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So what do I say now?
Ask her what she thinks I’m thinking?
Cronley was literally struck dumb.
“Sir, I’m no more interested in other women—that way—than you are in other men.”
“Sergeant, I hope I didn’t say anything to suggest—”
“May I continue, sir?” she interrupted.
How could I possibly say no?
“Certainly,” Cronley said.
“I’m glad this came up,” she began. “To clear the air. One of the reasons I want to get out of the WAC is because I’m really tired of being suspected of being a dyke. And I’ve learned that every man, officer or enlisted, who looks at me thinks there is no other explanation for an attractive, unmarried woman being in the WAC except that she’s a lesbian.”
Cronley thought: That’s true. It may not be fair, but it’s true.
But he remained struck dumb.
“I’m heterosexual,” Sergeant Colbert said. “And so are the women I want to bring with me into DCI. Is that clear?”
Cronley found his voice.
“Perfectly clear,” he said. “And I appreciate your candor, Sergeant Colbert. Hessinger, get the names of the women Sergeant Colbert wants to bring with her, and see that they’re transferred.”
“Yes, sir,” Hessinger said.
Sergeant Colbert stood up, came to attention, and looked at Cronley.
What the hell is that all about?
“Permission to withdraw, sir?” she asked.
Oh!
“Granted,” Cronley said.
Sergeant Colbert saluted. Cronley returned it. Sergeant Colbert executed a snappy “left turn” movement and marched toward the door.
Cronley’s automatic mouth switched on.
“Colbert! Just a minute, please.”
She stopped, did a snappy “about face” movement, and stood at attention.
“Sir?”
“First of all, at ease,” Cronley said. “You can knock off just about all the military courtesy, Colbert. For one thing, this isn’t the Farben Building. For another, I’m wearing triangles, not bars. Pass that word to your girls.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Welcome to DCI, Claudette. Freddy will see that you have everything you need.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled and left the room.
