Chapter 3

In listening to the sea stories of the other chiefs, he knew Pusan was a fleshpot, where sailors from many nations visited. Where Yokosuka had The Honcho, Pusan had Green Street, and Eddie planned on giving it a wide berth. He did plan on visiting the nearby U.S. Army base, Fort Jackson. Ostensibly there to visit the base exchange (PX), to stock up on things, he would see what he could scare up. So, when the ship pulled in, his buddy Al found out he was planning on going to Fort Jackson, so he asked Eddie if he’d like to go with him, in a military vehicle, to pick up some supplies the Army was going to furnish him. Eddie figured it couldn’t hurt, so agreed. Arriving at the base, Al had the driver deliver them to the base hospital. While Eddie was just hanging out in the day room, Al checked on the supplies he’d talked the Army out of. Eddie took note of a stacked soldier who walked in as though she owned the place. She’d have been even more attractive, if it wasn’t for the way she had her hair severely pulled back, but her body was great, even in her fatigues. Glancing at Eddie, she noticed his Navy uniform, which wasn’t that common, though Navy ships docked at Pusan regularly. Acknowledging the sailor, she began making small talk. discussing what he was doing there, and what she did there. Eddie noted she had officer insignia on her lapels, so he thought about backpedaling, thinking she surely knew he was enlisted, but she seemed interested in Eddie, and he poured on the Eddie Nolan charm. He finally got the chance to ask if she’d like to spend some time with him when she was off duty. Hesitating only a moment, she agreed to meet him at the Officer’s club on base, that evening, where they could have dinner and talk more. She suggested he wear nice civvies, and use her name, Captain Lorna Phillips, to get in.

On the return trip to the ship, Al was humming, happy he’d gotten all he went for. As they unloaded all his booty, he absently asked:

“So, Eddie, what plans do you have for the evening?”

“I’ve got a date, buddy!” he boasted.

“A date? How in the fuck do you have a date? You haven’t been anywhere but the hospital.” Al groused.

“While you were conning the Army out of all that medical shit, I was sniffing around some Army poon.” Eddie stated.

“Bullshit, buddy. You never left the day room. So, unless some E-2 Army private came in to carry coffee to some Army colonel, you’ve got nothing. And if you did, and she’s half- goodlooking, she’s probably being screwed by that same Army colonel. Okay, for the sake of argument, who are you going out with tonight?” Al demanded.

“I have a date at the officer’s club with Captain Lorna Phillips.” Eddie smirked.

Al started laughing hysterically, nearly falling down and rolling on the pier. The quarterdeck watch gave them a long look, wondering if they needed to get medical attention for the chief they’d normally call. After about two or three minutes, Al wiped the tears from his eyes and chortled:

“Oh, fuck. man, you’ve got to be shitting me.”

“I shit you not, buddy! what’s so damned funny?” Eddie objected.

“While I was roaming around, out of habit, I read all the wall rosters of the various doctors and nurses, and what their purported specialties were. I remember seeing Captain L. Phillips listed. Captain Phillips is the head of Urology. If you get too intimate with her, she may give you a prostrate exam.” Al broke into laughter once more, with tears streaming down his face.

Eddie wasn’t really amused, but he did manage to chuckle at his friends’ mirth:

“Funny, Al, very funny!”

Helping his fellow chief with all the packages they had offloaded from the vehicle, they went up the brow and walked across the quarterdeck, ignoring the puzzled expressions of the current OOD, a junior officer.

Eddie invited Al to go with him, saying the captain may have a friend who was looking for some action at the club, but Al demurred. Taking a taxi to the club, Eddie had worn a sports coat and slacks, and carried a tie in his pocket, just in case it was needed. Walking through the door, it was a noisy place. The guy at the door asked to see ID, but Eddie dropped the captains’ name quickly, so his military ID was given a cursory look, just noting it was an Armed Forces ID with a photo that resembled him. He was then directed to an alcove off the main floor. Walking in, Eddie had to look twice before he recognized Lorna. She was quite stunning, with her hair down and flowing onto her shoulders. Her dress was tasteful, but it still displayed the curves Eddie had first noticed, encased in camo. She gave him a brilliant smile and pulled out an adjacent chair at her table, so he’d be sitting beside her, instead of across from her. Cozy.

“Hello, chief, or maybe I should call you Eddie. It may be better. And, yes, I knew you were enlisted. I may not see a lot of sailors, but I recognized the anchors on your collar. I’m not a snob, but it may make things easier, if I don’t advertise my fraternization with the enlisted ranks.” she chuckled.

“That works for me. So, Lorna, what do you want to do? You mentioned dinner, but is there dancing, or a floor show? Dinner shouldn’t take long, but I’d hate to spend such a truncated evening with you. You seem like an interesting person to talk to. I’ve been a few places in the world, and I assume you may have travel tales, too.” Eddie proposed.

“You really are a sailor, aren’t you? So smooth. Not like some of my bucolic Army acquaintances.” she mused.

