The staff sergeant and I made small talk all the way to El Toro. It was normally a half hour drive, but the sergeant took his time, staying in the slow lane. His background was embassy duty, so he talked on and on about the different embassies and consulates he’d been attached to. In spite of my foreboding about the coming meeting with the Chief of Protocol the sergeant’s constant chatter relaxed me and entertained me, as well. Whatever the staff sergeant really was he was obviously quite good at it. I had been fit into a mold by the staff of the Western White House and I was evidently doing okay in making myself fit the shape of that mold, as I didn’t think regular employees or appointees ever got in front of someone from the White House who held ambassadorial powers, as well as being responsible for every formality required in White House Operations.
I deliberately asked no questions about anything, other than about some of the places the staff sergeant had served. There was no question in my mind, after taking in a few of his responses, that he’d actually performed in the embassy guard role.
Jim,
Once again, you are superb at the cliff hanging endings of your chapters.
Reeling everyone in to stay on the edge of their chairs until the next chapter appears in the ether land.
And once more, you write a chapter that has yet another mystery or two to add to those (as of yet) unsolved/unresolved compound, complex confounding and befuddling mysteries from previous chapters that we still have not seen solved or resolved. Don’t make me start a list…
I agree that someone is playing with you with the government pen clues.
And as for bugging apartments, houses, buildings, cars, phones…you HAVE to be wondering if any of those of YOURS are bugged.
Maybe it is time to put out a piece of false info to someone who you suspect of being a mole and see if it gets legs.
Thanks for another remarkable chapter coming to us so quickly, though I am at a loss as to how you manage to do it. However, I will still beg, cajole and implore you to get another one done and posted up just as quickly.
Walter, almost everything you are reading happened so I don’t have to create anything, although in real life as opposed to real fiction,
some things don’t get neatly tied up. I am working on that part of the recitation. Bob Elwell is still alive and I need to get him to make
a comment on here, along with a few others. Gularte is still alive but I have to find him. Thanks for the great compliments, as usual.
Don’t know what I’d do without you around and wearing away at my ankles!
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
LT, after reading this chapter even I need a session with a professional, just thinking about it!! I’m wondering how in the pluperfect hell you maintained your very sanity! Guess I’ll find out next chapter. Semper Fi
What readers pick up on always amazes me. I am half way deep into the next chapter so I’m always
a bit taken aback when these comments come in and I don’t really recall. You bring the focus brilliantly back.
Chapter XXXIII and the first session with the shrink. Interesting. Thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
This is top secret information, although everyone will know most of this [is] a week or so.
Thanks for the help and the comment as well as support by putting it up on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
It is amazing trying to connect the many dots; many of which you and I were no infected and were attempting to navigate! We missed the hippy eruptions especially affecting SoCal, in small private universities.
Vietnam morphed and burnished us into a special caste of wolf! Luckily or unfortunately, I was not thrown into the caldron of the Nixon paranoia! It seems the “heavies” see you as a valuable but dangerous asset…
Too bad a future asset (also honed in RVN) did not have the intelligence or integrity to act independently….or maybe Casey had learned!
Arcane and analytically interesting comment Jim. Thanks for that, as well as adding without saying much,
a bit about you and your own development.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
I was concerned about Richard from the git go, and so was your wife!! You seem to be going down a rabbit hole with a badger at the end of it. Not a silly mouse saying he is late, late for a very important date, And just who is the SSgt, his role is much more than you think. Again so many questions to be answered, and some never to be asked!! Semper fi sir…..
Thanks Bob, answering the questions is tough because it took so long for some things to
work through, and a couple are still waiting to this day.
Appreciate the support and the depth of your comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, My guess is the staff sergeant really did embassy duty; but while there was recruited for “quiet” work. His ID probably indicates he is active duty USMC. We shall see how any additional interaction with him plays out.
