A light rain began to fall. The office was still a half a mile ahead of them. All the buildings of the port were, for the sake of protection, far apart.
“Damn it,” muttered Evans, as the rain splattered in his face. A truck came up behind them. It stopped and they climbed into the back. Evans told the driver where they were going, then he turned to Bervick. “You better pick up the weather forecast today.”
“I will. I think it’ll be pretty good.”
“Hard to say. This is funny weather.”
The truck let them off at the Army Transport Service Office. The office was housed in a long, one-storied, gray building.
The outer room was large, and here four or five enlisted men were doing clerical work beneath fluorescent lights. The walls were decorated with posters warning against poison gas, faulty camouflage, and venereal disease.
One of the clerks spoke to Evans. “The Captain’s waiting for you,” he said.
“I think I’ll go check with Weather,” said Bervick. “I’ll see you back to the boat.”
“Fine.” Evans walked down a corridor to the Captain’s office.
A desk and three neat uncomfortable chairs furnished the room. On the walls were pictures of the President, several Generals, and several nudes. The nudes usually came down during inspections.