Rivka 3

My second lesson arrives, then third. As I suspected, no follow up on the missing first lesson. I cheerfully file the new arrivals away, with the thought it's unlikely now I'll ever hafta bother.
It's a male voice on the phone, used to a lot of authority, asking for me by name. (Oh oh, the lessons?) I correct the pronunciation of my name.
"This is Col Anderson, CO of the Loch Rannoch Highlanders. Your presence is requested at our quarterly officers' meeting."
"It was my understanding Col, the Armory was padlocked."
He turns apologetic, "it's not a real meeting, we gather for coffee. Think about continuity. Now if everyone just scatters for three or four years, hard to get back together as a group."
"Ok then."
"Ten o'clock this Saturday at the Caffeine Cave. Your choice of brunch or just coffee, everyone buys their own."
The last arrival shows at 10:10. Col rises, "two items of business. Meet Lt Rivka Nachtenstein, who got the highest ever exam score."
I see looks varying from admiration to awe. Then realize no one else is privy to the secret of writing zip.
"As for budget, not good. Nothing, nada, zilch, a big fat zero for next fiscal year too. Enough of this, meeting adjourned, let's chat."
To one side of me, the casino and racetrack crowd exchange stories which are probably true, but to me seem incomprehensible. To the other side, the S&M crowd is so loud and so crude, they draw nasty looks from other tables.
Oh no, here comes the restaurant manageress, we're in big trouble. Not! She pulls up a chair, happily joins in on the S&M chat.