When John was younger he wanted nothing more than to make his father proud. Yet, no matter what he did it was not good enough for his father. John's father used to call him "Little Merlin" because he was so intrigued by magic. John would practice magic tricks for hours and hours on end. He liked to do them in front of a mirror. In the mirror, the world was his. Everything was perfect. He was one with the Dad he always wanted in the mirror. John's father was a serious alcoholic. John and his father used to visit a local magic store. A red haired woman had worked there. John nicknamed her the "Carrot Lady". The Carrot Lady from the magic store is interesting. Her significance is power. She empowered John to stand up to his father. She would teach John all the magic tricks. John's father died when John was young. He was not there when his father died and resents that fact.As time went by, John becomes a grown man full of ambition. He went away to college where he meets his true love. John falls in love with Kathy. He used to follow her around campus and spy on her. His spying on Kathy is borderline absurd. It is somewhat sweet though. Kathy knew he was doing it and she never said a word to him. Their romance blossomed but the war came. John had to leave and fight. John continued this torrid romance while he was away at war. He often wrote Kathy lengthy letters. He declared his love for her and vowed that she would always be his. John had quite a time in Vietnam. He charmed his fellow comrades with his magic. He earned the nickname "Sorcerer". He seemed to make the misery of this senseless war disappear. John saw devastation while at war that many of us will never know. He shot and killed many people. John appeared to find pleasure in it at the time. He had no mercy. He was there to do a job. When one does what they are told to do, it sometimes comes with a price to pay. Ma Lai was a place where right a...
