Authors Note: 50 chapters in I feel as though I should give a passing explanation as to why there aren't any quotation marks and precious little punctuation to speak of in general. I'm in a Cormac McCarthy phase in my writing right now. He once said he saw no reason "to clutter up a page with little meaningless dots." and I'm inclined to agree. So I'm going for a weird, pompous ass kind of minimalist thing. I think the message still gets across without quote marks and I want this to feel like real correspondence while I still cheat and include conversations.

Also, this is as much to keep it straight in your head as in mine. If they were to be 34 in 1939 that means Amy and Rory would have to have their birthdates retconned back to 1905, Amy, November 20th and Rory, December 26th. This makes Rory too young to have fought in WW1 (River/melody Ret-conning of course) but still old enough to have participated in other military incursions in the years between WWI and WW2.

Ok, so here it is. One of the major tipping points of the story. I've been hinting and leading since early '42 and here we go.***

Supplemental: Archival Records
Marker: Journal Entries From The Journal of Mr. Rory Arthur Williams
Frequency: Intermittent
Entries provided courtesy of Mr. Anthony Brian Williams

26th of March 1944

I'm dashing this off rather quickly as Amy gets ready for our night out. Despite all the troubles and stress and pain of recent weeks we've tried to keep up our tradition of date night. If there's one thing we've learned from nearly 20 years of marriage it's that we have to, no matter what, take time to just be a couple.

And now, I'm not sure when we'll have that time again.

It wasn't until I was packing my things to leave the draft board for the day that I knew what was happening. I had heard Judge Merrit was in town. He and Doctor Welling were old friends so when I saw him arrive I didn't think much of it.

Jacket on and bag in hand is when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned round and came face to face with His Honor Judge Morris Merrit.

Doctor Williams?

Yes, sir.

Judge Merrit. Can I have a moment of your time?

Yes, sir. Of course, sir.

He smiled and lead me back to one of the dusty offices adjacent to the gymnasium. I sized him up. He was corrupt, I knew that much, I'm pretty sure everyone did. More than willing to take a bribe to grease the wheels. He had an obsequious, fawning nature which made him immediately untrustworthy. I think it's safe to say I disliked him from the start.

Once inside he gestured for me to sit down and I did so.

Coffee?

No, thank you, sir.

Tea? He asked the slightest hint of condescension in his voice.

No, but again thank you, sir.

Are you a limey, Doctor?

I bristled but held my tongue.

No, I'm an American. My parents were ex-pats from a small town in the U.K. called Leadworth. They never lost the accent and I picked it up.

Never did understand where the term limey came from, it's just what we called you fellows.

The Royal Navy put lime juice in the daily rations of their sailors weak beer in order to prevent scurvy. I suppose Americans soldiers at the time found that to be alien and funny. Though not the ones who developed scurvy, I imagine.

He scowled at me but I held his eyes innocently. I was tired and irritable and suspicious and he was goading my inner smart ass.

You're wealthy, you currently reside in a spacious apartment on 5th avenue. Lot's of savvy investments.

Is that in my file?

No. I learned that simply by asking around.

I see. I didn't realize I was so interesting.

He switched course abruptly.

I'm not sure how abreast you keep yourself up on what's happening in the war, Doctor Williams.

I try to stay informed. The last I heard about the Fosse Ardeatine massacre.

He looked at me strangely. Perhaps I had spoken too soon. Was it too early for that information to be available to the public? I tried to cover.

I have a Ham radio, I pick up a lot of international news and I also speak a little Italian.

Yes, of course. I wanted to ask you a few questions and get myself re-acquainted with your file.

I didn't know you were previously acquainted with it, sir. May I ask why? I said even though I already knew.

Call it idle curiosity. He gave me a rather anemic smile which I did my best to return.

He opened the manilla folder on his desk and began thumbing through it starting at the beginning.

Do you like your job, Doctor?

At the hospital, yes. I like my job very much.

And here?

Honestly? No, not at all.

And why is that?

I have no great affinity for sending scared boys off to die.

He leaned back in his chair and regarded me with the air of someone who felt honor bound to educate a fool.

I served in the First Great War. I volunteered. Saw my friends get their heads blown clean off on the fields of France by the fucking Jerry's. Made Captain by the time it was all over with 180 men under my command.

I suppressed a sigh. I had risen to the rank of Legatus Legionisand commanded a legion of 6000 men, but I had no desire to get into a pissing contest with this insect.

I remained silent and he returned to looking at my file. Frowning he peered closer.

It says here you served in '27, mostly in China as part of the forces to protect American interests during the Shanghai riots. Why didn't I see this in your file before? He mused.

Melody. A bit of retconning for dear old Dad. I imagine there must be a good reason for her doing so. Thank you, love.

Yes, sir. I answered.

Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1932. None of this was in your file when I looked earlier, someone's head is gonna roll. He muttered mostly to himself before continuing. Promoted to the rank of Major. He sounded damn near incredulous and I had to suppress a smile.

Yes, sir.

Well...it looks like I should be saluting you. He said through gritted teeth.

His whole demeanor change. At first he was just irritated by me, now he truly despised me.

Not necessary.

Why didn't you ever mention this before?

I didn't see how it was relevant. I did my service, I returned home and I wanted to pursue a civilian life.

Yes...well, sir, as it stands I assume you grasp the shortage of medical professionals we're experiencing in the Army at the moment.

I had heard, yes.

But when you were offered a commission, you refused.

I did. I was planning to enter medical school which allowed me an automatic deferment and I felt I could be of more use here. Polio is-

That's not really your call to make, if you'll pardon me, sir.

I could see his stomach turning each time he had to address me as sir. I was rather enjoying it. But over all this grating on me. I wanted to get back to my wife and these scare tactics were wasting my time. I didn't really see how I could make things any worse than they already were. The wheels were in motion any fool could see that. I stood up suddenly and it took him by surprise.

Captain, I think we both know why you called me here. You mean for me to take up my commision or effectively be press ganged back into service. I can't refuse that but I won't play at words with you. I won't have you waste my time or question my priorities.

He narrowed his eyes at me and something within me snapped.

On your feet, Captain!

His instinct took over and he scrambled to his feet.

When you address me you will do so with respect, is that clear?

Yes, sir, Major.

Is there anything else?

One thing, sir. I don't think there's any reason to put this in the mail, do you sir?

I already knew what it was when he handed it to me.

No, I don't believe there is.

I left the office without another word.

I didn't bother to open the envelope until I was walking home.

From: The President of the United States

Order To Report For Induction,

To: Rory Arthur Williams

Order: 9701

GREETING:

Having submitted yourself to a local board composed of your neighbors for the purpose of determining your availability for training and service in the land or naval forces of the United States you are hereby notified that you have now been selected for training and service therein. You will therefore report to your local board named above at 7:15 AM on April 5th 1944.

I knew the rest. It was all too familiar.

So, I was going then.

One way or another.

I'm taking Amy out tonight for dinner and dancing. I'm not sure when or how I'll tell her.

I have 11 days.