Ben leaves his school late one rainy afternoon near dusk. He opens his umbrella. Behind him a figure approaches with a familiar voice. Marilyn, a math teacher, slim, not unattractive, single, wears glasses.
"Ben, wait up."
He turns, stops and waits for her. Instead of an umbrella, she's wearing a scarf to protect her long brown hair.
"Could you escort a damsel in distress to her home?"
"Sure."
Marilyn pulls up close to Ben, takes his arm and gets under his umbrella. They head to the east side of Oswego where they both live. After walking together across the Bridge Street Bridge and through the East Side Park, they arrive at Marilyn's modest two story house. She unlocks the kitchen door.
"Why don't you come in? I've leftover meatloaf...plenty for two. I owe you for being such a gentleman. And I won't take no for an answer."
Ben thought for a second or two. This would not be the first time he had been in Marilyn's house. He was hungry and he would have to prepare dinner for himself at home if he refused her hospitality.
"All right."
Ben and Marilyn enter the kitchen, remove their coats, and shake off the rain.
"Ben, why don't you make yourself comfortable in the living room. We can eat while listening to some music on the radio."
After she warms up the food in the oven, the two of them eat from trays sitting side by side on the sofa. After finishing, Ben puts his tray on the nearby coffee table and starts to rise.
"Thanks a lot, Marilyn. That was great. I've got to go. Tests to grade. You understand."
She removes her glasses and pulls him back. "Not yet."
Marilyn puts her arms around him and plants a hard kiss on his mouth. He responds in kind. After some seconds, they separate.
"I'm going upstairs to get more comfortable. Give me a couple of minutes and then join me."
Marilyn gets up from the sofa without taking her eyes off Ben. She walks up the stairs, still maintaining eye contact with him. Ben waits for some minutes, all the while thinking of a choice he's about to make. Finally, he follows Marilyn up the stairs. He then walks to the doorway of her bedroom, a place not unfamiliar to him. She is lying in her bed wearing nothing but a light blue transparent negligee. The covers are open to receive him. He stays by the open door.
"I can't, Marilyn. I'm not in love with you. I need that."
"We both deserve some warmth and affection, Ben. I can make you happy. I need that."
"I'm sorry. Good night."
Ben turns around and walks back down the stairs. He continues through the living room, the kitchen and out the door he entered. All the while, Marilyn remains frozen on her bed.
When Ben arrives at his house, he sees an envelope lying on the floor in front of the mail chute by the front door. By the return address, he sees it is from Rita, which brings a smile to his face.
That same night, Jon, from U.S. Army Intelligence, is meeting with his superior, General Wharton, at the Pentagon, just outside of Washington, D.C.
"General, I believe that someone in the president's inner circle should know about Karchevsky. Let them decide what to do about it."
"Let me review your report, Jon. I'll figure out who and when. I'll let you know. Good job."
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