Sacrifice

by Stephanie Janzen

It was a stunning day in Korea. The most beautiful weather the residents had seen in a very long time. The sun was shinning brightly. Not a single cloud was in the sky. Where the 4077th was sitting you'd believe that there wasn't a war here.

Ah, it looked like a gigantic camp out or a training hospital for war. It didn't look like it was close to a combat zone. Just the same it was. Don't ever let those surroundings fool you though, believe me. For just over those massive hills lies the theatre of war.

Inside the 4077th camp, the day was enjoyed by most. You could see the enlisted personnel playing soccer, football and basketball. Some just playing cards in a hot tub made out of sheet medal.

Of course not all the doctors were present. If they were this day might become better for the officers of this army. Hawkeye and B.J were in Tokyo having 48 hour R&R, rest and relaxation.

As for the rest of the gang, stuck inside. They had a big dilemma on their hands. How these doctors were going to fix this mess was beyond me. There was no penicillin; the last package had been stolen.

There were a massive amount of infections in the wounded soldiers. Fevers, soreness and many pains that couldn't be healed by the 4077th M*A*S*H Unit doctors, most things could be healed. The doctors over at the M*A*S*H Unit were very skilled and talented people.

The causalities with injuries could be taken care of by surgery. But these pains that all the casualties were dealing with, was something that couldn't be relieved by the materials that were there.

Sick people encircled the doctors and the nurses. None of those people knew what to do about it. It had been driving them nuts since the whole thing happened.

"People, I'm open to suggestions. Here we have a load of infected people and not way of helping them through it. No supplies in fact, we've got a whole lot of nothing. You guys, what are we going to do?" Colonel Potter asked. He was frightened at this point for his patients, more than anything else. His mind wasn't clear.

"There's not much we can do. We'll have to ask for a shipment of penicillin as soon as they can get it," Margaret stated.

"State the obvious Major! We have enough problems as it is with out you telling me what to do all the time," Colonel Potter exclaimed. Radar came into the room, he stood behind the Colonel.

"Yes sir," Margaret replies.

"I'm sorry," the Colonel says as takes a deep breath.

"We got to figure something out," Frank said as he scratched his nose. As usual, you see old pickle face putting his two senses in it. The Colonell wanted to punch him but he knew that he'd just go on report. What was point of wasting his time anyway? All Sherman could do was give him a cold stare.

"Radar!" He screamed. Radar tapped him on the back, which made the Colonel jump. The Colonel turns around slowly. His hands clenched as he moved them up towards Radar's face. This made Radar close his eyes tightly. He was sure the Colonel was going to nail him in the face. The Colonel just smiled and took off Radar's hat.

"Do I really have to say anything Radar?" Sherman questioned.

"No sir," Radar replies. He sighs with relief as the Colonel puts Radar's hat back on. Colonel Potter pats him on the head.

"Any suggestions?" Sherman asked. Everyone was speechless. No one had a solution to this problem. Father Mulcahy tapped his foot slowly on the floor. Being a doctor is one thing but thinking like one was another. He had managed to come up with brilliant ideas before but this one, the Father seemed to be stumped.

Margaret tried to think of an idea but her mind was on something else. As she was looking in her pocket and fumbled with a piece of paper, a letter that she'd received by her father. You could tell that she wasn't focused on the current situation. "If only Hawkeye and BJ were here. They'd have a solution," Margaret mumbles to herself.

"What'd you say?" The Colonel demanded. Now all eyes were on the major. She rolled the ball of her left foot and staring at it solemnly.

"I said B.J. and Hawkeye would be able to figure this out," Margaret stated.

Colonel Potter gave Margaret a big kiss on the forehead and swung her around the room. "You're brilliant!" He screamed.

This left Margaret and the rest of the gang totally in wonder. What came over the Colonel? One minute, he was tired and angry and the next joyful and playful. This was a change that was noted by the group. "Huh?" Margaret questioned.

"Get those two to find a supply of penicillin just to tie us over! Yippee!" Colonel Potter exclaimed.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, you can find BJ and Hawkeye in a real hot tub sipping real apple cider. A treat from the usual slop you find at the 4077th mess. "Ah, the joy of relaxation," Hawkeye says as he reaches for the nearest woman. She's a tourist.

"Relax somewhere else!" She says as she slaps him in the face.

"Oh come on sweetheart, you know you want me."

"When pigs fly."

"Well I'll put them on a helicopter for you." Hawkeye smiles and grabs the woman. He gives her the biggest kiss anyone has ever seen. She tried to pull away but was only pushed closer and closer by the playful Hawk.

"Okay I'll leave now," Hawkeye stated. She looked at him.

"Angela, and you may stay," Angela stated as she grabbed Hawkeye. Angie gave him the Guinness book of records of kisses. It was revolting, it was long it was...romantic.

"Disgusting. I want my wife," BJ pouts as he takes another sip of his cider. As always, BJ stayed faithful to his darling wife Peg. He missed more than life itself.

"Hi there big boy. You say your married?" A girl asked BJ.

"Yeah I am."

"You know, being faithful is something your wife must treasure of you. I wish my husband could have that quality."

"He's in the army too?"

"Sure. He's a general. I think he's one of the best. But he can't stay faithful."

"Well I think that you should drop him right now. If he doesn't stay true to you then he should be with you."

"He loves me, he really does. He...just likes every woman that looks close to me." BJ loved every minute of a good conversation. He'd rather talk to a person than watch Hawkeye play kissy face.

One of the waiters came into the pool area. "Is there a Hawkeye Pierce or BJ Hunnicutt around here?" He asked.

BJ was hoping his good friend Hawkeye would put up his hand. Hawk just kept kissing Angie. BJ just shrugged. "I'll take it hawk," BJ stated as he got out of the tub.

"Be back soon...umm..."

"It's BJ and you never know with phone calls."

"I'm Harriet and I'll wait. You're a good listener." BJ smiled as he left the room. I guess it had been a while since he's seen someone besides the nurses in the unit. Some of them weren't every open. BJ was only on the phone for five minutes when he'd came out. Hawkeye was still kissing his sweetheart passionately.


Stories | Forward