Keep Your Powder Dry Page #7

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is get out of here.

I'm not going to let you.

I honestly think

you've gone a little mad.

Patriotism's all right,

darling, but really!

Drink this down.

It'll sober you up.

Make you a civilian

where you belong.

Have you 3 always

been like this?

What do you mean, have we

always been like this?

We're your best and

closest friends.

Don't tell me I was like you

until a few months ago.

I know it.

I guess that's what makes me feel

so sick just looking at you.

You, scared green for fear you

might have to go to work.

And you, 26 years old

and pickled in alcohol.

And you, fussing around with swatches

and valances and lyre-back chairs.

So what?

While the whole world is...

do any of you

ever read a paper

or see a newsreel or anything?

Oh, the idea!

There aren't many of you in

this country, thank heaven.

You don't mean anything.

Now, wait a minute.

Who you calling names?

Just because you got

on a funny hat.

We don't have to take it.

Give me... ohh!

Junior, give me that!

Oh, no, you don't!

Oh, you fool!

Junior!

That fixed her.

She slapped me!

You'd better go after her.

And get my face slapped?

I should say not.

Oh, sorry!

Hey, watch out for

the MPs, sister.

Thanks, sergeant.

Taxi!

Taxi!

Who is it?

It's Parks.

What do you want?

Leigh, let me in.

I've got to talk to you.

Leigh, I had some trouble

with those people.

I don't want to go

into it now, but...

a drink was spilled

on my uniform.

I wasn't drinking, honestly.

I haven't had a

drink all evening.

My hat... well, that clown

threw it out the window.

And look at my sleeve.

I know I have to

be back by 1:
00,

but I can't go back like this.

They'd think I'd been mixed

up in a drunken brawl.

Well... you believe

me, don't you?

I feel terrible having

to come here...

Letting you even

see me like this.

Then why did you?

Leigh...

You have a weekend pass.

My uniform wouldn't fit you.

No, I didn't mean that.

Let me stay here tonight.

Tomorrow, Ann can

bring me another hat,

and I can sew this jacket

and get it clean somehow.

Stand bed check for me.

If your bed is empty,

it's all right.

They know you're off the

post for the weekend.

Just sleep in my bed.

Please, Leigh.

It's my only chance.

If I were caught,

they'd throw me out, too.

Ok. Forget I was here.

Yes.

I figured you'd realize that I

wouldn't ask this of you of all people

unless it meant the

world and all to me.

What means the world

and all to you?

Staying in the corps.

Since when?

Since the first day, I guess.

Oh, Leigh, you

can't do all right

at something as tough as this

unless you really believe

in it and love it, can you?

Come on, Leigh. You

know you can't.

Leigh, I'm here now

practically on my knees

begging you to do this for me.

To save your neck.

To keep me in the corps.

Suppose you do get washed out.

Suppose they discharge you.

What difference would

that make to you?

They don't do anything to you;

You'd just go back to where you belong.

Why should that bother you?

Because being a WAC means

more to me than anything.

It's more to me than

my pride, even.

I can't be thrown

out over nothing...

over something that

wasn't my fault.

I can't, Leigh. I...

I've just got to stay in.

All right, Val.

Thanks, Leigh.

I guess I was wrong about you.

Val, did you have a good time?

Shh! It isn't Val. It's Leigh.

Leigh, what on earth

are you doing...

quiet. I'll explain later.

Here she comes.

Hold it a moment, please.

4, please.

Make mine 4 also.

I wish to apologize for

disturbing you last evening.

Oh, that's all right.

It was not all right.

It was discourteous, and I

try not to be discourteous,

though I can't say

the same for others.

There are certain WACs

who are not too polite.

One WAC I can name

in particular.

One alleged fair-weather,

fair-feathered friend.

Naming no names...

fourth floor.

Permit me.

No, thank you.

My dear young woman, civilian

though I be, noblesse oblige.

This so-called WAC, who

shall be nameless...

just because a woman

is in uniform

is no excuse for dirty

cracks, am I right?

Please.

Be courteous enough

to answer me.

No. You see?

And a phony WAC, too,

who only joined the

army to get that money.

So, where does she get

off calling names?

Really, I...

just a minute.

Suppose they won't take me in...

ok.

Maybe I did want to get in.

Anyhow, I may have a wet

brain, but what about her?

I haven't the slightest idea

what you're talking about,

and I don't care.

There's such a thing as free

speech even for a civilian.

"Pickled in

alcohol," she said.

Then she slapped me.

All the time she only

joined to get that money.

Do you think that's so

patriotic...

to join just to

get some money?

I would have joined

for nothing.

Well, do you?

What money are you

talking about?

Val's money.

Uh-oh. I shouldn't

mention names.

I'm no cad.

I gathered you were

talking about Val.

Shh!

"Low and mercenary

though she may be,

a woman's name is..."

Come in and have a drink.

No, thanks. I don't drink.

Come in anyhow. I like

your point of view.

Who is it?

It's Leigh. Open up.

Oh, gee, thanks, Leigh.

Never mind the thanks.

I've just come from your

friends across the hall.

Nice people, and

very illuminating.

So you had to stay in the WAC?

I risked being kicked out

so you could stay in.

It meant more to

you than anything.

"More than your pride."

Pride?

Well, you're a

contemptible snob

without duty or obligation.

You're a phony.

Go on.

I shall.

I knew you had some motive

for entering the service,

but I didn't suspect

the real reason.

I couldn't conceive

of anyone low enough

to pretend patriotism

for money.

Now, wait a minute, Leigh.

If you'll just calm

down, I can explain.

Oh, save your breath. Don't

go into your act again!

I've got the whole

picture now.

You keep waving the flag

until you get your money,

then you kiss the corps good-bye

and live in a Palm Beach villa.

Ok, Napoleon.

You've got the whole story

from start to finish.

And what are you going

to do about it?

I think I'll take a shower.

I have a sudden

crawling feeling.

Then, after you're all

nice and pure and shiny,

you'll run tell teacher, huh?

I'm afraid you

don't understand

how things are done

in the army, Parks.

I'm not interested at all

in your private affairs,

but there's a little thing

called honor involved.

If you remember, we had a lecture

on honor our first day in O.C.S.

We were told there was no room

in the service for a cheat.

No, I won't run

and tell teacher.

But I'm telling you that for

the honor of the corps,

you'll never graduate from

O.C.S. If I can prevent it.

And now what do you

intend doing about it?

This.

That vile temper of yours

will get you into a lot

of trouble someday.

Ohh...

Well, you could see

your face in that

on a clear day.

Wax, huh? But are

we allowed to?

Sure, I did mine a week ago.

Passed inspection ok.

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