Adm. Ernest King: So, captain... you are quite prepared to get the United States of America into this war all by yourself. Well, that's one way for an obscure individual to go down in history.
Victor 'Pug' Henry: The president and the CNO feel this exercise can go off without incident.
Adm. Ernest King: So you said. Suppose that judgment is wrong. Suppose a U-boat fires a fish at you. What then?
Victor 'Pug' Henry: I propose to fire back. That shouldn't start a war unless Hitler wants one.
Adm. Ernest King: Well, we're in this war anyway. It doesn't matter too much when or how the whistle blows, the Japs are gonna kick off against us when it suits them. And probably when it least suits us. Well, at least this Lend-Lease business is going to get us building factories we need to fight the damn war.
[Admiral King pauses for a moment, then picks up his phone]
Adm. Ernest King: Get me Admiral Bristol.
[to Pug]
Adm. Ernest King: You've got nothing in writing?
Victor 'Pug' Henry: No, sir.
Adm. Ernest King: OK, you're hereby to discontinue all references to the president.
Victor 'Pug' Henry: Aye, sir.
Adm. Ernest King: [to phone] Hello. Admiral, I am sending to your office one Captain Victor Henry, special observer from war plans. He is to be regarded as my... assistant chief of staff... with all the appropriate authority.
[pause]
Adm. Ernest King: Affirmative. He'll be in your office within the hour. Thank you.
[King hangs up the phone]
Adm. Ernest King: Captain, I desire that you now form out of DesRon 8 an anti-submarine screen and proceed to sea to conduct realistic tests and drills in the Newfoundland-Iceland area. This is to include forming up screens on cooperative merchant vessels should you encounter them. And of course, you will avoid provoking belligerent vessels if they are to sight you. I desire that you keep security at a maximum, paperwork at a minimum, that you will conduct yourself similarly.
Victor 'Pug' Henry: Aye-aye, sir.
Adm. Ernest King: All perfect horse manure, but that's the story. In the event of an incident, it'll be a hanging party for all hands.