GOLDEN POND

Chapter 4 Mike the Paratrooper ( Light My Fire ) Dr. Christian:"Oh. My God! Get this man into the operating room stat." His voice was loud and shrill. He never used and disliked the word stat, but he had never seen a case like this! For once in his life he became unglued! But only for a second. He was the best in the world and this man would need the best. Mike hears the commotion and wakes up. He is in the bed next to Bill. He has been admitted to General Hospital-a drug overdose. Although in his late sixties,, he was found unconscious on the streets of Chattanooga- a box of detergent by his side He was still in a daze! Whenever he tried to talk, bubbles flew out of his mouth- some small, some big. Some popped immediately and some lasted interminably. A few landed on the jellyfishes. Mike wasn't sure if he was dreaming or if he was still high from the pods. Even his farts were springtime fresh. Mike had been a paratrooper during the Vietnam war. He joined the army at eighteen. He was gung ho and aced basic training. He became good friends with Ron Kovic, who, ironically, had been born on the 4th of July. When jumping from the planes, both would mimic their Idol, Major "King" Kong. "Yahoo-yippee-ki-yay mother f*****!" Mike's drug usage began in the jungles of Nam! First, it was marijuana- he would rock out to the Stones and the Doors and clean his rifle. He soon graduated to harder drugs when his commander, a Colonel Kilgore, handed him a pill and said "take this brother, may it serve you well!" Reluctant at first but orders were orders, so he took the plunge. It took 30 minutes for the effects to kick in. He wanted to touch the sky and had a crazy urge to ride the wild surf. The smell of napalm at night only enhanced his mood! The next morning Capt. Willard found him lying by a thatched hut and staring into the sun. He immediately took him to sick bay! Mike saw many horrors in the southeast country. Unfortunately, he turned to speed, cocaine and heroin! He deserted. AWOL! He found refuge when he became a Russian Roulette player at a crowded gambling club in Saigon. Run by Won Hong Lo! Mike was the goat [ greatest of all time ] RR player and never lost. His record stands until this day! "You one lucky mother f*****," Won would tell him. "Others come and go but you stay! Won like you mother f*****!" Mike liked Won as well. But knew he was destined to lose one day. So it was a sad day when he gave Won his 2 weeks notice! "Mike you crazy mother f*****! No need to give me two week notice- what two week notice anyway- you crazy mother f*****! Leave now don't come back I love you." " I love you, Won!" Won: Lookie here you take book and read book! He hands Mike his most prized possession, a bible from his grandmother,Too! Inscribed in 1965: " To my dearest Won! Hopefully you will find comfort and inner peace. Love, Memaw Too! P.S. don't play with guns and chase wild women and don't gamble your hard-earned money away!" Mike was genuinely touched. He took the Bible and cradled it in his hands. He gave Won a huge hug, turned and walked away and never looked back. Mike read the scriptures over and over. He became a new man. He gave himself up to the army and was sentenced to prison for 5 years. Upon serving his time, Mike began his new life as a Sunday school teacher and began lecturing young people on the dangers of drugs! He was making a good living. His downfall happened one day as he was washing clothes. He had the TV on and was watching the lost episodes of The Real McCoys, sponsored by Procter & Gamble. Mike was laughing at the antics of Pepino, Luke and Grandpa. Of course, there were commercials and the first one advertised-Tide Pods. "New from P&G! Not only will your clothes become whiter than white but you can smell the difference. Tide Pods at grocery stores everywhere." The next day Mike was found by the side of the road. He had over-dosed! "Tell LBJ to kiss my ass! Tell him while he's taking a dump in the Rose Garden," Mike said to the emt's as they carted him away! Obviously in a state of delirium. PTSD? End of Chapter 4