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Post by blaird on Jun 17, 2016 23:14:25 GMT
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Post by crushedhat on Jun 19, 2016 3:55:02 GMT
5 Dec 1941, evening, residence of Lt Bryce and Elizabeth Worthington II
As Elizabeth Worthington clears the dishes from the table LCdr Kyle Robinson expresses his appreciation for the meal. “Thank you, Beth. I don’t know when I last ate so well.”
Beth beams and then launches into a by now familiar trope. “You know, Kyle, if you were married…”
“Beth,” her husband, and Kyle’s XO onboard USS Bristlemouth, Lt Bryce Worthington gently interrupts his wife.
“It’s OK, Bryce,” Kyle chuckles. “Seeing what the two of you have, I’m almost convinced to give it a try.”
“In that case,” Beth resumes, I met a new woman at church last Sunday. I could invite the both of you for din…”
“Aren’t we having desert?” Bryce interjects in an effort to forestall his wife’s matchmaking. He shoots his commander and friend an apologetic look that the latter simply waves off.
“Yes, pineapple upside down cake.” Laden with dishes, Beth makes her exit to the kitchen.
“It’s OK,” Kyle tells his usually imperturbable XO. “I know she means well.”
Beth returns with the promised desert, the latter looking and smelling every bit as promising as the meal that preceded it. Once the three of them are seated she turns to Kyle and in a serious tone asks, “Do you think we’re going to war?” Beside her, Beth’s husband catches Kyle’s eye and gives his head a slight shake.
“The Germans did torpedo one of our destroyers and sank another one, both within the last month. However, I doubt they have much interest in Hawaii.” Kyle refrains from binging up the fact that with the collapse of the civilian government in Japan and its replacement by the military that war is all but inevitable.
“No, I don’t suppose they do?” Beth eagerly latches onto the notion of German non-interest in the Pacific. Satisfied, she attacks her desert with more relish. What her husband is thinking, Kyle cannot tell, Lt Bryce Worthington II being known as a man who could stand in the middle of a burning building and seemingly not be affected. For all that, the man has an eye for detail and a steadiness that makes him a valued XO.
Kyle reflects on his XO and friend, and their paths to the present situation.
Despite his fancy sounding name, Bryce grew up in a working class family in the steel towns of Pennsylvania where his father was a union organizer. That union connection, and Bryce’s excellent academic record earned him an appointment to Annapolis and a commission in the US Navy. After a brief stint onboard the cruiser USS Houston, Bryce transferred to submarines where he met Kyle Robinson. The two men have been friends ever since.
Like Bryce, Kyle did well in school. He also did well with the girls. The latter was the major contributor to his receiving an appointment to Annapolis, his US Representative wanting to put distance between Kyle and his young daughter back in Wisconsin. Kyle’s first assignment was on destroyers and then submarines, were he met Bryce. The two men have served off and on in various boats together.
Desert over and not wishing to face more uncomfortable questioning about possible war, or worse, possibly being shanghaied into dinner with a ‘nice marriageable young woman,’ Kyle makes his excuses and heads for the wilder side of Honolulu.
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Post by crushedhat on Jun 28, 2016 19:59:04 GMT
5 December 1941, evening, Grass Skirt night club
TM3c Tommy Zweiss sits at the bar, not exactly nursing his drink, but making it last as he surveys the clientele. As he’s noticed ever since his arrival in Honolulu, men far outnumber women. To compound the problem the Islanders, other than those working the brothels, don’t seem overly friendly to the more than abundant military personnel – ‘Haloes,’ is the name Tommy’s heard them use for someone like him. Despite that, there are women in the place. Tommy tries to figure out which ones are there to earn a living and which are there for fun. So far, he hasn’t done very well, hitting on two of the former.
“Lookee here!” a voice booms over the ambient noise level of the room.
Tommy turns to find himself facing two large, compared to his short and wiry stature, sailors. “Battleship Boys,” Tommy thinks dismissively, knowing that the fleet is in.
Noticing the dolphin on Tommy’s uniform one of the battleship sailors says, “Must need to be small to fit into those pigboats.”
His hand firmly on his glass, Tommy looks the speaker directly in the eyes. “’Pigboats’ are the old S Class subs. Bristlemouth is a full-fledged fleet submarine.”
“Seems outta place,” the other sailor taunts, “referring to a submarine as, ‘fleet’ anything. Now, the Pennsylvania, there’s a flee - ”
The rest of the man’s sentence is lost in the beer Tommy throws it in his face. At the same time, Tommy’s left fist drives into the first speaker’s gut. Those seated nearby step back as the three sailors engage in what should be an uneven fight, no one accounting for Tommy’s experience as an amateur boxer. The fight continues until the SPs arrive. Tommy gives them a run for their money as well.
