GERALD ROSEN
vigorous and there was a kind of withered toughness about him. One
could imagine him in the role of a high school football coach. Or
better yet, as a former high school coach, who, after seven consecu–
tive losing seasons, had been kicked upstairs to head the school
Hygiene program.
''I'm sure you'll fit right in here, lieutenant. ..."
On the wall to my left there was a series of large, framed
photographs, one above the other. On the bottom, I recognized Doc–
tor Creetner. Above him another Doctor in white, with a star on
each shoulder. Next, there was a general, in military uniform, with
three stars on each shoulder. Then a general sporting four stars and,
above him, an oriental in a business suit. The Commander-In-Chief.
President Sun.
"That's the chain-of-command, lieutenant," the colonel said,
with pride. "Oh, lieutenant, I meant to ask you, did you ever play
any sports?"
"Well, I did quarterback a...."
"Good, good. You'll be our new recreation officer. . . . And,
lieutenant, do you have any questions?"
"Well sir, I do think I have a few. The first is, well, I thought
I was to be working in a hospital, but...."
"Oh, yes.... Well, lieutenant, hospital is just one of our func–
tions in this new modern army. You see, things change fast now–
adays, and you've got to keep a step ahead of the tide of progress or
it'll wash over you is my motto. Yes indeed, we've come a long
way since the day of the foot soldier, lieutenant. Yes indeed, we
certainly have. . . . You see, son, we perform a service function
in this new army. That's why, a few years ago, when they closed
down old Ellis Island - you remember that, lieutenant? - I volun–
teered to fill in the breach."
He selected one pipe from the dozen or so standing in his pipe
raek and lit it with a series of quick sucks.
"What do you think happened to immigration after they closed
Ellis Island, lieutenant?"
"I hadn't really thought about it, sir... . I guess I thought most
immigration ended back in the twenties. . . ."
"Yes, yes," the colonel said, impatiently, "that's what most
people think. But when Uncle Sam slammed the door it bounced
back aways, and we've still got thousands of them slipping in every
