Pacific Interlude Read Free Page B

the public trough for so long that they can’t use their heads for anything but eating. All they know is a thousand reasons why nothing can be done. Those bastards are fighting the war so they can get a damn pension and all they think about is staying out of trouble. The letter of the law I don’t give a damn about. I would like to win this war and go home.”
    â€œSo would I.”
    â€œAll right . If we follow the letter of the law, we’ll screw around here for God knows how many days or weeks, trying to get rid of that gas so work can begin and in the end it will all be dumped in the desert, even though gas is rationed around here stricter than booze. If we use some brains and initiative, we can get rid of that gas right now. It may be called the black market, but it will put that gas into the tanks of cars, not into sand. Beyond that, we’ll get money that will help our guys to live in a way they damn well deserve. These could easily turn out to be our last damn days on earth—”
    â€œYou make a case, Mr. Buller. What are the odds of our being caught?”
    â€œNo chance! The Aussies in this yard understand the situation—maybe that’s why no truck ever comes from the government. No one really likes waste and everybody likes money. For a few pounds the kangaroos won’t report anything. Hell, the boys will probably help us load the truck.”
    â€œOkay, go ahead with this plan, but I want the money strictly accounted for and put in a ship’s welfare fund. We’ll keep the whole thing as legal as possible in case we get caught.”
    â€œThere’s only one catch. That bastard Simpson will write headquarters. He told me he would.”
    â€œPlease ask him to come in.”
    Buller left and a few moments later Simpson appeared.
    â€œSit down, Mr. Simpson,” Syl began. “It looks like we’ve got a real dilemma here.”
    â€œYes sir. I’m sorry to hit you with it the minute you get aboard.”
    â€œIt can’t be delayed. The way I see the situation, we can follow the letter of the law, which will result in delay and incredible waste, or we can follow the spirit of the law and get quick action with considerable side benefits for the men.”
    â€œSir, I’m a simple man,” Simpson said. “I didn’t go to college, like Mr. Buller and I’m sure you did. All I got to go by is the Bible and the book of regulations. I’ve gone by one of those books or the other all my life. I can’t stop now.”
    â€œIf I looked through the Bible long enough, Mr. Simpson, I’m sure I could find a passage which would justify our attempt to live by the spirit, not the letter of the law. I also don’t know of any regulation which deals with a situation quite like this.”
    â€œThou shalt not steal,” Simpson said.
    â€œAlso, thou shalt not kill, but we still have to fight a war.”
    â€œI interpret that to mean that we can defend our country, we can act as the good right arm of the Lord and smite our enemies with righteous wrath. I’ve thought about that a lot.”
    â€œI’m sure. Mr. Simpson, I believe that the regulations permit the sale of surplus government property which has been declared unfit for use and they also permit money to be raised in various ways for a ship’s welfare fund. I will make sure that no officer aboard this ship makes personal profit from selling gas. Every penny will be accounted for. Ultimately the decision of what to do about our cargo is mine. I am doing what I think is right, and also what’s best for the war effort, which you care about. After thinking it over, I’ve decided to let Mr. Buller go ahead with his plan. I ask your cooperation and I at least expect no opposition.”
    â€œI can’t give you an answer on that right now, sir. I’ll have to see what the Lord wants me to do.”
    Jesus, Syl thought. This guy means it.