Colonel Burns made a comment to Major Healey about an attractive civil servant they passed in the hall. Roger saw it as an excuse to talk about his favorite subject, women.
Roger reminisced, "Shortly after I graduated West Point, I actually had a date with the head nurse at the academy. Here I was a butter bar LT celebrating earning my commission, and she was celebrating her promotion Lt. Colonel and we both had a bit too much to drink. She actually made me salute her and call her ma'am. She was a divorcee about 10 years or so older than me and taught me a lot. As a matter of fact, I think she also did time in Korea. Last I heard, she was still in the Army, a full colonel by now."
Colonel Burns stretched his lips so thin they could barely be seen, "What her name?"
"Margret Houlihan…." Roger trailed off, not noticing all the color draining from Frank Burn's face.
Burns tightly said, "I think Major Nelson is waiting for us."
It was 1330, and Tony Nelson was impatiently waiting in the briefing room for Roger and Colonel Burns. Finally Roger and Dr. Burns came in. Roger looked fine, but Burns looked like he was going to be sick. Tony mistakenly thought it was nerves about flying, and carefully briefed the senior army officer on what to do during the demonstration flight, and the safety features of the aircraft. Major Nelson has done this before countless times for many dignitaries. The flight went well, but Colonel Burns seemed cool and detached.
Later Tony asked Roger what went wrong.
"I don't know Tony," Roger explained, "we started talking about women, then he just got all quiet, and barely said two words to me."
Tony said, "I think his wife left him while he was in Korea, and he never remarried."
Roger said, "Wow, that's rough. No wonder he got all quiet."
Tony then thought about Jeannie, and got her some flowers. When he got home he apologized a great deal, did a little groveling, and finally Jeannie forgave him.
The next morning Tony and Roger stopped by the Bellow's house to help Amanda pack for the movers, who would be showing up the next day. Amanda already had several junior officers and their wives assisting. A colonel's wife should also be a rank, Tony thought.
Amanda was telling anyone who was listening, "Alfred is very excited about his new job, but won't give me any details. I think he's gotten a little too comfortable in the BOQ he's been staying in the past couple of weeks. I just got the photos of the house we will be moving to."
Tony smiled while looking at the photographs. He was glad Dr. Bellows got a good assignment. He had his differences with the psychiatrist, but didn't want to ruin his career.
Later that night Roger was having dinner with Tony and Jeannie, as usual. They were talking about their new psychiatrist.
Tony said, "I bet whatever happened to him happened in Korea."
Roger agreed, "Yeah, that seems to be the key."
Jeannie hearing this had an idea. Jeannie blinked.
Next thing Tony Nelson knew was flying a Hiller helicopter over what looked like a Korea-era MASH unit. He was wearing the uniform of an army major. At least Jeannie let him keep his rank. There were wounded men on the skids, and he was a little rusty flying the chopper, being used to jets, but at least he was keeping it in the air.
He heard a familiar voice over the radio, "Tony, is that you on my six?"
Tony replied, "Roger, Roger, good to hear your voice." Tony was relieved, Major Roger Healey being an army pilot had hundreds of chopper hours.
"Just follow me in, buddy," Roger instructed as they flew to the landing pad. Tony spotted a sign that read 'MASH 4077, best care anywhere.'
When they landed, medical crews came running to the litters on the choppers. A lieutenant colonel came up to Tony and said, "This looks like it, you guys can hit the showers and the O-Club if you're not flying anymore today."
"Thank you sir," Major Nelson replied. Tony found a bag with toiletries and a change of clothing in the chopper. He and Roger took a shower, and headed to the Officers Club.
Tony noticed that both he and Roger had uniforms with their actual rank and name. Tony's of course said "Army" instead of "Air Force." Tony wasn't too surprised to see Jeannie at the O club. She was dressed as a Korean woman, and no doubt he and Roger were the only ones who saw her as anything but a young Korean waitress. Because of the military aspect, Major Nelson didn't feel totally out of his element, so he decided to play along.
"What can I get you flyboys?" Jeannie asked Nelson and Healey.
Roger ordered, "A couple of beers sound good, where are we?" Healy was also used to unexpectedly showing up in strange places.
Tony answered, "Let me see if I can guess. Korea, in Frank Burns' unit."
Jeannie smiled saying, "My master is so smart. Now you can find out what you need to."
Tony said, "I guess so, at least you didn't make us surgeons… then we'd all be in trouble." Both men laughed, Jeannie looked confused. Her master could do anything, but they seemed happier if they could fly in their machines.