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381 Friday 23 November 8:10 pm Darling, Have just written Muz to tell her how glad I am about Doug and Valerie, and M and F to send a money order (converted from yours to a new one) for $17.50. Now to the answers and comments department. #450 - Hope you hear from Jean May soon. Better make a list of things to do, Sweetie, before we leave the San Francisco area - especially people to see. One's best friends, and the ones who are the most stimulating or have the strongest influence, or are regarded the most warmly, are often those one sees only a few times in a lifetime. They’re still worth cultivating. (Time out to eat a Red Cross doughnut, one of a batch Barry bought back this afternoon from a visit to the young lady with whom he's on polite courtin' terms - just to keep his technique fresh, I suppose.) #451 - Didn't I ever acknowledge Mr. Chaucer, Sweetie? I'm sorry. I haven't read very much of him, but he's one of three books I will have with me on the ship to help pass the time. There's just one box I plan to mail to Carmel [pg 2] (I wanted to get it off now, but have been holding [?] up until I finished that other present of yours!) The reason I want to take a chance on it is that postage from here to Carmel will be about 50¢, whereas that to N.Y. would be about $5 - (We've saved a lot of money in that respect by your living in California.) Freight on the same box (I think) would be considerably less. It'll be mostly books - not all I have, by any means, but just those I don't want to lose. Incidentally, I've got to look up that book box at the Navy Overseas Freight Terminal at S.F. - it would be too bad for Wendy not to have that big dictionary in the transition stage from high chair to grown-up one. Suddenly the thought of Jack and Simone and the children saddens me a little - (It also made one wonder about Hugh and Toni - Toni's loyal, but it's a question of the strain #452, 3 About separation at the Federal building, I should be able to get all the details straight from Carlton Siegler (the man whom I think is to be my relief) when he arrives here. He was stationed at the M.G. pool there for some time. I shall [pg 3] also ask him what he thinks are my chances of getting assigned to separation center work in the States until about 1 August. Whatever he thinks - unless something else develops meanwhile, and it's not likely to - My plan is to apply for such work as soon as I report in and request 30 days leave. If I get that I think we'll be in the most advantageous position possible for the time being. There is no separation center in Washington. If I had any choice of assignment, in what order would you like me to specify the following centers: Memphis; Boston; near San Francisco, near New York City (Lido Beach, L.I.)? Write and let me know. Even if I do get an assignment I shall still look into commercial employment [pg 4] opportunities in the San Francisco area before we leave there, possibly lining up a job to begin in the Fall. It will be helpful if I can stay in the Navy for that long simply because I'll be able to work on so many possibilities and won't have to decide on the future all at once. I’d rather leave any detailed discussion of what are my plans in the event that I don't get such an assignment. Just now I've lots of ideas which I expect to crystallize during the trip home - I look forward to that period as one of getting into focus, something which is difficult to do on placid, easy-going Tinian. Before I leave I shall be writing various letters (to be replied to at Carmel) to schools of social work, to the State Department, to a school of foreign service, perhaps to a literary agent [pg 5] in N.Y. whom Dalton Trumbo (whose “Our Vines Have Tender Grapes” is out and is apparently an excellent movie - I missed it) referred me to - but don't draw any conclusions from any of these, Sweetie; my plans are indistinct as yet - most of all, any relating to writing. Any connections you can make on the matter of train reservations is all to the good. Yep, the cold's all better. Now I've just got another fungus infection in my ear - the third - a a little on my foot. But they won't last long. Hope Muz writes more detail of l'affaire Valerie very soon. And I hope you seriously consider sending that wire I suggested. #454, 5 (the latter of 10 Nov. when you heard about the dispatch) Fun to get your reaction, Sweetie. And I guess by now I've given you enough reason not to be concerned about that job out here. We'll talk about it later, but I really feel the way you do and feel that a lot of things are a lot more important [pg 6] than the money. It is time, tho, that I'll be very lucky to get a $3000 dollar job in the states ($250 a month) let alone $4000. I might do that and better, but most important of all is to think in terms of the whole future and not just the immediate one; I have every intention of considering taking advantage of the G.I. bill of rights if I am sure it will be to our advantage in the long run and if we can survive the interim without too much discomfort. But we'll have time to talk over all that, and I’d so much rather decide after talking it over with you. #456, 7, 8 - Are Wendy's teeth coming in straight, or is it too soon to tell? Oh, you've probably heard by now that the AlNav on language men unfreezes them as of 1 Jan. That means Szath and Kruckeberg will be eligible to leave here soon, too, but I don't think that fact will hold me up. [pg 7] From the cover, Barbara's book sounds better than I would have expected. It's probably the first thing I'll want to read at home. Keep up the good dreaming, Sweetie. I've been doing all right lately myself! - I'm all a shiver to see the special nightie which doesn't leave much to the imagination. #459-61 [Section Crossed Out] I'll make you out a list and send it soon. Too lazy right now. One thing I'll need that you'll have to buy, tho (unless I've any at home, which I doubt) is black rayon socks, size 10 ½, short length - better get 4 pairs, also a silk necktie if you can't find any at home. I hope the Hamlins are still in Carmel when I get there. [pg 8] - My goodness, Sweetie, I guess I must have missed this line in your letter of 15 Nov. When I read it before (I remember now lingering over the thought of our young scamp in the P.G. department store - and I put the letter down to grin and muse about Wendy as I walked) - “Muz writes that Doug and Valerie have moved their wedding date up to November 30th” - Well, may be you'll get my letter about the wire in time. Gosh, that was fast work on Doug's part, no? So they have an apartment and everything. Oh, the 30th. I'm getting punch-drunk - time to stop writing and go to bed. Fun to know that Doug and Valerie and Muz went to Tiny Johnston's wedding, and just [pg 9] adds to the coincidences involving us with Gladys and her tribe. #462 - Shame on me. What did I call it, the Statler? I just can't seem to get hotel names straight - remember the Essex House, but not the name of the hotel in whose Mandarin Room we were married! I suppose you'll shoot me for that. Guess my letter to Sam ordering carnations for the 16th didn't arrive on time - and I'm truly sorry, darling, ‘cause that's almost our most important day. I don't plan to send Gary anything by mail, Sweetie - have been spending too much money lately and have too much other wrapping to do - but I will bring home some little things or two for him. And so to bed, I'm tired. I love you, darling Warren Have two good letters from Will Ebling on Koror, and when I've answered them I'll mail them to you.
