M*A*S*H: challenge 61: decoration
Decorating the tree

Yule, 1950

Christmas trees aren't native to Korea, but the army had imported enough for every unit who wanted one. Mulcahy claimed one for the 4077th, set it up, and began decorating it with whatever he could find. Hawkeye looked it over with a curious kind of grin, and didn’t offer to help. Margaret, unasked, leant a box of beads. Klinger strung popcorn in quantity. (Mulcahy tried not to think how hungry children would react to tree decorations they could eat.) Radar produced lots of tinfoil that could be cut into icicles. The tree was glittery. Dear Lord, we need some shine.


Yule, 1951

Mulcahy gets the mimeograph telling him he can ask for an imported spruce, but it seems a waste. Last year everyone hoped they'd be home. This year no one believes it will be next year.

Radar and Klinger and Margaret and BJ all want to know where the tree is: Winchester smirks at them, in an aggravating kind of way, and there's a pointless fight over a bad breakfast. The Colonel cuts in and orders Radar to set up a tree, any tree, and decorate it.

Hawkeye doesn't join in with any of it.

Dona nobis pacem. Give us peace.


Yule, 1952

This year, Mulcahy remembers to get a Christmas tree delivered. He has help remembering: virtually everyone at the 4077th takes care to drop casually by his tent and remind him. Even Winchester says something about it, coldly over cold cereal. Except Hawkeye.

The tree arrives: Mulcahy manages a haphazard scrounge for decorations, everyone abetting. He's alone with the thing when someone says, behind him, "At home we'd go out and cut one down and bring it back and the smell of pine filled the house. That tree's half dead already."

Mulcahy doesn't look. "Next year," he says.

Hawkeye laughs. "Sure…"

3 cookies to Francis!