[Editor's note: I would never have come to know about this event if - during a guard at the Operative of Maridipart Napoli (prehistory) - the service sailor had not told me about the facts I am about to report. My "informant" told me that his friend had told him about it, amused, yes, but also sorry for the sure rise of the arterial pressure of the officer of the Author and grateful to the American commander for having protected, pitifully, this kind of military secret .]
The driver had been chosen among the sailors who had recently arrived at the site as rated as the smartest and most reliable.
He was also very nice and spoke a little English.
In short, it was a guarantee.
His task: to take the commander of a ship from the US Navy on board and accompany him to Maridipart Naples for a courtesy visit to the Admiral Comandante in Capo.
The last to repeat a series of recommendations had been the non-commissioned officer on that day to the caretaker.
"So, what's clear you have to do? You go outboard, park the car ready to get out of the harbor, get out of the car and wait by the right back door When you see the commander coming down and you hear the whistles "Watch out and make a military salute." When the commander arrives at the car, you open the door, you pick it up, close the door - and I recommend, nun 'or slam it, close it slowly - then you put it in the car and take it to Maridipart. When you get to Maridipart, get out fast and open the door, give him another military salute and then wait when he gets out of the Admiral's office and bring him back on board.
"Yes, boss, all occhèi" the sailor had answered, sure of himself, raising his thumb (by now he felt a bit 'American too).
After about an hour he had returned to the caretaker with a less self-conscious air than the one he had at the exit, while trying to express as naturally as possible.
The forced nonchalance was not, however, escaped the expert eye of the non-commissioned officer who had collected ill-concealed signs of dripping discomfort.
"So, how did it go, all right, yes?" he asked as his gaze sent the sailor a clear message like "Tell me the truth".
"Yes, boss, all right ... let's say"
"Guaglio ', what do you mean' let's say?"
"Chief, it means that agio made 'na half figure' and nothing, if you really want to know it!"
"If I want to know ?? !! - the NCO had roared - and sure that 'or' vvoglio sape '.
"Chief, I did as you told me, I arrived, I turned the car, I got close to the counter, when the American got off the board and greeted him, when I got to the car I opened the car door, then I closed it without throwing it, then I went around the car, I opened the driver's side door and sat in the car "
"So everything went well, what's the problem?"
"The problem, boss, is that ... maybe for the emotion ... I know '' muggy and wrong wrong spurtiello ... and I sat behind me too, next to the American"
"What do you say ?? !! And the American who did?" exclaimed the non-commissioned officer putting his hand to his forehead.
"Nothing. But he looked at me as if he wanted to say <and now what are you waiting for, can I drive?>"
"And then what did you do?" asked the non-commissioned officer, probably already in the grip of a strong migraine of service.
"I ditto <uh, sorry> and cu 'nu zumpo I'm dry, I'm trimmed behind the wheel and I took him to Maridipart"
"Mamma mia - exclaimed the non-commissioned officer, shaking his head - that figure ... that figure ..."
"Eh, boss ... and then not just that, because ... now that I think about it ..."
"What for? What have you cumbinato yet? !!"
"Chief, I say the good <uh, sorry>"
"So?"
"Well then, boss, I speak a little English ... at least I could say <excuse me>, do you think?"
It seems that it was not heavy the register that the non-commissioned officer sent, not so quickly, to the sailor who had the opportunity to avoid it while earning the exit.
