THE STAGE DOOR CANTEEN
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and I wasn't even born when the songs ands music were written.
Opinions please.
=====================================================================
Jag Headquarters The Present
Harm and Sturgis were sitting in the conference room going over a plea agreement. It was a normal day no different from any other at JAG. They had finished their discussion and were leaving the room when Mac walked in at the same time. Not realizing that Harm was on the other side of the door, as Mac pushed it open, she hit Harm knocking him unconscious. There Harm laid, out cold on the conference room floor.
New York, NY Spring 1944
As a member of the American Theatre Wing, Antoinette Perry organized relief projects during the Second World War. Clothing drives, food drives and selling Liberty Bonds.
It was in 1942 that their greatest accomplishment took place, the opening of the Stage Door Canteen on Broadway and 44th Street, in the Heart of Times Square.
The American Theatre Wing ran this nightclub for the benefit of soldiers on leave. The stars of both Hollywood and Broadway gave graciously of their time. To simply say that this was a place where uniformed servicemen could stop by for free entertainment is an understatement.
In these "Canteens" the Elite of the Entertainment Industry would mix comfortably with the men who were defending the country. On any given night, Dorothy Lamour would take a drink order and Kathryn Grayson would clear a table.
It is at this nightclub that our story begins.
"Welcome to the Stage Door Canteen," a deep throaty voice said, that could only belong to one woman, Tallulah Bankhead.
"Did you see who that was?" Bud asked. "Yes I did, Bud and I can't believe it." Harm said looking around the room.
"Are you ready Harm?" Bud asked. "As ready as I'll ever be." Harm's reply had a nervous confidence. "How about you?" Harm asked. "Same here." Bud replied.
Lieutenant Harmon Rabb was an Annapolis graduate, the only ace from the class of 1941. He did a surface tour on cruisers, and then applied for flight training. Once he won his wings he knew where he would be going. The Pacific, there were many battles about to be fought there and he wanted to be part of it. What was happening in the world had devastated the country, but now was not the time to sit and cry. It was a time for everyone to come together and fight the Japanese and the German's to restore peace and order to the world. He was leaving the next day for California, there his plane was waiting for him, and he didn't know were he would be going from there. It was better he didn't know, less to worry about tonight. He could just relax and enjoy the evening. Harm would be one of the hellcats of the Navy, flying F6F Grumman Hellcat.
Harm's best friend was a West Point Graduate. Captain Bud Roberts, part of the Army Air Corp. The two men grew up together and were as close as brothers. The first time they had been parted was when the decision to attend different military academy's came about. Bud had been trained to fly recon missions in a Lockheed F5. He was going to Europe. He wished he could be going to the Pacific with Harm, but also knew he had to go where he was needed.
"This is it Buddy," Harm said, "Can you believe that in 24 hours we are going to be a world apart?"
"I know you're my best friend, my brother. Remember our deal." Bud said with a smile.
When the United States entered the war, they knew they would be called into action to defend their country and the two friends had promised each other they would both come home. This was a promise both men intended to keep.
"Would you care to dance?" A lovely brown haired woman asked Harm. "Sure." Was all he could say. "My name is Sarah MacKenzie, I am one of the volunteers here."
"Hello Sarah, my name is Harmon Rabb. I guess you could say I am a volunteer too." Harm smiled. Sarah laughed. "I'm not taking you away from your friend am I?" She asked. "No it's fine. Besides he seems more interested in the singer up there than talking to me." "Yes, many men come here and watch our Harriet sing. She has such a beautiful voice." Sarah said. "So Harm, tell me about yourself."
"I am a graduate of Annapolis, I am trained to fly hellcats and I leave tomorrow for California." Harm answered honestly.
Sarah just laughed, "Oh if I had a pair of nylons for every sailor who told me he was shipping out."
"Sarah, I'm serious. No jokes here. I'm leaving tomorrow." Harm said.
