text: The year is 1983 and Adam Nussbaum sits inside of his Abrams M1. And 20 yards in front of him was a Russian tank full of Soviet soldiers in the same situation. The tension in Berlin is tense Adam knows this, the Soviets know this and Dave Hillman; Adam’s fellow soldier knew this as well. “I can’t take this anymore” says Adam, thinking out loud. “We’re all just staring at each other with our fingers on the triggers waiting to get the order to shoot. If the Russians decide that they want war, we won’t even know. Bam. Gone, just a mark on some Ruskie tank.” Adam says this time more directed at Dave. “I woke up today and remembered that I haven’t jerked off anywhere besides a room full of dudes for the past year, since we’re both going to be depressed today.” Says Dave, Adam rolls his eyes. “Just calm down man the Ruskies know better than to do anything stupid like that, besides there’s an equal chance that we want war and we’ll get to shoot those guys before they even know what happened.” Dave says in an attempt to ease Adam’s nerves. A few hours go by and as he did everyday Adam stared down the barrel of the Russian T-80. When something that hasn’t happened before piqued Adam’s interest. “Hey, Dave, HEY!” Adam yelled as he shook Dave awake. “fuck dude I was in math class” says Dave “there’s a person running up to the Soviets!” exclaimed Adam. “He has a bag and he looks like he’s in a hurry do you think today’s the day?” Adam says as he retightens his grip on the controls. Trying to convince his friend of the severity Adam says “Dave, man if that’s news of war we’re dead.” Dave comes back with “If you pull that trigger we’re going to be responsible for starting World War 3 man!” Adam does not move his eyes are locked on the T-80 which now had a parlay with the messenger. “Adam, Adam, look at me.” says Dave. Adam does not acknowledge this and continues to stare. “I don’t wanna die man” says Adam. “Well if you pull that trigger, us and a lot of the world are going to be worse than dead. Don’t do anything stupid man please get away from that trigger.” Dave pleads. Adam is locked in “they’re staring at us” he says under his breath, as his body begins to tremble. “Come on, you’re going crazy.” says Dave. Dave is panicked, his friend is in a trance. The Soviet parlay ends and the Russian man begins to walk back to the T-80. The time that it takes for him to get in, is the longest moment in Adam’s life. If he pulls the trigger he will start a war, but if the war has already started and Adam just hasn’t received the news yet, then he will be blown to pieces in the blink of an eye. Adam stares at the T-80, waiting for a shot that doesn’t ever come.