![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/022226-1a-e1771886089734.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Inline image
\nSplash set the tablet in the middle of the Conference Table. The screen glowed blue \u2014 icy blues \u2014 snowflakes, rinks, and the sort of frozen theater that pauses a nation.<\/p>\n
He raised his hand over it, then pointed at Miles.<\/p>\n
Our Section Leader was reclined in his ergonomic throne, watching a faster ice sport than the Canada\u2013UK Curling Gold match that had paralyzed production earlier in the week after the shouting about the Women’s hockey Gold..<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Yanks,\u201d Rocket said, \u201cwe don\u2019t really understand the scoring on the Curls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOr the stones,\u201d added Melissa. \u201cGranite ovals sliding endlessly down a polished rink. No one brushes the stone. They brush the ice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hypnotic,\u201d Splash muttered.<\/p>\n
The Canadians beating the Brits had only been prelude. The real matter was this morning: American men against Canada, double Gold on the line, hoping to join the Sisters atop the hockey podium. Face-off was 0800 EST. Coffee levels rose accordingly.<\/p>\n
The more devout had made modest Lenten adjustments. The quart jars and festive mini-bottles near the galley plant were untouched \u2014 Miles\u2019 decree. A seasonal austerity.<\/p>\n
By mid-morning, some had boarded the Company bus en route their weekly spiritual journey. Fairfax Church for the non-denominational set \u2014 \u201cActive Worship,\u201d they call it. The Catholics headed further off, headed to Vienna for Saint Mark\u2019s. On adventurous Sundays, they choose the other St. Mark\u2019s. That one has a grocery store.<\/p>\n
Convenience and liturgy. A workable blend.<\/p>\n
Miles stood at the half in the hockey game. \u201cStill tied. Hard skating. One scrum in front of the Canadian net that nearly went kinetic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre we writing today?\u201d Holly asked. \u201cUSS Ford carrier group just entered the Med. Launch points by Tuesday, they say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident gives Tehran ten days to two weeks to stop enriching,\u201d Rocket said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat has a religious tint,\u201d Melissa added. \u201cThe new Islamic-led city government in New York didn\u2019t attend the Archbishop\u2019s installation. First time in a century the mayor skipped it.\u201d
\nMiles nodded. \u201cMetro area is mostly Christian. A third Catholic. Seven percent Jewish. Fewer Muslims.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo is it a signal?\u201d Splash asked. \u201cOr not?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDepends what holidays he shows up for next,\u201d Miles replied.<\/p>\n
Those who had gone to worship returned quietly. Splash\u2019s gaze drifted toward the little bottle of Sugarland Sipping Cr\u00e8me within reach.<\/p>\n
A thunderous hit exploded through the speakers \u2014 boards rattling.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill tied,\u201d said Miles.<\/p>\n
A pause.<\/p>\n
\u201cPray for Gold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 Vic Socotra
\nwww.vicsocotra.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Inline image Splash set the tablet in the middle of the Conference Table. The screen glowed blue \u2014 icy blues \u2014 snowflakes, rinks, and the sort of frozen theater that pauses a nation. He raised his hand over it, then pointed at Miles. Our Section Leader was reclined in his ergonomic throne, watching a faster […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-daily-socotra"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32520"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32523,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32520\/revisions\/32523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}