“Is it a bad thing, that I’m a sailor? You knew that before you accepted my request for a date.” he inquired.

“Well, your uniform was what attracted me at first. I see very few men from other services. Then, when we started talking, I found you somewhat fascinating to listen to. You’re not only a sailor, but your name says you’re also Irish, so you have a gift for a bit of blarney.” she added.

“Okay, and your point is...? Are you trying to get me to leave on an empty stomach?” he snorted.

“Of course not! Just making conversation, Mr. Fascinating Man.” she smiled.

“My turn. May I say, Ms. Phillips, that you are an extremely stunning woman, and I’m probably the envy of all the men in this place.” he admitted.

“No, most of the men in here know what kind of bitch I am. So, beware, Mr. Smooth talker, don’t piss me off.” she noted.

“Oooh, so I should just tuck my tail between my legs and scurry out of here?” he suggested.

“Only if you’re scared and have no balls. I can’t imagine that in you, though.” she offered.

“I’m a sailor. I’ve been through storms at sea that would have Captain Ahab upchucking.” he snarled.

“Oh, really? Tell me about some of these storms.” she challenged.

“Well, there was this one time, off of Cape Horn...” he chortled.

“That’s what I thought. A fair-weather sailor, all the way.” her smile full of mirth.

“I’ve actually been in some pretty heavy seas, and we had to literally strap ourselves to our racks, uh, bunks, to keep from being rolled out of them.” he advised.

“Oh, shit, I’d probably get seasick.” she shuddered.

“Some do. I’ve known sailors who are seasick every time the sea gets a bit choppy.” he admitted.

“How about chief Eddie? Were you ever seasick?” she asked.

“My very first time at sea, while we were still on the river, and not near the sea, yet. We were at battle stations, and it was hot in my equipment room, so I got a little sick and threw up in the waste can. Since then, my first time at sea, after a few months in port, I’m a little queasy, but I get plenty of fresh air and make sure I have something on my stomach, and I’m good.” He informed.

“You are interesting to talk to, Eddie. You tell it like it is, and no bullshit.” she complimented.

“How about you, Lorna? What do you want me to know about you? I assume you’re a doctor. What else?” Eddie inquired.

“Yes, I’m a doctor, the second one in my family. I have a big brother who became one and I was always in competition with him, so I followed suit.” she answered.

“What kind of a doctor is your brother?” Eddie inquired.

“He’s a gynecologist.” Lorna replied.

Eddie got a smirk on his face, and a twinkle in his eye:

“So, I can see the competition is still going on.” he chuckled.

“What do you mean?” she wondered.

“Not to be crude, but while he gets to look at pussies all day, you get to look at pussies, or that general region, and dicks all day.” Eddie snorted.

Lorna let out an explosive laugh which made others look their way with curiosity. Still giggling, she responded:

“Shit! I never even thought about that. Now, I have something to tease my brother about. Thanks, Eddie. I must admit though, Urology was not my choice. It was thrust upon me by the Army because they had a lack of urologists and I volunteered to follow that route.” she added.

“So, how is it?” he asked.

“What?”

“Looking at genitalia all day?” he grinned.

“I don’t do that all day. I examine urine samples under microscopes and test them with various chemicals, looking for certain reactions.” she informed him.

“Just teasing. I suppose it can be interesting and rewarding. You’ve probably saved peoples lives by diagnosing possible deadly ailments” he exclaimed.

“Well, maybe not so glamorous as all that, but I’ve made some soldiers’ lives more bearable and painless. How about you, Eddie? What do you do for the Navy?” she returned.

“I lead a division of technicians who maintain and repair the radar and communications equipment on my ship. Not as rewarding as you, but necessary.” He supplied.

“Don’t sell yourself short, chief. Are you married?” she murmured.

It was not an unexpected question for Eddie, and he answered without hesitation:

“Yes.”

“Like I said: no bullshit. Me too!” she revealed.

“Where’s your husband?”

“He’s a thoracic surgeon in Chicago.

“Do you see him often?”

“No. Our relationship is, uh, interesting.” she muttered.

“I like interesting stories. I have a few myself.” Eddie commented.

“We met when we were interns at a hospital in Cincinnati. We became intimate, out of convenience, I guess. Then, we figured we could create a tax shelter and save on malpractice insurance, if we were married. We each had our own agenda and we followed them. His plans took him to Chicago, and mine took me to D.C. and Walter Reed, where I decided the Army would be interesting. It has been. I’ve practiced here and in Germany. I’m due for transfer in another year and wondering where I want to go next. My husband has his own place in Chicago, with a revolving back door for his liaisons. I’ve been there twice in five years. I’ve got a moderate sex drive, and you happened along when my tank was getting low. No offense. I’ve been with maybe a dozen men, mostly military. You’re my first sailor. I met a Korean businessman who thought I’d make a good companion, but I told him to take a hike, because I refused to walk the requisite two or three paces behind. I stay away from hooking up with coworkers, for obvious reasons. Like I said: they know I’m a bitch, here.” she noted.