Nguyen let his Chinese version of a soup spoon settle into his bowl of traditional Korean soup. The sounds penetrating the thin walls assured that no listening devices, if planted and that didn’t seem remotely possible, would hear nothing.
“When I stopped by your apartment in San Clemente to drop off the nativity scene I spoke with Mary for some time. She is the woman you described so often. She gave me your telephone number but that number’s been turned off since you moved. She also gave me a number for a man named Matt, so I called him. I had nowhere else to turn. When I called Matt he couldn’t help me with immigration or with getting me on a flight home but he did get me a flight on a military plane to Yongsan airport here in downtown Seoul.”
Jim,
Ref your comment response of working on “The Cat Book II”, really looking forward to that. Also “The Sand”, though for me, “The Sand” is a very good Sci Fi story, I find “The Cat” more engaging, with the interaction of humans and animals and especially the growth, understanding and acceptance of the ‘humans’. Though I doubt their “understanding/acceptance” of the lion and beaver is any more than what today’s humans would have – Lucky are those that have that type relationships with their companions as well as those of the wild. Reminds me of a recent story of a women living in western New York, laden with a Black Bear population, who occasionally gets visits to her back deck, while she is on it, of a bear who climbs on the deck, sits down on the deck fence bench like a dog, and seemingly listens to her and has some type of ‘conversation’ with her. (No – The bear doesn’t talk, sadly. But the level of trust between the two – amazing. Would love to know what the bear says to his buddies later on – “Yeah, hung out with the human again on her back deck. Today she talked about her lazy butt kids saying they don’t visit as often because they’re afraid of the bears! I mean us! Can you believe it?”) Just another example of my ’80/20′ split of preferring animals over humans. (Yes, I know – There may be some folks that disagree with my ’80/20′ split, maybe a bunch, but frankly my dear … See below for a version of my reply to them. To be honest, it wouldn’t be so ‘soft spoken’.)
So, a one time “employee/physicist in one of the tech areas of
Los Alamos labs”? When did you find time to eat and make ‘little Strauss’?
And, “My book called “Down in the Valley” is first time I refer to actually
alien (as in alien beings or culture) equipment discovered”? Great – Somehow missed that. Another reason for a re-read. Come on, give me a hint – At least first, second or third volume.
“learning more while understanding less?” There was a time when I wondered at what age would I be when the opposite would be true. At a later point in time I realized that would never happen, and that constantly gets reinforced. So much to learn while trying to understand it. But at least in this specific instance, I grew out of my ‘F___ed up and Stupid’ phase. Unfortunately, in too many instances, not so much.
Interesting comment about who the “Black Car” was following – you or Nguyen. I bet on you being the pin cushion target. Future chapter?
Ditto on your reply “That the sergeant didn’t call the number I gave him was also a statement.” about this not being his ‘first rodeo’ (See my initial comment of the day – night – early morning — Whatever.) and how those 3 initials could/would/can change a situation dramatically.
“‘Saving’ Nguyen was a mission all of its own and one that I could never have backed down from.” Not “backing down from”, for you, wasn’t really unexpected from what I’ve read and learned about you. The fact that this “mission” even occurred and all the background that had to happen for you to even hook up in SK was unexpected. Part of a/the ‘test’? I know – Future chapter. Then again, trying to bring folks up to speed over life events over 50 years ago is best done in the order they happen – So for all of us who want the whole story, right now – I’ll say it for you – ‘Shut up, sit down, I’m gettin’ there’ (This is in reference to my ’80/20′ split from above. At least that’s what I would say.
Regards my friend,
Doug
Talk about heavy duty, my friend Danko. I will have to reread this entry several times in order to take it all in.
Your confessions are heartbreaking and the fact that life has not always been kind to you is expected but still revealing.
PTSD rewards by incurring one to fear and unfriendly humans, many times of our own family connection. They don’t know.
They know not what they do. Love you brother…and thanks for this terrific and moving comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
I know – A day (OK – More than a day.) late & a dollar short.
