Henry Blake, hunched over his desk. Grazing through a catalog of golf balls and 9 irons. Donning his classic University of Illinois sweater and Army green fishing hat, decorated with so many lures it appeared as though it fell into a tackle box.
Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly, ever the dutiful clerk. Came rushing through the door to inform Blake of the couple's impending arrival. He peers up from his desk, looking very much exasperated.
"What is it, Radar?"
His voice a mix of a sighing whine.
"Uh..Major Houlihan 'an Major Burns are on their way to make a complaint, sir. They seem pretty steamed"
"Oh for Pete's sake, Radar. I don't have time for.."
No sooner was he about to finish his agitated-laced sentence when the disruptive duo graced them with their unwanted presence.
"Colonel Blake, I demand swift reprimand for Captain Pierce's actions!"
Came Houlihan's booming voice. Radar frozen by the filing cabinet. Henry rolled his eyes and sighed.
"On what grounds, Major?"
Naturally, Frank acted as Margaret's dummy. Having her speaking through him. Even when the subject was, in fact, about him.
"He told Frank he was going to shove his boot up you-know-where"
Radar makes an awkward, brief noise of disgust. Meanwhile Henry was simply through with their frivolous barrage of complaints on whomever set off Margaret this week. Henry groans.
"Major. I really don't think this' worth the hassle. I mean, who doesn't wanna shove their boot up you, Frank?"
Suddenly the sound of Radar's muffled chuckling could be heard. Margaret was quick to flash him a glance that could bore holes.
"That'll be all, Corporal"
She states sternly. A message for him to leave. Immediately he reverted back to his meek demeanor and made his way out the door. "Yes sir".
"It's ma'am!"
Frank's upper lip finally reappeared as he mustered the courage to speak up against the Colonel.
"Now sir, that isn't fair. I was only looking out for.."
"-What he's trying to say, Colonel. Is that there's no discipline here. You allow those two booze hounds into surgery"
Truth be told, Blake didn't hear half of what was said. After awhile it was like radio static. He sighed once again and rubbed the temples of his forehead. The only way he saw in rectifying this and getting them, specifically her, out of his hair. Was to lie.
"I'll have a word with him. Now can I get back to my work, please?"
The couple's smug expressions soon return to their faces, not realizing it was all for show. Just as Frank was about to answer. His handler stopped him and, per usual, took the reins.
"Thank you, sir"
"Hmm"
Henry responded non-verbally. Those two really knew how to get under his skin. He had enough to contend with, without the added stress of their nonsense. Just when he thought he could finally get back to his catalog, Radar reemerges with another notification.
"Sir, General Clayton's here to see you"
He continues flipping through the catalog. His patience for constant interruptions wearing paper thin.
"Radar, you know not to bother me again unless it's a visit from General Clayton"
After a matter of seconds it finally registered and he began to panic. Hastily tossing the golf book in the drawer and briefly tidying the chaos on his desk. Once again, the agitation returned to his voice.
"Well don't just have him sittin' out there, Radar! Tell him to come in"
The young man instantly snaps back to reality from his seemingly fleeting trance. "Yes sir", he responds timidly and rushes out to tell him. Clad in his usual olive green military fatigue, the older General enters the room.
"And what may I owe this totally unexpected, yet welcome visit, General?"
Henry inquired coupled with a nervous laugh. The Top Brass was never one for small talk and merely having to converse with Blake face to face was more than he could stand.
"I'll get straight to the point, Henry (clears his throat). Your surgeons, Houlihan and Pierce, caught the attention of the higher-ups in Seoul. They've requested you relinquish them to assist in a small military base hospital there. About a month, tops. Until they can find the adequate help needed"
Henry's eyes began to erratically blink as he stutters to give a response.
"Well, uh, sir. This' quite an honor. But what's the 4077 gonna do without our two best surgeons?"
The General briefly scratches underneath his jawline.
"We'll be sending our best as proxy for the time being. We'll need word by 2400 hours. By the way, where is Margaret?"
Henry's nervous chuckle returns. It wasn't a secret Clayton was rather infatuated with her. Quite frankly, so was the rest of the base.
"Ya just missed her. But I'll pass along the message.."
"-And to Pierce" Clayton added abruptly.
"And to Pierce" Henry reiterated with that goofy expression plastered across his face. The General tipped his hat before briefly thanking the inept Colonel and departing out the office.
Henry watches carefully as the General disappears from sight to pull his catalog from its hiding place. Just as he was about to resume thumbing through the pages, Hawkeye enters.
"Henry, what's this about me 'an Hot Lips being sent to Seoul?"
The Colonel gives a disgruntled sigh, only this time, refusing to cast aside the mag.
"Clayton was in 'an apparently you two impressed the top monkeys in Seoul that they've asked for your help for a month"
"A month?!"
Hawkeye exclaimed astounded. Henry shut his eyes for a couple seconds, as if the abrupt, raised voice hurt his ears. He continues grazing over the pages.
"That's what he said. They'll send skilled temps to take over here, don't worry. And they'll need to know by 2400 hours. Whatever that means"
"That's midnight, sir"
A meek voice responded from somewhere in the office.
"Thanks, Radar. Well, there ya have it. I'll need a decision soon so I know what to tell Clayton"
Pierce shakes his head lightly and makes his way out the door. As much as he was somewhat set against it. He never was one to shy away from helping the already war torn South Koreans. He finds Margaret alone in the surgical scrub room and informs her of the news.
"A month?!"
Her voice a mix of the same shock and abruptness as his. He nods his head and expression morphs into playfully seductive with an arched brow.
"A whole 30 days together, Ms. Houlihan. Maybe we can even share accommodations"
"You animal! That's all you ever think about"
Hawkeye feigns being offended and splays his fingers dramatically across his chest.
"Certainly not! I also happen to care about women's inner beauty (gives a mischievous wink). Besides, it's the right thing to do. If we can help them more, wouldn't you want to?"
He takes her gloved hands in his and peers deeply into those magnificent blue eyes. She hesitates a moment. Shutting her eyes briefly before letting out a sharp sigh.
"Okay, let's do it"