Stand by for Action Page #2

The emergency put me

back on the active list.

That's interesting.

So you want to get back

to sea, do you, Roberts?

Yes, sir.

Have you ever heard of

the destroyer, Warren?

You mean that old hulk that's been growing

barnacles in the back bay at San Diego?

A ship of the United States Navy

is not to be called a hulk.

Yes sir.

Particularly by her

commanding officer.

Ye...

I beg your pardon, sir?

I said her commanding officer.

That's what you've been

for the last 60 seconds.

You'll get your orders as

soon as they can be written.

But she's older than

the old Norris, sir.

She's been lying in a grave

for the past 20 years.

For your information,

Mr. Roberts,

this yard has resurrected her.

And she's a pretty

healthy looking ghost.

She's got a lot of

fight left in her.

But my own ship,

the Crenshaw, sir.

With your permission,

I'd rather stay aboard.

Are you disputing my

judgment, Mr. Roberts?

- No sir. - I am not

interested in personalities,

nor the preferences

of individuals!

What's with the Admiral?

Lieutenant Commander Roberts

of the Crenshaw, sir.

Roberts?

Oh yes, I remember.

The Warren is your ship

now, Mr. Roberts.

I'll expect you to

have her ready for sea

at the earliest possible moment.

- Aye-aye, sir. - We have got

to use everything we can float

if we're going to survive.

You'll do a good job,

I'm sure. Good luck, Roberts.

- Pleasant cruise.

- Thank you, sir.

- Is that all?

- Isn't that enough?

Yes sir.

- Hello.

- Hello.

I see you took my advice.

- Are you...

- Masterman!

Why yes, I am.

Hope you got straightened

out all right?

Mr. Masterman, you have a

peculiar sense of humor.

Just the kind to get you

in a lot of trouble.

- Masterman!

- Coming sir.

So sorry, the Admiral.

If I can be of any further assistance

to you, don't hesitate to call on me.

Mr. Masterman, I expect my aides to

be somewhere within hailing distance.

I thought perhaps your buzzer

was out of commission, sir.

I was given a voice long

before I rated a buzzer,

and it's never

out of commission!

- And much more effective, sir.

- What?

I'm sorry, sir. I had to step

out of the office a moment

to arrange the menu for the dinner to

the Senate Naval Affairs Committee.

Here it is, sir. I thought

we'd begin with oysters.

Oysters? I want the report

on the damage to the Crenshaw.

Oh, that.

Yes sir, here it is.

A hole in her

starboard side, sir.

This report reached your office hours ago.

Why haven't I seen it?

Well, I have had the details for the

committees visit on my hands, sir.

I knew you'd want that

run off shipshape.

I've arranged to meet

them at the airport,

take them to the hotel,

and interview with the press...

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