Two men, crouching in the brush, waited breathlessly for the telltale sound of an approaching plane and the sight of a parachute, signaling a drop of the precious cargo.
"There it is!" Carter, excited, sprung up from his hiding place, only to be pushed down by Newkirk.
"Blimey, Carter! 'Old your 'orses. We'll be spotted."
"Sorry. But it's been so long."
"I know, mate." The parachute grew bigger and soon a thud was heard.
"Now? Newkirk?"
"Now, Carter!" The two men hurried towards the package. It was heavier than expected, and it took some time to lug it back into the tunnel, where a large group of eager men were gathering in anticipation.
"Ooomph." It took both Newkirk and Carter to hoist it onto a table.
"There's got to be more than paper in here," Carter said.
"Maybe they sent along more supplies." Hogan approached the box. It was covered with locks. "Newkirk, we need your expertise."
"With pleasure, sir." The corporal quickly picked the lock on the outside, opened the lid and groaned. "There's another box in 'ere."
"Take it out," Hogan ordered. "Extra security, I guess."
Again, Newkirk picked the lock, and again, found another box. "No wonder this was so 'eavy." This procedure was repeated several more times, until finally, the last box revealed a large stack of paper.
"Aha!" Hogan grabbed the stack. "We're in business. We need to compile the list and then I'll post it."
It took several hours for the colonel and his staff to triple-check the information and type up the results. But, word had spread around camp, and by the time Hogan and his staff left Barracks two, thumbtacks in hand, a humongous and unruly crowd had gathered.
***********
"Schulllltttzzz!" Klink, fearing a mob scene, riot or a repeat of 'Filene's Running of the Brides,' scurried out of his office. He again called for the sergeant.
"You called, Kommandant?" Schultz had snuck up behind Klink, who jumped.
"Dummkopf! Don't startle me like that! What is the meaning of this?"
"The nominations are in, Kommandant. Colonel Hogan will be reading the official list and then posting it on the bulletin board."
Klink, assuming that he was most likely nominated for something, immediately puffed up. "Well, then. Let's go." He attempted, unsuccessfully to push his way through the mob.
Hogan, spied Klink's riding crop waving over the throng of prisoners, guards and assorted extras. "Settle down," he ordered. "Make like the Red Sea and part for the Kommandant!"
They all immediately obeyed and Klink hustled himself up front. "Hand it over, Hogan."
Hogan shook his head. "Absolutely not, sir. This is a democratic process and everyone will hear the list at the same time as everyone else." Klink pouted. Hogan whispered in his ear.
"Attention!" Klink said. "A few words before Colonel Hogan reads the list. He will post the rules, but I just want to say, that we ask everyone to have read all the nominated stories in a particular category before voting in that category. Just to be fair," he added. "And….anyone caught cheating or otherwise not following the rules will be shot and then sent to the Russian Front!"
A gasp went through the crowd.
"Uh, sir. Don't you think that's a bit harsh?" Hogan asked. "Most of the voters aren't from here, you know."
"Harsh?" Klink replied. "Well, if you must insist. Thirty days in the cooler," he said firmly.
Hogan grinned. "That's better. And now the nominees…"
