“Vaughan, Bordagaray or Galan. Arky, Frenchy or Augie, that is better, da.” The guard tower was just ahead and Boris couldn’t have been better prepared for his mission behind enemy lines. The KGB espionage revealed that after all the papers were checked the final test would be the question “Who played third base for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the war?”

But which one? Vaughan played the most games at third, but he left for the military himself in 1944. Bordagaray then mostly took over, but Galan was planted there on V-E Day. Boris decided to go with Arky, more likely known to a guy from Iowa, where he was supposed to be from. Use nicknames, Americans big on them. Boris decided to throw in the last name, not be so familial. Igor, his partner in the spy game was on his own, as he was supposed to be from Philadelphia.

Both were whisked through the papers part—had access to the best forgers in Europe. The moment of truth was at hand, Boris first.

“Who played third base for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the war?”

“Arky Vaughan”, Boris put on an immaculate Midwest accent.

Truncheons appeared and battered him into a pulp as the Sarge said “I’m from Joisy an I dint know dat. Gotta be a commie.”

“And you… ?” looking suspiciously at Igor, the supposed Philly lieutenant.

“Aw, dem bums suck lemons!”

“Pass right on through, Sir!” The guard snapped to attention.

 

Walter Bjorkman is a writer, poet, photographer and general roundabout from Brooklyn, NY, now residing in the foothills of the Adirondacks. His poems and short stories have appeared in Word Riot, Scrambler, fwriction: review, Poets & Artists, O&S, THIS Literary Magazine, Wilderness House Literary Review, A-Minor Magazine, Blue Print Review, OCHO, MiPoesias and more. His collection of short stories, Elsie’s World, was published in January 2011. He is currently managing editor at A-Minor Press.