You mention the twelve-mile ruck. Brad did fourteen, on a rolled ankle, and the sand was hotter his year. You bring up the deployment. Brad had two, back to back, at a FOB with no chow hall. You got a challenge coin. Brad got his from a general he still cannot name at a barbecue. Nobody near Brad has finished a story since 2009. The veteran wearing this does not argue. He lets Brad finish, nods once, and deals him the ace. Brad says he has held higher.

THE DEBRIEF

Five spades, ten through ace, fanned on worn cream stock. In the ace's big spade: a grinning skeleton in dark sunglasses with slicked-back hair, champagne flute raised, a sweater knotted over his polo, one hand on his hip. "BRAD" SERGEANT WUHN-UPPER beneath him. I DON'T HOLD GRUDGES across the top, I MAINTAIN A TARGET DECK across the bottom.