"Harm I am sorry, you just have to realize how many sailors and soldiers come in here and tell how they are shipping out and it may be their last chance to." Sarah blushed and could not finish the statement.
"Sarah, how about that dance?" Harm said.
Bud was standing near the bandstand, Harriet was dressed in a beautiful taffeta gown, her blond hair was parted on the side and the wave slightly covered her face. It did not cover her eyes or her ruby red lips, which Bud could not take his eyes off of.
As Harriet sang, The White Cliffs of Dover, Bud fell in love. The song its self was beautiful but Harriet's rendition made his heart leap.
There'll be blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover,
Someday, just you wait and see
There'll be blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover,
Someday, when the world is free.
Bud had to dance with this woman. He waited until she had a break and then asked her if she would honor him with a dance. She naturally said yes. No one was denied at the State Door Canteen.
While Bud was falling in love, Harm and Sarah continued to dance. "You know it's against policy for me to spend all my time with one person." Sarah said.
"So, go dance with someone else and then come back to me." Harm replied.
Sarah giggled and did as she was told. There was something about this Navy Pilot but she wasn't sure what it was. She liked him and had a good feeling about him.
Sarah was dancing with a Petty Officer when Harm walked over. He asked if he could cut in, naturally since he outranked the Petty Officer, he knew what the answer would be.
"Now Lieutenant Rabb, that wasn't very nice." Sarah giggled. "I never told you I was a Lieutenant," Harm said. "I see your insignia." Sarah said pointing to his lapel.
"Sarah can we go talk?" Harm asked. He wasn't sure why, but he had to spend some time alone with this woman. "I really shouldn't but ok." They snuck out together.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Sarah asked. "Anything," Harm replied, "what are your dreams Sarah?"
"Oh, I am sure they are the same as any woman's. To find a good man, get married have a family. A quick end to this war." Sarah said, "what about you?"
"My dream is to come back." Harm said. "Something tells me I have already found a good woman." His comment made Sarah blush. "Harm I hope you do comeback. Safe. Do you know where you are headed?" She asked.
"Well I know it's in the Pacific, otherwise sending me to California is the long way to Germany." He joked. "Oh Harmon, don't joke please." Sarah said, suddenly there was a fear in her eyes. She realized that after tonight she might never see this man again.
"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Harm said as he gently stroked her cheek. "I figured you talk to so many of us that you know all the stories." There were tears in Sarah's eyes.
"I don't know why this is different," she said softly, "I don't know if I will see you again, and I have to see you again. You are leaving tomorrow and it's too soon."
"Sarah, I can't believe I am doing this. Take this," he said as he handed her his Annapolis ring. "I will be back to get it from you. I promise, and I never go back on my promises."
Sarah took the ring and fastened it securely to the necklace she had on. "I won't take it off, until you come back to get it." She said. "I promise too."
"Shall we go back and have one last dance?" Harm asked. Sarah took his hand as he led her back into the nightclub. Harriet was on stage singing again, Bud was sitting near by watching her.
Just before she was about to start singing her next number, Harriet called to the bandleader. She asked him if she could bring someone on stage. Sturgis Turner the bandleader smiles and nodded yes. Harriet reached out to take Bud's hand, with him standing with her she began to sing.
Cathedral bells were tolling
and our hearts rang on,
Was it the spell of Paris,
or the April dawn?
Who knows if we shall meet again
but when the morning chimes ring
sweet again...... I'll be seeing you in all of your familiar
places that this heart of mine embraces
all day through. In that small cafe, the park
across the way, the children's carousel, the
chestnut tree, the wishing well. I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's
day, in everything that's night and day,
I'll always think of you that way.
I'll find you in the morning sun,
and when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you.
That was the final song of the evening for Harm and Bud. Tomorrow they were leaving and they needed to get some rest. Outside under the bright lights of Times Square, Harm and Sarah said their goodbyes. Sarah had tears in her eyes and Harm kissed her lips. "Here is my address, so you know where to come for your ring." Sarah said. "Remember, I promise I'm coming back to get it Sarah." Harm stated.
