Sunday, July 15, 2001

IN MY DEFENSE

by Jose Bello

        From the distance between us I couldn't make out gender, or features revealing much about my enemy. My capable opponent was somehow able to use the unobstructed terrain to keep information from me that might be physically telling. I was situated on higher ground; a coveted position in battle. With time of no consequence and being well equipped with no need of additional equipment or assistance, I would await my enemy's next move. My only need was to keep watch over the situation and assess a possible outcome.

        As in any battle, no outcome is assured, regardless of positioning or equipment. It is always a crap shoot, with death waiting in the wings and the threat of injury looming. At the moment, what we had was a stand-off. I only knew I had to survive this situation thrust upon me by a menacing stranger. If this be my final battle, I would face that possibility proudly and in the knowledge that it was in the performance of my duty, as protector of the terrain only I occupied before the present threat appeared. 

        Modern technological advancements were my friends. I happened to be in possession of a weapon that allowed the long distance spraying of debilitating and deadly substances. As I pondered the distance between me and my target and the consequences of my choice of weaponry, I had to consider my trajectory and the effects of shifting air/wind between us. The air was still. Since the beginning of time some battles have been lost to seemingly lesser foes. Size may confuse and confound the untrained observer. It's been well documented that a soldier's sense of self preservation, and perseverance, regardless of size, body weight, weaponry and other supposed disadvantages, have been overcome by a persistent, competent soldier. One should never underestimate the enemy.

        In this particular incident, I considered a tool most suited to the job at hand: A modern tool, whose capabilities would render the enemy dead or dysfunctional. That would lessen my risk in closing in to better assess things after my attack. My weapon of choice was equipped with the capability to activate a lethal spray upon my enemy that would coat the skin with a potentially deadly substance. Its only disadvantage was that I would not be able to measure the effects of my attack, without getting closer. I would in fact, be increasing my vulnerability, should the enemy be only disabled as I closed in.

        So, after some time and consideration, I decided it was time enough to move the toilet brush in its container, holding it by its very end and seeing whether I'd killed that pesky little spider holding me hostage in my own bathroom!!!

 

Read also free pages of the author's life story:  "Marine Tigers: A NewyoRican Story" at Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

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