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But you're a girl - chapter eight The problem with Dad
There are several things that could make Korea even less bearable; the worst of all was snow. However, this all the weather seemed to do for weeks. A problem with M.A.S.H units is that they where not designed to keep the wet weather out.
Snow is a difficult element to predict behaviour for, first a solid then a liquid. The real problem was a mixture between the two was achieved more commonly known as slush. Snow coupled with boredom was an inescapable element that was experienced by all at the 4077th. Hawkeye had enough boredom to supply the whole US army for a year so he resorted to his back- up activity, writing to his father. Hawk felt guilty about this, it had been so long since he had last written to dad.
The pad of paper that Hawkeye held in his hand remained as he struggled to find a happy enough memory that was suitable to send home, finally settling on whole fiasco that had plagued the past two weeks. The cool steel of the pen dug into his fingers as Hawkeye set to work on describing the ordeal that had befallen the 4077th.
Dear Dad, I know it's been a long time since I last wrote but things have been on the verge of unbelievable. The weather has taken a definite turn for the worse as the snow blows in from the north and has knocked out three of our four generators. If the situation doesn't improve soon, I can safely say that the cold may kill us if boredom doesn't get in first. Although the weather is making a large dent in the already low moral, Trapper and I try to remain upbeat by making up obscene prescriptions and throwing them into the nurse's tent.
A new addition to the camp since my last letter is one Captain Christmas Hallwell. She's a swell gal who was born at the Foreman Street hospital in Maine but then immigrated to England a few weeks afterwards with her parents; her mother a British Army Major who was also a nurse, her father is a US Officer, General Hallwell. You'd like her dad, so kind, sweet and caring and did I mention she is a surgeon? Her surgical skills sometimes leave me in her dust - she completed open-heart surgery in less than four hours.
The inappropriate behaviour that has occurred over the past few weeks has been on the part of Major Frank Burns, horse doctor extraordinaire. Frank's behaviour and treatment of Dr Hallwell has not only unbecoming of another doctor but also as another human being. He subjected her to all night guard duty, extra shifts and sleep deprivation all because she handed him the instrument he asked for in surgery. This incident prompted an investigation by our CO Henry Blake, a man not known for his diligence but his compassion is unrivalled by anyone I have ever met before. As a result of the investigation, Frank has been placed under house arrest awaiting court marshal. Christmas is recovering well from the torment and all out exhaustion that Frank Burns insisted on wielding over her.
I am feeling pretty much back to top form after that little bout of nastiness otherwise known as the blood poisoning incident. Although it seems to have lowered my alcohol tolerance somewhat, the still is working overtime to get me back drinking with the best. Even though my progress was slow at first, it made me feel frustrated that I couldn't operate and help to share the workload. Everyone was stretched to breaking point and I really did feel sorry for Trapper and Christmas, they already had more then enough to do without my share of casualties as well.
I hope all goes well at home and the practise and that I see you again soon.
May this letter find you as it leaves me, safe and well. Hawkeye.
Hawk folded up his letter and placed it into an envelope with a deep sigh, god he missed his father. It these he missed him then ever, the days when the cold felt like it would chill your bone marrow. He could remember lying on the hearthrug as a young boy, letting the heat from the roaring fire wash over him. A gust of blindingly icy winter wind blew through the swamp as Hawkeye placed the letter to his father lovingly under his pillow.
Hawk gazed around the tent; he was alone apart from the cockroaches. Armed MP's had taken Major Burns to Seoul a few hours ago while he awaited court marshal for inflicting cruelty to a fellow officer. Trapper, Henry, Hawkeye and Christmas would be giving evidence at his trial. The knock at the door roused Hawkeye from his reminiscence while the gust of wind caused him to turn and face his visitor. It was Christmas. She froze in front of the closed door smiling back at Hawkeye, her bright green eyes sparkling brightly.
'Hey' she spoke in a delicate tone that made the hairs on the back of Hawkeye's neck stand on end. 'I thought you could use some company'.
'Thanks, I could' Hawk replied, he felt touched that she concerned herself with his well being. 'How are you feeling, I thought you were facing a ruling to stay in bed'
'Ah rules, rules, rules' Christmas smiled 'Rules are made to be broken'
Hawkeye could feel himself becoming more attracted to Christmas with every word she spoke. The dreams of Christmas from when he was ill suddenly came flooding back making him turn his head away quickly. Christmas didn't notice this as she sat down in Hawk's favourite chair and removed her snow- covered overcoat.
'Drink?' Hawk asked as he stood to make to make a path for the still.
