A Different Kind Of Leave
By desertpat51
Tully and Hitch walk down the street of an Arab town. They wear their clean khaki's and garrison caps. Hitch claps Tully on the back, "Just think! Three days on our own. Just the two of us. Swimming, girls, booze… girls!" Tully shakes his head, "Hold your horses, Hitch. We can get in some swimming in that big, blue Mediterranean. And we might be able to find a place that serves beer. But, if you haven't noticed, most of the girls around here are Arabs… Hands off!" Hitch glares at his friend, "Huh! Well, you're no fun!" Tully smiles, "I'm sure we can find something to do for our three days of leave."
There aren't that many people out this evening, just a few locals. Most of the buildings are made of native stone and the dusty street is shaded by fabric shade sails. But they don't do much good at this late hour. Hitch and Tully each put a hand up to block the rays of the setting sun from their eyes.
Ahead, Hitch spots a building with steps up to arched openings. Beyond the arches and along the building proper is a covered walkway. A few people walk in the shade next to the building and some enter a large wooden door, leading to a cafe. Hitch smiles, "Hey! Let's go in." Tully nods, "Why not."
They hop up the three steps to the covered walkway. Hitch pushed the old wooden door open, it's rusty hinges creak as the two Allied soldiers enter.
The room is large, with high ceilings. At the sound of the door opening, all heads turn their way. The two are now a bit self-conscious and quickly spot a table, topped with a flickering candle, in an alcove to their right. They head for it and slide into the chairs.
There are a few Arabs sitting at tables enjoying food and tea. A small bar top blocks an arched opening, behind which stands an old bearded Arab in traditional robes. He places a plate of bread, cheese and dates along with three steaming tea cups on a platter and a younger Arab, similarly dressed, takes the items to a table where three locals are waiting. There is also a small stage where a belly dancer, swathed in veils, swirls to the beat of a drum and the high-pitched melody of a flute.
The old barkeep nods to the younger server, who approaches the Allies, and in broken English he asks, "You want tea?" Hitch and Tully share a glance and Hitch asks, "Ah… Do you have beer? You know, beer?" The young man smiles and nods, "Ah… Ya. Beer. Like Germans." The two share a glance and Hitch holds up two fingers, "Ah… Yeah. Two beers, please." The server nods and heads back to the bar.
Hitch and Tully remove their caps and, a while later, are enjoying their small brews. Tully smiles, "Not bad." Hitch smiles too, "Yeah. Not even watered down." They watch the dancer whirl about. The combination of the drum beat, the flute and the swirling of the brightly colored veils is mesmerizing.
Always on the alert, Tully hears the creaking of the door hinges and now nudges Hitch. Their attention is quickly drawn to a group of eight German officers who are entering. They are chatting and laughing. Tully immediately blows out the candle, leaving the two in relative darkness.
The Germans break into two groups and take seats, four men to a table. One man at each table pulls out a deck of cards. Without even being told, the barkeep arranges four large beers on each of two trays and the server quickly carries the brews to the new arrivals.
Hitch and Tully watch from the darkness of their alcove. They are unnerved by the arrival of the Germans. Then they both recognize him at the same time: Hauptmann Hans Dietrich!
They don't usually see him relaxed, smiling and laughing. But he's with friends and they are setting up for a game of cards. Hitch and Tully hope they will blend into their darkened alcove as the Germans drink their beers and order some light refreshments.
After taking the German's orders and giving them to the barkeep, the server checks on other patrons. He finally makes his way over to Hitch and Tully, who try waving him off. Dietrich follows the man with his eyes and spots the two Privates. He smiles slightly but then turns back to the card game.
After dismissing the server, Hitch whispers, "We need to get out of here." Tully nods, "I agree. But if we move now, he'll see us." Hitch says, "I think he already has." Tully watches the Captain, "Well, if he has seen us, he's not showing it. Maybe if we just stay put."