"I know you are Harmon, but right now I have to leave. My heart is breaking standing here with you knowing that you will be gone in a few hours." With that Sarah turned and ran off. Harm chased after her calling, "Sarah come back."
JAG Headquarters
"Harm, I'm right here. Harm can you hear me? Sturgis get some ice. Harm open your eyes." Mac said.
"Sarah, I'm coming back." Harm said. "Yeah with a major bump on your head. What are you talking about Harm? Coming back from where?" Mac asked.
"The Pacific Theatre in my Hellcat." Harm mumbled.
Sturgis returned with an ice pack and he and Mac just looked at each other. Harm tried to sit up, his head was pounding. "Harm are you okay?" Sturgis asked as he handed him an ice pack. "Yeah, what happened?" Harm asked.
"You collided with the door," said Mac. Harriet and Bud came to see what the commotion was about.
"You were there," Harm pointed to Mac. "In the Pacific?" Mac asked.
"No, at the Stage Door Canteen. You were all there. Harriet you were a singer, and Sturgis you were a band leader and Bud, you were a pilot." He turned to Mac, and said looking down at his ring, "Remember I always keep my promises."
They all just looked at him. "It was so real and we were there, in Times Square and Tallulah Bankhead greeted us at the door." Before Harm could finish, Sturgis looked at him and said "Harm were the Tin Man and Scarecrow there too?"
"Fine, don't listen to me. But I know we were there." Harm said.
"Harm I think we better get you home." Mac said as they helped him to his feet.
"Mac, I'm serious. You had my ring, and I promised to come back and get it."
"Come on fly boy." Mac said guiding him out the door. "Let's get you home."
Harm stopped and turned to Mac; he leaned down and kissed her. "Like I told you that night, I've found a good woman."
He walked away leaving Mac a bit confused and wondering if she hadn't been the one who just got hit on the head.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and I wasn't even born when the songs ands music were written.
Opinions please.
=====================================================================
Jag Headquarters The Present
Harm and Sturgis were sitting in the conference room going over a plea agreement. It was a normal day no different from any other at JAG. They had finished their discussion and were leaving the room when Mac walked in at the same time. Not realizing that Harm was on the other side of the door, as Mac pushed it open, she hit Harm knocking him unconscious. There Harm laid, out cold on the conference room floor.
New York, NY Spring 1944
As a member of the American Theatre Wing, Antoinette Perry organized relief projects during the Second World War. Clothing drives, food drives and selling Liberty Bonds.
It was in 1942 that their greatest accomplishment took place, the opening of the Stage Door Canteen on Broadway and 44th Street, in the Heart of Times Square.
The American Theatre Wing ran this nightclub for the benefit of soldiers on leave. The stars of both Hollywood and Broadway gave graciously of their time. To simply say that this was a place where uniformed servicemen could stop by for free entertainment is an understatement.
In these "Canteens" the Elite of the Entertainment Industry would mix comfortably with the men who were defending the country. On any given night, Dorothy Lamour would take a drink order and Kathryn Grayson would clear a table.
It is at this nightclub that our story begins.
"Welcome to the Stage Door Canteen," a deep throaty voice said, that could only belong to one woman, Tallulah Bankhead.
"Did you see who that was?" Bud asked. "Yes I did, Bud and I can't believe it." Harm said looking around the room.
"Are you ready Harm?" Bud asked. "As ready as I'll ever be." Harm's reply had a nervous confidence. "How about you?" Harm asked. "Same here." Bud replied.
