"Ahh...what do I call her?  Bonita!" He sighs heavily. "She was Stuart's first love."

He leans back in his chair, closes his eyes and sighs heavily.

"You know, after 30 years he can still close my eyes and see her face. Stuart asked her to be his love and she refused.  She claimed that Stuart wasn't ready. So Stuart figured this was the time to pull up stakes and get away.  FAR AWAY! He had been reading S.O.F. magazine and learning about mercenaries in Rhodesia making six digit figures."

"SOF?"

"Soldier of Fortune.  Back then they advertised want ads for Mercenaries before it became 'politically incorrect.' Stuart figured he'd join the service for a few years and then head off to Africa to make his fortune. He had a new outlook on life. He'd get away and start over.  Even thought about changing his name and everything."

"OK.  Now Stuart's family must've noticed something by now, right?"

"Nope. He went deeper into myself.  No one, not even Buddy knew. Stuart went to the local recruiting station to join up. He went to the Air Force and they told him it would be a year before he could join. He then went next door into the Army recruiters and told them he would go on to the Marines if they didn't let him join."

"And that's how Stuart joined the Army?"

"Sure is.  Did what was called back then a 'split option.' Joined in his junior year in H.S. and went active duty after he graduated. Stuart would be in the Army Reserves till then.  When Stuart went Active duty, he already had stripes on his collar and training under his belt. Stuart was still a punk with an attitude though.  Had a 100 lb. chip on his shoulder and ready to start something if someone noticed the chip.  So here you have a liar, cheat and thief trying to be all he can be."

He stops the recorder. "You know, listening to this has made me realize that no one knows the real you do they?"

"Not a one. It's why I took you up on the offer to do the interview. It's the irony to this tale.  I've had many people want to be like me.  Be the (he makes the quotes gesture) 'successful person' they believe I am.  The truth is it's a farce too.  Nothing they believe about me exists...it's all an illusion."

He starts the recorder.  "Well then...is there a message?  A statement you wish to leave behind?  You were willing to do the interview, so I assume you have something to pass on."

to be continued...

Last Updated: Monday March 17, 2003
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