Thoughts
A long, gruelling shift in the OR had just ended. The medical staff trudged into the Mess Tent, lined up to be doled out a tray of barely identifiable mush and sat silently around a table. They were all too tired to talk, lost in their own thoughts...
Klinger
...boy am I beat. I don’t know if I’ve got the strength to even lift this fork to my mouth. I hate this. Wish I could go home.
Does Captain Pierce know that Major Houlihan keeps looking at him like that? Who woulda thought? I guess the Major’s changed a lot since she got here. I guess we all have. But those two seem pretty friendly lately.
Gee, I wonder what this stuff is? I’m pretty sure meatloaf isn’t meant to be this runny.
There she goes again, glancing at him like that. Does she know she’s doing it? It’d be nice to see something happen between those two, she’s not so bad really. It must be hard for a Major to make friends, especially when she’s the only woman officer.
Hey, there’s Kelso. Doesn’t he owe me twenty bucks...
Radar
...I wonder if Captain Pierce is gonna eat all of that? He’s just playing with it. Seems like he’s too busy staring at Major Houlihan. Wow - I wonder if there’s anything going on with those two? I’m sure I’d know about it if there was. Wouldn’t that be swell though? Hey, she’s staring back. I wonder if she wants that pie...
Charles
...how they have the gall to call this horrendous slop food, I really have no idea. Seventeen hours in OR, all I desire is something civilised to eat, instead I’m presented with this abomination. I don’t know why I bother, I might just as well have gone straight to bed.
I wonder what on earth is the matter with Margaret? She’s becoming very red all of a sudden. Oh, I see. Must be those lingering looks Pierce is giving her. Well I would expect as much from him, the lecherous cretin. He lives to satisfy his lust. But I see his taste must be improving, if he’s considering Margaret as a potential amour. Come to think of it, those two have become rather better acquainted lately.
She couldn’t possibly reciprocate, could she? A fine woman like her? But, from the way she is blushing, I would have to conclude that she feels something for that oaf. Well, I never.
I don’t think I can eat this. I feel as if I should be operating on it...
BJ
...nice try, Hawk. Looks like she’s crept right back into her shell now - I’ve never seen anybody find their plate so fascinating before. Guess she doesn’t want anyone to notice how red she is. Well, too late, Margaret, I already did.
I wish Hawk would just come out with it and tell her how he feels, he might be surprised at her response. What’s stopping him? She’s divorced, he’s single. He’s never had a problem asking a nurse out before, pretty much any one of the girls could attest to that.
Maybe he was never in love with any of the other nurses? God, did I really think that? Hawkeye, in love? Is it possible? I never saw him as the commitment type, good friend though he is. Maybe he just never found the right person.
I think he and Margaret might be good for each other. Huh, maybe someday they’ll get married, have kids. Hawkeye and Margaret, domesticated!
God I miss Peg. I wonder what she’s doing right now...
Father Mulcahy
...I hope that private pulls through, he seemed such a nice young man. Captain Pierce seemed to think he might make it.
What did Captain Pierce just say? Oh, he was asking Major Houlihan to pass the salt. Well, I’m closer, I wonder why he didn’t ask me?
Oh. I see. So romantic, hands touching over the salt cellar. I wonder if those two might be seeing each other? It would be nice to see some happiness around here, instead of the usual pain and despair. When will this war ever end?
I wonder what verse I should use for the service on Sunday...
Colonel Potter
...I’m getting too old for this, I really am. That must’ve been the longest seventeen hours of my life. Until the next casualties get here. I don’t know where these kids get their energy from.
Speaking of kids, looks like something’s up on the other end of the table. Margaret looks pretty red, hope she’s not choking or anything. Oh, Pierce is smiling at her, she must be ok. More than ok, in fact, by the smile she’s giving him back. She does have a lovely smile, that girl, when she chooses to show it.
Ah, those two. I remember not so long ago they were at each other’s throats constantly, always bickering about some thing or other. I guess Pierce has grown up a lot since he’s been here. And Margaret has mellowed, got a bit less ‘Regular Army’ as Pierce might put it.
I guess we’ve all changed...
Hawkeye
...I wonder if she knows how stunning she looks? God, she’s beautiful, I could frame her and look at her all day.
She’s smiling! Oh, she’s smiling, what do I do?
Smile back, of course, duh. What’s wrong with me? I know how to handle women, I’m known for it. That and my excellent sense of humour.
Should I offer to walk her to her tent? Will she be offended? What if she says yes? Will she invite me in? What will I do then?
I’ll do it. I’ll never know, otherwise. It’s only a walk to her tent. It’s not like a date or anything. I’m just being silly now.
I’m going to ask her. I’m going to ask her right now...
Margaret
...he has such nice eyes. I wonder if he knows? I wish I knew what to do about this. I know I feel something for him, but does he feel anything for me? I’ve seen how he is with the other nurses, he’s dated every single one and never been serious. Maybe he just wants to complete the set?
All the same, it might be nice to date again. I can’t remember when I last went on a real date.
Why am I even thinking about this? All he’s done is smile at me. I’m getting my hopes up for nothing.
What’s he saying...
...Hawkeye swallowed his mouthful of slop and said:
‘Margaret, walk you to your tent?’
Margaret smiled dazzlingly.
‘Sure.’
The two of them rose, picking up their trays to put away. The others watched with interest as Hawkeye offered Margaret his arm, and she took it. She said something quietly that made him laugh, and they left the Mess Tent.
The End.
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