When I looked up, Mystiffio and Alice had gone.
For a moment I sat there staring about the quiet dusty office. Then I stood up and I knew what I was going to do.
I put my hat on and walked out of the building. I didn't stop walking until I reached the Marine recruiting office. A big poster said, "The Marines Promise You Action!"
I walked in. Nothing could be worse than what I'd just been through. I felt contented for the first time in sixteen years.