Northwestern University Naval ROTC - Purple Salvo Yearbook (Evanston, IL)

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Navy Ball Empress

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Navy Ball 18 JANUARY 1945 CONGRESS HOTEL

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Me Navy B411 Tia la la, for I'm to be Queen of the Ball tonight, Mother! Rodney Dittybag was singing this quaint solfeggio as he made his toilet. Yes, this was the night. As he shaved, his thoughts wandered to his date for the evening. One of the boys had Hxed him up with her. She must be wonderful. All of her sorority sisters said she had a wonderful personality! And she was selected to be a candidate for her house. Yes sir, ll1Cl'CyS nothing like a date with a girl f1'om the Illinois State House of Correction. HOC's that is. He inadvertently swallowed and slashed his throat from eye to eye. COdd physiognomyj His room-mate who unfortunately was not going, was writhing in agony on the floor because of this contretemps. However he had booked passage on the underground railroad to Howard Street, and was contemplating this journey with succor. Succor was at present in his barracks trying to Hgure a way out of standing his fire watch. Rodney went over the itemized list of things not to forget. Yes, he brushed his tooth, shined his brogans, he had his ticket, fthe ink was still wetl his Sextant ribbon, his honor guard saber and oh yes, Mum! He left. in a swirl, stepping on the head of his room-mate who was still on the floor. He rushed down to the quads and picked up his date, Valerie Schpoognog by name, hideous by sight. He had trudged only a few paces when he decided to put her down. And there we leave the happy couple as they board the bus. Now let. me cast the scene. It is the beautiful Gold Room of the Congress. Gay, laughing 52 youngsters are climbing on each others shoulders to get air. Valerie was whisked away from Rodney and he hasn't seen her since. Candidate, you know. The dancing was wonderful. All you had to do was lift your feet and let the crowd carry you. No trouble in making ends meet that evening. Then it happened. A fanfare . . . a spotlight . . . an announcement. The emcee was hilarious, scintillating: one of the funniest men at N.U. CNow do you know who's writing this article?j The honor guard drew up. What was that command? Detail, draw-swords! A scream pierces the still air and a girl that was standing too near the honor guard stoops over to pick up her fallen formal. CWe'll have to give these guys more saber drill.j The candidates are introduced, each tripping off the platform. Another intermission. More officers stagger by. The trained nurse and corpsmen rush in to 1'escue two more asphyxiation victims. The mad tempo increases. People on verge ol' complete hysteria shried for the judges' decision! Then the announcement. C. J. Weikart, Ann Diffenbaugh, and Joan Ramsey. WVomen cry, men make cat calls, the honor guard withdraws after lacerating a score of dancers. Itts all over but the shouting. And now Valerie, name the place: The Camelia House, the Pumproom, College Inn, Blackhawk? Swell! The Club Silhouette it Valerie ditches Rodney. On the way home ir1 the bus, Rodney is ineonsolable. As he takes another swig of Sterno, he thinks, Oh well, maybe the bus driver will let me kiss him goodnight.