Another great read. Again, still many questions on Nguyen – How did he get to the US? Who did he work for? Just ‘by accident’ did he ‘find’ Mary or was he ‘directed’? I know – Will come out in future chapters, like it did for you in times of yore.
Ref the Sgt at the hanger, did you ever give him a “response” or did you just leave his salute hanging? His response to you saying “CIA” indicates this wasn’t his first rodeo & he’d been giving instructions reference to anyone using the initials, such as – “Stop whatever you’re doing, including doing a self, emergency appendectomy, (Again, love ‘spell check’.) and give 100% of your respect and attention to get whatever they need, no questions asked.” Magic letters those.
Again, too many coincidents with Nguyen, but … some time later, I’ll relate my experience of what ‘had’ to happen, in what order, etc for me to get a puppy back to their rightful companion (Who also got some needed, unasked for, advice. Gently of course.), including me intentionally slowing down to catch a ‘red light’ so I could finish my cigarette, other people’s assistance, etc. Not a ‘Nguyen’, but I imagine the puppy would say otherwise. And got some gold as well, not physical, but the kind I find to be the best kind.
Again, some great comments too!
Sincere regards my friend,
Doug
You are almost in a league of your own when it comes to deeply personal reactions and comments about the work…and you, yourself.
Thanks for this and what a pleasure to read what you write here. I do call and harangue you from time to time, and I find that
a pleasing experience. Thanks for allowing that.
Your friend, and
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow, poisoned tip arrows. Had you not leaned forward could this saga have ended there? .What entity would send 2 guys with primitive weapons after you? Each chapter adds a new twist left unresolved. Great read!
Thanks for the great comment and the compliment at the end Phil. I’m writing the next chapter this minute
so it sure helps on providing motivation.
Semper fi,
Jim
Hope you saved some of that gold, Jim. Worth about $35/T oz then, over $2,400/T oz now!
Agree with Mr. Flynn – fast-paced (and true!) spy-type stories are big deals.
Craig, as I recall, gold had gone from a set price of $35 a few years earlier, after we came out from under the gold standard. The price jumped amazingling as Nixon left office to about $250 and then $300 nearly overnight. Flynn is a good guy to agree with, by the way, much like yourself in that he’s a terrific guy. Thanks for the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Excellent !!! Can’t wait to read more !! Thanks so much 🙏
Thanks for the great public compliment Tim!
Semper fi,
Jim
Keep writing James! I’ve read up on everything you put on Facebook, went back and re-read all 3 volumes of 30 Days Has September, and am halfway through Vol 1 of Cowardly Lion!
I love re-reading and catching up on where you are now! It’s a delight to refresh again and again, brings it alive in my mind!
No author could ask for more than a comment and series of compliments like you have just written Bruce,
and I thank you most sincerely…
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great chapter you had to have one hell of an interesting life thanks for sharing LT.
Thank you Pat for the neat compliment and for writing it on here where all the other readers can see.
Semper fi,
Jim
Great as always, read many different stories, loved them all, and can’t wait to see more chapters of The Cat.
Thanks George. I am working on Book II of the First Cat as this is written. I too love that story.
Semper fi, and thanks for the compliment.
Jim
LT, learning more while understanding less? Great line and absolutely true in your first super not so secret mission. At least a good thing accomplished trying to send Nguyen home. I’m sure we will hear more about him along with your family in future stories. Wonder who could have flung the poison arrow. An action chapter, loved it.
Thank you JT, much appreciate the compliments. The line was the truth about those days.
Learning the ropes of the Agency as well as accommodating such different cultural norms and laguage
was just he beginning of getting good at that kind of work.
Semper fi,
Jim
So many questions have been answered but then so many remain. I presume that Nguyen initially came to the USA as a post-war refugee and did not sneak into our country illegally. Why then would they not renew his green card. If he was on a student visa he would not have been the first person who overstayed their visa.
Now, I have to try to find the book where he gives the Nativity scene to Mary. Maybe something he said at that time foreshadows what he says this time about the money.
