At an expensive parisian cafe, slightly reclining, sipping from a cup of cappucino, sat the foaming figure of General M. The weather was clement bordering on warm; which allowed the General to sit out on the patio under a parasol which was really an extension of the cafe. Around him the street was thronged with pedestrians with a pinch of soldier thrown in here and there. Post war life seemed strange to everyone; indeed it would, only eight months since the bells rang out for armistace day. Three small boys, ball between them, dashed down the road dragging the General from his musings on the morning paper. He selected a thick slice of french toast, added some sweet juice, and ate slowly.
Damn Canadian louts. Killing a hardworking honest Bobby. Should thrash the lot of them. Also the Mexicans are at it? Whats the world coming to? Needless, senseless violence and a pointless waste of life. Hello. Its that saucy barmaid from the club. Whats her name? Does it matter? Or course it does i can't just shout 'you'; could i? Absolutely not. Marge? Yes, Marge.
"Marge!"
Ah shes seen me; lucky tart. What are they looking at? I fought a war for you you fools, surely i have the right to call a friend in a cafe. Just look at those buns. The breasts aren't bad either. He let out a short noise resembling a small snigger. Ah here she comes. I hope she's a game girl.
Milly made her way over to the table squeezing through two lucky chaps. She made her way slowly; her face vermillion with embarrassment. Her view of the General now was the same any girl would have seen: A pig in a mustashe. His face was vermillion too but from the over indulgence of brandy and other alcoholic drinks.
"It's Milly actually. How are you general?"
"Fine, fine. Sit yourself down next to me my dear. Hows the leg?" He said.
Milly surely had no idea what he was on about and chose to reply that it was alright now. This sent him into a fit of good humour and he slapped her on the back.
"Excellent," He said. "You'll be back behind the bar in no time then."
She smiled politely. She picked at the bun she had bought and glanced at the newspaper sideways on. Of course she can read, why should that suprise you foolish man. Mummy could read a bit.
"Rather pleasant weather we are having hey girl? You should get yourself out into the country. Have a picnic or something equally youthful and gay."
"I'm on my way to see a girlfriend actually. They've got a cinema down at Le Bonn and they're showing a couple of films today."
Silence followed her last comment. The General, who in military attire was a loud cocky tyranical maniac, struggled often with the opposite sex. Or at least with the opposite sex worth struggling with.
This is going nowhere. Should i ask her out? No harm in it i suppose.
" I don't suppose yo..." Milly anticipated the question and shot a glance at her watch. "Is that the time? I really must be off."
"Well i'll see you at the club then Marge old girl."
"I'm sorry General but you seem to have me confused with someone else. I'm Milly. We met when you came to see Captain Darling in the hospital."
"Ah, of course. How is my Darling?"
"General...Surely you heard the news." A blank look from the blank face. "The good Captain took his own life a couple of months back. Came as a total shock; he seemed so distant no one thought he would have the strength to do anything like that." She looked at the General with a comforting smile and picked up her possessions: A book and her handbag. With one last look at the sullen face of the General she left swiftly.
The General watched after her. Well he watched after her bottom. Dear Darling dead. Poor sport. Still, can't be helped. Shall have to see who else i know in that hospital.
