Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam

Mystery & Suspense, Espionage, Fiction & Literature, Classics, Literary
Cover of the book Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam by Paul Clayton, Paul Clayton
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Paul Clayton ISBN: 1230002768533
Publisher: Paul Clayton Publication: October 31, 2018
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Paul Clayton
ISBN: 1230002768533
Publisher: Paul Clayton
Publication: October 31, 2018
Imprint:
Language: English

Vietnam, 1968, dawn, perimeter guard...

"What do you think about being in Vietnam?" I said.

Ron laughed. The horizon was cherry red and we could hardly see each other.

"We're just here for business."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that this war is just a business deal. The big boys got together and said, 'Look, the economy isn't doing so hot and we got all these extra people with no jobs, just causing trouble, so why don't we have us a little drawn-out war. That way we can get rid of the excess population and pump up the economy."

I smiled. "C'mon, you're telling me this whole war was cooked up to boost the economy?"

"That's right."

"The American, maybe, but not the Vietnamese. I can't see them sacrificing thousands of their people."

"Life is cheap over here."

"I don't believe it."

"Why do you think there's so much trash in the company?"

"What do you mean?"

"C'mon, Carl. A third of the men on this hill are black trash and the rest are all white trash."

I laughed. I had never thought of myself as ‘white trash.’

Ron spoke like a teacher giving a lecture. "You see, the rich man in America struck a deal with the Communist bosses in Asia. The Asians have a population way in excess of what their lands can support, and America has an excess of trash."

Ron sighed. "The only reason the war's lasted as long as it has is because it's all bullshit and everybody knows it. And that's why the troops ain't taking no chances. Why get yourself killed when them senators' and businessmen's sons are laying up at some Ivy League college studying poli-sci or history of art or something like that, and gettin' all the girls they want!”

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Vietnam, 1968, dawn, perimeter guard...

"What do you think about being in Vietnam?" I said.

Ron laughed. The horizon was cherry red and we could hardly see each other.

"We're just here for business."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that this war is just a business deal. The big boys got together and said, 'Look, the economy isn't doing so hot and we got all these extra people with no jobs, just causing trouble, so why don't we have us a little drawn-out war. That way we can get rid of the excess population and pump up the economy."

I smiled. "C'mon, you're telling me this whole war was cooked up to boost the economy?"

"That's right."

"The American, maybe, but not the Vietnamese. I can't see them sacrificing thousands of their people."

"Life is cheap over here."

"I don't believe it."

"Why do you think there's so much trash in the company?"

"What do you mean?"

"C'mon, Carl. A third of the men on this hill are black trash and the rest are all white trash."

I laughed. I had never thought of myself as ‘white trash.’

Ron spoke like a teacher giving a lecture. "You see, the rich man in America struck a deal with the Communist bosses in Asia. The Asians have a population way in excess of what their lands can support, and America has an excess of trash."

Ron sighed. "The only reason the war's lasted as long as it has is because it's all bullshit and everybody knows it. And that's why the troops ain't taking no chances. Why get yourself killed when them senators' and businessmen's sons are laying up at some Ivy League college studying poli-sci or history of art or something like that, and gettin' all the girls they want!”

More books from Literary

Cover of the book Concrete by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Lesbian Monster Hunters In the Wild by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Crooked by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Ongoingness by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book A History of Pain by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Le Naulahka by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Levenslicht by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Nana de Émile Zola (Fiche de lecture) by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Le Bourgeois gentilhomme by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book The Railwayman's Wife by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Calligraphy Lesson by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Narcisse ou l'Amant de lui-même by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book The Ghost of Iris Carver by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Around the House and In the Garden by Paul Clayton
Cover of the book Scrupules by Paul Clayton
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy