In rapid-fire style, Dart shoots out all sorts of news from the John R. Craig. He’s had a miserable day: rain, no mail, a dirty job to do in the morning, no fresh water to clean up with, a job to do that no one wants to start and he’s tired from being on watch half the night.

Workers are scrambling all over the ship, 16-hours a day, welding pipelines through fuel tanks. There are oily spills, hot metal, smoke and poor ventilation everywhere one looks. It was into one of the empty, smelly, stuffy fuel tanks that Dart had to go last night with his trusty little red fire.

Also, someone has been breaking into the ship’s stores over the past couple of nights, stealing eggs, milk, and cheese. This morning there was a full inspection of all spaces on the ship and great numbers of things were confiscated. (His camera remained undetected!) The new, unpopular executive officer was very angry as more “missing” items were discovered and reclaimed.

“Across the pier from us is a ship which was decommissioned a couple of days ago. Last night our nosy exec wondered why the lights which are usually on over there, were off. The guys he found over there are now in the brig, and the girls won’t work in the Navy yard again when they’re out of jail. The sailors were members of the John R Craig’s crew. It was a sordid mess to see as the exec had them lined up in the glare of the unshaded lights on deck. He had his gun ready to use as they awaited the Shore Patrol wagon to arrive. Looked like the newspaper photos of a raid on a shady night club.”

“Aside from this tale of crime and corruption, I have only love to talk about today. I surely wish I were in the same mood I was in last night. Then the words would come to me just as fast as I could make my fingers move. That’s what I get for using up all my words last night.

He wishes they were anywhere together, inside, watching this rain – even in the car where the cop said “Let’s go!”

Another mail call — another disappointment. No mail for Dart.

In spite of her valiant efforts, Dot was unable to fight off the flu bug and is now in the hospital! The doctor seems to think she could be there a few days. She marvels at how Dart could have withstood eight months in the hospital, when her eight hours have driven her mad.

She’s plagued by a runny nose and a terrific headache, but thinks this is all too much reaction. It’s some consolation to have Dart’s picture with her and to know that he loves her. Also, his 14-page masterpiece has kept her company today. He can continue to write to the regular address and Ellie will bring her the letters.

“I’ll try to do a better job of this letter-writing tomorrow.”