Was the black car following you or Nguyen? If it was the people in the black car and not some random act of violence, why were they were trying to kill one of you with poison arrows?
I hope that we have not seen the last of Nguyen.
Some of the mysteries that don’t get resolved in these volumes are unresolved because I don’t imagine
a resolution if I never got one. Korea was not a ‘random act of violence’ kind of place in those days.
As a culture the Korean experience is one of dealing with infernally clever and truly hard-working. men and
women. When you to there, if you should, the level of development there since starting with rubble after
the Korean war is unbelievable.
Semper fi,
Jim
You are taking me down a memory lane. I was in Korea in 1962-63, stationed at Osan, things were a little more primitive then. I was 18 yrs old and frequently drove the “crackerbox” ambulance to the big Army hospital in Seoul. It was not as developed then, as it was in your narrative. There were rare Korean made little autos. Most civilian vehicles were rebodied Jeeps and other repurposed military trucks. Still a lot of motorcycles and bikes. Two lane roads with no shoulder, even then, it was not unusual to pass a truck broke down in the middle of the road. with the driver laid down under the vehicle with his legs sticking out into the road. I never got back to Korea, but your account has served as a substitute.
Will we ever find out more about the “Artifact”?
In a later volume of TCL you will discover that I become an employee/physicist in one of the tech areas of
Los Alamos labs. That’s a roundabout way of responding to your question about the artifact. I always considered the
artifact to be.a natural substance although almost a substance from another unimaginable dimension. I no longer feel that
way as you will come to read one day in the future. My book called “Down in the Valley” is first time I refer to actually
alien (as in alien beings or culture) equipment discovered, although most readers feel the book is a work of total fiction. It isn’t. Thanks for the comment and sharing your own experience over there.
Semper fi,
Jim
Fast-paced, interesting, organized – great chapter! Amazing how little things fell into place to get Nguyen to you, then back to CONUS. And damn good work by Matt. Is he perhaps more than he seemed originally?
You draw a vivid picture of the two of you coming onto base from the river – lucky that sergeant didn’t take you to the brig. And the second sergeant sure changed attitude quickly at the magic letters.
Not sure what exactly Nguyen was doing in Korea, sure seemed to be more than a green card!
Back on Terra Firma, your pal enroute to the airbase – and now to write some policies for the Korean security guys. Keeping you busy, but who knows yet for what purpose – keeping us in suspense for the next chapter.
Craig Wilcox, my friend…I could not write life policies in Korea as there was no American company at that time that could
sell insurance there without registration, which neither Bankers nor Mass Mutual had.
Nguyen was always more than he seemed, as I tried to prove that I was worth his kind of loyalty.
Landing on the mud outside of the ridiculous ‘non-security’ fence was something else again.
Only to arrive on a base that wasn’t really a military base at all.
It was, more or less, the functionary property upon which the embassy was built, as well as the most successful military PX in the world.
That the sergeant didn’t call the number I gave him was also a statement.
Thanks for the usual brilliance of your commenting and the continuing compliment of the writing.
Your friend,
Jim
A very interesting first CIA mission. It would seem that running in to Nguyen was preplanned by your new employers and your handling was possibly a test of your adaptability under stress and working with minimum information as to what to expect in a foreign environment. Tough schooling. Imagine Nguyen will be about in the future to keep an eye on your safety.
Edward…the CIA, I came to find, needed brilliance in the field. They had little communiction at the time of which they could use to
direct field operations so they were looking for those who would actually do things to accomplish a mission. I knew none of that at
the point we are at in the story. A later control officer would tell me the truth. He said that training could nt be conducted for all
the 195 countries where agents might be sent, as all the language, customs and process in foreign countries was not only foreign and different, it
was dangerous. Trained for the wrong thing was worse than not trained at all. Interesting thought process.
Semper fi,
Jim
“The Nativity set. The weights in the bottoms of the pieces are not lead.”
Oh boy who would’ve know about that !!??
Great job getting him out of there 😉
Another cliff hanger James, keep ’em coming !!
Semper Fi
Who would have known?
