Retelling the story I've been told by John Pascoe in 2009 as I remember it:

My friend went to Vietnam War and left me his tape recorder to look after. One day a bell rang. I opened the door - it was him. In excitement I yelled "How's Vietnam?!?" His face changed. There was a pause, then he said "Can I just have my recorder back?". Ever since we never spoke again.

Rest in peace my friend, I miss you...