Thunder Cut

We were simply to go to the state building downtown, drop off some water samples and return to the office. But Dave Barber and I didn’t listen to what we were told.

Instead we decided to visit one of our favorite places – a local pawn shop. We had been there before and I had my eye on a set of practice samurai swords.

The swords were made of wood and perfect for practicing martial arts at the base gym across from our barracks. I was doing my best to save up 30-bucks to buy a set.

Once inside I asked to hold the large katana sword. It felt perfectly balanced in my hand and reminded me of the many days I had spent training with one at the air base as well as while attending night school.

“You don’t even know what to do with it,” Dave said, making fun of me as I must have looked like I was drooling over the piece of carved wood.

That’s when I decided to show him — as smoothly and as swiftly as I could I sliced through the air, displaying my skill. Then for the climax I decided to complete the show with what is commonly called a “Thunder cut.”

Crash! Smash! Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle…

Suddenly I found myself standing under a shower of glass and dust. I sliced right through four fluorescent tubes jus’ above my head.

I thought Dave was going to pee himself from laughing at me.

And while the shop’s owner let me off – saying he understood how accidents happen – the next time we came in, I saw a small sign by the display case that read: “No swinging swords while in store.”