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9/06/2009

Sarah - Shit on a Shingle

I want to thank those of you who have, in the last few days, let me know you've been reading 'Sarah'. It seems there's a dozen or so of you who are reading her - I'm happy she has such a large audience. Thank you.

From last time ....

"Yeah. I guess I better eat, too. Nuthin' like some good chow to make a guy feel like he can take on the world."
"Oh, yeah? Come by after I get off - I'll bet I can think of sumthin'."

Sarah shot the waitress a dirty look. She didn't notice.

Jake did.


And now ....

"I'll have the Shit on a Shingle and a cup of coffee."

The waitress wrote their orders as she walked away from the booth. Sarah thought there seemed to be an extra bit of sway in her hips.

She turned to Jake.

"What're you having?"

"Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast. The Marine Corps favorite breakfast food. I can never get enough o' that stuff."

"I've never heard it called that before. My Mom used to make that when I was a kid."

"Well, that's what we called it in The Crotch - uh, I'm sorry, The Corps."

The waitress came back with Jake's coffee.

"What'll ya have ta drink, Honey?"

"I'll have coffee, thanks."

Jake looked up from his coffee.

"Do you like milk?"

"Yeah, I do. Why?"

He looked at the waitress.

"Bring her a large milk and an orange juice, too."

The waitress turned and walked away again.

"What was that about, Jake?"

"When the coffee comes just don't drink it. From now on you don't drink coffee, or dark sodas and no alcohol. All those things are natural diuretics and that makes you pee - and they'll dehydrate you. The caffeine in the dark sodas and coffee will wreck your nerves. And no chocolate. There are stimulants in chocolate that will do the same thing."

"You're drinking coffee."

"Yeah, but I'm not learning to be a sniper."

"I still don't understand why I can't have coffee - and NO CHOCOLATE? C'mon, Jake!"

"Hold your hand out, palm down, fingers spread."

Sarah held her hand out, as instructed.

"Hold it still."

Sarah tried, but try as she might, she didn't seem to be able to quiet the little twinges and movements in her fingers.

"In a week or two, your hand will be as steady as a rock."

The waitress returned with a tray, and on the tray were the coffee, milk and orange juice and a heavy ceramic bowl. She placed them all on the table in front of Sarah.

"Here ya go, Honey. Sugar's in the bowl. I'll be right back with your order."

She turned and walked away.

"So why didn't you just tell her to not bring me coffee?"

"Training. Never do anything, ANYTHING, to create suspicion or draw attention to yourself in the mind of others. There was no good reason for you to change your mind about coffee. So you didn't. When she comes to clean up this table, all she will see is that you didn't drink your coffee. No big deal. Because we didn't make a big deal about it. Get it?"

"Yeah, Jake. I think so. Even simple things matter. Blend in. Don't make unexpected moves. That kind of thing?"

"Yeah. You got it. Don't give 'em a reason to remember you were there."


Ndinombethe.

15 comments:

Shadow said...

i'm really getting into this now...

Jientje said...

No chocolate and no coffee? It's a good thing the only thing I want to shoot is pictures!! I would never make it!!

Jientje said...

You Americans sure have a way to make your food sound ummm... special!!
Nothing compared to the poetry we find on a restaurant menu in some restaurants here! I saw your title in my blogroll and it reminded me of what I had been thinking when I first read this post. Only I forgot to comment about it!

Jientje said...

I googled it. I'm fully educated now. I even know what it looks like. An educated woman is worth two, or something. Well, that's what we say here! The things YOU make me google!!! LOVE it!

Mrs F with 4 said...

I am SO into this! Though I will admit that like Jientje, I had to make use of google, too! I 'save' Sarah to read until last in my reader, just to heighten the anticipation. Unless Mommytime has posted, in which case it's a close run thing (but you can understand that?).

Just one thing, Lou, please don't call me 'Ma'am'. I'm NOT old enough to qualify for that!

Anonymous said...

I'm munching a low carb wheat bagel & drinking a BIG cup of coffee. I am very glad there is no one here to try & talk me out of either.~Mary

Elizabeth said...

I totally enjoyed reading that...while drinking my own illicit cup of coffee. ;)

Tara R. said...

That's what I like about coming over here... I learn something new all the time. I'm loving this story.

Joyce-Anne said...

Driving to Florida I could have used a LARGE cup of coffee. But, due to its diuretic tendencies, I abstained. :)

Unknown said...

Shadow: Good.

Jientje: Google? You Googled 'Shit on a Shingle'?

Mrs F with 4: Okay, Darlin'. No more "ma'am".

FrankandMary: Never. Unless, of course, you're learning how to be a sniper.

Elizabeth: Thank you, Elizabeth.

Tara R: I am so glad you like it, Tara.

Joyce-Anne: Good thinking on your part.

Emily/Randomability said...

I haven't had chipped beef on toast in AGES!! My step-mother made it the best. I have yet to try to make it.

Patsy said...

Enjoyed reading -- Jake is a hard task master --- like the idea of where the story is going.

ree said...

If only I could curl up with this story every evening - and it was on PAPER! It's no fun carting this laptop to bed.

Building Materials Supplies said...
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Unknown said...

Smart.
One can still learn something here.
:)