why take the chance of being tied up at the station for god knows how long. Besides they might even send him back to base. Some birthday celebration this turned out to be! Joseph decided to at least grab a cup of hot coffee as he dried. He staggered past the door and saw the waiter with a raincoat on just about to leave the place.

"For Gods sake! What happened to you?", Richard asked as he helped him to sit down in a booth at the rear of the Cafe. "You're in no condition to go anywhere. Are you all right--- not cut or shot?" After ascertaining that he was going to live he said that he would get him an "Irish Coffee."

"Better make it real strong, I'm freezing!", Joseph said, "It's the middle of the summer and I'm freezing."

"Delayed shock I should think. Here put this around you to warm yourself up a bit." Richard offered him his raincoat and said. "It’s not much but it’s better than nothing."

Joseph wrapped the coat around him self and shivered, "thanks."

Richard returned with the steaming cup of whiskey-laced coffee and placed it before him. "I know I told you to drink only bottled beer, but, I think you need this. You feel up to telling me what happened or you want to warm up first."

Joseph started to drink and to tell Richard of the experience in the alleyway. He pulled the knife from his pocket and laid it on the table. Richard picked it up and pressed the knife button and jumped as it sprung out. "You didn't cut the bastard did you? He was still alive when you left him?" he inquired.

"Yes Richard, but I think he will be walking kind of funny for the next few days", Joseph joked. "And maybe Joanne will mend her ways, but I doubt that."

"I agree, but what are you going to do now. You can't go back to base looking like that," the waiter said. "Do you have a place to wash up and change?"

Joseph tried to think and finally said, "I have some of my stuff checked into a locker and that will be safe for a few days. Damn, if I go to get it looking this way the MPs will pick me up and start asking questions. What can I do, Richard, any ideas?"

"Well, as you were coming in, I was on my way home." Richard said, "I don't live far from here and you could come home with me. Perhaps, you could take a shower while I wash and dry your uniform. Then after the rain stops you would at least be able to return to the base looking like a proper soldier and not some bum. Oh, and by the way I told you that my friends call me Rich. If you are going to take advantage of my hospitality I insist you call me that as my father's name is Richard and it reminds me of all the times they called me 'Richard Jr."

"You're a lifesaver, Richa... Rich." Joseph said. "Are you leaving soon or do I have time to buy you a drink?"

"Thank you Joseph, however, I have some good stuff at home not this rot gut crap," he smiled. "We can leave anytime you want. I'll grab us a Taxi. You keep the raincoat, I don't want you to catch