Leatherneck whistled as he walked down the hall towards the lunchroom. He was in an extraordinary good mood. As he entered the cafeteria, he scanned the tables for a place to sit. It was still a few minutes before lunch was due to be served so there were plenty of empty tables. He caught sight of Wetsuit reading a newspaper and his whistling grew louder as he headed in his direction.
"How is my favorite boneheaded Seal this morning?" Leatherneck asked as he took a seat.
Wetsuit looked out from behind the newspaper. "Man, I hate when you're especially cheery. Did you beat a few Greenshirts after breakfast?"
"Nah. At least nothing that will leave permanent scars," Leatherneck answered. He began to flip through the stack of newspapers in front of Wetsuit. "Did you bring enough to read? Wait a minute, what the hell is this drivel?" he asked as he grabbed one of the tabloids.
Wetsuit put down the section he was reading. "Seven Days Global News. There's some good stuff in that paper."
"Sure. Everything but news." Leatherneck chose a part of the paper and noticed that Wetsuit raised an eyebrow at his selection. "What?"
"Business? Are you checking on your portfolio?"
"As a matter of fact I am." Leatherneck resumed his whistling as he opened the paper.
Wetsuit shrugged and picked up the Seven Days Global News. "If you don't cut out that racket I'm going to…now here's a story."
"What?" Leatherneck asked feigning interest.
"Seventh body pulled from real haunted house," Wet Suit read out loud. "I've heard about this place. Supposedly no one has survived touring the whole house."
"You've heard about it because it's a popular urban legend. That story comes up every October."
Wetsuit shook his head. "No, this one is local. I can't remember who I was talking to, maybe one of my buddies in town, but he said he's actually been in the house. You have a choice how deep inside you can go. He only did the bare minimum and said he was scared out of his wits."
"Whatever," Leatherneck answered.
"I think we should find the house. See if the legend is true."
Leatherneck put down his paper. "I can guarantee you the legend is not true. But why don't you go, and send me a postcard from deep inside the spooky house."
Wetsuit smirked. "Oh, is the big mawine scared of the wittle scawy house?" he teased.
"Funny," Leatherneck replied and then looked up. "Hey, Jaye!"
"Hello, boys. Is that today's paper?" she asked. Wetsuit nodded so she asked, "Mind if I join you?"
"Have a seat," Wetsuit said as he indicated the empty spot next to him. He pushed the stack of papers in Lady Jaye's direction. He then turned his attention back to Leatherneck. "Bawk!" he said.
"Excuse me?" Leatherneck asked as Lady Jaye shot Wetsuit a questioning look.
"You heard me – bawk!"
"Are you supposed to be clucking like a chicken?" Leatherneck asked.
"Do I even want to know what set this off?" asked Lady Jaye.
"I'm just indicating that Leatherneck might be frightened by the idea of a real-life haunted house," Wetsuit answered.
"Is this the 'Death House'?" Lady Jaye asked excitedly.
"Yes! So you heard of it?" Wetsuit asked.
"Well, sure," Lady Jaye replied. "But it's always been one of those third generation type stories – the 'I heard from a friend who heard from a friend…' recaps. I didn't think it actually existed."
"Delusional boy is convinced he knows where it is," Leatherneck grumbled.
"Knows where what is?" Ace asked as walked over to the table. He sat down in the empty seat next to Leatherneck.
"The Death House," Wetsuit and Lady Jaye replied in unison.
"Oh yeah, I've heard of that," Ace replied. "I've got a buddy who said a friend of his went there last weekend."
Lady Jaye grinned as she held her hand out towards Ace. "Case in point," she said.
Wetsuit glanced at each of the three Joes sitting around the table. "I have a proposal. The four of us here each represent a different military branch. I know we always get into arguments over which one is the toughest so I propose a challenge. I will find this house, and whoever lasts the longest inside will be declared the winner."
Lady Jaye was the first to speak. "That's ridiculous."
"If you want out, there are plenty of your army buddies around to take your place," Wetsuit suggested.
"I'm in," Ace said without hesitation. "The Air Force is always catching flack, and I'm ready to prove I'm not afraid of a few ghosts."
Leatherneck shrugged, "I'm always ready to demonstrate that Wetsuit's an ass."
"You're really serious?" Lady Jaye asked. The three men nodded their heads. "Well them I'm in. I'll not only be proud to represent the Army, but womankind as well."