Lieutenant Harmon Rabb was an Annapolis graduate, the only ace from the class of 1941. He did a surface tour on cruisers, and then applied for flight training. Once he won his wings he knew where he would be going. The Pacific, there were many battles about to be fought there and he wanted to be part of it. What was happening in the world had devastated the country, but now was not the time to sit and cry. It was a time for everyone to come together and fight the Japanese and the German's to restore peace and order to the world. He was leaving the next day for California, there his plane was waiting for him, and he didn't know were he would be going from there. It was better he didn't know, less to worry about tonight. He could just relax and enjoy the evening. Harm would be one of the hellcats of the Navy, flying F6F Grumman Hellcat.
Harm's best friend was a West Point Graduate. Captain Bud Roberts, part of the Army Air Corp. The two men grew up together and were as close as brothers. The first time they had been parted was when the decision to attend different military academy's came about. Bud had been trained to fly recon missions in a Lockheed F5. He was going to Europe. He wished he could be going to the Pacific with Harm, but also knew he had to go where he was needed.
"This is it Buddy," Harm said, "Can you believe that in 24 hours we are going to be a world apart?"
"I know you're my best friend, my brother. Remember our deal." Bud said with a smile.
When the United States entered the war, they knew they would be called into action to defend their country and the two friends had promised each other they would both come home. This was a promise both men intended to keep.
"Would you care to dance?" A lovely brown haired woman asked Harm. "Sure." Was all he could say. "My name is Sarah MacKenzie, I am one of the volunteers here."
"Hello Sarah, my name is Harmon Rabb. I guess you could say I am a volunteer too." Harm smiled. Sarah laughed. "I'm not taking you away from your friend am I?" She asked. "No it's fine. Besides he seems more interested in the singer up there than talking to me." "Yes, many men come here and watch our Harriet sing. She has such a beautiful voice." Sarah said. "So Harm, tell me about yourself."
"I am a graduate of Annapolis, I am trained to fly hellcats and I leave tomorrow for California." Harm answered honestly.
Sarah just laughed, "Oh if I had a pair of nylons for every sailor who told me he was shipping out."
"Sarah, I'm serious. No jokes here. I'm leaving tomorrow." Harm said.
"Harm I am sorry, you just have to realize how many sailors and soldiers come in here and tell how they are shipping out and it may be their last chance to." Sarah blushed and could not finish the statement.
"Sarah, how about that dance?" Harm said.
Bud was standing near the bandstand, Harriet was dressed in a beautiful taffeta gown, her blond hair was parted on the side and the wave slightly covered her face. It did not cover her eyes or her ruby red lips, which Bud could not take his eyes off of.
As Harriet sang, The White Cliffs of Dover, Bud fell in love. The song its self was beautiful but Harriet's rendition made his heart leap.
There'll be blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover,
Someday, just you wait and see
There'll be blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover,
Someday, when the world is free.
Bud had to dance with this woman. He waited until she had a break and then asked her if she would honor him with a dance. She naturally said yes. No one was denied at the State Door Canteen.
While Bud was falling in love, Harm and Sarah continued to dance. "You know it's against policy for me to spend all my time with one person." Sarah said.
"So, go dance with someone else and then come back to me." Harm replied.
Sarah giggled and did as she was told. There was something about this Navy Pilot but she wasn't sure what it was. She liked him and had a good feeling about him.
Sarah was dancing with a Petty Officer when Harm walked over. He asked if he could cut in, naturally since he outranked the Petty Officer, he knew what the answer would be.
"Now Lieutenant Rabb, that wasn't very nice." Sarah giggled. "I never told you I was a Lieutenant," Harm said. "I see your insignia." Sarah said pointing to his lapel.
"Sarah can we go talk?" Harm asked. He wasn't sure why, but he had to spend some time alone with this woman. "I really shouldn't but ok." They snuck out together.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Sarah asked. "Anything," Harm replied, "what are your dreams Sarah?"
"Oh, I am sure they are the same as any woman's. To find a good man, get married have a family. A quick end to this war." Sarah said, "what about you?"
"My dream is to come back." Harm said. "Something tells me I have already found a good woman." His comment made Sarah blush. "Harm I hope you do comeback. Safe. Do you know where you are headed?" She asked.