'I don't think I should be drinking raw sprits so early in the morning' she replied as Hawkeye handed her a glass.
'To our kidneys sir' Hawkeye announced as a toast, 'they were fun while they lasted'.
Together they clinked their glasses to the toast, knowing that it was true. As Hawk sipped his martini, his thoughts turned back to the dreams he had experienced. Hawkeye had never told anyone about these dreams; not even Trapper. The distracted look of concentration on Hawkeye's face caught her attention.
'You wanna talk about it?' Christmas enquired in a soft tone seeing Hawk's face.
He smiled at her but his mind still casting around for something matter of fact to say; his mind drew a blank. He had to tell her sooner of later; it was melting his insides to keep it to himself.
'Its nothing really, just Frank's court marshal' Hawkeye lied quickly trying not to put his real feelings on display.
'Oh' Christmas was now quiet and thoughtful; she had somehow managed to forget the impending trial where her appalling treatment would be put under intense scrutiny. 'Do you know when the trial starts?'
'Not for a few days' Hawk reassured her 'then the MP's will take statements from us all for the Judge Advocate' He smiled again 'but until then, we have three Frank-free blissful days'.
They both sipped their drinks in silence, their minds racing at the prospect of giving evidence against Major Burns. An announcement over the PA system shattered the silence between them.
'ATTENTION, ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL! Due to the recent weather conditions and the recent lack of casualties, tonight's film will now be shown in the mess tent at 1000hrs'
'Do you know what is playing?' Hawk asked, he wasn't really interested but gave him a topic of conversation.
'A Bonzo film I think, I'm not sure which one it is' Christmas supplied.
'I think I'll wait for the book to come out' Hawk quipped half-heartedly.
Another gust of icy wind filled the Swamp as the figure of Trapper emerged through the door. He, like Christmas, was covered in snow even though he had run from post-op. He stood coughing in the doorway as he fought to regain control of his breathing.
'You alright Trap?' Hawk enquired looking worryingly at his bunkie.
'Fine' Trapper wheezed 'this weather always sits badly on my chest'.
Trapper sat himself down on his cot as he proceeded to brush the thin layer of snow and frost from his uniform. He looked tired; the night shift had obviously been a long one.
'A winter warmer?' jested Hawkeye as he handed Trapper a glass of raw sprits.
'Why thank you Ms Hawkeye' Trap exclaimed in a faux southern accent.
Christmas loved it when they were all together; it gave her sense of security and closeness. She enjoyed the way that friendly banter followed from person to person and the way they could both tell when she needed someone to be with.
'Another drink Captain Hallwell' announced Hawkeye as he saluted a grinning Christmas.
'No thanks Hawk, I have shift in half an hour' she redeemed 'anyway I have a rule, no more then one glass of pure alcohol before 8am'.
At this remark, Trapper let forward a tent shaking laugh that swept Hawkeye up in its waves. It was definite; Christmas really loved these two misfits but the company clerk Radar O'Reily interrupted he rip tide of laughter.
'Mail call sirs' Radar trilled but his voice of mumbled by the think woollen scarf that was bound around his neck.
'Ah' Trapper barked in a faux British accent that made Christmas grimace 'The post has arrived!'
'Um yeah' muttered Radar 'package for you Trap' he stated as the clerk held out a brown paper package.
'Cheers!' boomed Trapper as he simultaneously took the package and toasted Radar at the same time.
'Letter for you Captain' he held out a thick white envelope to Christmas timidly.
'Thank you Radar' she gestured with a smile.
'And what did Santa bring me?' asked Hawkeye, the look of an expectant child plastered across his face.
'Letters Hawk, three of them'
'Thanks Radar' Hawk smiled as he took the letters 'Take two Norman Rockwell's out of petty cash'
Radar turned to leave when Hawkeye called him back. He reached under his pillow and pulled out his father's letter.
'You can get this into out-going mail right?' Hawk enquired as he pressed the letter into the clerk's small hand. Radar smiled, took the letter and proceeded to pull open the door with great difficulty.
'Ah Radar' Trapper sighed at the corporal's retreating back 'He's been in my family for years; I found him on my doorstep one morning. Never regretted taking him out of the milk bottle'.
Hawk looked up from his letter to ask Christmas if she knew about a friend of his back in Maine but he paused at the look of blank terror that adorned her face. She was white and trembling, the paper transfixed by her gaze.
'Christmas?' Hawk asked softly as he stood behind her.
Christmas looked up from the letter and turned to look Hawk in the eye. Her eyes were glassy with the promise of far-off tears.
