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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (8/25/2008 10:23:14 PM)
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June 18, 1944
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Await further orders
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“Hey, look at the dog,” says Yoshitake, pointing with his chopsticks, He, Oizuma, Shoji, and Riku have a day pass and are sitting in a park and enjoying bento lunches. The others look to see a somewhat scruffy spotted mongrel lying nearby. Its head is on its paws but it is watching them intently, or rather it is watching them eat. When it realizes that it is the subject of the conversation its tail thumps a few times on the ground behind it.
“Aw, that’s a good dog,” says Oizuma. He deftly picks a piece of chicken out of his bento box and flicks it towards the dog, who quickly gobbles it up. Its tail wags some more.
“Don’t encourage him, Snake Man,” says Shoji.
“He can’t help it,” says Riku. “He is kind to every animal, not just snakes.”
“This dog is used to people,” says Oizuma. “He didn’t flinch at all when I tossed something to it. But look how thin he is! I’ll bet his master is gone, maybe lost in the war, and now he has no home.” He tosses the dog another piece of chicken, which disappears as quickly as the first. Riku follows suit.
“That is a sad tale,” says Yoshitake. “I can picture him sitting by the docks day after day, waiting patiently for someone who will never return. It makes me think of the story of chuken Hachikô.” All of them are familiar with the famous tale of faithful dog Hachikô, who went every day to Shibuya station to wait for his master Professor Ueno to return from his work at the University of Tokyo and who continued to do so without fail for ten years after his master’s death. Yoshitake also gives the dog a piece of chicken. The dog eats it and sits up on its haunches, looking expectantly at them.
“I have nothing against dogs,” says Shoji, “but I am not giving some stray part of my lunch.” He defiantly scoops up some noodles and eats them.
“I have often thought that dogs are not much different than people,” says Oizuma. “Or countries, for that matter. If you treat them well they will reward you with loyalty and friendship. If you treat them badly they will bite you, or bite someone else if they fear you too much.”
“I have known a few pampered and spoiled dogs in my time,” says Riku.
“Of course,” Oizuma says. “Dogs require firmness as well. They need boundaries and they need them to be consistent. You cannot pet him for doing something one day and then the next day beat him with a stick for doing the same thing.”
This last statement makes Riku think uncomfortably of his own father. “Hm, you might have a point about them being like people,” he says. “Or nations.”
“I think all diplomats should be people who have worked with dogs,” says Oizuma. “They understand these things. I do not think everyone does.”
“Snake Man the diplomat!” says Shoji, laughing. “Gods help us!”
“Consider the job the professionals have done!” retorts Oizuma. “Half the world is in flames and countless numbers are dead! Do you think anyone else could have done worse?” Shoji blinks but has no reply to this. Riku looks thoughtful.
The conversation shifts to other subjects and the men finish their lunch. By the time they are done the dog is taking bits of food from Oizuma’s hand and allowing himself to be scratched behind the ears. It backs away and sits as the men rise from the grass and put their shoes back on.
“Hey, where is my other shoe?” says Shoji, looking around. It is a moment before Yoshitake laughs and points.
“There!” he says. Everyone looks and sees the shoe clamped firmly in the mouth of the dog, who grins around it and wags his tail.
“Hey, you damned mutt!” yells Shoji. “Give me my shoe!” He runs towards the dog, who gives a happy “whuff!” and easily evades him. After a moment Shoji stops, panting. “Oizuma, make him give me back my shoe!’
Oizuma looks at the dog, who cocks its head at him. Oizuma gives a whistle and flicks two fingers outward. The dog drops the shoe, barks once, then picks up the shoe and runs away and out of the park.
“My shoe!” wails Shoji.
“Oops” says Oizuma innocently. “I guess that was the wrong signal.”
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