"From the NBC newsroom in New York… President Roosevelt said in a statement
today that the Japanese have attacked the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii from the air.
I'll repeat that. Roosevelt says that the Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor in
Hawaii, from the air. This bulletin came to you from the NBC newsroom in New York."
Bill turned off the radio in his office where he and Wade were both sitting after coming back from lunch. "I guess this means we'll be going to war," Bill said.
"Sounds like a good reason to go to war to me. I've been wondering why we haven't tried to stop that maniac in Germany yet," Wade said.
"I've been wondering the same myself," replied Bill.
"This is going to be a big one, Bill. Another World War," Wade said.
"Yes it is," Bill said with a sigh.
"The stakes are a lot higher now. Everyone is trying to develop a nuclear bomb first, including old Adolf. We can't let that evil man use a nuclear bomb," Wade said.
"You're right. Well, I can't enlist because of my heart problem, but I can use my money to help the war effort," Bill declared.
"What do you have in mind?" Wade asked.
"I've been in contact with a friend of mine in England since the war broke in Europe a couple of years ago. His name is Richard Brant. He owns a steel manufacturing plant. He helps the war effort by manufacturing weapons and parts of military vehicles. He's been wanting the Americans to get involved this whole time. He mentioned not too long ago to me that they could use some help from the oil industry in the U.S." Bill explained.
"In what way?" Wade asked.
"Petrochemicals," Bill replied.
"Chemicals derived from oil?"
"That's right."
"For what?" Wade asked.
"He's been talking about needing help with synthetic rubber and explosives. I'm sure the U.S. will need the same."
"We're Johnny-Come-Latelies to this war. Do you have a refinery that produces the petrochemicals needed for this effort?"
"Not yet, but I've been considering acquiring a struggling refinery on the coast of Corpus Christi. I think I could turn it around quickly with my connections."
"How quickly?" Wade asked.
"A couple of months after acquisition, after I put in some of my experts," Wade replied.
"That's pretty fast," Wade said.
"Well, all of the processes at the refinery should be in place, and the owners of that refinery don't have the connections I do," Bill said with confidence. He continued, "I also know Senator Tom Connally. He could put me in touch with the federal officials I need to be in touch with to alert them to my desire to help."
"How long will it take to acquire the refinery?" Wade asked.
"I know the owner is wanting to unload it fast, so it shouldn't take very long at all."
"This sounds like a great idea," Wade replied.
"I'll take a loss on this refinery to help the war effort and charge the government at cost," Bill said.
"How can I help?" Wade asked.
"After I purchase the refinery, I'll need you to go down and inspect the operations and see what's needed. I'll do some research beforehand to find out what we need for the production of synthetic rubber and explosives. If we have to do too much retrofitting, then we'll just have to provide low cost oil to a petrochemical plant that already has the capability."
"I can do that. Just say when and I'll go," Wade said. He changed the subject. "I can't believe we're going to do this again. The losses were incredible in the first World War. I was just a baby when we got involved in that one."
"Yes. I was a small child. All war is tragic, but this one is necessary," Bill replied.
"I know. We've been attacked and there's really no other way at this point. Still, a lot of young men are going to die," Wade said.
"Yes they are. All we can hope for is for a short war. We need to act decisively and powerfully and end it as soon as we can. If we had gotten involved earlier, this might not have ever happened or at least the war would be closer to being over instead of just beginning."
Early in 1942, Bill was able, with Wade's help, to get the refinery in Corpus Christi running up to speed and had a government contract to produce the petrochemicals needed to produce synthetic rubber and explosives, but made no profit on the endeavor. Wade had begun to have a crisis of conscience, however.
"What's the matter, Wade?" Bill asked as his friend flopped down in one of his office chairs and wrung his hat in his hands.
"I don't think I'm doing enough," Wade said.
"What do you mean?"
"Sure, I've helped you with the refinery and getting that operational and productive, but I don't think I'm doing enough for the war effort, personally."
"I don't understand," Bill said.
"A lot of my friends have gone off to fight in the war, and a couple have already been killed."
"And you feel guilty because you're still here?"
