80th Bombardment Squadron Executive Office Frank Delozier is in his office at his
desk when his clerk knocks and enters.
Clerk Sir, there's a local man here to see you. No appointment...
Delozier No appointment? No meeting! How long have you worked here, Corporal?
Mischievously: Don't you want to be a sergeant?
ClerkYes sir, but, sir, this person is very, um, insistent. He's says he's a local
businessman and that we are hurting his business.
DelozierMuttering: probably black market...
ClerkNo sir! I mean... not that I know of. He's the owner of the Rock in 'Nola.
DelozierSlightly exasperated. Doesn't anyone around here call anything by its
correct name? It's the Ruocco in Cerignola. It's not that difficult, for
heaven's sake.
ClerkI don't know sir. But should I send him in?
DelozierSighing. Yes, yes, by all means let him in. He probably wants to rage at
me for that fight in his place last week.
The clerk waves a small Italian man in. He's clutching his hat in both hands to his chest. ManApproaching the desk: Why are you so mad at me, sir? Why do you hate me and my bar?
I have a family to feed. A wife and four bambinos...
DelozierWhat is this all about, Mr...?
Man Ruocco, signore.
Delozier Ah. I see. So what's this all about, Signore Ruocco? Me supposedly closing your business down?
Your place is off-limits to my boys, but there are plenty of others on the bases around here.
Man But, the Bar Ruocco is known as an 80th squadron bar.
Delozier I've never head of it.
Man Not for officers, sir.
He thinks for a moment. For the regular soldier.
Delozier Enlisted men, you mean.
Man Si, si, the enlisted men. They no come, I have no business.
Delozier The army will not condone behavior in public as happened in your establishment,
Signore Ruocco. Fighting is a serious breach of military conduct.
Man He smiles. That is, how you say, ironic, no? He pauses for a moment and then
continues. Anyway it was just boys being boys. Yes some punches were thrown
and some tables and chairs were broken. I understand they have been punished,
but now you punish me by banning your soldiers from coming.
Delozier Hmm, well...
Rubs his head Man Please sir please. Come down to see my bar. It's a nice bar on a nice street.
No dark bar on an alley. You come. You see.
Delozier Thinks for a moment. ClerkUh, Sir? They do have a crackerjack band there on Saturday nights.
Man Oh yes! My brother-in-law's band. Thank you very much, young man.
Clerk You're very welc...
Delozier He interrupts. Just a minute here! Swivels his head to look at the clerk.
Corporal, you've been to the Rock???
Clerk Yes sir. Just about everyone has. I mean everyone who's ...
Delozier He interrupts. Yes, yes, yes, a "regular soldier". I see. So it's a nice place.
I know that the fight occurred there over a dame. Is it that kind of nice place?
Clerk and Man together: Oh no, No sir! No!
Man I run a clean place! And on band nights, we have matrons from the neighborhood
chaperone our young ladies when they dance with your soldiers.
Delozier Then how did my boys get into a fight over a nice lady? Where were
her supposed chaperones?
Man Sighs. Well you see sir, it's like this. Your men were drunk. Very drunk.
Too drunk I think. And they all wanted the same lady.
Delozier Again, where were the chaperones??
Man The girl in question, she was one of the chaperones! A local woman of fine character.
And a wife, a mother. And she was this woman your men were leering after!
Delozier Oh brother, this story gets worse every time I hear it. I'm not sure that works in
your favor, Signore Ruocco.
Man Please sir, please. I'll keep a better watch on what goes on. I'll stop anyone at
the door who's already drunk too much. Please. My children... He makes crying noises.
Delozier Thinks for a long moment. I will give you a two-week reprieve. Any funny business
and it's off-limits forever. Two weeks, do you understand?
Man Oh thank you, thank you signore. Thank you.
Delozier And one more thing. Those six men of mine are never going back there.
Man Si signore! Pauses. But... Sergeant Mace, he sometimes sings with
the band. A very pretty voice. And Luigi Roselli! His parents came from Bari.
He's practically a local...
Delozier Exasperated. Alright, alright! Anything to get this over with. Those men
are also on two-week probation.
Man Grazie, grazie. Turns to leave.
Delozier Signore Ruocco? One more thing if you please. I would expect to see a
party of 509th command staff this Saturday to hear this crackerjack band.
He casts a sideways look at the clerk.
Man Happily. Si signore! I will have the best table reserved for you!
He exits.