Sunday, June 11, 2017

Humor in Uniform – The “Fleet Auxiliary” called “Semaphore Signal”

The “Fleet Auxiliary” called “Semaphore Signal”

Memoirs of a “Failure” (aka “Loser”) 

Someone said to me: 

“Autobiographies are written only by successful people  not by failures in life.”

I replied: 

“That is not true. The fact of the matter is that even so-called “failures” want to write their memoirs – but no one is willing to publish them.”

Publishers prefer to publish memoirs of the rich and the famous – and  of course  the controversial, notorious and “infamous”.

So you have to “succeed” is some way  famous or infamous  to get publishers interested in publishing the book of your life story.

If you join the Armed Forces – the Military  it is very difficult to “succeed”.

The organizational hierarchy in the Armed Forces is a steep pyramid with only one vacancy at the top  and less than 1% of officers can be promoted to the “Top Brass Club” of Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals.

So  if you join the Defence Services (Army, Navy or Air Force) – or the “Fauj” (in colloquial parlance) – you are more likely to “fail” rather than “succeed” in your career.

If you look around the retired community  you will see that there are more “Fauji Failures” than in any other corresponding civilian profession (including civil services) where everyone reaches a decent rank/position before retirement.

And many “Fauji Failures” have many interesting “memoirs” to tell – in fact  every “Fauji” Officer has a book hidden within him

However  no publisher is willing to touch your manuscript  unless you are a General, Admiral or Air Marshal – or you are a War Hero  or you have been involved in some controversy or scam.

Earlier  before the advent on the internet  it was almost impossible for “failures” and “losers” (like me) to tell the world about their “life and times” – because the only way to chronicle your memoirs was to publish your “autobiography” in the form of a book – but no publisher was willing to publish your book because you were a “failure”.

It was a Catch-22 situation.

Luckily  Technology has changed everything.

Now  “Fauji Failures” are not at the mercy of publishers – and – you can tell your story via the medium of Blogging.

And that is what I have done.

From time to time  I have posted hilarious “memoirs” of my delightful Navy days in my Blog.

Of course  I have a book proposal of a Navy Novel ready  should some publisher agree to publish it – and I can assure you that my “memoirs” will be much more exciting than the prosaic autobiography of a pontificating Admiral.

You don’t believe me...?

Here is a sample…

THE FLEET AUXILIARY CALLED SEMAPHORE SIGNAL 
Hilarious Memoir from My Delightful Navy Days
A Fictional Spoof
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:
1. Please read this apocryphal story only if you have a sense of humor. This yarn 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. And yes, this story is for mature adults only, so if you are a kid, or an overly gender sensitive type, please skip this post. 
2. Please note that around 40 years ago  in the 1970’s  it was an all-male Navy  where bawdy jokes, ribaldry and profane language was the order of the day  and concepts like gender-sensitivity were unheard of  and this story is written in that spirit.
3. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

THE FLEET AUXILIARY CALLED SEMAPHORE SIGNAL

PROLOGUE

I close my eyes  and  in my mind’s eye  I mentally go back in time  almost 40 years back in time  to the 1970’s  and reminisce about my halcyon Navy days  the happiest days of my life  and let delightful memories of those glorious Navy days perambulate in my brain.

This morning  as I delved into my halcyon Navy Days  floating over my time line  I suddenly remembered that unforgettable episode about the “Fleet Auxiliary” who I had nicknamed “Semaphore Signal”.

Let me tell you about it. 

Please read the yarn and do tell me if you enjoyed reading the story, and I shall spin some more yarns for you.

I enjoy spinning yarns, some true, some spiced up with lots of salt and pepper, and some apocryphal.

Like I said, I am going to spin a few Naval Yarns for you.

Now  Dear Reader  you’ve got to remember one thing:

40 years ago  in the 1970’s  it was an all-male Navy  where bawdy jokes, ribaldry and profane language was the order of the day  and concepts like gender-sensitivity were unheard of  and this story is written in that spirit.

