…kind of dancing they do these days you got to have a CB radio to keep in touch with your partner…
Monroe D. Underwood
In the Reggis Arms dining room Brandy wore a sleek form-fitting black dress and spike-heeled black patent leather pumps and large golden earrings.
And no half-slip.
I said you look kind of gypsyish.
Brandy smiled over her bacon lettuce and tomato club sandwich.
She said Purdue you can jingle my tambourine any old time.
She said I love the way you fiddle around.
She said how’s the reunion progressing?
I shrugged.
I said listen.
A torrent of sound was billowing out of the lounge.
My old outfit was singing “Christopher Columbo.”
The guys in the pearl-gray fedoras were singing “America the Beautiful.”
I could hear a lone voice singing “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam.”
Probably Ace Hacker.
Brandy said all they need is a good tenor.
I said it’s like the Battle of San Juan Hill in there.
I said the only woman is Captain Carver’s wife and she’s over fifty.
I said we got us a complete bust-out.
I said Sonia is probably back in Kaleski.
I said wherever that is.
Brandy said it’s on the Czech western border just north of Austria.
She said it’s such a picturesque little country.
She said it has old castles and chestnut trees and sidewalk cafés with zither music.
She said ever so romantic.
Brandy’s liquid brown eyes were dreamy.
She said Kaleski would make the ideal setting for an operetta.
I shrugged.
I said I never heard of it until Tuesday night.
I finished my steak sandwich.
I took a nip of my green chartreuse and a snort of my black coffee.
I said they’re going to hold a dance in the basement tonight.
I said Major General Howard B. Davis will be there.
Brandy said how will they hold a dance without women?
I shrugged.
I said well that may present a challenge.
Brandy said perhaps Sonia will attend the dance.
I said what if she does?
I said I wouldn’t know her if she attacked me with a fire ax.
Brandy said she’s mid-thirtyish and blonde and blue-eyed.
I said Grogan didn’t mention blonde and blue-eyed.
Brandy said Grogan is becoming increasingly forgetful.
She said what’s more he’s drinking on the job.
She said he was holding his head and staggering all over the third floor hallway a little while ago.
She said he fell down the stairs before my very eyes.
I said well maybe he’s entitled to a couple of minor mistakes.
Brandy gave me a steady brown-eyed look.
She said Purdue in this business there are no minor mistakes.