A Simple Case of Bored
BY: AliasCWN
"Tully, Hitch, go to the motor pool and go over both jeeps. When things start up again we're going to need them both in top shape."
"We already went over them," Tully answered.
"Go over them again," Troy ordered.
"What are we looking for Sarge?" Hitch sked.
"Anything and everything," the sergeant responded. "Just make sure they're in the best shape possible."
Tully shook his head and got to his feet.
Hitch followed.
"I don't know what more we can do," Tully grumbled as he ambled down the hall. "We've already been over them."
"I know," Hitch agreed, "but I guess it's better than sitting around here all day with nothing to do. Things have been so quiet it's been really boring lately."
"Which is why we had time to go over them earlier," Tully replied.
"You don't think Sarge is making us do this just to keep us out of trouble do you?"
"Probably," Tully grinned.
"But we haven't been in any trouble for quite a while now," Hitch protested.
Tully smirked, "Maybe he thinks we're about due."
The two privates went on to the motor pool where they went over both jeeps yet again.
Troy and Moffitt watched them leave the room before Moffitt spoke. "Are you just trying to keep them busy?"
Troy didn't even look guilty as he nodded. "They've been staying out of trouble lately but they're getting bored. I'm hoping I can keep them too busy to get bored and get themselves into trouble."
"It won't take them long to go over both jeeps," Moffitt warned.
"Long enough for me to find something else for them to do," Troy responded.
"So you're going to sit around all day thinking up things to keep them busy?" Moffitt asked with amusement.
"No, I'm going to make up a list and leave it in their room for them. Then I'm going to find something to keep me busy." Troy sounded so smug that Moffitt laughed out loud. Troy tried to appear insulted by the other sergeant's reaction but he couldn't hold back his smile. "It's for their own good," Troy insisted. "I don't want to have to bail them out of the stockade."
"I understand Troy, and I'm not saying that it's a bad thing," the Brit laughed, "but they have been doing a pretty decent job of it on their own lately."
"We were busy, they didn't have time to get into any mischief," Troy protested.
"True," Moffitt nodded," but there may be more to it than that. They've matured too," he argued.
The other sergeant nodded in agreement. "You're right about that, but why take any chances?" He grinned at Moffitt. "This way we know they won't get dragged into any trouble."
The Brit sighed and nodded. "Good luck keeping them busy. I have some research I want to get done and it will most likely take me all day."
"Good, then I don't have to worry about you," Troy replied.
"No, you don't," the Brit answered. "I will be at headquarters all day and too busy to go hunting trouble."
"That just leaves me."
Moffitt nodded. "Are we going to meet back here to go for supper?"
"Sure," Troy replied. "I'll let Tully and Hitch know the plan."
"Including the plan to keep them busy?"
"I'll give them the list but the reasons can stay between us," Troy grinned.
"Trust me," Moffitt replied, "they'll figure it out."
"Your point?"
"I guess I don't have one in that regard," Moffitt admitted. "I'll see you at supper." He headed to headquarters to begin his research.
Shortly after noon he heard a commotion in the hall. By catching bits and pieces of conversations he discovered that there had been a brawl at the local bar that had spilled out into the street. The MPs had gone in and picked up dozens of participants and hauled them off to the stockade. Glad that Troy had decided to keep the privates busy, he went back to work.
As suppertime neared Moffitt finished his research for the day. He thanked the clerks who had helped him find the information he needed and told them all good-night. His walk back to his quarters was a leisurely one, the day of doing research having been relaxing. At the door to his building he spotted the two privates further down the street, and decided to wait for them.
"How did your day go?" he asked as they stopped to greet him.
"Busy," Hitch grumbled. "Sarge had us go over both jeeps again and check all of our supplies. We replaced everything that was damaged or too old to use."
"We'd already gone over them once," Tully explained.
"Then we went back to our quarters and Sarge had been there and left us a whole list of things to do," Hitch continued.
"We just got done," Tully added.
The British sergeant smiled at the two younger men. "Then you're in luck. You're just in time to join the two of us for supper. Troy should be waiting in our room."
"Just give us time to clean up a bit," Tully agreed.
"Sarge said to meet you in your room," Hitch explained. "It was in the note. We'll see you there."
"I'll go see if Troy is ready," the Brit volunteered. He parted with the younger men and headed for the room he shared with Troy.
The room was empty. There was a note addressed to him on his cot. Unfolding the note he read it and couldn't hold back a smile.
Moffitt,
I got bored so I went to the bar for a drink. I'll be back in plenty of time to meet you for supper.
PS: If Tully and Hitch get back early keep them busy.
Troy
Folding the note and tucking it into his pocket he headed for the room the privates shared. Before they went to supper they were going to have to bail Troy out of the stockade.