Chapter 36 Assassination

Colonel Belger paced back and forth in his office, chain-smoking.

His orderly entered the room, glanced around the office, and asked, "Shall I empty the ashtray for you?"

"Huh?" Colonel Belger was momentarily startled, then looked down at his desk and realized the ashtray was overflowing, "Yes, dump it, thank you."

The orderly approached the desk, deftly emptied the ashtray without spilling any ash.

Having done so, he looked at Colonel Belger with concern.

The colonel noticed his gaze: "What is it? Did I forget to shave again?"

"No, it's just that you call me 'you' when something's on your mind," the orderly replied.

"Isn't it obvious to everyone that I'm preoccupied?" Colonel Belger chuckled bitterly.

The orderly said, "But the Reserve Affairs Office isn't hectic at all, especially now that there's no reserve."