Good that you will place your complete trust in Mary. She seems to have a wisdom beyond her years.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
The crossing runways of the airports tarmac were just ahead
airport’s possessive
The crossing runways of the airport’s tarmac were just ahead
only real light coming inside was from my open door, which quickly closed, and front windshield.
Maybe change word order
only real light coming inside was from the front windshield and my open door which quickly closed.
everyone will know most of this is a week or so.
“in” instead of “is”
everyone will know most of this in a week or so.
guide the soviet delegation to Disneyland
Seems “soviet” should be capitalized
guide the Soviet delegation to Disneyland
stepped out of the vehicle as nearly the same time my door
Maybe “at” instead of “as”
stepped out of the vehicle at nearly the same time my door
revealed by its revealing nature that June Cobb
Multiple use of same word. Maybe synonym like “divulged”
divulged by its revealing nature that June Cobb
bizarre and complex assortment of things, I was deeply involved with
drop comma
bizarre and complex assortment of things I was deeply involved with
would know so much of stuff, I felt was completely private
drop comma
would know so much of stuff I felt was completely private
although did a great job of turning out breakfasts
Maybe add “it” before “did”
although it did a great job of turning out breakfasts
everything and everyone around her She disappeared
Period after “her”
everything and everyone around her. She disappeared
make as sure as you can that whomever that is young.
Maybe rephrase
make as sure as you can that whoever that is is young.
The staff sergeant and I barely knew me, or I him.”
Drop ” and I”.
Drop ending quote mark
The staff sergeant barely knew me, or I him.
high enough in important for neither Haldeman nor Ehrlichman to be entertained
Maybe “either” and “or”
high enough in important for either Haldeman or Ehrlichman to be entertained
If I got the chance, I ride with both of them following the meeting
Maybe add “would” before “ride”
If I got the chance, I would ride with both of them following the meeting
When I got to the lifeguard headquarter but there was nobody there.
“headquarters” instead of “headquarter”
Drop “but”
When I got to the lifeguard headquarters there was nobody there.
compound out there without someone on the inside telling them?
Seems period instead of question mark
compound out there without someone on the inside telling them.
Blessings & Be Well
I believe all corrected.
Thanks again, Dan!
When I stepped out of my Lincoln (would not be your Lincoln. You had arrived in a different vehicle)
I unlatched the door, after a moment of silence passed. I presumed the interview to be over, my right hand reaching to unlatch the door handle. (repeating unlatched the door)
I took my hand of the handle and let it fall to my side. (should be off)
I was growing to shape information ( did you mean going to shape?)
When I got to the lifeguard headquarter but there was nobody there. (should be headquarters, leave out but
Thanks, Randy,
I think all corrected.
Nice crowd you run with the nuns ever tell you that hanging with people like that would go on your permanent record
I just finished watching the White House plumbers on HBO and while the show was a characterization and a cartoon of the idiocy of hunt and Liddy it really portrayed the depravity coming out of the Nixon White House so it doesn’t surprise me that such bizarre happenings are going on with you I have learned from my wife that keeping my mouth shut is a very good thing and she said God gave you two ears so you can listen twice as much as you talk
however, for a guy that was 2425 years old at this time you seem remarkably comfortable in dealing in this secrecy, and what appears to be isn’t what it is I don’t think I could’ve pulled that off course. I was single at the time and didn’t have my wife to guide me, but it’s interesting. I can’t figure out yet how you got selected for the strange White House studio in the first spot but I’m sure you’ll come in on that later what I really want to know is did you have anything to do with Mrs. Hunt‘s plane crashing in my beloved Chicago near the midway airport .
you have gotten most elegant way of spelling a tale it’s got to be true because it’s too strange to be fiction. I’m really enjoying this.
I do when I return to the world that a therapist might be a good idea, but I couldn’t find anybody or I wouldn’t be judged
I had a priest from high school who had been a marine chaplain and he would Jima, Guadalcanal, etc. and then one of the reasons why I entered the Marine Corps and I talk to him when I returned, and I got wonderful advice from a religious standpoint, but a moral standpoint how do you deal?
