Marine Corps Stories: To the Lady in the Place, With Style and Grace

“I was thinking the same thing but...you haven’t touched your wine,” Nancy Larce said.

Joyner Falk flashed his car keys and said, “Arrive alive in Delaware. No ‘buzzed’ driving.”

“We can always get an Uber,” Nancy said, her right eyebrow raising.

“No, I prefer driving.”

“That’s not so bad.” But she quickly changed her mind. “Though I suppose that would mean you’d have to...I guess I’ll have to swirl, sniff, and sip for you, then.”

She took the glass of Merlot and followed the routine she had just described.

“It’s really good,” she said.

“I’ll never know.”

“I’m getting the check,” Nancy said. Meanwhile Falk stared.

“Okay,” Falk said, sipping water absentmindedly.

A server came by, and Nancy handed him her credit card.

“Think of it: two retired military officers, one American the other a lady from Israel. One a United States Marine Corps major, and the other an Israeli Army Sgan aluf,” she interrupted herself to ask, “the food was good, no?”

“It was excellent, Nance.”

The server returned with her card.

“Thank you,” she said. Falk sprang to his feet, and pulled back Nancy’s chair.

“I appreciate it,” she said.

They exited the posh, Newark, Delaware restaurant. The air was unseasonably cool and damp for an evening in June. Nancy looked like a radiant gem in the moonlight.

The two of them went over to Falk’s car. Just then, as he started the engine via keyless remote, he heard an all-too familiar click.

“Alright, fast man. You better think even quicker, and hand over that wallet or you’ll die in a shower of lead.”

A second assailant grabbed Nancy by her hair.

“Oh, no. Mr. please don’t hurt me,” she said, as she whipped around and kneed the grown male in the groin, bringing him to his knees. She looked up, ready to deal with a second assault from his partner in crime.

“Behind you!” she yelled to Falk, then punched the man on his knees square in the nose, knocking him out, before he hit the ground. She grabbed his gun, and then trained it on him.

At the same time, Falk punched the other would-be attacker, and kneecapped him with a roundhouse kick, then as he writhed with pain on the ground, put him in a head-lock, rendering him unconscious like his accomplice. Falk looked at Nancy, who didn’t have a scratch on her. Falk took inventory of his own condition, and was happy to discover he didn’t have a cut or bruise on him anywhere.

Some patrons had been videoing, others called the cops. Out of breath, the two seemed at a loss for words until Nancy cut the tension with an explanation. “Krav Maga for me. You?” She said, retrieving a small respirator from her purse, blowing vapor from a B12 inhaler.

“Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, or MCMAP,” he said.

“Mmm...I should have known,” Nancy said.

A cruiser appeared at the scene in three minutes. The pair described what happened, and watched the police officers escort the filth into the squad car. By this time, both males had regained consciousness.

“Let’s call it a night, shall we?” Nancy asked.

“I think we should go back in there. I think I will take some of that Merlot after all,” Falk said.

“Hey, I’m hanging with you.”

Falk opened the door for Nancy to a standing ovation. Everyone had seen the scuffle, and applauded. Someone shouted, “Way to have his back!” at Nancy, referencing the way she alerted Falk to his attacker. Falk turned and applauded as well. She just bowed and headed towards the bar.

“I’m a pace behind you,” Falk said.

They sat down on the cushiony seats.

“What can I get you? This round’s on the house,” the bartender said. “We saw what you both did out there. They could have run in here and caused a ruckus. So what’ll it be?”

“Merlot. Two please,” said Falk.

“Two red on the way,” the bartender replied.

“If you had not said anything, I—”

“Let’s not even talk about it,” Nancy said. “I know you’re a light-weight that’s why I’m going to have your car towed so we both can enjoy the rest of the evening, deal?”

“We could have done that in the first place!” Falk laughed in response.

“Yes, and now it’s official.”

The bartender served their wine.

“To the lady in the place, with style and grace,” Falk said, raising his glass.

Nancy smiled and they clinked glasses.