A while later, Hitch and Tully watch as the server places plates of bread, cheese and dates on the two tables with the Germans. Dietrich catches the man by the arm and says something quietly. The server nods, goes to the bar and says something to the barkeep. They both look, first at Dietrich, then at the alcove. The old Arab nods and pours two large beers.
The server heads to the alcove with the two large mugs in hand, "Gentlemen. Compliments of Herr Hauptmann." The two Privates are stunned. They look over at Dietrich who nods and goes back to his card game.
Tully says, "Well, he obviously knows we're here." Hitch whispers, "What are we going to do? Do you think he'll leave us alone? I mean, we're outnumbered here, eight to two. That's not good odds."
Tully has been watching Dietrich and the other Germans, "Relax Hitch. All of them, including Dietrich, seem to be more interested in their card game than us." Hitch thinks then nods, "Yeah. We might as well enjoy the free beers… Just nurse 'em." Tully agrees, "We'll just blend into the background." Hitch says, "Maybe he'll forget about us." Tully snickers, "That'll be the day." They pick up their mugs and sip.
They've been slowly drinking their beers, watching the dancing girl, but always keeping an eye on the Germans. Hitch asks, "Can you tell what game they're playing?" Tully doesn't have to guess, "Bridge." Hitch frowns, "You sure?" Tully nods, "I'm sure. Remember? My ma and her lady friends would play bridge…" Hitch nods, "Yeah. And when one of the ladies couldn't make it, your mom would make you play. But why is Dietrich playing it if it's a game for old ladies?" Tully watches the Germans playing, "It's not just a game for old ladies. It's a game of strategy. It's actually pretty difficult and challenging."
A while later one of the Germans, the man who is sitting across from Dietrich, looks at his watch. He speaks in German. The rest of the men sitting at the table, including Dietrich, start complaining. But the officer is adamant. He stands, picks up his cap, bids the group adieu, and exits.
One man throws his cards face down on the table. But Dietrich smiles. He's got an idea. He calms the others, gets up from his chair and approaches Tully and Hitch, "Good evening, gentlemen." This is not what the two had expected or wanted. They dutifully stand and salute. The Captain sighs, "At ease, Privates. Sit down."
They glance at each other then slowly sit. Dietrich pulls a chair from a neighboring table and joins them. And Tully decides to keep it pleasant, "Good evening, Captain. Thanks for the beers."
Dietrich nods then looks around, though he knows what he's looking for is not there, "Where are your two Sergeants?" Tully changes gears, "Captain. We're here, just the two of us, on leave. This is a neutral zone. We all have a right to be here without being harassed." He hesitates, "We don't want any trouble." Dietrich half smiles, "You didn't answer my question."
Hitch stands up, ram rod straight, and stares ahead, "Hitchcock, Mark T…" But Dietrich stops him, "Sit down, Private Hitchcock. We all know each other. And I'm not here to take you prisoner. I'm here to play cards. However, as you may have noticed, our table just lost one of its players." Dietrich now looks from one man to the other, and gives them a chance, "Do either of you play bridge?"
Hitch and Tully glance at each other. Dietrich, not getting an answer, stands, clasps his hands behind his back, turns away from the men, hesitates then turns back, "I would hate to see the two of you spend your leave in a jail cell… if the authorities were perhaps told that you had… committed a crime."
Hitch blurts out, "That's blackmail." But Tully stops him and looks at Dietrich, "Even a simple game of cards is fraternization, Captain. It's not allowed." Dietrich reminds him, "I do not see any of your MP's here. It would just be a friendly game of cards. So I ask you again, do either of you play bridge?"
Hitch and Tully realize they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Tully says, "I'm sorry, Captain. We don't play bridge." Tully purposely leaves out the 'with you', and hopes his word-play will work.
Dietrich grins, "You play bridge, Private Pettigrew." Tully stammers, "I… ah… No I don't. I, I couldn't. No." Dietrich is eyeing him, "I know you do." Tully shakes his head, "No… No…"
Tully is laying on the bed in a hotel room, "No!... No!..." Hitch is standing over him and shakes his friend hard, "Tully?… Tully! Wake up."