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 10, 2016 16:35:45 GMT
24 December 1941, evening, Kelly Murray's apartment The news since Bristlemouth’s return has not been good. As 1941 winds toward a close, the Japanese have succeeded in taking Wake Island with a second attack. They are on the verge of overrunning the Philippines and taking Hong Kong. And, they’ve landed on Borneo. On the other hand, LCdr Kyle Robinson reminds himself, he met Kelly Murray, whose apartment he’s now at, waiting to take her out for Christmas Eve.
Kelly emerges from her bedroom to an appreciative whistle from Kyle who is clearly impressed by the dress she has chosen. Feeling almost like a schoolboy, an admittedly new sensation for Kyle, he pulls a small package out of his pocket. Seeing it, Kelly squeals with delight, “For me?”
Before she can open it there is a knock at the door. Kelly shoots Kyle a concerned look to which he responds, “I didn’t tell anyone where I was going tonight.”
Opening the door, Kelly immediately stiffens. Standing in the hall way is her boss, Bob Harrington. “I thought maybe we could…” he begins only to be cut off by Kelly’s sharp, “No!” Harrington tries to push his way in, stopping when he sees Kyle.
“Is there a problem?” Kyle steps up beside Kelly.
“No,” both she and Harrington reply, though with different emphasis.
Harrington’s gaze shifts between his young secretary and the naval officer, desire evident for the former and resentment toward the latter. Whatever his feeling or plans, the older man decides now is not the time and place for a confrontation. He steps back into the hall, clearing a path. Kyle is monetarily shocked when Kelly tells Harrington, “Go home, Bob. To your wife and family.” Kelly then loops her arm through Kyle’s and the couple head down the hall.
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 13, 2016 21:51:09 GMT
23 January 1942, evening, residence of Lt Bryce and Elizabeth Wothington II “Dinner was delicious,” Kelly Murray tells her hostess, Beth Worthington, the latter beaming proudly.
Beth then rises, asking Kelly, “Will you give me hand in the kitchen?” Kelly agrees and follows Beth into the next room, leaving LCdr Kyle Robinson alone with Beth’s husband, Kyle’s XO and friend, Lt Bryce Worthington II.
Once the women are gone, Bryce looks at his friend and says, “She seems nice.” At Kyle’s grimace Bryce almost laughs and adds, “What’s she doing with you?”
“Hey,” Kyle protests. “She is. Nice. And with me.”
“Sounds serious,” Bryce probes. To Kyle’s look of casual dismissal Bryce adds, “It’s the longest you’ve ever been with a woman since I’ve known you.”
“Don’t go making any wedding plans just yet,” Kyle cautions his friend.
“What do you think is happening in the kitchen?” Worthington rejoins.
Knowing Beth’s determination to see him married, Kyle looks worriedly toward the door behind which the two women disappeared. For his part, Bristlemouth’s normally imperturbable XO has to suppress a laugh at his friend’s panicked expression.
When Beth and Kelly come back from the kitchen bearing dessert, Kyle thinks he sees the redhead looking at him differently, as something more than a good time. Telling himself he’s just imagining things, Kyle nonetheless announces, “Bristlemouth needs to be ready to go back on patrol soon. We’d better schedule a full regimen of drills beginning Monday.” The last is directed at Bryce. Beth, understanding what it means, gives her husband a hang dog look while Kelly looks questioningly at Kyle.
Feeling a touch of guilt and blushing accordingly, Kyle tells Kelly, “Better make the most of this weekend. Come Monday I’ll be tied up with Uncle Sam’s business for a while.”
“Then I guess we’d best use what time we have wisely,” Kelly replies. Kyle feels a foot press down on his under the table as Kelly flashes him a smile full of promise.
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 15, 2016 15:55:27 GMT
30 January 1942, afternoon, outside university campus SM2c Clark Mars paces back on forth on the sidewalk as he waits, no hopes that Cathy Wanabe will pass by on her way home from class. Finally Clark sees the young woman and makes a beeline toward her. When Cathy sees Clark, she turns and heads the other way.
“Cathy! Wait!” Clark shouts, shifting to a trot. Catching up to her he grabs for Cathy’s arm.
Cathy dodges Clark’s hand, though she doers stop and turn to face him. “What do you want?”
Clark is surprised by the hostility in Cathy’s voice. “You haven’t answered any of my calls,” Clark states.
