LET’S RASSLE, MR. PRESIDENT
a/k/a More Than A Streak of Lavender
Part 2 of 5
While the exterior gave the appearance of a quaint cottage, the interior confirmed it was little more than a ramshackle hut. A fireplace, a table and two very flimsy wooden chairs was all the furniture in the main room. The extremely cramped bedroom contained a narrow bed with a blanket (the blanket being the only new item on the premises), a tiny bureau and a rickety nightstand with a basin for water on it. A layer of dust covered everything.
The Captain fidgeted nervously as he realized the complete inadequacy of the accommodations, but the President didn’t seem to mind. He took everything in and then drawing one of the wooden chairs before the fireplace, sat, stretching his long legs before him, and stared blankly. The Captain asked if the President would like him to build a fire. There came a nod indicating no. The Captain then asked if he could take the carpet bag from the President and move it into the bedroom. The President looked at the carpet bag he was still holding as if puzzled that he even had it. The Captain said, “If there are important papers inside I can understand that you would want to keep secure possession of them.”
“Oh, no”, said the President. “The only thing inside this old thing is my nightshirt.” He then resumed staring blankly ahead. A mournful expression slowly appeared on his face. Embarrassed and not knowing what to do, the Captain, after several awkward minutes, offered to step outside and confirm the safety of the location. It was abundantly clear that a depression had descended over the President like a mantle.
Standing outside for nearly an hour, not knowing what to do next, the Captain suddenly heard the President rise from his seat. The sound of his steps indicated that he was moving into the bedroom. The cottage seemed to be isolated from the entire world. The Captain went back inside and occupied the chair that the President had just vacated with the intention of guarding him through the rest of the night from there.
Another roughly thirty minutes passed, and then, suddenly, Lincoln appeared at the bedroom doorway dressed in his nightshirt. The Captain leaped to his feet at attention. “At ease, Captain.” “As we are entirely alone out here in the country, I want to invite you to get some sleep yourself.”
Oh, no, Mr. President, I couldn’t do that, Sir.” It would be a violation of my duty.” The President said, “Nonsense, obviously you have to sleep sometime, and as there’s clearly no place for you to sleep, come share the bed with me.” The Captain was extremely embarrassed.
“Yes, Captain, the bed will be a tight fit for the both of us, but I believe we’ll manage. Get out of that uniform and come to bed.” He tossed a nightshirt over at the astonished Captain. “Look what I found in that rickety bureau. And, amazingly, it appears to be rather clean.”
As the President climbed back into bed, the Captain slowly shed his uniform. He self-consciously removed each article of clothing until he stood naked. He avoided standing in the light being cast into the room by the full moon. He then carefully draped his uniform over the dusty table knowing full well that everything would require a good brushing in the morning.
The handsome Captain, after putting on the nightshirt, cautiously entered the bedroom. Tentatively, he climbed into bed and lay alongside the President of the United States.
tuffchap (1)
11/07/2020 11:32 PMLET’S RASSLE, MR. PRESIDENT
a/k/a More Than A Streak of Lavender
Part 2 of 5
While the exterior gave the appearance of a quaint cottage, the interior confirmed it was little more than a ramshackle hut. A fireplace, a table and two very flimsy wooden chairs was all the furniture in the main room. The extremely cramped bedroom contained a narrow bed with a blanket (the blanket being the only new item on the premises), a tiny bureau and a rickety nightstand with a basin for water on it. A layer of dust covered everything.
The Captain fidgeted nervously as he realized the complete inadequacy of the accommodations, but the President didn’t seem to mind. He took everything in and then drawing one of the wooden chairs before the fireplace, sat, stretching his long legs before him, and stared blankly. The Captain asked if the President would like him to build a fire. There came a nod indicating no. The Captain then asked if he could take the carpet bag from the President and move it into the bedroom. The President looked at the carpet bag he was still holding as if puzzled that he even had it. The Captain said, “If there are important papers inside I can understand that you would want to keep secure possession of them.”
“Oh, no”, said the President. “The only thing inside this old thing is my nightshirt.” He then resumed staring blankly ahead. A mournful expression slowly appeared on his face. Embarrassed and not knowing what to do, the Captain, after several awkward minutes, offered to step outside and confirm the safety of the location. It was abundantly clear that a depression had descended over the President like a mantle.
Standing outside for nearly an hour, not knowing what to do next, the Captain suddenly heard the President rise from his seat. The sound of his steps indicated that he was moving into the bedroom. The cottage seemed to be isolated from the entire world. The Captain went back inside and occupied the chair that the President had just vacated with the intention of guarding him through the rest of the night from there.
Another roughly thirty minutes passed, and then, suddenly, Lincoln appeared at the bedroom doorway dressed in his nightshirt. The Captain leaped to his feet at attention. “At ease, Captain.” “As we are entirely alone out here in the country, I want to invite you to get some sleep yourself.”
Oh, no, Mr. President, I couldn’t do that, Sir.” It would be a violation of my duty.” The President said, “Nonsense, obviously you have to sleep sometime, and as there’s clearly no place for you to sleep, come share the bed with me.” The Captain was extremely embarrassed.
“Yes, Captain, the bed will be a tight fit for the both of us, but I believe we’ll manage. Get out of that uniform and come to bed.” He tossed a nightshirt over at the astonished Captain. “Look what I found in that rickety bureau. And, amazingly, it appears to be rather clean.”
As the President climbed back into bed, the Captain slowly shed his uniform. He self-consciously removed each article of clothing until he stood naked. He avoided standing in the light being cast into the room by the full moon. He then carefully draped his uniform over the dusty table knowing full well that everything would require a good brushing in the morning.
The handsome Captain, after putting on the nightshirt, cautiously entered the bedroom. Tentatively, he climbed into bed and lay alongside the President of the United States.