The author develops a High Energy Laser weapon - PTHEL - which blinds the enemy. It is a weapon that we believe does not currently exist. We are certain however, that this has been researched. Three communist powers - USSR, East Germany and China - become interested in developing a PTHEL weapon. Robert Schein, a CIA agent working under the cover of a photographic distributor - TAG Photographic Inc. gets involved in trying to thwart the venture. He also becomes personally involved because of a kidnapping of a close friend, a scientist forced to work on the weapon. This is an action packed story of a weapon that is very close to being developed. In fact a form of this weapoon is currently used in Iraq. It is called the Dazzler. It temporarily blinds the victim.
DINNER WITH NIKON .... ... We drove off of a busy street and into a curved driveway. As soon as we stopped two kimono clad girls came to the car to lead us inside. We got to an alcove, took off our shoes and were helped on with slippers. Bending over carefully so that we didn’t hit our heads on the low overhanging beams we came to a small, five tatami room. We took off our slippers and walked into the room where Shirahama, Wakimoto, Nakano and Miyahara were waiting.
Next, off came our jackets and were put to one side against the wall. I carefully put my shoulder holster and pistol in the fold of my jacket. In the middle of the room was a foot well. In the center of the well was a burning potbelly stove with an open fire at the top. The stove was in the center of a table and the top of the stove was even with the tabletop.
It was now wintertime. The older Japanese inns with their paper-thin shoji screens didn’t have central heating systems. Our room, with the stove in the center, was set up to keep feet and hands warm, the idea being the rest of your body would feel warm. It works pretty well for the front but I could certainly feel the cold on my back.
Suntory Japanese scotch whiskey was being poured very liberally by Miyahara. There was no ice in the glass; it was being served neat. As soon as we had our drinks, Shirahama would say, “kampai” (bottoms up) and we would down a full jigger of scotch. Everyone warmed up very quickly.
I was sitting next to Wakimoto, who was grinning. He tapped me on the knee, leaned closer and whispered, “We have a special surprise for Fiegelson-san. I can’t wait.” I didn’t ask what the surprise was but I know that both Miyahara and Wakimoto had been the butt of a number of Abe’s practical jokes over the years.
A waitress knocked on the shoji screen and carried in our first course which was steaming hot miso (bean) soup. She also brought a tray of seven hot sake decanters and small cups. The tradition is that you try to keep your partner’s sake cup filled and he tries to keep yours filled at all times. It was rude to fill your own. Our waitress filled our first cups and again Shirahama said, “kampai” and we all repeated “kampai” and drank the cup of sake. Our waitress left and we were making small talk about our families. Abe tried to tell some jokes and was getting frustrated because no one was laughing or responding. I found them funny but our Japanese hosts either didn’t understand them or were just not in a humorous mood. The sake kept on flowing and we all seemed to be getting a little louder after each toast of “kampai.”
Again we heard a knock and two waitresses brought fresh courses. This time we were served small bowls with tiny cuttle fish, grilled sardines and grilled shrimp heads. When you looked into the bowl the eyes of the shrimp heads appeared to be starring back at you. It was a little disconcerting. I ate them very fast and didn’t look down at them once I had captured them with my chopsticks.
Another waitress came in and put some beautifully prepared red snapper before each of us. However, nothing was put in front of Abe. Everyone kept busy eating and not looking in Abe’s direction when one of the waitresses came in with a tray and one item on it. A huge, complete (sack and all), fish eye, most likely from a large tuna. To Abe, Miyahara said, this is a manly specialty we have had prepared for you. It is very special and cannot be purchased in many places. Please enjoy it; I am sure it will do you some good for your overall health.
Everyone continued busily eating, not looking up. Abe was perplexed. This gelatinous eye and sack was sitting before him and he took one of his chopsticks to stick it into the side and all the sack did was move and jiggle a little. I understood Abe’s problem; during our visits to various parts of the world we have been faced with unusual food. We have eaten monkey’s brains and snakes and tiny beetles. I wasn’t sure if this was a joke or our hosts expected him to really eat the eye. I wasn’t certain what I would have done if it was served to me.
Abe slapped it again with his chopstick and it jiggled again. I could see what was formulating in his mind. His plan was going to unfold for all of us to see. He pretended to grab the eye with the chopsticks and it rolled closer to the center of the table. Then with one strong grab with his chopsticks he forced it into the fire in the center of the table. Everyone was very quiet as we heard a loud hiss from the boiling fluid of the eye.
I started to smile and Abe said, “I truly apologize, Shirahama-san but I just couldn’t grab the eye properly and it just slipped away from me. I realize how special this was and I feel terrible about it.” Miyahara looked up and made eye contact with Shirahama and with no expression said, “Fiegelson-san, it is quite all right, we have no problem, we can take care of this - because - we have the other eye!”
There was silence in the room, then everyone started to laugh and Wakimoto hit me and said, “That is a good one isn’t it?” “Yes,” I agreed. Abe caught on and began pantomiming what he had done. He started by playing his part then imitated the eye with great exaggeration by shaking his stomach like a belly dancer. We all had a good laugh.
From that point on the evening continued uproariously. Abe didn’t have to tell any jokes, all he had to do was shake his stomach and everyone would start to laugh again. The sake continued to flow and the meal continued with a large pot of sukiyaki being prepared by our waitress in the center of the table. The sukiyaki was a little salty from the soy sauce and that made us thirsty. The result was we drank more sake. It was a loud and boisterous night. I can’t remember when I laughed so hard at one meal.
About Stuart Held
Stuart Held, a veteran of the wholesale photographic industry, was one of the key team members - who made 'Nikon' the household brand it is today. Held is an experienced marketer with an engineering background. He has traveled extensively in the international and USA domestic markets promoting photography. Blind Spot is his second book. His first was Behind The Yellow Filter. Mr. Held with his wife - Nina - resides in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York.
The author develops a High Energy Laser weapon - PTHEL - which blinds the enemy. It is a weapon that we believe does not currently exist. We are certain however, that this has been researched. Three communist powers - USSR, East Germany and China - become interested in developing a PTHEL weapon. Robert Schein, a CIA agent working under the cover of a photographic distributor - TAG Photographic Inc. gets involved in trying to thwart the venture. He also becomes personally involved because of a kidnapping of a close friend, a scientist forced to work on the weapon. This is an action packed story of a weapon that is very close to being developed. In fact a form of this weapoon is currently used in Iraq. It is called the Dazzler. It temporarily blinds the victim.
Stuart Held, a veteran of the wholesale photographic industry, was one of the key team members - who made 'Nikon' the household brand it is today. Held is an experienced marketer with an engineering background. He has traveled extensively in the international and USA domestic markets promoting photography. Blind Spot is his second book. His first was Behind The Yellow Filter. Mr. Held with his wife - Nina - resides in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York.