Operation Petticoat Page #2

Yes.

- All right, Hunkle.

Can I help you, sir?

No, not really. My name

is Lt. Nick Holden.

I'm Ernest Hunkle.

- Pleasure to meet you.

Would care for some coffee?

Yes, thank you.

- Follow me.

Who is that?

- It's " The Prophet ", sir.

His he always that cheerful?

That's just the way he is, sir.

Don't mind him.

Cream and sugar?

- Yes, thank you.

"Why even try?...

If you're lucky enough...

to live through today...

tomorrow... ...

... you will die."

I don't know...

From the looks of things around here

he knows what he's singing about.

Your coffee, sir.

- Thank you.

Excuse me, I must get back to my work.

- Certainly.

Thank you.

Sir.

Sir. Look at this.

- What?

Last June, when we were

here, I requisitioned toilet paper.

Every time we've been back

I sent through a follow up...

... according to the book through channels

I even submitted a sample.

So what happens?

They responded :
" Cannot identify,

requisition cancelled ".

Not that I'm complaining, sir,

but this what I've been going through.

All right, Hunkle.

Relax...

... Take a letter.

Let's see.

Are you ready?

- Yes, sir.

From Commanding Officer

" USS Sea Tiger "...

To Supply Officer, Navy Yard,

Cavite, Philippines...

Dear Commander Submarine

Forces, etc...

Subject :
Toilet paper.

One:
. .

... on 6 June, 1941...

...this vessel submitted a requisition

for 150 rolls of toilet paper...

... On 16 December, 1941...

the requisition was returned

with stamped notation...

"can not identify material required".

Two :
. .

The Commanding Officer of the

" USS Sea Tiger "...

can not help but wonder

what is being used...

at Cavite as a substitute for

this unidentifiable material...

once so well known

to this command.

Three :
. .

- Excuse me, sir.

What?

- Excuse me for interrupting.

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

- Why?

The boys up there would say you're

trying to make your point the hard way.

Putting in requisitions,

going through channels...

You've got to sneak up

a few back alleys.

You need a Supply Officer to

help you find those back alleys.

You, Mr. Holden?

- Yes, sir.

You'd ruin your manicure.

- Here.

Don't let my manicure

fool you, sir.

I grew up in a neighborhood

called " Noah's Ark ".

If you didn't travel in pairs,

you didn't travel.

Why don't you make out a shopping list

and I'll see what's left at the market?

You're not the volunteering

type. What's your angle?

Same as yours. We both want

to get the submarine...

... out of here. You so you

can fight your war...

... and me...

Well, let's say I'm an optimist.

Wherever we're headed I am sure

I can get a better deal.

Mr. Holden, I may regret this...

... but you've just been

made my Supply Officer.

Get your list from Hunkle.

- Thank you, sir.

I am going to need a couple

of men. May I pick my own?

Right.

- Thank you, sir.

Hunkle...

... I've got a list for you. We're

going shopping tonight.

Turn on the lights.

Look, gentlemen, I think

we hit pay dirt.

Do you have the list?

- Yes, sir.

Take the stuff we

need to the door.

Let's go, we don't have much

time. Come on, guys.

You grab the wire.

I forgot something, sir.

- What did you forget?

I never wrapped up my belongings

for my kinfolk...

...if we don't get back.

- Will you stop talking like that?

They're going to find us and

shoot us down like a dog.

Will you shut up?

- Alright, Hunkle.

He's got the right idea;

so be very careful.

Get it to the door.

- Don't forget what you promised ;...

When the shooting starts turn your back

so Gertie won't get splattered.

Who is Gertie?

You don't know about Gertie?

- Shut up.

Get moving with that thing.

Hunkle, who is Gertie?

Molumphry will be

happy with this wiring.

Hunkle, I asked you a question.

Who is Gertie?

The truth is that she's nobody.

- Hunkle.

Well, sir, when my enlistment

was up last year, the boys...

... gave me a farewell party.

I do not usually drink, sir,

but that night I must have.

The last thing I remember...

... is standing in front of

a tattoo parlor...

May I?

They ought to hang you in the Louvre.

- I came home to marry...

... but when I saw myself

in the mirror, I reenlisted.

I never could explain

Gertie to my fiance.

No. I can see you've

got a problem.

But look on the bright side ;...

You've probably got the

sexiest chest in the Navy.

Sir.

- Yes.

I am not one to worry when

there's no need but...

... after we get this stuff to the door,

how do we get it to the boat?

Don't worry about that, just keep

your stuff... The police!

- Check the warehouses.

Halt!

What's your business here?

I stepped out for a breath of air.

- Let's see your identification.

Certainly. Here you are.

Lieutenant.

Why black face, sir?

Don't you know the penalty for

breaking blackout regulations?

Blackout regulations?

- You read the order from Admiral Nimitz?

No. What order?

- Regulation 4-1-9-8-2 :. .

"... no navy personnel shall appear

at night without face camouflage. "

A plane comes over, you look up,

give away our position.

Sergeant, a face like that could

cause a lot of damage...

... I'll have to put you on report.

Honestly, sir, no

one told me about it.

Alright, you've been told.

Black out that face, Sgt.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

Admiral Nimitz?

- Yes, sir.

Hey that was close.

- It's a trap...

we used to take possums like that...

you fool them so they feel

safe and then, bang!

We are three possums waiting...

- Come on, Prophet. Just...

We've only got a couple of

minutes. Get the stuff.

Hey Chief!

- Yes, Dooley?

Your shaft's here.

Thanks, Dooley.

Look, Molumphry, brand

new oil pump shaft.

Congratulations, look's like you, Tostin.

What is that?

- Your refrigerator unit.

That?

- We were lucky to get it.

Man, it was cold in

that ice house.

Look, sir, new oil pump shaft.

- Fine, fine.

Where is Mr. Holden?

- Keeping an eye on the truck.

Mr. Holden!

A decent night for shopping, sir.

- Yes

Could be something saved.

I know where you got the Navy

supplies but what about the truck?

I can't take credit for the

truck, sir. Ramon got it.

Ramon??

-Ramon!

Smile, sir. He's very sensitive.

What?

- Captain Sherman, Sergeant Gillardo.

I'm happy to be a member

of your crew, sir.

What do you mean,

member of my crew??

Well, sir...

I promised the sergeant that if he

helped us out, you'll take him on.

But he's a marine.

Well, he's open to a better offer.

You'd better get back to work.

I'll handle this.

That man is a prisoner.

Well, it was. You see, the prison

stockade was bombed...

...you have no idea how

hard it was to find him.

You mean you actually

went looking for him?

Of course. He's the greatest

operator around here...

... shortly after he became

General Warren's chef...

...he went into business for himself.

- I'll bet.

He was sole owner of

best restaurant in Manila.

And what about the

" P " on his back?

The " P "?

- Yes

Oh, that...

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