Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Right and Left (07/31/14)
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TITLE: A stroll in the park | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
08/03/14 -
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From his perch on a branch high in a snow-covered tree, Jerry Latsky heard the voices of the two men approaching down the path. He changed his position slightly, careful not to make too much movement, and removed the glove from his right hand. Although confident that his head-to-toe camouflage outfit made him virtually invisible to the naked eye, years of hunting both animals and men had taught him economy of movement in these situations.
He had chosen to use a hunting bow and arrows for this job. The fact that the Presidential retreat of Camp David now allowed weekend visitors, added to the fact that one of the visitor entertainment areas is an archery range, had made it relatively easy to bring the equipment into the camp.
As expected, President Reid was wearing his burgundy duck-down overcoat, while President Zhukov wore his familiar khaki telogreika (quilted jacket), the same jacket that his father had worn with pride during the Red Army’s victorious Battle of Moscow in December of 1941.
Latsky notched a three-bladed hunting arrow onto his bowstring, clipped the mechanical release into the loop of the bowstring and waited. Sixty yards, fifty yards, forty yards: he drew the bow and sought his target. Then aiming directly at the heart of the man wearing the burgundy overcoat, he gently squeezed the release trigger.
The fact that a Republican President had invited Russian President Zhukov to Camp David to conclude an arms reduction treaty was, in itself, a miracle. The build-up to the meeting had been extremely rocky, as many were against any form of arms reduction, especially when it involved military budget cuts and resultant job losses.
Yet following the Ukrainian war of 2017, in which the United States and the Soviet Union came very close to a no-holds-barred conflict, it became apparent that the most prudent course of action would be to limit each other’s strike capability. On both sides, the Camp David Arms Reduction Accord, to be signed tomorrow, would reduce naval, air force and military capability, as well as introduce a monitored reduction in the manufacture and storage of all tactical and strategic weapons.
The stroll through the snow-covered parkland was President Reid’s idea. Keen to have a man-to-man talk with Zhukov, out of reach of other ears, he had suggested the walk. Zhukov had shared his enthusiasm. The two met in the lobby of Aspen Lodge.
“Is that the telogreika, the one that your father wore in 1941?” Reid asked his guest.
“Yes, the very same one, my friend, it goes with me wherever I go,” answered the Russian. “Tell you what, as a token of our relationship that is now being cemented, you may wear my telogreika for this walk, and I’ll wear your jacket.”
Realizing that this was a very special offer, Reid readily agreed, and the two men swapped jackets. “This is also a fine jacket, very warm,” commented Zhukov. “I trust that the stuffing comes from American and not Russian ducks,” he joked, at which both men chuckled. “But what is this in the inside pocket?” inquired Zhukov, pulling out a small booklet.
“Ah, that is part of my history,” said Reid. “It’s a Bible with a leather bound steel cover. Dates back to my great grandfather who used it in the Civil war. Real piece of history, that Bible.”
With that the two men headed out on the path, shadowed at a distance by their respective security personnel.
The conversation turned to grandchildren, a topic close to the hearts of both Presidents. Reid was about to tell Zhukov about their newest arrival, when the Russian suddenly jolted backwards onto the pathway. In an instant the security men were around them, guns and rifles at the ready. There was a sudden movement in a nearby tree, a shot rang out, and a figure dropped from the tree, landing in a heap of snow.
Alarmed, Reid turned to his guest, who had lifted his head and was trying to stand up. Next to him on the ground lay an arrow. Slowly Zhukov stood up, put his hand into his inside pocket and pulled out the Bible. There was a hole in the cover that extended through the book to the back cover.
“My friend,” he said slowly, “can you believe that an old Commie like me could be saved by a Bible? Now I too believe in miracles.”
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Well done!
God bless~
I always worry/think about who is going to copy something the see or read but then this is just a story.
Well written. I don't know how it would have worked if you would have revealed the switch after the shooting of the arrow. It might have been OK also but by knowing about the switch the readers still didn't know which person might have been the target.
It kept me reading even though I thought it was too predictable.
I know you have the ability and would have liked to see a little Russian dialect to spice up the conversation.
It would have enhanced your very good dialogue and get the readers really in the mood of two distinct personalities from two countries.
Super job!