Звездный десант
Chapter 4
Why,Icouldevensleepthrougheveningparadestandingatattention,enjoythemusicwithoutbeingwakedbyit—andwakeinstantlyatthecommandtopassinreview.ImadeaveryimportantdiscoveryatCampCurrie.Happinessconsistsingettingenoughsleep.Justthat,nothingmore.Allthewealthy,unhappypeopleyou’veevermettakesleepingpills;MobileInfantrymendon’tneedthem.Giveacaptrooperabunkandtimetosackoutinitandhe’sashappyasaworminanapple—asleep.
Theoreticallyyouweregiveneightfullhoursofsacktimeeverynightandaboutanhourandahalfaftereveningchowforyourownuse.Butinfactyournightsacktimewassubjecttoalerts,tonightduty,tofieldmarches,andtoactsofGodandthewhimsofthoseoveryou,andyourevenings,ifnotruinedbyawkwardsquadorextradutyforminoroffenses,werelikelytobetakenupbyshiningshoes,doinglaundry,swappinghaircuts(someofusgottobeprettyfairbarbersbutacleansweeplikeabilliardballwasacceptableandanybodycandothat)—nottomentionathousandotherchoreshavingtodowithequipment,person,andthedemandsofsergeants.Forexamplewelearnedtoanswermorningrollcallwith:
"Bathed!"meaningyouhadtakenatleastonebathsincelastreveille.
