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XV Sunday, 1:30 pm (8 Oct.) Hi, darling, Just another little interim of writing in an office which, since I carry the blue briefcase and my stationery around with me, I can use to write you at least a note. Do you know the meaning of the standard Navy abbreviation “Snafu”? On polite language it stands for “Situation normal - all fouled up.” I leave it to you to guess what the more common variant (a change of 3 letters in one of the words is. Well, in a minor sort of way, things are definitely snafu with me. Because of that little slip I made in San Francisco (and which I regret not at all, everything considered) I've had to spend an average of two hours a day since I arrived here just tracing down the original of my orders. Finally learned 3 or 4 days ago that it was mailed to me the day after I left in a registered letter, so it's not lost; but it must have been sent surface rather than airmail because it hasn't arrived yet. The only practical difference it's made so far is that I haven't been able to draw any pay, but this morning I've finagled it so that I can leave my pay account here as security and draw some ($71). I only hope that by doing so I won't have to go through this whole song and dance again if I should suddenly be ordered out without the pay account! At least I'm making sure this time to fix the responsibility for getting it back to me on some specific person. Everywhere you go in the Navy you are told - “Never travel without the original of your orders! I am beginning to see the point now. [pg 2] Speaking of snafu (pronounced snaffoo) - there is also Fygmo (figmō) which rather exquisitely expresses the disdain of a man no longer under a former superior's jurisdiction: “F- you, got my orders!” Part of Henry's and my most recent (our third) long conversation was a delicious digression on the subject of vulgarity and invective. On the whole I think such things enrich the language immensely, especially when they are used with some discrimination and not weakened by constant thoughtless reiteration. If you should find a copy of Patridge's Dictionary of Vulgarity, etc. in the library sometime be sure to browse in it - they may be squeamish about letting it out of sight. “H.R. [M?]'s “The American Language” has some of the same stuff and is easier to get a hold of. Monday 9:20 am Mornin' Sweetie - I'm filling out an application to make a telephone call to you - I must list on it all persons who will be mentioned in our conversation by either of us, as well as all topics of conversation. What chance there is of getting thru I don't know - you mustn't be too disappointed if it doesn't, darling - I can only try. There is only room on the form for listing 3 persons to be talked about. One of course if Wendy. Don't know yet whether I can add others on supplementary forms and so will not decide what other two to put down until I find out. On the telephone you can simply take your cue from me - I'll ask questions about all concerned. And I'll tell you if it's all right for you to introduce other names; otherwise don't mention any. I won't talk long, sweetie - just enough to let you hear the sound of my voice a little and tell [pg 3] me more about Wendy. (I'll list her as an additional talking party so that you can put her on, if she'll give forth) I'm going to stop now in order to write several other letters and will resume later in the morning. Halfway thru a letter to Will Ebling (which I'll mail you for forwarding to him at Navy School of Mil Govt, 431 W 117th St., NYC)-Will you telephone Railway Express in Monterrey, try to get them to remember that shipment, and find out what shape the professional books arrived in and whether they got off to San Francisco (i.e. to me) all right? 11 am Guess one letter is all I have time for now. I'll try to enclose it with this if the censor will let me, for you to read. It's just an account of what to bring and what not to, etc. Now It Can Be Told Department - Fran has just written Henry from Augaur (in the Palaus) where he has been since D+4. I'm going to write a ps on the return letter to him tonight. Henry received at the same time a very nice letter from Hilda in reply to one he wrote giving her information - the two of them are really very much, and also visibly, in love and hope they won't be stymied in their efforts to get married here by [?] intention (published in the local papers here) to move his base to [CENSORED] Fran, except for having had a bad cold, is well and not unhappy; just getting bored already. His letter was amusing. Til later, darling Warren
