"To Be Cheerful"

Two friends, part of a rag tag band of Germans, must try to hold off any advancement of Allied forces past the ruins of a small town. Albert, an MG-34 machine gunner, and Kugel, his friend and barrel-changer, are situated at the edge of the town and will inevitably be the first to engage the enemy....

	"The sky is cloudy...or perhaps it's just from the smoke", Albert thinks to himself. "War has a way of making the weather gloomy eh, Kugel?" "Indeed it does, my friend...It must also affect the spirit; you are not your usual cheerful self today." "Perhaps you are right, but I assure you I will find something to be cheerful about."


	Then they hear it. The sound of thunder. The sound of power. The sound of US Sherman tanks! "I hope you find something to feel cheerful about real soon, Albert!"
	"Albert, we can't take on those tanks with just a machine gun!!" "I know, I know...but we must try to stop at least some of the infantry before they spot us! Get ready!"
	"I am ready, Albert! Fire!" And with that, Albert unleashes the power of his MG-34 machine gun on the unsuspecting US soldiers. By the time the US soldiers realize what hit them, only half are left, scrambling for whatever cover they could find. With no clear targets, Albert has stopped shooting. Kugel changes the barrel and reloads the gun. The Americans are still. The tanks have stopped for the moment. "They know we are here! It is only a matter of time before they use their tanks on us! Are you listening to me, Albert!!!" "Yes..."Albert says calmly, almost in a daze, "but let's just wait for a bit more.." "A BIT MORE!? Albert!--" "SHHH!" says Albert, concentrating on the enemy's movement, "do you want them to hear you?" He can see the soldiers, belly to the ground, advancing forward through the tall grass. They are trying to flank Albert and Kugel's general area. "Just a little closer" whispers Albert... And then he opens fire. He is able to mow down a few more soldiers before they hear the boom of the tank's cannon. Albert and Kugel's heart stop. Time seems to stand still. Rubble is falling from the sky like rain. Then it stops. They are still alive. A wall behind them has been blown to bits. "I think that's our cue to leave!" yells Albert. "I'll say!!" replies Kugel as they get up...






	Bullets wiz by as Albert and Kugel fall back to another position. "Have you found anything to be cheerful about yet, my friend?" "I am cheerful to have made it out of THAT alive!!" THE END

NOTE: Photos were purposely "dulled" to give it that "Saving Private Ryan" look...or something like that.