I’ll stick with calling you Ruby, if that’s all right.

Here are the answers to your questions.

If it wasn’t for video games, half my platoon would be bored out of their minds. Somebody here is always having a Halo tournament.

I have one sister and one brother.

Favorite movies… I like 80s action films, but I’m not picky. I’ll watch anything. What about you?

Hope to hear from you soon.

-A

From: [email protected]

Date: September 12, 2008 12:05 a.m.

To: [email protected]

Subject: Movies and Stuff

Dear Aaron,

Before you, one of the soldiers finished his tour and went home. We were paired up for eleven months. The other one… I had to ask HaS to switch us. Things got weird. That’s great you have more people messaging you. I was talking to someone I know about the pen pal thing with the military and they told me that there’s a lot more dating websites for military personnel and civilians than there used to be. I bet that might be why there are less soldiers signing up. Don’t take my word for it.

Where in Louisiana are you from if you don’t mind me asking? It’s okay if you don’t want to answer that.

Ruby is fine.

80s action movies like what exactly? Jean-Claude? Arnold? Steven? I’m not judging, just asking.

My favorite movies? That’s a tough one. I’ve watched the original Cleopatra a hundred times, Alien a thousand times, Beetlejuice a million, and the Star Wars trilogy even more. You?

Do you guys play anything besides Halo?

One sister and brother sound nice. I have two sisters and two brothers.

Here are more questions for you:

Pretzels or chips?

Summer sports or winter sports?

Dogs or cats?

Wishing you the best,

Ruby

From: [email protected]

Date: September 17, 2008 1:17 p.m.

To: [email protected]

Subject: RE: Movies and Stuff

Ruby,

Weird how?

I’ve seen a lot of ads about those dating sites. I bet that might be why there are less, never really thought about it I guess.

I lived in Shreveport until I was eighteen. You been there?

All of the actors you mentioned in movies… You also missed Bruce.

There’s a movie about Cleopatra? I haven’t heard of that one.

The three games we have on repeat are Halo 3, Rock Band and Bioshock. Call of Duty and Guitar Hero are runners up.

Here are the answers to your questions.

Chips, but not Fritos. Salt and vinegar mostly.

You said before winter sports—why? I like summer sports, I guess. We don’t have a lot of winter sports in Louisiana. I played ball in HS.

Dogs, but I got you on the mini pigs from the e-mail we’re pretending didn’t happen… they’re cute. My dad has a king shepherd back home. Love that dog.

Four siblings sounds… interesting. You all close?

Talk to you soon.

-A

From: [email protected]

Date: September 20, 2008 2:05 a.m.

To: [email protected]

Subject: Video Games, Siblings, etc.

Dear Aaron,

About my other soldier pairing: weird like weird. It was inappropriate and… weird. LOL. I’ll tell you if you really want to know.

I can’t say I’ve ever been to Shreveport. I’ve been to NOLA once for Mardi Gras, and driven through Louisiana on vacation but only stopped for gas. Once in New Orleans was good enough for me.

How could I miss Bruce? The number of times I’ve seen Lethal Weapon is in the double digits. My mom calls him her boyfriend. Cleopatra is an old movie. It’s a classic from the 60s. The costumes were amazing. That’s why I’ve seen it so many times.

Halo and Bioshock I get. Rock Band though?

What kind of ball did you play in high school? The only sport I ever watch is figure skating. I’m not into any other sports unless watching Friday Night Lights counts. (That’s a TV show.)

I had to look up what a king shepherd was. I’ve only heard of German shepherds. What’s his/her name? As much as I love mini pigs, the only pet I have is a ferret named Sylvester.

My brothers, sisters and me all get along really well. I say this, but tomorrow I’ll complain about how one of them did something to make me mad. You’re probably familiar with that, and if you’re not, consider yourself lucky.

Do you want me to keep asking you random questions? Is there anything you’d want me to tell you about? Or talk about? I’m a good listener. Whatever you want.

Or do you want more jokes? You tell me.

Hope you’re doing okay.

Best wishes,

Ruby

From: [email protected]