Boy, ... I mean, Wow! I didn't think I'd be so thirsty (and sooooo appreciative) of all the feedback. You guys are great! And I apologize for enjoying all your writing for so many years with letting you know how feel. I promise I'll remedy that from here on out. THANKS again!
Under the Weather
Chapter 3: Prison, Not a Luxury Hotel
"Raus! Raus!" Sergeant Schultz could be heard approaching Barracks 2. Worriedly, the men stood up ready to go out for roll call.
"Mon Dieu. Colonel Hogan isn't back yet. What do we do Kinch?" LeBeau asked, concern written all over his face.
"I don't know. He should've been back by now." Kinch thought out loud. "I'll have to think of something. Come on, we better go before they come in here to get us." The prisoners spilled out of the building into the cold dawn air, complaining and lining up to be counted.
"Eins, svei, drei, vier …" Shultz counted half-heartedly as he moved down the line. Upon reaching Hogan's regular spot, he stopped confused. "Uh, where is Colonel Hogan?" He asked Kinch who stood nearby.
"He's not feeling well this morning Schultz and we didn't want to wake him."
"Yeah, Schultzie, the Gov'nor was up all night, sick as a dog." Newkirk threw in.
All men agreed, talking at once trying to convince the sergeant. And it looked as if they were going to be successful, until Kink appeared.
"Repoooooooooort!" The German colonel bellowed as he quickly walked across the compound. He, too, hated standing out in the cold, and blamed the prisoners for the need.
"Uh, all present and accounted for, Herr Kommandant!" Schultz yelled, snapping to attention, which lasted a good full two seconds, before he relaxed and let gravity take over his large frame again.
"Is that so, Schultz? Then, perhaps you can tell me WHERE IS COLONEL HOGAN?!"
Snapping back to attention, Schultz explained that the colonel was sick and still in bed. "Tsk, tsk. The poor man didn't sleep very well last night." Schultz said showing concern and pity.
"Oh, that's too bad. I know how that can be … " Klink started, then suddenly yelled, "SCHULTZ! This is a prison of war camp, not a luxury hotel. You will go in there and drag the colonel out here if need be! Now go!"
Mumbling "jawohls", Schultz began towards the barrack's door. Quickly, the prisoners jumped in front of him shouting excuses, while other guards rushed towards the commotion. Left unattended, this situation could have gotten out of hand, when suddenly the barrack's door flew open.
"No need to start a war within a war Schultz, I'm on my way." Hogan stated, as he walked out zipping up his bomber jacket and bringing the collar up against the chill.
"Nice of you to join us, Colonel Hogan. As you know, failure to make roll call can result in unpleasant disciplinary measures. I'm sure I don't have to remind you of this." Klink stated as Hogan took his spot. He approached the American prisoner, and studied his face closely – pale, sweaty and tired.
"Sorry, Kommandant. I'm just feeling a little under the weather today, and a little slow moving. My men were just trying to give me a few more minutes of sleep. Won't happen again, Sir." Hogan said somewhat quietly and uncharacteristically void of sarcasm. It was clear to Colonel Klink, that something was wrong with the American. But didn't feel like dealing with it now.
"See that it doesn't." Klink said, a little less forceful. "Dismissed."
As the men filed back into the barracks and surrounded the colonel, the questions began to fly regarding the meeting. Sitting down heavily at the center table, Hogan was not yet up to informing the men of what was going on. Unfortunately, the men persisted. Rubbing his temples, Hogan took a deep breath then yelled, "Look! I've been out all night, I just got back and I need a few minutes to sort things out." Sighing, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm gonna go get a little bit of shut-eye and once I wake up, I'll fill you all in. Okay? So back off. And that's an order."
Meekly, the men quietly said "Yes, Sir," and slowly backed away from their leader. Rubbing his head again, Hogan let out a small cough. 'Damn, it's starting to kick in now.' He thought.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw LeBeau pushing a plate of food in front of him. "Breakfast, mon colonel. Please, eat."
Looking at the food, Hogan's stomach did a sickening flip. He quickly turned away and hoped his face hadn't revealed that unpleasant "gut reaction". Unfortunately, it did. "Uh, no thanks LeBeau. I'm actually more tired than hungry." Getting up from the table he made his way towards his office and said, "Wake me if anything important comes up," before shutting his door.
"Blimey, what do you think that was all about?" Newkirk quietly asked the group.
"I don't know. But boy, the colonel sure does look sick for real, doesn't he?" Carter said out loud for everyone.
"Yeah, he did, but he could just be tired, too. I know I still am, and I wasn't out all night doing who knows what." Kinch reminded them all.
Everyone nodded and agreed to leave things as is. The colonel would fill them in when the right time came. All he needed was some rest … but unfortunately, it wasn't to be.
Two hours later, Sergeant Schultz walked in looking around. "Where is Colonel Hogan? Kommandant Klink wants to see him in his office."
"He went back to bed, Schultz. Can't it wait?" LeBeau pleaded. He really didn't want to wake the colonel if possible, his pasty face still fresh on his mind.
Schultz looked genuinely apologetic as he made his way to the colonel's door. "No, I'm sorry, Cockroach. The Kommandant was very clear he wanted to see Colonel Hogan immediately. So, please no monkey business."
Knocking, he received no answer. "Colonel Hogan?" He said softly, but again, no answer. Slowly, Schultz pushed open the door and walked into the small office, followed by four concerned looking prisoners.
Sprawled face down on the lower bunk, laid Colonel Hogan. It was obvious to all that he had simply thrown himself onto the bed and promptly passed out, as he was still fully clothed, including his jacket and his shoes. His feet were not fully on the bed and in his left hand was his hat, dangling off the side, just barely touching the ground.
Protectively, Kinch stood between Hogan and the German guard. "Look Schultz, he's exhausted. Can't you just leave him alone, maybe a few more hours at least?"
Just then, Hogan's slack hand dropped his hat to the floor, startling himself awake. Not yet aware of the crowd around him, he propped himself up onto one elbow and grimace at his sore body. With his now free left hand, he rubbed his chest and let out a small cough. Eyes still tightly closed, he rolled over onto his back he grabbed his head with both hands, groaning a little to what he thought was just himself. "Oh God," he said softly.
Finally opening his eyes, he was met by five other sets looking directly at his.
"Is there something I can do for you gentleman?" He asked confused.
"Colonel Hogan, Kommandant Klink would like to see you in his office right away, if you can, please?" Schultz said kindly.
The men once again began to protest, but stopped as they saw their leader stand up slowly from his bunk, holding onto the structure for support.
"Its okay fellas, I'm up anyway." Looking down for his hat, he absent-mindedly began rubbing his chest, letting out a few small coughs.
Quick to please, Carter grabbed his hat from the floor and handed it to the colonel smiling. "Here you go, sir."
"Thanks, Andrew." He said with a weak smile.
Worriedly, the men exchanged glances and watched him follow Shultz out the door.
