No one wanted to run back to their apartments, eat, and then rush back to class or work or Central Asia, so everyone was willing to muddle through whatever super-healthy and super-tasteless combination of foods the nutritionists had drummed up. After Thursday’s morning classes—during which Walter managed to take his shirt off not once, but twice—we all walked to the lunchroom in a pack, Otter trailing along behind us. I kept pace with the others. Then, when we cleared the cafeteria doors, I hurried ahead in the line. Mission: Get sent on Friday’s missionStep 1: Wait for chili day Four-bean chili was famous at SRS, because it was the closest thing the nutritionist would make to junk food. Sure, it was meatless and cheeseless, and the nutritionist was always trying to convince you that soft tofu was a perfect topping, but still. In a sea of salads and fish cakes, chili was precious. No one missed getting at least one bowlful. Today was chili day. A few ladies from Enemy Surveillance were already eating but rose when we jostled our way toward the soup station.