"Well I know it's in the Pacific, otherwise sending me to California is the long way to Germany." He joked. "Oh Harmon, don't joke please." Sarah said, suddenly there was a fear in her eyes. She realized that after tonight she might never see this man again.
"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Harm said as he gently stroked her cheek. "I figured you talk to so many of us that you know all the stories." There were tears in Sarah's eyes.
"I don't know why this is different," she said softly, "I don't know if I will see you again, and I have to see you again. You are leaving tomorrow and it's too soon."
"Sarah, I can't believe I am doing this. Take this," he said as he handed her his Annapolis ring. "I will be back to get it from you. I promise, and I never go back on my promises."
Sarah took the ring and fastened it securely to the necklace she had on. "I won't take it off, until you come back to get it." She said. "I promise too."
"Shall we go back and have one last dance?" Harm asked. Sarah took his hand as he led her back into the nightclub. Harriet was on stage singing again, Bud was sitting near by watching her.
Just before she was about to start singing her next number, Harriet called to the bandleader. She asked him if she could bring someone on stage. Sturgis Turner the bandleader smiles and nodded yes. Harriet reached out to take Bud's hand, with him standing with her she began to sing.
Cathedral bells were tolling
and our hearts rang on,
Was it the spell of Paris,
or the April dawn?
Who knows if we shall meet again
but when the morning chimes ring
sweet again...... I'll be seeing you in all of your familiar
places that this heart of mine embraces
all day through. In that small cafe, the park
across the way, the children's carousel, the
chestnut tree, the wishing well. I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's
day, in everything that's night and day,
I'll always think of you that way.
I'll find you in the morning sun,
and when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you.
That was the final song of the evening for Harm and Bud. Tomorrow they were leaving and they needed to get some rest. Outside under the bright lights of Times Square, Harm and Sarah said their goodbyes. Sarah had tears in her eyes and Harm kissed her lips. "Here is my address, so you know where to come for your ring." Sarah said. "Remember, I promise I'm coming back to get it Sarah." Harm stated.
"I know you are Harmon, but right now I have to leave. My heart is breaking standing here with you knowing that you will be gone in a few hours." With that Sarah turned and ran off. Harm chased after her calling, "Sarah come back."
JAG Headquarters
"Harm, I'm right here. Harm can you hear me? Sturgis get some ice. Harm open your eyes." Mac said.
"Sarah, I'm coming back." Harm said. "Yeah with a major bump on your head. What are you talking about Harm? Coming back from where?" Mac asked.
"The Pacific Theatre in my Hellcat." Harm mumbled.
Sturgis returned with an ice pack and he and Mac just looked at each other. Harm tried to sit up, his head was pounding. "Harm are you okay?" Sturgis asked as he handed him an ice pack. "Yeah, what happened?" Harm asked.
"You collided with the door," said Mac. Harriet and Bud came to see what the commotion was about.
"You were there," Harm pointed to Mac. "In the Pacific?" Mac asked.
"No, at the Stage Door Canteen. You were all there. Harriet you were a singer, and Sturgis you were a band leader and Bud, you were a pilot." He turned to Mac, and said looking down at his ring, "Remember I always keep my promises."
They all just looked at him. "It was so real and we were there, in Times Square and Tallulah Bankhead greeted us at the door." Before Harm could finish, Sturgis looked at him and said "Harm were the Tin Man and Scarecrow there too?"
"Fine, don't listen to me. But I know we were there." Harm said.
"Harm I think we better get you home." Mac said as they helped him to his feet.
"Mac, I'm serious. You had my ring, and I promised to come back and get it."
"Come on fly boy." Mac said guiding him out the door. "Let's get you home."
Harm stopped and turned to Mac; he leaned down and kissed her. "Like I told you that night, I've found a good woman."
He walked away leaving Mac a bit confused and wondering if she hadn't been the one who just got hit on the head.