章節 34: Enlistment
As Lorenzo, Max, and Patrick approached the building where the recruitment office was located, Adam couldn't help but look at Lorenzo with worry and concern. "Do you really need to join this war?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Lorenzo glanced at him and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I have a feeling that the war won't last long," he said, pausing for a moment before adding, "Besides, I want these two to experience what it's like on the battlefield. It might do them some good… teach them a thing or two about life."
Max and Patrick exchanged a brief glance, both of them speechless at Lorenzo's words. They both thought the same thing: Who in their right mind would get better in a cruel battlefield? But they didn't dare voice their concerns out loud, not with the fear they'd developed for Lorenzo after spending several weeks with him.
Adam hugged Lorenzo, and Lorenzo patted him on the head as he whispered, "Be careful around the neighborhood, alright? With us gone, there's a chance the other rival gangs might try to take advantage."
Adam nodded seriously. "I didn't train for nothing," he said, before letting go of the hug.
Philip also hugged Lorenzo, Max, and Patrick, and they shared a silent understanding before the latter three headed into the recruitment office. Inside, they saw a long line of young men waiting to enlist for the war.
"Lorenzo, we could still turn back, you know," Patrick whispered, glancing at both Lorenzo and Max. "We're living a good life in the neighborhood. Do we really have to do this?" he asked, hoping Max would agree and they could all change their minds together.
But Max remained quiet, and it was Lorenzo who responded with a smile. "Do you want to be a gangster forever?" His question silenced not only Patrick but Max as well, leaving them both deep in thought about their choices.
"If by chance, we achieve something great, we'll develop connections," Lorenzo said, addressing both Patrick and Max. "Our people will admire us for protecting the country, and it might even give us a shot at politics… Come on, haven't you ever dreamed of being a mayor? Or better yet, a senator?" he smirked.
Patrick wasn't entirely convinced, but Max was intrigued. "Don't ask too many questions, Patrick. If we survive, we'll live a luxurious and powerful life afterwards," Max said, his eyes shining with ambition.
Lorenzo smiled to himself, knowing that Max would be willing to risk everything, including his own life and those of his friends', for his goals. He'd seen it in him during their time together and in "Once Upon A Time In America," and he knew the young man harbored big ambitions.
What Max didn't know, however, was that achieving greatness in the war wouldn't guarantee an easy path to becoming an influential figure in the USA. But for now, Lorenzo's words were enough to lure them both into joining the war alongside him, just as he'd planned.
The recruitment office was bustling with activity, but there was an undercurrent of order and discipline thanks to the military presence. Young men, some alone and others with their families, waited in line for their turn to speak with the recruitment officers.
Lorenzo couldn't help but notice the "I Want You for U.S. Army" posters featuring Uncle Sam plastered on the walls, along with other posters depicting images of duty and patriotism.
Finally, it was their turn. Lorenzo, Max, and Patrick walked up to the reception desk together, where they were asked basic questions about their ages, physical conditions, and reasons for enlisting.
Lorenzo discreetly glanced at Max and Patrick's papers, making sure they had provided the right information. Satisfied, he nodded and handed them back. Patrick could only shake his head in resignation.
Next, they were given forms to fill out, which asked for personal information such as their next of kin, educational background, and any prior military service or relevant skills.
As they waited to be interviewed, Lorenzo turned to them and said, "You two better take this seriously. If you don't, I'll have to deal with you both before we even get to war."
His blunt threat made Max and especially the reluctant Patrick nervous, their hearts pounding in their chests.
"Don't worry, we won't mess this up," Max said, trying to reassure both Lorenzo and the visibly shaken Patrick.
Lorenzo nodded and went into the interview room. Once he was gone, Max and Patrick breathed a sigh of relief before entering their respective interviews.
As expected, the interviewer assessed their seriousness, motives, and checked for any immediate disqualifications. After hearing Lorenzo's responses, the interviewer nodded approvingly. "Alright, wait in the waiting area. You'll undergo medical examinations for further processing."
