was afraid. Dino was automatically maiming flies. Byron Jones III absently moved a bishop. Miller took it and left his queen unguarded. Max was staring at his feet. Tex scratched.
'Well, I don't feel different,' Dino said and stood up. 'I gotta go take a piss,' and he went out.
'Don't know whether I'm gonna laugh or cry,' Max said. 'Just feel like I'm gonna throw up.'
'Don't make sense,' Tex said aloud, but he was talking to himself and did not know that he had spoken. 'Just don't make sense.'
'Hey, Max,' the King said. 'You want to fix some coffee?' Automatically Max went out and filled the saucepan with water. When he came back he plugged in the hot plate and set the saucepan on it. He began to go back to his bunk, but he stopped in his tracks, turned around and stared at the King.
'What's the matter, Max?' the King said uneasily. Max just looked at him, his lips moving spastically and soundlessly.
'What the hell're you staring at?'
Suddenly Max grabbed the saucepan and hurled it through the window.
'You out of your goddam mind?' the King exploded. 'You got me all wet!'
'That's tough,' Max shouted, his eyes bulging.
'I ought to beat the bejesus outta you! You gone crazy?'
'The war's over. Get your own goddam coffee,' Max screamed, a touch of foam in the corners of his lips.
The King was on his feet and towering over Max, his face mottled with rage. 'You get outta here before I put my foot through your face!'
'You do that, just do that, but don't forget I'm a top sergeant! I'll have you court-martialed!'
Max began to laugh hysterically, then abruptly the laughter turned to tears, shattering tears, and Max fled the hut, leaving a horrified silence in his wake.
'Crazy son of a bitch,' the King muttered. 'Fix some water, will you, Tex,'
and he sat down in his corner.
Tex was at the doorway, staring after Max. He looked around slowly. 'I'm busy,' he said after an agony of indecision.
The King's stomach turned over. He forced back his nausea and set his face.
'Yeah,' the King said with a grim smile. 'So I notice.' He could feel the depths of the stillness. He took out his wallet and selected a note. 'Here's a ten-spot. Get unbusy and go get some water, will you.' He hid the ache in his bowels and watched Tex.
But Tex said nothing, just shuddered nervously and looked away.
'You still got to eat — till it's really over,' the King said disdainfully, then looked around the hut. 'Who wants some coffee?'
'I'd like some coffee,' Dino spoke up, unapologetically. He fetched the saucepan and filled it and set it to cook.
The King dropped the ten-dollar note on the table. Dino stared at it.
'No thanks,' he said throatily, shaking his head, 'just the coffee.' He walked unsteadily back down the length of the hut.
Self-consciously the men turned away from the King's smoldering contempt. 'I hope for your sakes, you sons of bitches, the war's over for real,' the King said.
Peter Marlowe walked out of the Camp Commandant's quarters and hurried towards the American hut. He replied automatically to the greetings of the men he knew and he could sense the constant eyes —incredulous eyes — that watched him. Yes, he thought, I don't believe it either. Soon to be home, soon to fly again, soon to see my old man again, drink with him, laugh with him. And all the family. God, it'll be strange. I'm alive. I'm alive. I made it!
'Hello, you fellows!' He beamed as he entered the hut.
'Hi, Peter,' Tex said as he jumped to his feet and shook his hand warmly.
'Boy, were we glad to hear about the guard, old buddy!'
'That's a masterpiece of understatement,' Peter Marlowe said and laughed. As they surrounded him, he basked in the warmth of then: greetings.
'What happened with the Brass?' Dino asked.
Peter Marlowe told them, and they became even more apprehensive. All except Tex. 'Hell, there's no need to prepare for the worst. It's over!' he said confidently.
'It's over for sure,' Max said gruffly as he walked into the hut.
'Hello, Max, I —' Peter Marlowe did not continue. He was shocked by the frightening look in Max's eyes.
'You all right?' he asked, perturbed.
''Course I'm all right!' Max flared. He shoved past and fell on his bunk.
'What the hell're you staring at? Can't a guy lose his temper once in a while without all you bastards staring?'
'Take it easy,' Tex said.
'Thank Christ, I'll be outta this lousy dump soon.' Max's face was gray-brown and his mouth twitched. 'And that goes for you lousy bastards!'
