HUMOR IN UNIFORM
How to “Bounce” Your Boss’s Wife
MY HORRIBLE BOSS AND HIS LOVELY WIFE – A Story
Unforgettable Memories of My Delightful Navy Days
A Fictional Spoof
When I was in the Navy – I used to jokingly say:
There are two types of Senior Naval Officers – “Alcoholics” and “Workaholics”.
I had my share of both.
But – going by my own experience – I prefer an “alcoholic” boss any day – rather than a “workaholic” boss.
Let me tell you a hilarious story of one such “workaholic” boss and his vivacious wife.
OUR WORKAHOLIC BOSS AND HIS VIVACIOUS WIFE
This happened long back – around 40 years ago – in the late 1970’s.
How to “Bounce” Your Boss’s Wife
MY HORRIBLE BOSS AND HIS LOVELY WIFE – A Story
Unforgettable Memories of My Delightful Navy Days
A Fictional Spoof
By
VIKRAM KARVE
When I was in the Navy – I used to jokingly say:
There are two types of Senior Naval Officers – “Alcoholics” and “Workaholics”.
I had my share of both.
But – going by my own experience – I prefer an “alcoholic” boss any day – rather than a “workaholic” boss.
Let me tell you a hilarious story of one such “workaholic” boss and his vivacious wife.
OUR WORKAHOLIC BOSS AND HIS VIVACIOUS WIFE
This happened long back – around 40 years ago – in the late 1970’s.
Now – Dear Reader – you must try to transport yourself back in time almost 40 years to the Mumbai of the 1970’s – and remember – that there were no mobile phones those days.
On my ship – I had an “alcoholic” boss.
Like most “alcoholic” bosses – he was a good guy.
He had quite a laissez-faire approach and he gave us a free hand.
So – we had an enjoyable time on board this ship.
Sadly – after completing his “sea time” of one year – this amiable “alcoholic” boss was transferred out.
The “alcoholic” boss was replaced by a “workaholic” boss.
Now – this new workaholic boss was a terrible chap.
He could not tolerate the department being run in our informal laissez-faire style – and he decided to “crack down”.
He told us that he did not appreciate the hands-off approach of his predecessor – and he warned us that he was going to whip things into shape.
At sea – he made our life hell by his constant interference.
Even in harbour – he would remain on board ship till late evening – sometimes even into the night – even if there was no work.
The problem was that – even on a ship in harbour – in the navy – there was a tradition that a junior officer was required to take permission to proceed ashore – if the Captain or HOD is on board – irrespective of working hours.
This was the practice in the old Navy of those days – but things may have changed now – with the advent of a more permissive atmosphere in the Navy.
Those days – even an HOD would seek permission from the Captain to proceed ashore.
Seeking permission to proceed ashore was okay in working hours.
But – unfortunately for us – “working hours” for our workaholic boss would extend till late evening – sometimes even into the night.
If we went to ask him for permission to proceed ashore to enjoy the delights of Mumbai – our painful killjoy workaholic boss would start asking us all sorts of questions – and – in fact – he would create work for us and ensure that we stayed on board ship.
Apart from being a workaholic – our boss had one more weakness – “Bridge”
(By the term “Bridge” – I am not referring to the “Bridge” of a ship – I am referring to the card game – also called “Contract Bridge”)
Like many officers of those days – our workaholic boss was addicted to playing Bridge.
After our boss finished his work on board – he would go to CCI or US Club to play a few rubbers of Bridge – and he would return home late in the night.
Even on Sundays and Holidays – or whenever he got time – our boss would play bridge in his club.
Our boss spent all his time doing only two things – he “worked” or he played “Bridge.
Once – we had returned to harbour after a long sailing.
We were eagerly waiting to go ashore on “liberty” – but unfortunately – our boss remained on board.
We were eagerly waiting to go ashore on “liberty” – but unfortunately – our boss remained on board.
All married officers had rushed home the moment the ship arrived in harbour.
But – our boss was “busy” on board – and he was showing no inclination of going home to his wife.
But – our boss was “busy” on board – and he was showing no inclination of going home to his wife.
We dared not ask him permission to proceed ashore – as he would create some infructuous work for us – like making a defect list for a refit that was many months away.
We decided to teach our “workaholic” boss a lesson.
In the evening – we changed into civvies – and quietly left the ship – without taking his permission.
We had picked up a bottle of perfume and some chocolates from the ship’s canteen.
We went straight to the home of our boss on Marine Drive.
Our boss’s wife opened the door.
She was quite surprised to see us.
She welcomed us in.
She was delighted when we gave her the perfume and chocolates.
Then – we told our boss’s wife that her husband had invited us for dinner.
Our boss’s wife seemed surprised – and she looked quite bewildered on hearing this.
“My husband hasn’t come home yet – I thought he was still working on board the ship,” she said, looking confused.
“No, Ma’am – your husband left the ship in the afternoon the moment we arrived in port,” my friend said.
“Maybe – he has gone to CCI to play a game of Bridge,” I added, nonchalantly.
The moment she heard me – our boss’s wife seemed to be getting angry.
She hated her husband’s Bridge addiction.
Like there are “Golf Widows” – our boss’s wife was a “Bridge Widow”.
“I think we have come at a wrong time…” I said.
“Sorry, Ma’am – when he left the ship – we thought your husband was coming straight home in the afternoon – and he would inform you that he has invited us for dinner,” my friend commiserated.
