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Cap Mandrake -> Paris, plaster of (10/20/2007 6:13:38 PM)
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***************SEAC HQ, Ledo, October 5, 1942**************
Gen Pownall: Can you tell me, Col., what progress have 7th Armoured made toward the rail junction?
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: They report very diffciult going, especially for the Stuarts and lorries, sir. They estimate 25 miles to the rail junction.
Gen Pownall: 25, you say? Why, weren't they only 27 miles 2 days ago?
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: Yes sir. They are encountering many natural obstacles.
Gen Pownall: Blast!.... Still, I am pleased with their effort. The enemy have made no attack at Myitkyina and we have certainly succeeded in pinning the Jap reinforcements at the rail junction...a full division and an armoured brigade. How go the air drops? Are we meeting their needs?
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: Yes, sir, in general I think we are but there was an emergency request from the chief medical officer of 7th Armoured just his morn. It seems they are desperately short of plaster of Paris.
Gen Pownall: Plaster of Paris? Oh dear God! It must be Hell.
May God protect them.
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: Yes sir, may He.
Gen Pownall: May he what, Col.?
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: Oh, no sir. It wasn't a question sir. I simply meant "may He", sir.
Gen Pownall: Look, Col., I am busy man. Let's not talk in code, shall we? Are you asking my permission that he may do something?
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: Oh, no sir. I shouldn't think it necessary, sir. I was simply agreeing with your sentiment, sir.
Gen Pownall: And what sentiment was that, Col.?
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: Well, sir. <beads of sweat break out on his stiff upper lip> That He may..or..might, perhaps.
Gen Pownall: Who is "he", Col.? <now clearly irritated>
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: Why, God, sir.
Gen Pownall: Look, Col., I shan't have my officer's invoking God's name falsely. Is that clear? I shan't warn you again....Now, I want you compose yourself and answer this simple question. Who is the "he" of which you speak?
Generic British HQ Staff Officer, hair neatly trimmed and well oiled, uniform meticulously pressed by one of 3 Indian servants in his employ: <now consumed with pallor, wet stains under his arms, a schoolboy trauma which had been supressed for 20 years is recalled> Gu---Gu--Gu--GuGu--Gu-Gu--Gu.........
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