You Same-Same Goldie

Doc Morristo was a favorite medic on many levels. He was one tough Native American. Every drop of his blood pumped true warrior. He could be your worst nightmare come true…if you deserved it.

Morristo liked me. So…he smacks me beside the head coming out of the medical tent. Not seeing a followup blow, I asked, “What did you do that for?” He grinned and replied, “I just wanted to toughen you Thompson!” So I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I am a lot tougher than you think Morristo!” He walked away still grinning. Again, you were always glad to be on his good side.

I was a medic..through and through. On those rare occasions that we medics gathered, I was always in a good place. Several of us headed for the beach club for some beers.

Goldie served as the barmaid. Her front teeth were loaded with gold fillings, a popular look amongst the Vietnamese. Goldie served with a smile…showing off all those teeth with abandon. Her heart made her popular with the troops.

All was well as we savored the cold drinks and banter. Then Morristo pulls out a National Geographic magazine. The issue sparkled with color photographs. Most photographs were black & white in Vietnam…color stood out as a premium.

We passed the magazine around rhe table full circle. Once Morristo regained his treasure, he called for Goldie. Her English was barely functional; she thought he wanted another round. He finally settled her attention upon the National Geographic. He let her view the pictures a few moments. She politely returned it.

Morristo didn’t let her leave his side. He was up to something. He then pointed to a picture of an ape and said, “Goldie, you same-same.” Her confused expression revealed she didn’t get it. So Morristo thumps his finger on the ape and then points his finger directly at Goldie and repeats, “Goldie, you same-same!”

Goldie scurried away awash in horror. We started giving that hard head hell. Goldie suddenly appears to dump a full pitcher of beer on Morristo’s head. As Morristo begins to rise…every man reached to hold him back. As Morristo settled, I breathed a sigh of relief. It could take a half dozen men to contain him…it was Morristo who settled himself.

I thought for the longest time that the war had eroded our humanity, that we were becoming animals…worse yet beasts. Despite the hardness of it all, we still maintained some civility… particularly for a lady.

We drank up and left. The party was over. I don’t think Goldie would have served us…especially not with that contagious smile. But we all left a very generous tip.

Currahees..Morristo will smack me with that National Geographic when he reads this. Most great warriors are rough around the edges.  We climbed the hill through the mine field to end the night.