Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-13
PACKED IN GREASE


But night must fall. In case
like this where you're packed in
grease like a boxed rife. it's best
10 place one layer Of newspaper
between sheet and blanket. After
lying there for a while, listening
10 the newspapers crackle exactly
like burnt flesh every time you
twist m agony, YOU feel the urge
TO sit up and look at some real
stars.
The next afternoon, shortly
after lunch, / was perched on the
edge OF a table, feeling thank
ful that ! had been able 10 get
that far through the day without
having 10 dress 10 go anywhere. |
was Just sitting there tanning my
self with both hands, when Sgt.
Schmidt came in.
'Hargroye, go 10 the orderly
room. Telephone"
Since | knew quite we'll that no
one was going TO call me long dis
tance-at day rates-for a casual
l hurriedly threw d
raincoat over my lobster-colored
frame. waited TO regain my senses
after the first sharp shock OF pain,
and dashed like a wild thing 10
the orderly room.
"Whatcha say thaah, boy:" a
lazy voice drawled out of the
receiver. This IL yo' ole frien',
the Scarlet Termite."
I was still half wild from the
gouging Of the oiiskIn INTO my
back. How're you, Termite 2"
asked. not having the slightest
idea who the Termite was.
This Is old True Blue. boy"
the voice said I'm In Fayette-
willie now"
Much as wanted TO talk with
old True Blue, l was in no condi-
ton
I'm selling insurance here
now" True Blue went on.
Don't want any" said. II
can get IL wholesale from the
government" looked ner-
vouSlv around to see If the bat
terry commander was listening 10
this weird and unnecessary con-
verSation going on over his tele-
phone. Before | would get my
neck completely turned. the
gouging raincoat jerked me
back. The friendly voice OF True
Blue went on and on. recalling
incidents OF our happy boyhood
together My skin began dane
ing under the coat and l knew
how a medium well-done steak
feels on the grill.
WOULD LOOK HIM Up
ell look YOU up. True Blue"
I said, iii l can get into Fayette-
Vile this weekend" This l
thought. would hint 10 him TO
stop the conversation soon and
leave something for our happy
gct-togetheT.
DO that, boy" he persisted.
Did YOU know Jennie SOansO
il I'm town now: Her family's
been here for quite a time"
and on and on and on ] won
dcred If the flesh of my back
had been torn away to the bone
yet. True Blue continued.
"Well. True Blue" ] moaned,
"it sure has been nice hearing
from YOU again--and I'll look
YOU up this weekend" The top
sergeant coughed loudly and
cleared his throat several times.
yep. it's nice to talk with
YOU. boy" said True Blue. "Just
like old times. Say, that reminds
me! saw another of the old
gang In Charlotte about n month
ago. You remember old Jerni-
gan, don't you: Well, do YOU
know what he's doing now?"
/ rolled my eyes helplessly at
the top kick and started making
faces al the telephone mouthpiece.
True Blue delivered complete
history OF old Jerniganis career
since last / had seen him. EN
We'll, True Blue" ! said, II
guess I'll have to 20 now. I'm
sick and sunburned and con-
fined 10 quarters and ! better
get back" | was beginning TO
wonder whether the oilskin was
buried completely in my back
by this time Several huge bis
terS gave up the struggle.
Let me tell you what hap
pened to" he began again.