Description
397 Tuesday 11 December 1945 9:40 pm Dearly Beloved, I'm in Bill Cameron's room, where I left my writing paper before going out to tonight's brief movie because the quarters adjacent to mine are occupied by one of our two all-but-married couples. (They usually get together on steak-and ice cream nights - which come frequently these days - and thus kill several birds with one stone.) Brie and I have just concluded sundry remarks on the subject of marriage. Learned on stopping in at HQ on my return from the movie tonight that three officers have applied for a four-month course in International Administration-with all who take it expected to remain in the Navy an additional 18 months - which was announced by AlNav a couple of days ago: MacQuarrie (who's going regular) [pg 2] and Randy Crane (Public Works) and the Captain-Commander Kenney (who I think are not). When it came out I sniffed the air, read all the terms with academic interest and then forgot about it. I do expect (if we don't fall for the line of gold and the USCC) to apply for six months additional duty after 30 days’ leave, unless of course some thing unexpected develops in San Francisco. My aim there will be to find out as much as possible about commercial and government opportunities in that area, either immediate or for the Fall. I hope you weren't shocked by my fabrications in the letter to Mr. Schwartz, and am not conscience stricken, but only sorry that I didn't know more about the salary ranges when I made my first application. From Carlton Siegler I learned that M.G. men in the S.F. pool - men without M.G. field experience - were offered a bottom [pg 3] salary of $3600 base, the amount I put down first. Knowing that now, I wouldn't even consider the $3600 (I don't want to come out here that badly!) and can therefore be careless in demanding more. If it should go through, as I say we'll have to think twice, because $5500 5300? Means that we could save a couple of thousand in one year and still be able to buy things like a movie camera, a Rolliflex (which I'm determined on getting before long anyhow, unless we go back to school) etc. As for a car, we’d probably have our own jeep out here. And there's something to be said for being big ducks in a little pond; that's a factor which should appeal to each of us. Well, Sweetie, no pep talks until I get home - and not then, either. My mind really is open, and I hope only that I can talk you into the same feeling I have with regard to all we have to choose from - [pg 4] a feeling of pleasurable excitement and adventure. I’d better tell you about clothes before I forget about it. You may use your own judgment in making changes in view of the weather, your own convenience, etc., but bear in mind that (Ed Levy says) it's a pretty severe change from Tinian to S.F. even tho the weather may be mild by S.F. standards: a) Leave tropical worsted in Carmel, b) Bring 1 blue suit (with full stripe); 2 shirts; 4 collars; front and back collar buttons; 1 black tie; cufflinks; 4 black socks (ribbed lisle, short, 10 ½); 1 pair garters; 1 pair suspenders. I have underwear, black shoes and visor cap - but bring white cap cover. c) Bring Navy raincoat. Nuisance, but I'll probably need it. Use your own judgment as to the lining. d) Bring about 4 decent looking white handkerchiefs. Mine are all right [pg 5] for use bot not for show. Bathrobe, pajamas? The latter if I've any decent ones, otherwise forget them; the former, no, because you'll have enough to carry. Anything else? I can't think of anything right now. Just be prepared! And now to bed, and I hope to dream. I love you, darling Warren Radio is playing “The More I See You,” which has unconsciously become a second theme song for us in my mind.