'Uh' she stuttered, her voice trembling as if she had been momentarily winded. 'My dad died'
But you're a girl - chapter eight The problem with Dad
There are several things that could make Korea even less bearable; the worst of all was snow. However, this all the weather seemed to do for weeks. A problem with M.A.S.H units is that they where not designed to keep the wet weather out.
Snow is a difficult element to predict behaviour for, first a solid then a liquid. The real problem was a mixture between the two was achieved more commonly known as slush. Snow coupled with boredom was an inescapable element that was experienced by all at the 4077th. Hawkeye had enough boredom to supply the whole US army for a year so he resorted to his back- up activity, writing to his father. Hawk felt guilty about this, it had been so long since he had last written to dad.
The pad of paper that Hawkeye held in his hand remained as he struggled to find a happy enough memory that was suitable to send home, finally settling on whole fiasco that had plagued the past two weeks. The cool steel of the pen dug into his fingers as Hawkeye set to work on describing the ordeal that had befallen the 4077th.
Dear Dad, I know it's been a long time since I last wrote but things have been on the verge of unbelievable. The weather has taken a definite turn for the worse as the snow blows in from the north and has knocked out three of our four generators. If the situation doesn't improve soon, I can safely say that the cold may kill us if boredom doesn't get in first. Although the weather is making a large dent in the already low moral, Trapper and I try to remain upbeat by making up obscene prescriptions and throwing them into the nurse's tent.
A new addition to the camp since my last letter is one Captain Christmas Hallwell. She's a swell gal who was born at the Foreman Street hospital in Maine but then immigrated to England a few weeks afterwards with her parents; her mother a British Army Major who was also a nurse, her father is a US Officer, General Hallwell. You'd like her dad, so kind, sweet and caring and did I mention she is a surgeon? Her surgical skills sometimes leave me in her dust - she completed open-heart surgery in less than four hours.
The inappropriate behaviour that has occurred over the past few weeks has been on the part of Major Frank Burns, horse doctor extraordinaire. Frank's behaviour and treatment of Dr Hallwell has not only unbecoming of another doctor but also as another human being. He subjected her to all night guard duty, extra shifts and sleep deprivation all because she handed him the instrument he asked for in surgery. This incident prompted an investigation by our CO Henry Blake, a man not known for his diligence but his compassion is unrivalled by anyone I have ever met before. As a result of the investigation, Frank has been placed under house arrest awaiting court marshal. Christmas is recovering well from the torment and all out exhaustion that Frank Burns insisted on wielding over her.
I am feeling pretty much back to top form after that little bout of nastiness otherwise known as the blood poisoning incident. Although it seems to have lowered my alcohol tolerance somewhat, the still is working overtime to get me back drinking with the best. Even though my progress was slow at first, it made me feel frustrated that I couldn't operate and help to share the workload. Everyone was stretched to breaking point and I really did feel sorry for Trapper and Christmas, they already had more then enough to do without my share of casualties as well.
I hope all goes well at home and the practise and that I see you again soon.
May this letter find you as it leaves me, safe and well. Hawkeye.
Hawk folded up his letter and placed it into an envelope with a deep sigh, god he missed his father. It these he missed him then ever, the days when the cold felt like it would chill your bone marrow. He could remember lying on the hearthrug as a young boy, letting the heat from the roaring fire wash over him. A gust of blindingly icy winter wind blew through the swamp as Hawkeye placed the letter to his father lovingly under his pillow.
Hawk gazed around the tent; he was alone apart from the cockroaches. Armed MP's had taken Major Burns to Seoul a few hours ago while he awaited court marshal for inflicting cruelty to a fellow officer. Trapper, Henry, Hawkeye and Christmas would be giving evidence at his trial. The knock at the door roused Hawkeye from his reminiscence while the gust of wind caused him to turn and face his visitor. It was Christmas. She froze in front of the closed door smiling back at Hawkeye, her bright green eyes sparkling brightly.
'Hey' she spoke in a delicate tone that made the hairs on the back of Hawkeye's neck stand on end. 'I thought you could use some company'.
'Thanks, I could' Hawk replied, he felt touched that she concerned herself with his well being. 'How are you feeling, I thought you were facing a ruling to stay in bed'
'Ah rules, rules, rules' Christmas smiled 'Rules are made to be broken'
Hawkeye could feel himself becoming more attracted to Christmas with every word she spoke. The dreams of Christmas from when he was ill suddenly came flooding back making him turn his head away quickly. Christmas didn't notice this as she sat down in Hawk's favourite chair and removed her snow- covered overcoat.
'Drink?' Hawk asked as he stood to make to make a path for the still.
