"He nodded, "yes sir."I looked at the girls before I turned and started running and used the radio, "status!"The sergeant major answered just as I hea...d the whistle of incoming artillery, "all companies up but missing their officers."I kept running as attack planes streaked over while firing and he continued, "the general has not answered yet and base command was busy."I reached the Troop headquarters and found sergeant major Grear arguing on a radio. He held out the handset, "the damn base. " Not at all, Mark. 'Bye."Mark could not contain his excitement and, knocking on Anthony's door, went in to him. He closed the door behind him. Anthony looked up and could not help but see the beaming smile."Well?" he asked."I've got Patch," exclaimed Mark barely able to restrain himself."Excellent! That's great news." It gets even better. Only nine two fifty." Pounds or guineas?"Mark gulped. "Pounds, I think. I'm sure Jim would have said guineas if it wasn't."Anthony grinned. "Couldn't let you. Both of them used to get drink heavily and I had to take my dad back to the house. While in between bringing them stuff I used to secretly sip some from the uncle’s bar also. (I and my friends were all drinking also, usually in the bars outside. Our parents were not aware of this.) One day there was some serious emergency at the village and my parents had to travel. My village was a day’s journey by train. As my pre-boards were upon me, parents decided to go alone and my presence was also not. She had a couple of beers but had a difficult time speaking with Charles, since he seemed so involved talking with his friends. Carmen felt ready to go home defeated, but as she put on her jacket to leave, Charles stopped her. “Are you bored or something? Well I am too. Let’s get out of here…there’s something I want to show you.” Charles took Carmen’s hand and they walked back towards campus, towards the gymnasium. “How are we going to get in?” “I’m the captain. I have the keys. The coach.