After a night of great amusement and a lot of beer, Curtis found himself wandering the streets in a pleasantly reflective mood. He smiled as each memory crept in through the fog of his hangover. Usually such rememberings were the exclusive domain of shame, regret and embarrassment. Today however, each one returned with a smile or a giggle. This was most unusual but most welcome. He was pleased at the relative lack of murders and bloodshed in his evening. He had a renewed spring in his step. No gloomy trip to confessional required! 

Thinking about the evening and the events, he concluded his happiness was irrepressible and walked into a local square to talk to the public. 

"Hello!

As usual, women hid babies, trolls crawled out of their holes in search of fuel for conspiracy, the dead rose up ready to volley complaint. The usual. But they were met with a broad smile.

"It was Christmas day 1914 when the fighting in the trenches stopped. When battle-worn men from both sides crawled out of their frozen mud-bath trenches and walked, unarmed toward each other. Instead of bullets they exchanged chocolate and compassion. A unique moment in human history. The most powerful and unscripted expression of humanity's triumph over inhumane rule, the world has ever seen. Without camera or reporter to turn it into propaganda, it was a perfect moment. The purity of it with live with us all forever. 

Last night, and so far today, I've enjoyed a similar moment. Though admittedly insignificant by comparison, it has many of those characteristics. With the invasion of rogue elements, we have banded together to fight a common enemy. 

As a community, by design, we are pitted against each other in accumulation and growth. We who fight, plot, gather secrets and commit brutality upon one another, with routine indifference. We experienced a ceasefire in the pantomime. Everyone gathered together in one place, gripes and arguments (for the most part) aside. We enjoyed each other's company. Without rank or privilege, we sat together as equals. Just people with shared history and experience, together. Just having a laugh, sharing stories. Sitting in our similarities rather than our differences. I enjoyed it immeasurably."

He took out his hip-flask and had a quick nip. Hair of the dog and a blessed signal to those around that he was about to stop talking soon.

"I know this this is not change. I know this will stop. I'm sure by nightfall there will be other disgruntled worms put back in the ground. But for now, I'd like to say thanks. I enjoyed every minute of it. It is moments like this that made the unplanned return of my line, worthwhile."

And with that, the still half pissed, sentimental old prick, stepped down from where he was drawing such vulgar attention to himself.

Tad listened to Curtis' words as he spoke of the recent events that unfolded. It had felt like an endless amount of death had occurred as he wiped the blood from his hands. The shirt he wore was definitely not going to be wearable in the future unless he found the best cleaner in the universe. He cracked his neck before adding just a couple things to what Curtis had shared....

"I appreciated the time you've taken to share these words. I think that many are in agreement, but probably did not know how to articulate it exactly. Some of them probably found the lull in fighting to be a chance to get some rest. Either way, this time fighting the rogue element surrounded by those that I have not spent much time with was enjoyable." He pulled out a flask and took a swig.

"I definitely hope to have a chance to build upon some of those interactions and new acquaintances. At the very least I hope to join up to fight the rogue element again in the future if it shows its face." He smirked thinking of how much fun it truly was even with how exhausted he had become.

"If you excuse me, I have a Chimp to go hose off. He got himself covered in a good bit of blood since he refused to wear his best leather. The faces of those rogues when a naked Gimpanzee came charging at them...." He shivered at the thought.

Curtis listened to The Doctor as he spoke. He looked a tad knackered too. No surprise given the events of the last two days.

"Ah yes, the great chimp did go nuts. There are few things in this world, quite as eye-catching as an oversize chimpanzee, wearing a gimp mask, wielding a huge gun and laying waste to innumerable assailants. Drenched in blood and chatting happily. It was a sight to behold and no mistake. I dare say I will live the rest of my life and be unable to prize that image from my mind."

"I recall my father talking about the Christmas ceasefire.  Apparently, in some places, the truce endured.  Ordinary soldiers, and in some cases non-commissioned officers, continued to meet and exchange cigarettes, food, parts of uniforms, and to sing and bond.

Sadly, but inevitably, the officer class on both sides stamped down hard, and hostilities recommenced.  

One wonders, Don Curtis, if a coffee shop could be opened for those of us confined to the trenches of past grudges, and regimented in aged alliances, who wish to reach the hand of friendship to each other?  To be considered for what we have in common, and not what small differences might appear to separate us? 

Some may say that I'm a dreamer.  But I'm not the only one.

Is there any appetite for a ceasefire coffee shop?  Personally, I take comfort in the world which I know.  The feuds and alliances I understand.  To place my trust in the arms of others, when they arms have previously held guns pointed eagerly at me, seems unusually daunting." 

"I think you may actually be the only one, there Anton."

Curtis chuckled at the thought of it.

"But, if it makes you feel better, crack on and have a go at it."

Certainly it had been a suspension of hostilities the likes of which Gimpanzee's line had rarely seen

"Very fine, accurate words from the Pioneer Powerhouse over in Seattle. There can be little doubt about the collective good that can be achieved when we put our minds to it. In the blink of an eye, nightfall came and it was back to business as usual - Something that was always going to be inevitable."

"It is true that I was soaked head to toe in blood.. Some of it deserved, some of it splattered from a nearby tramp that I saw Curtis execute with the distinct vigour & whiff of alcohol that comes hand in hand. I distinctly remember the good Doctor pointing his weapon at the same reprobate as me.. I think I let him have that one!"

He turned to TadKnackered and wished to echo the same sentiments..

"If I'm lucky enough to live to another dosage of competitive conflict then I have no doubt you will be having the blood of a rogue element cleaned off your stethoscope by one of the peasants from the back alley

Until next time Gentlemen.."