Lorenzo stood up and made his way to the waiting area, filled with potential recruits on chairs. He scanned the room, looking for Max and Patrick, but couldn't find them at first. Relief washed over him when he finally spotted them walking out of their respective interviews.
"Great, you two made it," he said, patting them both on the shoulder. "I thought you might've changed your minds."
They sat down together in the waiting area, surrounded by other hopeful recruits, all of them anxiously waiting for their names to be called for the next stage of enlistment.
As they waited, a young man sitting next to Lorenzo struck up a conversation. "Mind if I ask you something?"
Lorenzo was taken aback by the sudden question but nodded. "Sure, go ahead."
The young man scratched the back of his head nervously. "So, you're joining the war for your wife and kid, right?"
Lorenzo shook his head. "No, no kids yet. Just a… wife," he said, thinking about Deborah.
Max and Patrick exchanged glances, knowing who Lorenzo was referring to. They couldn't believe he had the audacity to call her his wife when they knew the truth.
Lorenzo looked at the young man and asked, "So, you're joining for your wife and kids?"
The man sighed. "Yeah, the government promised to help with their education and provide medical services for our families if we enlist," he said, before asking, "You doing this for your family too?"
Lorenzo smiled. "I'm doing it for my… wife."
The young man extended his hand. "Leo Hartley, nice to meet you."
Lorenzo shook his hand. "Lorenzo Lupo," he said, as they began to chat with the other potential recruits around them.
As they waited, more and more men joined their conversation, sharing their reasons for enlisting. Lorenzo listened with a smile, knowing that soon enough, these men might become his comrades on the battlefield.
After Lorenzo acquainted himself with his fellow recruits, they were called in groups for a comprehensive medical evaluation. He, Max, Patrick, Leo, and others were escorted to an adjoining medical facility within the building. The room buzzed with activity as doctors and nurses assessed each recruit's physical health.
"Alright, strip down to your underwear and form a line," a burly sergeant barked out orders.
The men, feeling both apprehensive and self-conscious, complied with the command. They knew the examination was necessary but found it invasive nonetheless.
Medical professionals measured their height, weight, and vitals, asking them to cough, breathe in, and even lower their pants for prostate exams. The process was humiliating, but they endured it, understanding it was part of the enlistment procedure.
Max and Patrick couldn't help but feel self-conscious about their modest genitalia as they glanced at Lorenzo, who seemed unfazed by the situation. His impressive manhood only made them feel more inferior.
"What do you make of this?" Lorenzo asked the nurse who had come to examine his long and thick penis, exuding confidence.
"Umm…" The nurse in her twenties, bit her thumbnail as she stared at Lorenzo's impressive member. Not only her, but even the other nurses and doctors who were supposed to be examining the other recruits couldn't help but steal glances at his endowment.
The burly sergeant noticed the commotion and barked out, "Hey! Eyes front, people! Have you lot never seen a dick before?"
Hearing this, everyone who had been gawking, especially the nurses, quickly returned to their tasks, their faces flushed with embarrassment.
The burly sergeant then turned to Lorenzo, visibly irritated and perhaps feeling slightly intimidated by his size. He grabbed Lorenzo by the arm and said, "You, follow me."
He led him to a separate room and said, "Listen here, stud. I don't care how big or proud you think your package is. In here, we maintain discipline and focus. Got it?"
Lorenzo knew the burly sergeant was just insecure, but he didn't bother to argue. "Yes, sir. I apologize for any distraction I may have caused. It won't happen again," he said, even though it wasn't his fault they had asked him to strip down in front of everyone.
"See that it doesn't," the sergeant growled, giving him a stern look before allowing him to rejoin the others.
After the medical examinations were over, Lorenzo, Max, Patrick, and the other recruits who passed all the screenings began to get dressed. They knew that the final step at the recruitment office would be taking the Oath of Enlistment, which would formally mark their commitment to serve in the military.
Nervous anticipation filled the recruits as they donned their clothes, aware that their lives were about to change drastically. They had come one step closer to becoming part of something bigger than themselves, leaving behind their civilian lives and embracing the rigors of military service. The gravity of their decision weighed on them, but they were also filled with a sense of pride and determination.
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