America 1982-Chapter 90 - 9: Recruitment Night_3
"I’m heading to the White Robe Society now, and if I can’t make it work, remember to keep that bathroom open for me." Tommy said to Stephen with a smile, "Congratulations, brother, now it’s my turn."
"Good luck, even though I don’t hope the White Robe Society recruits you, I still wish you success, brother. By the way, Stanford Phoenix Society’s notable alumni, Douglas Hofstadter, is coming later, are you sure you don’t want to meet him? He’s a big shot, supposedly flew here all the way from New York just for this. Both he and his father Robert Hofstadter are members of the Stanford Phoenix Society. His father won the Nobel Prize in Physics. The fraternity had also invited his father, hoping to have both of them tonight, but Mr. Robert isn’t feeling well, so he came alone. He just won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature and the American Science Book Award three years ago. The brothers in the society all say that it’s only a matter of time before he surpasses his father in winning the Nobel Prize," Stephen said, grinning.
"Don’t tempt me, I know on recruitment night, all the fraternities bring out their heavy hitters to flaunt their strength." Tommy walked back to where Jason stood, interrupting Jason’s conversation with a Phoenix Society member, and with his arm over the other person’s shoulder, they started heading outside, "Jason, let’s go, we’ll check out another place. Trust me, you don’t stand a chance here."
"Why, they seem to like me," Jason said, puzzled, as they left the house of the Phoenix Society.
Tommy sighed, "Your cousin must want you to join his fraternity, that’s why he dressed you up like this tonight. Sure, it catches the eye and attracts the scouts from the fraternities for a chat, but your very first question tells them you’re a guy from a small city. Think about it, all fraternities rejected you because of that question. In the end, aren’t you just going to end up clutching your cousin’s letter of recommendation and joining his fraternity?"
"Are you saying my cousin has ulterior motives?" Jason’s eyes widened in anger, "Bastard! May he hear that black girl’s words ringing in his ears the next time he’s in bed with someone!"
"Maybe it’s just a harmless joke, but it’s not a good idea to dress too flashy on recruitment night," Tommy said.
When they reached the White Robe Society’s fraternity house, it was a tad smaller than the Phoenix Society’s, lacking the television sets to showcase their history, but there was an old white veteran dressed in an undecorated United States military uniform, speaking assuredly in the living room about the White Robe Society’s past, captivating many of the freshmen.
"Members of SSD from both West Point Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, and other colleges who served in the military, they served first, then attended college. This is why so many SSD Chapters have better cohesion, leadership, and a sense of responsibility than other fraternities. That’s the reason SSD has always excelled. They love this country more. I know you guys aren’t interested in listening to an old guy blow his own trumpet, OK, let’s get serious. First, let me clarify, this booze is my own," the white veteran said as he pulled out a metal flask from his pocket, unscrewed the cap, took a swig, and then continued to address the freshmen before him.
"Do you know what you can do by joining SSD? You get priority when applying to the United States Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, and we can provide scholarships, pay for your college tuition. You can also visit my turf, that is, the military base in Santa Barbara, California, every summer vacation. Try firing a few howitzers, fly a helicopter, that kind of thing. Most importantly, by joining SSD, you automatically become a member of the United States military training corps and are awarded the rank of private, second class. Although this training corps hasn’t had an actual base since 1918, it still exists in name. Upon graduation, those with excellent performance can be awarded the honorary rank of sergeant in the United States Army by the commanding officer of the nearest military base to the college," he explained.
"This old man is..." Jason subconsciously started to ask a nearby White Robe Society member, but Tommy quickly pulled him aside and took the lead, "Yes, it’s him, Commander of the California National Guard, Major General Charles Adam Ott, division commander of the 40th Infantry Division of the United States Army, Stanford University alumnus, SSD fraternity member, the big shot for SSD’s recruitment night tonight." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
Upon hearing Tommy’s words, the White Robe Society member seemed a bit surprised and offered Tommy and Jason a drink each, speaking up, "General Ott, you know him?"
"Of course, I know he’s been awarded the Air Medal. As an Army officer, he participated in twenty-five airborne assaults," Tommy said to the member.
The member examined Tommy for a moment: "Indeed, what sports do you like?"
"Table tennis isn’t bad, I’m at a state-level competition standard. Hockey too, and occasionally I surf, mainly to coax girls into swimsuits. As for football, I’m so-so. You know, the sport is too intense, and there are too many experts. It’s tough to make any real progress," Tommy said, drinking his beverage and chatting casually.
The member set down his cup and extended his hand to Tommy, "What’s your name? I’m pleased to meet you, I can show you around."
"Tommy Hawk," Tommy responded.
The member hesitated for a moment at the name, but then laughed, "You’re the Tommy that Eric mentioned. Buddy, I didn’t expect you to arrive so early. Upstairs, at the end of the hallway, turn left, second room."
