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Show Flying - 131 right then in the heat of righteous anger. I should have backed him up against one of his charts and strangled him. I should have hit him with whatever was at hand. I should not have been rational and full of formal and injured dignity. I had. a chance to act with passion and soul. You blew it again, John Henry. "Attention."1 bawls Tovar when the battalion commander walks in, and John Henry driven by the most primitive of conditioned reflexes leaps up and smashes his head on the shelf above him. Tears in his eyes from the pain he stands rigid until the Colonel says "At ease," and explains to Tovar that it isn't necessary to call attention for anybody in the middle of a work area, especially during a maneuver. Which Tovar knew, but, John Henry supposes, was overcome by the sheer proximity of so much rank. "You stupid bastard," says John Henry after the Colonel leaves, "it's a fucking wonder you don't get down and rub your head in the dust every time you see an officer." "I am the non-commissioned officer in charge of this van," says Tovar menacingly, "you will please not to use obscene language to me." The phone rings and John Henry answering it hears the booming voice of Sergeant Karafa. "How come I can't get through to Atascadero?" says the |