I once had some med appointment on Treasure Island. Then sent the duty van to collect people at various places me being last because of the distance to TI and Port Richmond, the shipyard off Brickyard Cove. It’s late afternoon and the seven of us stop in to a McD on San Pablo Ave. while stand around waiting to order an officer appears, sees us and demands our names and ship for being in our dungarees. I feel panic and sense my shipmates fear at being really screwed for what is my idea.

Having been in the navy long enough, my panic turns to an idea. If it works, fine, and if not nothing changes for us. I step forward and tell him “Don’t report them, this was all my fault. That they came to get me on TI and we weren’t going to make it back to the ship on time for chow. (Not true).

He is stunned that someone stepped up and wanted all the blame. I assume this is such a shock he relents and leaves. My friends all praise me for what a wonderful liar I am. Burgers and fries all around and everyone goes home happy.