get his history mixed up?" "Sir, Candidate Adams. No sir. Jim Bowie was one of the heroes of the Alamo in the war for Texas independencc; my grandfather was named for him, and ' was named for my grandfather." "Another friggin' Texan. Well, Adams I'm from New Jersey, and I've just about heard enough bullshit about the great state of Texas, and I've seen enough Texans bounce their asses out of here to know that Texas macho is crap. Got it?" "Sir, Candidate Adams, I understand." "Damnit, you pussy, don't you have any self-respea? You mean you're just going to let me heap shit on your home state and you're JUSt gain' to take it? I don't want no pussies here, Adams. I'm gain' to bounce your ass too." Rancek walked around the room, looked into rhe wall lockers and under the bunks while we stood at attention. Budwell, I noticed, was now wearing olive drab jockey undenvear. Rancek also seemed to notice by glancing at us, but he said nothing, took another rum around the room, and said to me: ''I'm gain' to keep my eye on you, Adams, you hear me, dud?" "Sir, Candidate Adams, yes sit." "As you were," he commented as he flipped the light switch, and as we stood in darkness, he added, "and pleasant dreams." And so it came [0 pass in the mess hall the next day that Rancek was good to his word. As everything in OCS, the mess hall had its rules-rules 30 Fort &nning Blua [34.228.7.237] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 10:12 GMT) of entry, rules of eating, rules of exit. To enter the mess hall, every candidale waited in line at the parade rest position with legs in a V and arms behind the back until the person in front...