Chapter 3
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It had been a couple of weeks since Pratt questioned Hawkeye. They had no reason to suspect that he had tried to manipulate that young soldier into leaving Hawkeye this money, and if Hawkeye was never given this money he was okay with that. Today he was doing his rounds in post-op. Frank Burns was talking to a patient, claiming credit for saving this man's life. Hawkeye was pretty sure it was BJ who operated on this man, which explained why he was still alive. He listened in on their conversation, Frank was not only taking undue credit, he seemed to be talking about this young soldier's life insurance. This made Hawkeye very angry, it took all of his strength not to punch Burns out. He said, in a very loud voice, for Burns to meet him outside.
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Hawkeye: What the hell was that about?
Burns: You think you're the only one who gets to profit from this war. I wish nothing to happen to that soldier. But, if it should, someone's going to collect.
Hawkeye: And you think that should be you? Why not the young man's parents?
Burns: He's an orphan, I asked.
Hawkeye: Well I guess that explains you being nice to him, or taking credit for BJ's work.
Burns: Not to mention, given his dark skin, he's much more likely to be given a dangerous assignment.
Hawkeye: You slimy piece of worm ridden filth!
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This argument was loud enough to attract the attention of colonel Potter and father Mulcahy. Potter ordered Hawkeye to go with the chaplain while he personally chewed out Burns for his clear lack of compassion. Father Mulcahy tried to calm down Hawkeye after this encounter.
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Hawkeye: Can you believe that guy, he's hoping to profit from another man's death. He's hoping that this kid will die!
Mulcahy: It's going to be okay Hawkeye. But I can tell this has more to do with your situation.
Hawkeye: Private Harris, I don't remember him. I looked at the files, they say he had a chest wound, that I saved him. But I still don't remember him.
Mulcahy: You've had a lot of patients since you got here, you can't be expected to remember them all.
Hawkeye: I meant something to him, apparently. Why would he leave me money?
Mulcahy: I've seen soldiers like him before, young, abandoned by the world, they think that nobody cares about them. Then along comes this doctor, a total stranger who saves his life. He didn't have anyone else, but I guess he felt a connection to you. But you feel guilty profiting from someone else's death?
Hawkeye: Yes, it doesn't feel right, and I definitely don't want to be anything like Frank Burns.
Mulcahy: Let me ask you something. If he had been brought before you as a patient again, if somehow you knew you'd be getting money if he died, would you have tried less to save his life?
Hawkeye: No, I would have done everything I could, I just don't know if it would have been enough.
Mulcahy: I believe you, and certainly God knows the truth. That certainly puts you ahead of Burns. But if the money is causing you this much pain, then I would suggest giving it to charity, perhaps the local orphanage.
Hawkeye: I don;t know if they'll ever give it to me. I'd be fine with never getting it.
Mulcahy: I've met others who are troubled by ill-gotten gain. Most feel better if they get rid of it.
Hawkeye: Okay, if I get it, I'll give the money to the orphans.
Mulcahy: In the meantime don;t trouble yourself. Just take comfort in the fact that you gave that young man some comfort, probably more than he'd ever known before.