"Yes," Wade replied.
"What do you plan to do?" Bill asked.
"I'm thinking of enlisting and going over there," Wade said.
"Are you sure?"
"I think so. I'm in good shape and I'm still young enough to fight," Wade said.
"Yes. But you may not come back," Bill said.
"I know. But I feel like I should be there to defend, not just the country, but my friends that are already there," Wade said.
"Your heart is certainly in the right place," Bill replied.
"Yeah," he said leaning back on his chair and straightening his hat. "I know this will derail my future plans if I come back, but I feel like it's the right thing to do."
"It sounds like you've already decided," Bill said.
"I think I have," Wade replied.
"Well, if you're worried about your future when you come back, you can always come back to work here or I can connect you with another job," Bill said.
"Thanks Bill. You're a great friend," Wade replied.
"You are too. You need to make it back, though, so I can have my fishing buddy back," he said with a smile.
Wade smiled back. "Well, that's motivation enough for me!" he exclaimed.
Shortly after Wade enlisted in the U.S. Army in the middle of 1942, Bill attended a party hosted by Gil McIntyre at his new mansion on Braeswood Boulevard. McIntyre had the eclectic, plantation-style mansion built in 1938 by Morton McGuire, but had not had a proper house-warming party yet. The party was a veritable who's who of the Houston social elite. Bill wasn't much of a social climber and preferred small groups to large crowds, so he wandered off outside into the rear garden. He walked a few feet into the garden and saw a beautiful, auburn-haired woman sipping a glass of wine sitting on a stone bench.
He cleared his throat to get her attention without scaring her. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Oh, hello. No. I'm just getting away from the hustle and bustle," she said.
"Me too," he said walking up to her with his glass in hand. "Do you go to these events a lot?"
"More than I want to," she replied. "Are you here alone?"
"Yes. Are you?" he inquired.
"No, I came here with my cousin. This is really his event to attend. I'm just tagging along," she replied.
"Oh. Do you mind if I sit next to you?"
"No," she said as she held the skirt part of her dress and scooted over to give him room.
"Thanks. I've been standing for about an hour," he said.
"I understand," she said, reaching to her right beside the bench with her right hand and presenting her high heels and lifting the edge of her dress to wiggle her toes in her hosieries.
Bill smiled at that. "I'm sure glad I don't have to wear those shoes," he said.
"It's a trade-off. You have to tie that bowtie," she said with a wink.
Bill was quite taken with this mysterious woman immediately. "What's your name?" he asked with a smile.
"Rebecca Nathan," she said as she extended her right hand, palm-down.
Bill took her hand and shook it gently and said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Bill Houston."
"Nice to meet you too," she said, moving her hair behind her left ear.
"So, your cousin must be someone of note if he's here at McIntyre's party," Bill said.
"Our family owns a chain of department stores. I'll let you guess which," she replied.
Bill was enchanted by her mix of coyness and frankness.
She continued, "Really, it's his side of the family that is more involved with the business than ours. He just didn't want to go alone to this party."
"You don't seem to mind being alone since I found you out here," he said.
"Neither do you," she said. "I'm more comfortable with a few friends or quietly reading a book somewhere."
"Me too. So, your cousin must know this about you. Why did he invite you, then?" Bill asked.
"Probably to detract from his bald spot," she joked.
"Well, you are quite distracting," Bill replied.
"Thanks," she said with her cheeks blushing. "You're charming and well-spoken. What sort of work are you involved in?"
"Oil," he replied.
"Oh, yes….You're the Houston that started out with McIntyre and struck out on his own. Houston Oil, right?"
"Yes," Bill replied.
"Bold move," she said.
"It was risky, but I'm doing alright," Bill said.
"I see that," she said, looking him up and down.
Bill stuck his fingers in his collar and stretched it a little. "Would you like to have dinner some time?" Bill asked.
"I thought you'd never ask. Yes, I would like that very much," she replied
"I've only been here a few minutes," Bill said.
"Life's short," she said with another wink.
He took her hand and kissed the top of it. "Let's plan on dinner soon, then."