Tully opens his eyes, he's gasping for air and sits up. Hitch puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Tully. It's okay. We're on leave. Remember? You can relax." But Tully shakes his head, "What?... I… I guess I was dreaming. What a… What a strange dream." Hitch asks, "Don't tell me. It wasn't one of those premonition dreams again, was it?" Tully looks at his friend, "I hope not. I sure don't want to get stuck playing bridge with Dietrich!" Hitch stares at him, "WHAT? Dietrich?" Tully just shakes his head, "I told you. Strange. Forget it. Let's go get something to eat."
The two are in their clean khakis with garrison caps on as they stop by the check-in desk and talk to the manager of the hotel. He tells them of a quaint little restaurant just a few doors down the street. It's a quiet evening and only a few locals and some GI's are out and about.
They go in to the cafe and see several tables with cheerful table cloths and a candle burning on each. There are two locals roaming about the place, one playing a violin, the other an accordion, and several G.I.'s sitting at the bar.
A waiter comes over, "Good evening, gentlemen." Tully recognizes the words and immediately looks up. But it's not Dietrich, as in his dream, and he relaxes. The man hands them menus, "We only have a limited selection but can I start you off with something to drink?" Tully and Hitch nod.
The hotel manager was right. The food and beers are good and even the music is not intrusive.
The men leave the cafe but Hitch wants more, "Come on. I heard about this place a few blocks down where the beer is great and the women are even better!" Tully is apprehensive, "I don't know." But Hitch is adamant, "Come on. It'll be fun. We've only got seventy two hours leave. I want to make the most of it." Hitch pulls on Tully's arm, "Come on." Tully relents, "Alright. I guess it couldn't hurt."
They head down the street, passing several locals as well as Allied soldiers. All are moving quietly in the evening. A warm breeze, and their footfalls, disturb the dust covering the cobblestones.
They round a corner and Hitch grabs Tully by the arm, "There it is, over there." But Tully stops in his tracks and now grabs Hitch, "Not again!" Hitch ties to pull away, "What's wrong?"
Tully pushes Hitch against the wall, and whispers, "It's… It's the building…" Tully sees the archways, the steps up to a covered walkway and the big wooden door, that now swings open with creaky hinges, as a couple of locals enter. The sounds of a drum and flute float out into the evening.
Hitch tries to pull away, "Hey! What's wrong with you?" But Tully is adamant, "Don't you understand? That's the café from my dream… and we went inside. And then a bunch of Germans went in and… and they played cards… We gotta' hide!" He pulls a very confused Hitch across the street and into the entrance to an alley, where they can watch the street, both ways, as well as the front of the building.
They wait in the shadows for a couple of minutes until Hitch has finally had enough, "See! No Germans. What's wrong with you, Tully?" Tully frowns, "I could have sworn." Hitch smiles, "The guy I talked to said there's beer, and dancing girls, and…"
But just then they hear men speaking German. Hitch and Tully press themselves against the wall of the alley and watch a group of eight Germans, including Hauptmann Hans Dietrich, walk down the street, up the steps, open the creaky door, and head into the café…
Hitch now pulls on Tully's arm, and whispers urgently, "Come on, Tully. We gotta' move!"
But Tully sees that things have changed. He's wearing his helmet, Hitch has his kepi, and both are in their desert gear. Their Thompsons are slung over their shoulders and they both carry knapsacks. Hitch whispers into a walky-talky, "Right, Sarge. We're on our way."
As if nothing is out of place, Tully follows Hitch as they run down the alley. Hitch comes to a halt just short of a street, with Tully hot on his heels. They look both ways, then dash across the street and into another alley. The block walls of the passageway begin to close in.
Troy and Moffitt emerge from a door on the left, as the walls get closer. They are also carrying knapsacks. Troy carries the second walky-talky and quickly waves the two Privates over to join them. Troy whispers urgently, "Where have you two been?" Not allowing them to answer, he continues, "Come on. We found the ammo dump… In here."
Troy and Moffitt disappear back into the doorway, followed closely by Hitch… then Tully.