Great writing gym
Thanks for the trust and confidence Rich. With very few exceptions, this stuff I’m laying down even week is what happened at the time.
I much appreciate the depth of your own writing and the experiences from your own life you lay down, as well…and the huge compliment of your
writing in this detail and length.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Jim, I think the swamp is getting deeper and meaner. Not just gators, but monitor lizards, giant caiman, huge anacondas, and a few tweety birds to lure you deeper.
I do not wish to be you going into Pat Nixon’s little birthday get-together!
The Staff Sargeant appears to be the only honest, helpful soul in the entire Western Whitehouse!
Write faster, LT! Killing me with curiosity.
Sure glad that Chuck found these lost comments and I am happy to respond, even if late.
Thanks, as well, for the compliment of your wanting more and quicker!
semper fi,
Jim
Oh man, not Richard. And I was starting to like the guy. But his sudden, convenient and helpful arrival in this twisted web raised questions with me. And the Staff Sergeant. I had questions about him as well. Helpful and nice, but so well informed. Who do you trust? You know the truth though, I’m sure you will eventually let us read it. So many strands; Stoner, Smoak, Cobb and the yacht, three Marines, and now escorting the Soviets. The web is growing. Can’t wait for you to get to the center of it.
Jim you continue to blow me away!! Keep it up! Happy Memorial Day and we are all grateful for your part in making this nation safer. Semper Fi. Tom
Jim,
Once again, you are superb at the cliff hanging endings of your chapters.
Reeling everyone in to stay on the edge of their chairs until the next chapter appears in the ether land.
And once more, you write a chapter that has yet another mystery or two to add to those (as of yet) unsolved/unresolved compound, complex confounding and befuddling mysteries from previous chapters that we still have not seen solved or resolved. Don’t make me start a list…
I agree that someone is playing with you with the government pen clues.
And as for bugging apartments, houses, buildings, cars, phones…you HAVE to be wondering if any of those of YOURS are bugged.
Maybe it is time to put out a piece of false info to someone who you suspect of being a mole and see if it gets legs.
Thanks for another remarkable chapter coming to us so quickly, though I am at a loss as to how you manage to do it. However, I will still beg, cajole and implore you to get another one done and posted up just as quickly.
Thanks so much my friend. I rear your comments with a smile, always. I much appreciate how you follow so closely
and are able to write about what you’ve read so adroitly and well. Much appreciate you giant compliment of the whole
comment.
Your friend,
and Semper fi,
Jim
Wow and Dammit! I just can’t stand the suspense… means it’s a dammed good read LT.
Thanks Chris, much appreciate the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
WOW
Really great one word laconic compliment, my friend.
semper fi
Jim
FUBAR
Just about says it all JT!
Semper fi,
Jim
Look for [brackets]. Missing or misspelled letters/words are within.
“Good grief, Charlie Brown,” I said [to] the staff sergeant as our Lincoln cruised through. “Does everyone know everything about where the hell I am even before I do?”
…..
…
The crossing runways of the airport[’]s tarmac were just ahead, except there was no plane near where the staff sergeant stopped the Lincoln. Another limo, bigger than the regular-sized cars kept at the compound referred to as limos but weren’t really. The car that was there in front of us was a ‘real’ limo. It was at least twice as long as the one I was in.
….
…
“You’re the lieutenant,[”] he said, not in a questioning tone.
…..
….
“The head of the Russian government is coming to the Western White house in two weeks and he’s bringing a contingent of his guards that’s twenty-four strong. This is top secret information, although everyone will know most of this is a week or so. You are to tell no one. I’m giving you this information because it’s been decided by others that you will join and guide the s[S]oviet delegation to Disneyland, where, for some idiotic reason, they all demand, as part of the negotiations to come here, that they get to go. Mr. Brezhnev is not going to be allowed to make the trip or visit that fabled entertainment center. That last bit of data is also top secret. That’s it. Any questions?”
