Free Metal Boxes by Alan Black Page B

it seemed that using manners made communicating much easier.
    He said, “Allie, I wouldn’t feel slighted in the least if you fulfilled a prior obligation. Believe me, the pleasure in dining with such a charming and lovely companion has been all mine. I am grateful for what time we have had and grateful to the max for your willingness to tutor me.”
    “What?” Allie laughed. “Sorry, I quit listening after ‘charming and lovely’. How often did you practice that little speech?”
    Stone dropped heavily to his chair. “Um, well, honestly Mother did make me stand up and say things like that for practice at every meal. But, hey, that doesn’t mean I didn’t mean it.”
    “I know Stone. It sounded practiced, but very sincere,” Allie smiled.
    “Practice is good, right? Just because I practiced doesn’t mean I was forced to say something I didn’t want to say. It just means I was better able to say what I mean when I meant to say it…I think.”
    “You should have been a marine. That is exactly why marines are always training and it is what we try to teach the F.N.G.s. Just because we train you to kill doesn’t make you a killer. But, when you are in a kill-or-be-killed situation it gives you the skills to survive. Same thing.”
    “I kind of see what you mean, but really, I don’t think I would ever equate killing to a beautiful woman ,” Stone said.
    Allie shook her head. “That is hard to say. Have you ever killed something?”
    Stone looked horrified. “No. Certainly not.”
    “Well then, I don’t see that you are in the position to judge the comparison.”
    Stone looked thoughtful for a minute. “Point taken. I bow to the argument I don’t know about killing. But, you must agree that I am in a position to judge a beautiful woman.”
    “You just keep sweet talking me like this Stone and you are going to be the best tutored midshipman in the fleet,” Allie said.
    Stone said, “One thing before you leave for your going away party-“
    “Who said I was going?” she interrupted.
    “I did ,” Stone replied. “Grandpa always says ‘face time is the down payment on money in the bank.’ We always listen to Grandpa.”
    “Grandpa sounds like a smart man.”
    “Well, honestly we listen to Grandpa because Grandma would kick our tails if we didn’t, but that is a whole different family issue. Anyway, my question is: what is an F.N.G? You said it was someone you train?”
    “The N.G. is the New Guy ,” Allie smiled.
    Stone nodded. “Okay, new guy, the trainee. I get it. But what does the F stand… oh…never mind. I understand.”
    “The F .N.G. is the guy who is so new he is liable to do something stupid to get himself and everyone around him killed,” Allie replied with a laugh.
    “I guess that would be me ,” Stone laughed with her. “You know Allie, normally by now I would be dragging myself into bed to catch up on sleep before tonight’s watch, but I have enjoyed myself enough that I am wide awake. Honestly, thank you for letting me join you. This has been the best time I have had since I joined the navy.”
    “This is your best time?!” Allie looked shocked. “Oh hell no ! You’ve got to have been in service for eleven, maybe fourteen months and this little thing is the best? New orders, Mister Midshipman Stone. You are comin’ with me to a marine soirée. You can’t drink with the big boys. No, I know by law you are old enough to drink because you enlisted in the navy, but you can’t drink today because you have to go stand third watch in ten hours or so. Believe me, stayin’ sober is much to be preferred over a regimen of detox just before an eight hour work shift.”
    Stone really wanted to go. He would have followed Allie anywhere, but he asked, “Are you sure? I mean, will a navy midshipman showing up at a marine function be welcome?”
    Allie reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “Stone, you are going as my guest, as my escort, as my date. No one will even