Three Soldiers

A young infantry company gathers on a dim evening, their silhouettes etched against piles of cinders and the faint glow of electric lights. The narrative opens with the regiment’s routine—drill, mess hall chatter, the clatter of boots—painting a vivid picture of soldiers caught between boredom and the underlying tension of impending deployment. Through brief exchanges between Fuselli and his flamboyant companion, we glimpse their personalities: a mix of gritty humor, longing for home, and the small comforts that keep morale afloat.

As the men line up for orders, the story drifts into the inner world of the draft‑bound soldier, recalling the unsettling encouragement of the recruitment officer and the ceremonial weight of the national anthem. The prose captures the paradox of feeling both important and powerless, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of camaraderie, disillusionment, and the stark reality of a war that looms just beyond the camp’s fences.