Our boss’s wife looked at us and she said, “That is very strange of him – the ship came back in the afternoon – and now it is late evening – I wonder why he hasn’t come home yet – and he should have told me that he has invited you for dinner.”
“It is okay Ma’am – we know that Bridge is his first love. But we did not know that he would get so engrossed in his Bridge game – that he would forget to come home after so many days of sailing.” I said.
“Ma’am – sorry for disturbing you – we will come some other time,” my friend said.
Our boss’s wife looked at us – and then she said: “No, No. You two sit down and pour yourself a drink – I will rustle up some dinner for you.”
“Ma’am – why not go out for dinner – to someplace nearby in Churchgate – say – to Gaylord – or to Kamling...” I said.
She looked at us – a bit hesitant.
“Please Ma’am – don’t say “No” – tonight we will treat you – and you can cook us a nice dinner some other time...” my friend said.
Her face lit up – and she said to us:
“Okay. That sounds good. I’ll go inside and get ready.”
So – we took our boss’s wife for a lovely “dinner date” at Gaylord – followed by Ice Cream at Yankee Doodle Ice Cream Parlour – and then – we had a nice stroll down Marine Drive in the cool sea breeze.
It was 11 PM by the time we returned to her place for coffee.
I cannot describe the expression of shock on our boss’s face when he opened the door.
“Where were you guys...? I was looking for you all over the ship...” he shouted at us.
Our boss’s wife looked at her husband sternly for some time – and then she said to her husband:
“You don’t shout at them. And you don’t lie to me and tell me that you were working on your ship. I know that you were at CCI playing Bridge...” the boss’s wife said.
Our boss looked stunned.
After some time he recovered – and he said to his wife:
“What are you saying...? CCI...? Bridge...? Who told you that...? I was on the ship doing some important work. I have just returned half an hour ago – and I find you missing from home...”
“Please don’t tell me lies. I know you left the ship in the afternoon and you were playing bridge at CCI...” our boss’s wife said angrily to him.
“That is not true – who told you that...?” our boss asked his wife.
“Let’s not argue – I don’t want to spoil the lovely evening I have enjoyed after so many years...” our boss’s wife said firmly to her husband, our boss.
Our boss looked at his wife – then – he looked at us.
He had a queer look on his face.
We quickly excused ourselves and we quickly left the scene
It was best not to get into a fight between husband and wife.
It was best not to get into a fight between husband and wife.
Next morning – on the ship – our “workaholic” boss summoned us to his cabin.
Our boss seemed quite demoralized.
It seemed that – after the previous evening’s fiasco – his wife had hauled him over the coals – and – she given it to him – nice and proper.
Our Boss looked at us – and he said to us:
“From now on – you can leave the ship and go ashore whenever you want to – you need not take my permission before proceeding ashore on liberty...”
EPILOGUE
Dear Reader:
If you are familiar with Navy Social Life – you would have understood what the word “Bouncing” means – in the title of this story.
For those of my readers who are not familiar with Military Social Life – I owe an explanation about the title of this story – How to “Bounce” Your Boss’s Wife.
SERVICE ETIQUETTE – TYPES OF “CALLS”
In the Navy (and probably in the Army and Air Force as well) – there exists a custom of “calling on” – a custom which every officer is expected to observe.
There are three types of “calls”:
1. Official Calls
2. Social Calls
3. Bouncing
Official Calls are made by newly reporting officers on their Commanding Officer (CO) in his office (in shore establishments) or in the Captain’s Cabin on board ship.
An Official Call is a formal occasion in ceremonial uniform (unless otherwise indicated by the CO/Captain).
Social Calls are courtesy calls to promote friendship and camaraderie among officers and their families.
Social Calls are made in the evenings at the residence of the officer in Civilian Clothes (Social Calls are never made in uniform).
Social Calls are made with prior appointment after ascertaining the convenience of the officer.
Social Calls are made with your wife (if you are married) – the duration should ideally be 30 minutes (but never more than one hour) – and – you are expected to have 2 or 3 drinks (having only one drink is “not done” – since there is a superstition that you have just one drink only with your enemy)
Maybe it is apocryphal – but – I read somewhere that the origin of “Social Calls” – and – the military tradition of “calling-on” – dates back to the pre-historic days of the cavemen – who left a carved stone to express a desire for friendship.
“Bouncing” means young Naval Officers dropping in on Married Officers unannounced at any time of day or night demanding food and drink.
Normally – a married officer is “bounced” at odd hours of the night by hungry bachelors when the Officers Mess and Club are closed.
When I joined the Navy – in the 1970’s – Official Calls had become more relaxed – and – most COs/Captains did not insist on Ceremonial Uniform (No. 2’s) – but – asked Officers to come in normal working dress (No. 8 or 8A’s).
Some Senior Officers dispensed with the formality of “Official Calls” and would reply “Consider Calls Paid and Returned” when requested for “Time Convenient” to call on.
“Social Calls” too had become out-of-fashion and passé.
Those days – in the 1970’s – “Bouncing” had become the more popular way of socializing.
(Later – I observed that even “Bouncing” was no longer appreciated by married officers and their wives – and – officers and their wives preferred enjoying “quality time” watching TV Soaps with their families – rather than socializing with fellow officers and ladies)
Like in civilian society – even in the military social environment – change is inevitable – times change – customs and traditions change – and – social culture changes too – and – today – it is more of “each man for himself”.
But – 40 years ago to the late 1970’s – during the time of the story I told you – “Bouncing” was in vogue – and that’s why – we “Bounced” our Boss’s Wife...!!!
VIKRAM KARVE
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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