“Shade.”
“Colonel Starbreak. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here looking for a man of your…talents.”
“I’m retired from the Special Forces, Colonel. And from the life of a black market assassin.”
“Well, I can- Holy crap, you weren’t kidding about being retired. Jeez, you’ve really let yourself go.”
“What do you want? I’m retired. I took my severance and bought this refurbished RCA 32” 720p LCD/DVD Combo HDTV. And I’ve been burying my shame and dulling my pain with it ever since”
“That’s all your severance bought? We really have to take better care of our veterans.”
“So what’s the gig? Need a warlord assassinated? Daughter of a politician need rescuing? Want me to infiltrate some underground crime ring?”
“Uh, actually nothing. I think someone else will be more qualified.”
“Nonsense! Look, I might be above my fighting weight, but I’m still the best damn operative you ever had. I’m the only one with the skills and the knowledge-”
“And the chins.”
“Don’t do that. I’m a highly trained killing machine.”
“Do your legs even work any more?”
“Only one way to find out, I guess. You gonna tell me what the job is?”
“No, I think I’m good. Say, isn’t Band of Brothers on? Don’t wanna miss that, right?”
“Good point. Leave the dossier on my mini fridge, Colonel. I’ll get started with the op asap.”
“Uh, right. See you later then.”
