by Eddie Martin
Smooth took a long drink and made a biter face and said. Got damn RK you still drinking this rotgut shit? That's some bad shit.
You don't have to drink it smooth, next time bring your own. Now, tell me what's your problem?
I've been drafted RK, would you believe that shit? I've been drafted! Why the hell would they want a nigger like me? I can't shoot, I can't fight, and I’m a lover. No, I know what it is, they see a nigger doing good and they want to take it away from him. Damn shame! Give me another drink.
Is that all it is smooth, you not patriotic? You don't want to defend your country, what kind of man are you?
Fuck all that RK, the country never did a damn thing for me, I had to do it all myself, and what about my po mama, how she supposed to make it after I’m gone?
I hear you could send money back to her, that's something's smooth.
That ain’t shit RK that little bit of money. You know how much I make in just a week? I couldn't make it in the military. You know what they make RK, do you know? $25 a month, I checked. You see what I wear, silk baby, everything silk, even my drawls. No, no, and no. It's just not gonna work.
Okay smooth so what can I do for you, how can I help you?
Get me out of it! Set me free, I know you can do it. You the man RK, help me out!
Smooth, I hate to tell you this but it's not a damn thing I can do. There is always Canada but there in the war to.
What can I do RK, what can I do? Any advice?
Well sure smooth, you can always shoot yourself in the foot, I hear that works.
Shoot myself in the foot you can't come up with anything better than that?
Then there is a venereal disease or (VD) they call it, I understand if you have something like that they want take you. How about that?
That don't sound like something I'd want to do, said smooth, anything else? I'd be willing to pay!
Well hell smooth, you should have said that from the start, how much we talking about?
How’s $2500 sound, smooth said?
Ruben laughed, picked up his jug and took a drink right from the bottle. Looked at smooth a minute, and said. How about $5000. 2500 upfront, only because you my friend.
You got me over a barrow, smooth said. I’ll pay anything to get out of this shit.
Once you hand over the $2500 I can start to work, Ruben said.
Smooth reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a roll large enough to choke a horse and paid Ruben $2500 Dollars in $100 bills.
I don’t think I charge you enough, Ruben said.
And I'm supposed to go in the military, smooth said, making this kind of money. Now, do you understand RK? Now, do you get the just of what I'm saying? Now, when will I be hearing from you? They’ve given me two weeks to report.
Soon smooth, soon!
Okay, I'm depending on you RK.
After smooth left Rita came into the office and asked Ruben, what was smooth crying about?
Well, smooth it seems just got drafted.
So what does he want you to do, keep him out?
Yeah, that's what he wants.
You shiting me, Rita said. RK is that what he really wants?
You got it Rita and it's worth $5000 to him.
Damn, Rita said. Can you do it?
I don't know but I've got two whole weeks to try.
Four weeks later
Ruben received a letter from smooth, no forwarding address. It reads;
RK, sorry I had to take off on you like that but I got a scare. A few of uncle’s boys came by to visit me and said, you guessed it, I want you. Now! So I thought it would be best for all concerned if I just make my exit. They can spend their time and money trying to enlist someone else. By the way the girls are with me so I've taken everything I care about and love, except the Dodge (had to leave it).You can have it, the papers are in the glove box.
If you would please look in on my mama from time to time I would sure appreciate it.
I won't be telling you where I am for obvious reasons, but you can believe one thing, where ever the wars at I'll be in the opposite direction.
You can keep that $2500 I gave you, say it's a fee for looking in on my mama.
Stay healthy RK.
S
P.S. I'll see you after the war!