But as Tully enters, he finds himself alone and facing high stacks of boxes and barrels. He turns to see Hitch just disappearing into a maze of trails between the towers of munition boxes.
Tully tries to follow. He runs down the aisle, but it's a dead end. He backtracks and runs down another, calling out in a loud but muffled whisper, "Hitch. Where are you?" But he is lost and alone again.
Tick… Tick… Tick… Tully is frantic. The sounds of explosive timers is all around him and he no longer has his knapsack. He runs down another aisle, calling out now, "Hitch! Doc? Sarge? Where are you guys?"
But he can't find his friends.
Tick… Tick… Tick… He spots Hitch ahead who motions and yells out, "Tully! This way! Come on!"
Tully tries to run but he feels as though he's slogging through deep sand. He pushes on towards Hitch, but his friend disappears to the right and around a tall stack of grenade boxes.
Tick… Tick… Tick… Tully rounds the stack of boxes and spots the door. He reaches frantically and, after several attempts, grabs ahold of the door jam and pulls himself out into the alley.
Ahead, he finally spots Hitch. Troy and Moffitt are a few feet ahead. Tully waves and calls out, "Hitch!"
EXPLOSION! The wall of the munitions storage area just behind Tully disintegrates into a rain of shrapnel-like fragments that blows out into the alley. Tully is thrown ten feet in the air, impacts the far wall of the alley and crumples into a heap on the ground.
Tully tries to push himself up but is aching all over… Another explosion! Tully sees Hitch disappear in a rain of dust and broken rock as debris is flung across the alley. Tully desperately calls out, "Hitch!"…
…Tully calls out again, "Hitch? Hitch!" He tries to see through a haze, but all is a blur. His breathing is labored and hard… Then he feels a hand on his left shoulder. A familiar British voice is reassuring, "Tully. You're alright now. Just relax." Tully is confused, "Doc?" The voice returns, "Tully. Look at me."
Tully blinks and the scene finally comes in to focus. He's in a bed, in an Allied hospital ward, with several other soldiers. He shakes his head, but regrets it and groans at the pain. He tries to grab his head with his right hand, but his right shoulder is aching, too. His arm is covered in bandages, "Doc?" Moffitt again puts a hand on his left shoulder, "Easy. You got caught in the blast, got a nasty bump on the head and a dislocated shoulder." Tully winces, "What? But… where's Hitch? Is he okay? I could have sworn…"
A voice on the right side of the bed catches his attention, "Hey, buddy. I'm right here." Tully looks to his right and sees his friend, "Hitch? But I saw you… There was an explosion." Hitch smiles, "I'm okay. And that explosion was yesterday evening." Tully is now really confused and frowns, "Wha… What?"
Then another familiar voice joins in, "Tully." It's Troy who's standing behind Moffitt on the left side of the bed, "Welcome back." Tully attempts a smile and tries to sit up but groans and settles back down. He looks over at Hitch, "We were on leave… and then I… I saw you get caught in an explosion…"
Hitch helps his friend sit up, stuffing a pillow behind his back, then explains, "We never got to go on leave, Tully. Captain Boggs gave us a mission… to blow up a German ammunitions depot. And it was you that got caught in the explosion. Don't you remember?"
Tully leans back against the pillow and tries to think through the pain in his injured and wrapped head and his aching right shoulder. Slowly, he starts to realize that he's aching all over, head to toe. He looks at the others, "But… You mean Dietrich never wanted me to play cards?"
The other three are shocked and all say in unison, "Dietrich?!" Troy shakes his head, "Dietrich? Cards? Tully, what are you talking about?" Tully thinks. The vision is so real in his mind, "But, I remember…"
Moffitt puts a hand on his driver's forehead, "Feels as though he still has a bit of a fever." He moves his hand back to Tully's shoulder, "Tully. Dietrich was never at that German-occupied town."