'I don't think I should be drinking raw sprits so early in the morning' she replied as Hawkeye handed her a glass.
'To our kidneys sir' Hawkeye announced as a toast, 'they were fun while they lasted'.
Together they clinked their glasses to the toast, knowing that it was true. As Hawk sipped his martini, his thoughts turned back to the dreams he had experienced. Hawkeye had never told anyone about these dreams; not even Trapper. The distracted look of concentration on Hawkeye's face caught her attention.
'You wanna talk about it?' Christmas enquired in a soft tone seeing Hawk's face.
He smiled at her but his mind still casting around for something matter of fact to say; his mind drew a blank. He had to tell her sooner of later; it was melting his insides to keep it to himself.
'Its nothing really, just Frank's court marshal' Hawkeye lied quickly trying not to put his real feelings on display.
'Oh' Christmas was now quiet and thoughtful; she had somehow managed to forget the impending trial where her appalling treatment would be put under intense scrutiny. 'Do you know when the trial starts?'
'Not for a few days' Hawk reassured her 'then the MP's will take statements from us all for the Judge Advocate' He smiled again 'but until then, we have three Frank-free blissful days'.
They both sipped their drinks in silence, their minds racing at the prospect of giving evidence against Major Burns. An announcement over the PA system shattered the silence between them.
'ATTENTION, ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL! Due to the recent weather conditions and the recent lack of casualties, tonight's film will now be shown in the mess tent at 1000hrs'
'Do you know what is playing?' Hawk asked, he wasn't really interested but gave him a topic of conversation.
'A Bonzo film I think, I'm not sure which one it is' Christmas supplied.
'I think I'll wait for the book to come out' Hawk quipped half-heartedly.
Another gust of icy wind filled the Swamp as the figure of Trapper emerged through the door. He, like Christmas, was covered in snow even though he had run from post-op. He stood coughing in the doorway as he fought to regain control of his breathing.
'You alright Trap?' Hawk enquired looking worryingly at his bunkie.
'Fine' Trapper wheezed 'this weather always sits badly on my chest'.
Trapper sat himself down on his cot as he proceeded to brush the thin layer of snow and frost from his uniform. He looked tired; the night shift had obviously been a long one.
'A winter warmer?' jested Hawkeye as he handed Trapper a glass of raw sprits.
'Why thank you Ms Hawkeye' Trap exclaimed in a faux southern accent.
Christmas loved it when they were all together; it gave her sense of security and closeness. She enjoyed the way that friendly banter followed from person to person and the way they could both tell when she needed someone to be with.
'Another drink Captain Hallwell' announced Hawkeye as he saluted a grinning Christmas.
'No thanks Hawk, I have shift in half an hour' she redeemed 'anyway I have a rule, no more then one glass of pure alcohol before 8am'.
At this remark, Trapper let forward a tent shaking laugh that swept Hawkeye up in its waves. It was definite; Christmas really loved these two misfits but the company clerk Radar O'Reily interrupted he rip tide of laughter.
'Mail call sirs' Radar trilled but his voice of mumbled by the think woollen scarf that was bound around his neck.
'Ah' Trapper barked in a faux British accent that made Christmas grimace 'The post has arrived!'
'Um yeah' muttered Radar 'package for you Trap' he stated as the clerk held out a brown paper package.
'Cheers!' boomed Trapper as he simultaneously took the package and toasted Radar at the same time.
'Letter for you Captain' he held out a thick white envelope to Christmas timidly.
'Thank you Radar' she gestured with a smile.
'And what did Santa bring me?' asked Hawkeye, the look of an expectant child plastered across his face.
'Letters Hawk, three of them'
'Thanks Radar' Hawk smiled as he took the letters 'Take two Norman Rockwell's out of petty cash'
Radar turned to leave when Hawkeye called him back. He reached under his pillow and pulled out his father's letter.
'You can get this into out-going mail right?' Hawk enquired as he pressed the letter into the clerk's small hand. Radar smiled, took the letter and proceeded to pull open the door with great difficulty.
'Ah Radar' Trapper sighed at the corporal's retreating back 'He's been in my family for years; I found him on my doorstep one morning. Never regretted taking him out of the milk bottle'.
Hawk looked up from his letter to ask Christmas if she knew about a friend of his back in Maine but he paused at the look of blank terror that adorned her face. She was white and trembling, the paper transfixed by her gaze.
'Christmas?' Hawk asked softly as he stood behind her.
Christmas looked up from the letter and turned to look Hawk in the eye. Her eyes were glassy with the promise of far-off tears.
'Uh' she stuttered, her voice trembling as if she had been momentarily winded. 'My dad died'