I did recall that the pieces were heavier than I thought they needed to be when I set up the display that Christmas.
It would never have occurred to me to check to see what was making them so heavy.
‘Saving’ Nguyen was a mission all of its own and one that I could never have backed down from.
I still feel good about what happened there and what I was able to do…and some in the Agency allowed me to do.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
“Making him an asset to get the new green cards was an artifice, although, although it might not turn out that way.” (One too many “although”)
“The message that came with the arrow was not one of communication or warning. However, was following us was playing for keeps. ” (Confuing – did you leave out a word/words “Whoever/whomever? “not playing for keeps?” Seems as though they were.)
“Certainly, sir,” he replied with his own fake smile, shoving a table toward me.” (He shoced a “table” toward you? Did you men to say “tablet”)
Another great conclusion immediately made me want to read the next chapter!
Thanks for the help with the editing Tim. Need all I can get.Thanks as well for the nice compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
WHOA NELLIE!
Jim,
Lots of meat in this chapter to digest. Some new meat and some old, aged meat that i have been waiting to taste. More twists and turns than a roller coaster.
Who was arrow meant for? If Nguyen…why?
THE WALTER DUKE. Great question from Walter Duke who always posits great questions and comes to psychic conclusions.
Thanks and k’m not answering the question on this part of the site. You will have to read on. I will say here that the error hit precisely what it was aimed at. Thanks for the depth of you interest and you intelligent consideration of each and every bit of nuance in the story.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
This read was like watching a James Bond movie, wait your name is James!! Your writing is awesome, you got my heart racing during tuk tuk ride. Keep up the fantastic work and keep those chapters a coming. Thank you…….sir Semper fi.
Thanks for the editing help Bob as well as the neat compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
assured that no listening devices, if planted and that didn’t seem remotely possible, would hear nothing. double negative – remove the first “no”.
why we would care if something actually was following us – Why would we care if someone was following us
However, was following us was playing for keeps – Whoever was following us was playing for keeps
Thanks for the editing help here Matt.
Semper fi,
Jim
Better than anything Hollywood can come up with. Reality is indeed stranger than fiction!🙏
There is little question that reality can sometimes overwhelm imagination with its abrupt and stunning truths.
That all this stuff, as written in the Cowardly Lion series, really happened as written is frankly not truly believable and I understand that.
Maybe someday when more is revealed I will get credit for what I’ve written but I don’t expect that to happen in my lifetime.
Thanks for the reading and the believing.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for the heads up on Thirty days and this chapter. Your life is unbelievable, You are truely a GREAT man, Thank you for your service and your books, God is watching over you
Great compliment, and I sure hope God’s ears are close by to your lips…so to speak.
I am a Christian although I have no church as I can’t get along with priests and preachers. For me the relationship must be
direct as I don’t believe God truly has designated (usually self) down here to guide us in His way. I really like the eastern religions a lot, as they are generally so passively peaceful. Some religions are not understandable to me (like Mormonism…even though Tom Thorkelson, a great friend is a bishop!).
Semper fi,
Jim
James LT Junior When a higher power than us brings a plan together that we don’t even know the workings of, we can be grateful and Blessed. The weights in the nativity are not lead. For time eternal, there have been efforts to turn lead to Au Looks like Nguyen knows the secret.
God Bless Stay Safe Sir Salute !!
I should have known about the Nativity Scene. Gold is nearly twice as heavy as lead,
and the pieces, especially the animal pieces, were way too heavy to be any kind of normally weighted
plus they weren’t just weighted at the base like chess pieces are. More, of course, about this in the coming
chapter.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, you are giving Tom Clancey a run for his money!
Jim Flynn…my friend.
Your help is making all this happen and your words remain indelible in my mind as I write on into a dark night where I don’t know where I’m going but certainly know where I’ve been.
That Clancy was a life insurance agent that got onto a subbase allows for him to access knowledge nobody
else had at the timed is now legend.
President Reagan was his rabbi.
You are my rabbi.
And so I plunk on the keys into the story and the meaning and depth of life itself.