“Why would I? I didn’t think you people wanted to have anything to do with us.” Cathy’s voice trembles as she fights back tears.
“Us people? Cathy, this is me, Clark, your boyfriend.”
“Not anymore! You kicked Dave out and…”
“It wasn’t me,” Clark pleads.
“Well…you…you didn’t do anything to stop it!” Cathy stammers. “Leave me alone!” Spinning about, Cathy leaves Clark standing and staring after her.
Wondering how things came to this Clark tells Cathy’s retreating back, “I’m not the enemy.”
As she walks away, Cathy seethes, “We’re not the enemy.”
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Post by crushedhat on Dec 8, 2016 15:49:47 GMT
25 November 1943, Thanksgiving evening, Residence of LT Bryce and Elizabeth Worthington II
Beth Worthington, her husband, Lt Bryce Worthington II, Cdr Kyle Robinson, and Kelly Murray sit at a table adorned with plates whose contents hint at the Thanksgiving dinner just consumed. A satisfied look graces everyone’s face, those present not only thankful for the meal but also the safe return of the men from another combat patrol in the Pacific.
“I understand you’re up for promotion,” Beth addresses Kyle.
Seated beside Kyle, Kelly beams art him. “That’s great!” Then, not being as familiar as career Navy wife Beth asks, “What does that mean?”
Before Kyle can answer, Beth interjects, “If Kyle makes Captain then he’ll be reassigned ashore. Possibly Stateside.”
“That’s even better!” Despite the other’s presence, Kelly throws her arms around Kyle and hugs him. Her mouth close to his ear, there is a slight tremor in her voice as she whispers, “It’ll be nice having you safe.”
Mixed feelings stir in Kyle; duty fighting ambition. Added to the mix is the small box in his pocket, an engagement ring he is planning to give to Kelly tonight. Reluctantly he extricates himself from the red-head’s embrace. With an almost pleading look to his XO and Friend, Bryce, Kyle asks, “What about dessert? I’m looking forward to some of your famous pumpkin pie.” The last is directed at Beth.
Beaming, Beth downplays her culinary skills. “It’s not all that famous.”
“Is to me,” Bryce interjects, reaching over to give his wife’s hand a squeeze. But maybe we should give dinner a chance to settle first.” Patting his stomach he adds, “I’m not sure there’s any more room just now.”
Smiling her agreement, Beth gets to her feet and begins to gather up the dishes. Kelly joins in. the two women withdraw to the kitchen.
“Is it true, what you said about a safer assignment?” Kelly asks Beth once they are alone. Beth nods, not trusting herself to speak at the moment as she struggles with her own fears over Bryce’s safety but happy for her new friend. “It would certainly make planning the future easier,” Kelly concludes.
Beth’s own fears are pushed aside by her happiness for Kelly. “You mean…”
“Yes,” Kelly blushes. “I think he’s going to pop the question!” The two women embrace.
With the women occupied, Bryce and Kyle move to the living room where Bryce pours them both a drink. Handing one to Kyle he asks, “Have you made a decision? I know the Old Man wants answers before the promotion board meets.”
“I don’t know.” Kyle’s hand unconsciously goes to his pocket and the ring box there. “You’ve got to seize the chance when it comes. God only knows if it will be offered again.” In his own mind, Kyle isn’t sure whether he’s talking about his promotion, Kelly, or both. “But I don’t want to let anybody down, either. Or block you’re path.” Kyle looks at Bryce.
“I appreciate your concern for my career.” Bryce smiles and raises his glass toward his friend. “But I’m in no hurry to take on the responsibility. More’n happy to continue second guessing you.”
“Thanks,” Kyle smiles back.
“Seriously, you’ve got the trust of the officers and men. And you’re a good combat leader. We could do a lot worse. The brass has to recognize that. If not now, then next time.” Lowering his voice Bryce’s eyes shift momentarily toward the kitchen door. The bigger problem is Kelly’s reaction.”
“Especially after what Beth said about a safe assignment,” Kyle reflects.
“Yeah. Sorry ‘bout that,” Bryce apologizes.
Kyle waves his friend’s concern away. “She meant well.”
“The question remains, what’re you going to do?” Bryce commiserates.
“This,” Kyle replies as Beth and Kelly join them.
“So serious,” Beth taunts, looking between her husband and their friend. Giving Kellly a knowing glance she asks the men, “Is something up?”
“Just this.” Kyle puts down his drink and pulls the ring box out of his pocket. The next moment the room is filled with excited voices, Kelly’s emphatic, “YES!” rising above them all.
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