Troy calls over to a man in a white coat, "Doctor Benson? He's awake." The doctor excuses himself from another patient and joins the group, "So. How are you feeling this evening, Private Pettigrew?" Tully sighs, "I'm not sure." Benson smiles, "Well, you got pretty banged up in that explosion." Tully slowly nods, "Yeah... Feels like it. I've got a lot of questions, Doc." Benson gives a fatherly smile, "I'm sure you do. But I'll leave that to your team mates. Now, let me take a look at you."
After a thorough check-up, Dr. Benson says, "A bit of a fever but you do seem a little better. You must rest now. Doctor's orders." Tully nods weakly and Benson leaves him in the company of his friends.
Tully looks at Troy, "What happened?" Troy takes a deep breath, "The mission was to find and destroy a munitions warehouse in a German-held town… which we did. But, something went wrong. One of the bombs went off too soon. You were the last one out." He sighs, "You got caught in the blast."
Tully thinks for a moment, "I remember… running… and a warehouse… and stacks of boxes… and Hitch in front of me." He frowns, "I got out the door, and… and then… an explosion. How long? When?"
Troy says, "Like Hitch said, it was yesterday evening." Tully frowns, and tries to think. Moffitt now speaks up, "Tully. You've had a high fever and you've been delirious for most of the time." Tully nods, "I guess I was having some really strange dreams. But it all seemed so real. I mean, some of it seems to be part of the mission, but… Were there cafes and Germans playing cards… and dancing girls and…"
But Hitch breaks in, "Dancing girls?" Tully nods, "Yeah. I thought we were on leave. You wanted beers and girls and…" Troy eyes his driver, "That sounds like Hitch." Tully smiles tiredly and continues, "But we went into this café… and there was a belly dancer. And we were drinking beers… And then Dietrich and a bunch of his buddies came in to play bridge. And he wanted me…"
The others stare in disbelief. Hitch finally blurts out, "Belly dancers? Dietrich? Hey Doc. Are you sure Dr. Benson was right about Tully doing better? I think he's still delirious!"
Jack Moffitt smiles at his driver, "Dreams can seem very real while you're in them. But yes. I think you're on the mend, Tully. And I, for one, would like to hear more about this leave you went on.
Though the images seem to be fading fast, Tully tells the others what he can remember. They all have a good laugh and Hitch finally remarks, "Hey, I think the Army owes us all a seventy two hour leave."
Troy nods, "Agreed. How about if I have a talk with Captain Boggs tomorrow. See if I can swing one of those rest and recreation leaves for all of us. How does that sound, Tully?" Tully weakly smiles and nods with a sigh, "That sounds real good, Sarge."
But then the smile fades as he spots a familiar figure, dressed in a German uniform, near the door, fanning through a deck of cards and smiling at him… It's Dietrich!...
Tully feels a hand shaking his left shoulder and hears a familiar British voice, "Tully? Tully!"
Tully shakes his head then groans, wishing he hadn't. The others are still standing around his hospital bed, looking a bit concerned, as Hitch says, "Hey, buddy. You off in wonderland again?"
Tully points towards the door, "Dietrich!" They all spin around, not knowing what to expect, but none sees their enemy. They all turn back to their injured friend and Moffitt says, "Tully, Dietrich isn't here."
Tully looks up at Moffitt, "But…" He then blinks and looks again… as the figure by the door resolves into a medic flipping through papers on a clipboard. He frowns and looks again, "But… I could have sworn…"
Just then Dr. Benson returns, "I'm sorry, gentlemen. But visiting hours are over. You can see you friend in the morning."
Tully looks a bit apprehensive and Hitch asks, "Hey, Doc. Do you mind if I stay for a while?" Benson looks at the two then nods, "Alright. Just a few minutes more. Just until he's asleep." Hitch nods, "Thanks, Doc."
Troy and Moffitt say their goodbyes and leave. Hitch turns to his friend, "You heard the Doc. Get some sleep. I'll stand guard." Tully smiles, "I don't know if I want to sleep. Who knows who I'll run in to." Hitch thinks a moment, "Well, why don't you dream about that belly dancer or going swimming with a beautiful blonde at the beach?" Tully smiles, "I'll try my best. Thanks buddy."