Not all will get what the messages are, but I have no fear that you are doing so…and I thank you for that and hope to live up to your expectations.
Semper fi, my great friend,
Jim
Great writing sir a very deft piece of literary craftsmanship
how are we to believe poison arrows helicopters taking a man to the states on a military vehicle and all the other extraordinary things expressed in this fine piece of writing
it is kind of like explaining the holy Trinity to a nonbeliever knowing you and knowing you so well I know that every word you write and speak is true if sometimes the names are hidden to protect the guilty but it really is a tale of intrigue and I asked myself I don’t think the CIA sent you all the way to Korea and untrained buffoon at this point you spend a lot of time chasing down a friend from the valley so there is something that has yet to be revealed and I suspect that will be revealed soon also money in an nativity set isn’t that sort of a Ludlum spy Craft type project?
well it certainly is captivating the intention this is one of the few times I wish the whole book was there so you could just read the next chapter but I know you like to tease us and keep on drawing us back so that we can write comments about your brilliant writing which are very well-deserved
I learned to listen to Lori a long time ago and thank God I did and I know you feel the same way about Mary just keep writing James God gave you the gift for a reason
Once more, a reference to God, from a man who is one of the most true believers I’ve ever met.
I too was raised and school to be a Catholic, all the way through undergraduate school at St. Norberts,
so I appreciate the association with such a man, although I fell away from Catholicisms many years back.
Thanks Richard, for your usual display of written complexity, compliments and sharing your own hard-earned
truths. A fell traveler…
Semper fi, my friend,
Ji
Nguyen is indeed Royalty! W e seem to place all displaced people in the same bin. But amongst the hoard there are people of all castes. One leaves hereditary home usually take their valuables. We have been inso many legacy disrupting wars that we don’t see any of those treasures appear any more!
Also I feel the liberty of living outside the wire and wonder of possibilities!
Hard to realize we are tethered!
Uuraagh
Jim Homan, the Colonel of my life (I don’t consider my old battalion commander to be one of those!). It’s always interesting to read what you write on here and always the words as they are assembled give me pause for thought. Living outside the wire, that’s in enemy territory and being tethered…hmmm what does that really mean? I have to think some more.
Thanks, as usual for the compliment of your reading my works, your writing about them and your presence in my life.
Semper f, my great friend,
Jim
Another crazy romp in Korea. Having been there I am not surprised, of course I was not in your shoes!
That you were there at all Chris, speaks volumes. I am so happy to have shared and reached you in some way.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow! That got a bit exciting!
But what was Nguyen doing in Korea in the first place? Was he deported once his green card expired?
Read on Monty and the mystery of Nguyen’s being in Korea will be resolved.
Much appreciate you paying such attention to detail. Back then there were all
kinds of people living in the U.S. with expired cards so why was there special
attention paid to his situation. Well, if you live in the U.S., at least in those
times, nobody was really checking much at all. But, even in those times, if you left the
country and tried to come back on an expired card you were toast and were not going to
get a renewal either.
Semper fi,
Jim
The weights are not lead!!!! How much would an ounce of gold be worth back when this happened? These chapters never cease to amaze me. You have a special gift from God when it comes to writing James.
I have a special gift from God…but the writing is second to the readership of my works.
I never expected so many erudite, intelligent and caring mean and women to rise up out of humanity’s mass and give me such
great satisfaction.
Thank you God for giving these people to me.
Semper fi and God bless you!
Jim
Great final hook! That first paragraph needs a little more clarity. Do you realize that many times your writing is a stream of consciousness? A modern James Joyce…What a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive!
James Joyce is quite a compliment. I’m sorry that I didn’t write more clearly in the first paragraph.
I can always do better, I know. I just put it out on paper every week as best I can.
Semper fi,
Jim
You are getting really good with the teasers at the end of the chapters. Another great read. Thanks.
Well John, I don’t work at the ‘teasers’ as they just seem to be good places to break the work into acceptable
chapter length. Thanks for the complimentary way you put that.
Semper fi,
Jim