base of operations

the first things I can tell you not covered by any security
arrangements are that number one the base is sealed
to any outside inducements and two we’re not having any
like that and three the mess hall is open from
1530 to 0500 hours local time to visitors so
you may dine with the troops if you wish without eating
any different from any of them now then
coffee will be served in the married officers’ quarters
from 0200 hours to 0800 hours on a regular basis
there will be no food consumed from 0945 to 1500
that is that excursions to the local fauna and
flora are arranged daily you cannot speak of
tent allotments motor pool repairs classroom techniques
and security material except as outlined in your press kits
now the first question yes in the back no not many there
in the side aisle not a one you no you no you I see
well it’s a long story in the Everglades we had a guy
who used to ride the gators next the gators yes
he had a way of tickling them under their chins
till they smiled and whistled out their blowholes
blowholes that's a military term Miss it would be so discreet
if I didn’t neither did the colonel now he rode them tandem
Roman style in the water on the sand they danced
from side to side he backed into an airboat
and got declassified we buried him with full military honors
     in five counties
from here to the state line the other branches also claimed
     him
by dint of his service in air on water and with the
     amphibians
so his name lives on this base is widely known as Gator Boy’s
     Brothel

Christopher Mulrooney