Battle Cry Page #4

I think I will take that drink.

This darn hay is driving me nuts.

I know how we can get rid of it.

Let's take a dip in the pool.

I haven't got a suit.

Besides...

Here.

Those are Vernon's. Put them on.

I'll be out in a jiffy.

Listen, I gotta get back to the base.

I'll drive you back.

Don't forget my drink.

Scotch over ice.

If I don't get back on time,

I'll be peeling spuds for two years.

What is it, dear?

I said...

Never mind.

- Ready?

- All clear.

For a dollar-a-year man,

I'd say Vernon eats pretty well.

Come on.

Wait a minute, not so fast!

I'm liable to lose these.

I'll call you.

I'm in.

All right.

Three aces.

Who owns this deck of cards?

I do.

You accusing me of something dishonest?

You got three aces, I got three aces.

And I got one too.

- Catch him!

- Catch him!

- Catch him!

- Catch him!

All right, Forrester, you're relieved.

Wait a minute.

I want to talk to you.

You know, it took me four years to make PFC.

You made it in three months.

I had you figured for a bright boy.

But for the last month, you've smelled up

every radio you've operated.

Now, do you want to tell me

what's going on in San Diego?

- It's none of your business.

- It is when it affects your work.

And when you go into town on fake liberty passes.

Who do you think you're snowing?

All right. I'll do better.

You'll have to.

The major got a letter from your father.

You haven't written your family in over a month.

It might be a good idea to let them know

whether you're alive or dead.

Are you ordering me to write?

The major's arranged for you to talk to

your family long distance tonight at 8:30.

Sharp. Be there.

Now, go get some chow.

Hello?

- Hello?

- Son.

- Hello, son.

- Hello, Dad.

- Are you all right?

- Dad, I'm fine, just fine.

- Well, is anything wrong out there?

- No. No.

I'm sorry about not writing.

I'll get a letter off tonight.

We were kind of worried.

- Is Mother there?

- I sent her to a show.

I wanted to be sure everything was all right.

Son, there's someone here who wants to talk to you.

Hello, Danny.

Kathy?

Kathy, I...

Danny, I...

It's still the same way with me.

Kitten, honey...

Kitten, I love you.

I love you too, Danny.

Major Huxley, sir?

Come in, Mac.

Forrester's furlough papers

are ready for your signature, sir.

Thank you.

You don't like this, do you?

Giving this boy a furlough?

That's not for me to decide, sir.

Sit down, Mac.

You and I have been soldiering for a long time.

Long enough to know that we're in

the loneliest business in the world.

But these kids...

Mac, a lonely boy can get into trouble.

I know that a few weeks at home

can straighten him out.

- I think it will too, sir.

- Remember, these kids aren't professionals.

Their reason for being here is different than ours.

They're wartime people.

But I believe we can make them the kind

of Marines we've got to have.

It's not the furlough, sir.

Let's have it, Mac.

Sure, major.

May I speak freely?

Please do.

I've been soldiering long enough to know

a commander can't get involved...

...in the personal lives of his men.

Nobody's that strong.

You're going to end up tearing your heart out.

- Process these papers.

- Yes, sir.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I should be angry.

I waited last night too.

An hour at the gate.

It was impossible for me to get liberty.

Is anything wrong?

I said, is anything wrong?

Why didn't you come last night?

I had to study.

Besides, I...

- I was broke.

- You know that doesn't make any difference.

It does to me.

We're washed-up, aren't we?

It completes the circle.

Danny Forrester, all-American boy.

I knew you'd catch up to yourself sooner or later.

The little girl back home?

Kathy?

Yes.

- You think I'm a tramp, don't you, Danny?

- No.

Don't be nice.

Any guy in the world would be lucky

to have you for a wife.

It's just one of those things...

...that wouldn't have happened

if the world was in its right senses.

Right senses.

That's the trouble with me.

I've always been in my right senses.

I'm a clubwoman in her right senses.

Know what I was going to do when you told me this?

I was going to make a fight for you.

For a while there, nothing mattered to

My home. My husband.

The life I've trained for.

Elaine, please don't.

Tonight?

It's farewell?

Maybe I'll go out and get drunk.

Maybe some other Marine will take pity on me.

- How about a cup of coffee?

- You're up early this morning.

I came in to see you.

Didn't think you'd make it.

- Hey, where's your good-looking buddy?

- You mean Danny?

The jerk got lonesome for his gal

and went back to Baltimore.

Oh, yeah. Baltimore.

That's where the oysters come from, isn't it?

You know what oysters are good for, don't you?

Vitamins.

Too bad we haven't got any.

Try some eggs.

They're just as good.

Ruby, why don't you and me go to

Mission Beach? I'll teach you how to dive.

- More tricks?

- Yeah.

That sure was good, Mom.

I've heard terrible stories about what they fed you.

It's a wonder you gained weight.

I'll gather these dishes.

I've got to show the kids

my Marine hat...

...and tell them you rode home

in a Flying Fortress.

- Well, are you smoking now, son?

- I'm full of vices.

- It sure is great to be home, Dad.

- Well, good to have you back.

- Kathy know you're home yet?

- She wasn't expecting me till tomorrow.

My catching a plane hop

was kind of lucky.

Here. Why don't you take the car

and run over and see her.

Thanks, Dad.

- Danny, I do love you.

- Kathy...

It's all right, darling.

It's all right.

I'm sorry.

We just got carried away.

Remember the night we drove out this way

and went swimming in the moonlight?

Come on.

Let's take a walk along the beach.

- It looks wonderful!

- Kathy, come back. Stop acting like a baby.

Fine Marine you turned out to be.

- What, afraid to get your feet wet?

- Act your age, will you?

Come on in. It's wonderful.

You big sissy!

You're a coward! You're yellow!

- Hey! You got me all wet!

- Chicken!

I'll show you. You'll be sorry!

You've got to catch me first!

Kitten, it's getting late.

We'd better go now.

I don't want to go.

I don't ever want to go.

Danny, we'll be so happy.

You're beautiful.

I just love to look at you.

Am I really beautiful?

I always want to look nice for you.

Keep on dreaming, will you?

- Danny?

- What?

Do you like me as well as that girl in San Diego?

It's all right, darling.

I've known about it all the time.

I knew when you didn't write.

And I don't care.

I've got you now.

There will never be another girl anymore, Kathy.

Never anyone but you.

I love you.

I love you.

Hector, if you had any gumption, you'd go get your shotgun.

Be quiet, Martha.

I'm gonna see that the military authorities

take care of your son, Forrester!

They may have been in an accident.

It's my daughter. Remember that.

My daughter!

Here they come now, he's kissing her!

Bud, go on upstairs now.

Get ready for school.

Where have you two been?

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