Tully takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. He doesn't realize how tired he is, and is soon fast asleep.
Hitch watches his friend but soon sees his eyes moving beneath his lids. A moment later, Dr. Benson stops by, but before he can say anything, Hitch whispers, "Hey Doc. What causes that?" Benson asks, "What?" Hitch points, "His eyes to move like that. It almost seems like he's looking at something."
Benson nods and whispers back, "He might be." He motions for Hitch to take a couple steps away from the bed, then continues, "I'm not a sleep specialist, but what I have noticed is that if I wake a patient up when the eyes are moving like that, they often say they've been dreaming. But if I wake a patient up when the eyes are not moving, they are usually groggy and irritable. From what I've observed, there seems to be at least two different types of sleep."
Hitch frowns and looks over at his friend, "Two types of sleep? I guess I didn't realize that sleep could be so complicated."
Dr. Benson smiles, "It seems we're learning more and more every day about the human body and the human mind. You know, if you're interested, there is a fellow back in the States who has been studying sleep. He's written an exhaustive book on the subject, and..." But Hitch interrupts him, "Actually Doc, I… I think I'll leave the study of sleep to the experts."
Benson nods, "Good idea, Private." He puts a reassuring hand on Hitch's arm, "Don't worry about your friend. He'll be fine. And you can't do anything more for him tonight. You should return to your barracks and get some sleep yourself."
Hitch looks over at Tully, whose eyes are still dancing beneath his lids, then nods, "Alright. I just wish I knew what he was dreaming about. Take care of him, Doc." They share a nod as Hitch leaves.
…Tully has a big grin on his face. He wears bathing trunks and does a cannonball off an old wood dock into the swimming hole back home in Kentucky…
As he surfaces, the scene changes to the Mediterranean and, he is playfully splashed in the face by Hitch. The two laugh and start to swim when their attention is caught by a group of ladies in bathing suits waving from their beach blankets on the sand. The two privates wave back, swim to shore and come running over. A pretty short haired blonde reaches up for Tully who helps her to her feet…
As she stands, they are in the gymnasium of the school back in Tully's hometown in Kentucky. Everyone is dressed in their Sunday best and swaying to the big band sounds flowing out from a record player on a table in the corner. Jennie is five foot two with eyes of blue and ruby red lips. Tully, who is almost a foot taller, smiles down at her. She glances to his left and he spots his family gathered around the table with the record player, but at the other end, and next to the punch bowl. They are all trying to hide the fact that one of his younger brothers is pouring some of the family brew into the bowl…
Tully smiles and turns to his right as Hitch cruises by to the music with a brunette bombshell in his arms. Both privates are now in clean khakis. Hitch gives his buddy a nod and a big grin and Tully smiles and nods back. He then looks beyond Hitch to see Troy and Moffitt sitting at a table in the local pub of the town just liberated by the Allies in North Africa. The two Sergeants are enjoying their drinks and lift their glasses in a long-distance toast. Tully nods and looks back at his dance partner…
…She's a sultry redhead who is almost five foot nine in her two-inch heels. They share a smile and, as they dance into the night, he whispers to himself, "This sure is a different kind of leave."
Author's Notes:
Contrary to S2 E15, The Street Urchin Raid, and to the inference in this story, there were no 'neutral towns' in North Africa during the campaigns in WW2 (as far as this writer has been able to learn).
Professor Nathaniel Kleitman (1895-1999), Bachelor's, Master's and PhD., began working at the University of Chicago in 1925. He started the world's first sleep lab. He published a book, Sleep and Wakefulness, in 1939 (the bible for sleep research until 1969 when he updated his own book). Kleitman, along with his graduate student Eugene Aserwisky, discovered REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the type of sleep during which dreams occur, and published a paper on the subject in 1953. But who knows what other doctors may have noticed about their patient's sleep habits before then! Finally, watch your pets. Most animals experience REM sleep. Ex: cats and dogs make sounds and move their paws, etc.!