I though[t] briefly about my role again and why I probably had it.
…..
……
I wanted to ask the question; “what part of what I’m doing?” so badly that I had to inhale deeply and then exhale slowly to stop myself. I needed my wife. I was in unknown territory and I didn’t know how to process. My wife always gave the same advice to me in such circumstance[s]. “Say nothing,” she’d forcefully spit out, right in my face. “You talk too much and what you say is too damned interesting, so shut the hell up.”
…..
…..
The last part of a newer song played, the animal nature of the different vocal tones and the words hitting me physically: “Hush, my darling, don’t fear, my darling, the lion sleeps tonight. Hush, my darling, don’t fear, my darling, the lion sleeps tonight.” I looked out the window as Mission Viejo flew by. The staff sergeant wasn’t wasting any time at all in getting back to the Western White House. Whatever his connection to that operation was I would probably never get to know but he sure as hell was no professional [chauffeur] and nothing as lowly in rank as a staff sergeant. Neither Smoak nor I would have been in the same limo as him, unless he wasn’t him at all.
……
……
When we walked in together Loraine came forward to seat us, which she did at the center window table because we were the only customers. [T]
…..
….
“You will be there when you’re informed that the president and Pat are inside and ready. Go through the door and walk down the reception line. There’ll be about ten people in that line and you should, by now, recognize a few of them. Smile, shake hands and move on, as if you don’t know them at all. The president and wife should be the same and they’ll be at the end of the line, first her and them him at the very end. Quickly move along and walk to the back of the room. There will be filled [full] wine glasses and a service table along the back wall. Stand at a table and drink the wine or not. Do not go to the service table to get anything. If you speak or are spoken to then make as sure as you can that whomever that is young. Young people, other than the progeny children are unimportant. Wait fifteen minutes and then quietly exit the room through the door you came in. That’s it. Leave and get away from there. You have no friends in that room and no standing.”
…..
…
I sat in silence, sipping my coffee and thinking that either the guy was even better at whatever function he served, or he was being sincere. The advice I knew had to be solid as it lined up with many of the people I already knew and also just sounded so very logical, although I didn’t think I rose high enough in important for [n]either Haldeman nor Ehrlichman to be entertained by my being put in the difficult position my wife had forced me to put us in.
…..
…
The trip to the compound was made in minutes, and the gate was open for our passage. I thanked the staff sergeant and got into the Volks. In five more minutes, I was in the driveway on Cabrillo. I rushed inside. Although Richard was on a training run with Gularte in the Bronco I wanted to wear my beach patrol uniform. If I got the chance, I [would] ride with both of them following the meeting, as Richard’s whole identity was still a mystery. I wouldn’t go out on patrol, either, without full equipment or armament.
When I got to the lifeguard headquarter[s] but there was nobody there. I went into the chief’s office and picked up the phone. I had the number of the restaurant at the end of the pier memorized. Shawna picked up after the second ring.
……
…
“Our jobs,” Pat blurted out. “If the police department goes over to the sheriffs and the lifeguards to the state then the only people at this table that will be unaffected are Shawna and Richard. The town has a big stake in all this too, as their services for fire, police and lifeguards would dwindle to almost nothing, much less being degraded because none of those outside agencies have a clue about ho[w]s this place is run.”
Really appreciate your sharp eyes and support, John.
All corrected.
Jim
Startin to get hot. Damn good read sir.
Thanks Laddie, sorry to be late answering your comment but I’ve got a ton.
Semper fi,
Jim
Richard was assimilated into the group rather quickly, wasn’t he? However, there must be some other conduit or rat trail. I will leave the edits for others. I want the story!
Michael, you see int deeply and I rather like that.
Thanks for the follow and this great short comment.
Semper fi,
Jim