So let me reminisce and spin a few yarns for you to enjoy, no offence meant to anybody.

I just want to make you laugh and drive away your blues, and mine too. 

I am sure you have a good sense of humour and you will enjoy these yarns in the right spirit and take it with a pinch of salt.


The “Fleet Auxiliary” called “Semaphore Signal” – a Spoof by Vikram Karve 


“FLEET AUXILIARIES”

We had returned to port after a long sailing – and  in the evening – I decided to visit my course-mate Horny on his ship – which was parked just ahead of us. 

Unlike mine  his was a small ship  and the atmosphere was totally informal  with just a Snotty Midshipman and a Sailor leisurely manning the gangway.

I identified myself – I told them who I wanted to meet – and I started walking inside when the Snotty said: 

“Sir  just a moment  he is busy right now  someone is there with him in his cabin.”

“Busy...? Okay. I’ll come later. Just tell him I had come...” I said, and started to walk away.

“Sir, why don’t you speak to him...?” the Snotty said and he dialled Horny in his cabin and held out the phone to me.

“Hey, don’t go...” Horny said, “just come down to my cabin.”

Horny was waiting for me outside his cabin  and I could see that he was genuinely happy to see me.

“So nice to see you after so many days. Come inside...” he said, opening the door of his cabin.

I was taken aback by what I saw in his cabin.

A woman was lying on his bunk.

On the side-table there was a bottle of my favourite Premium Scotch Whisky.

I was not surprised at seeing the girl.

Horny was a known Casanova famous for his peccadilloes.

What surprised me was the bottle of whisky – because Horny was a strict teetotaller. 

Horny introduced me.

The girl made no effort to get up.

She continued to lie down on the bunk in her supine position and smiled at me.

I smiled back.

Then Horny pointed outside and said to me, “Why don’t you sit in the wardroom for some time? We’ll finish off our business and join you in a few minutes. The bar, the fridge, everything is open, so just help yourself to a drink and whatever you want.”

It was just six in the evening, so I poured myself a beer, switched on the TV and relaxed in the wardroom waiting for Horny and his consort.

I was two beers down by the time Horny joined me in the wardroom.

“Girlfriend?” I asked him.

“No,” he said, “She’s just a fleet auxiliary.”


AN EXPLANATORY DIGRESSION... 

Let me digress a bit and tell you the difference between Fleet Auxiliary and “Fleet Auxiliary”

Fleet Auxiliary  

The former Fleet Auxiliary is a support ship, like an oil tanker, a supply vessel, a depot ship, or a hospital ship, which supports the main fleet.

“Fleet Auxiliary” (in quotation marks)

The latter “Fleet Auxiliary” is a moniker, a nickname given to a girl who “supports” the men who man the fleet by having a good time with them and help them quench their carnal passions.

This story is about this second type of “Fleet Auxiliary”.

With a “Fleet Auxiliary” it is a no-strings-attached relationship. 

Of course, there may be a bit of “give-and-take”  a sort of “barter” – like sometimes  where the “Fleet Auxiliary” gets to drink the best booze and gets some gifts like an expensive perfume or some exquisite Swiss chocolates – as a quid pro quo”  in return for her “favours”...

Let me tell you that in those golden days of the License, Quota, Permit Raj – when prized and coveted foreign goodies were was not available in the domestic market and we got them duty-free on board  a naval officer was quite high up on the social ladder. 

Regrettably  the advent of liberalization and globalization changed everything, and nowadays  a naval officer is no longer the crème de la crème of society anymore  because today  money determines your status  and businessmen, entrepreneurs and celebrities are the new role models. 

And  as far as “fleet auxiliaries” are concerned  it looks like they have disappeared from the fleet and found greener pastures  because when I asked a young Subbie about it a few days ago  he seemed totally clueless...

Digression Over  Story Continues ...


WHY THE FLEET AUXILIARY WAS CALLED SEMAPHORE SIGNAL

“Oh. So she is your latest Fleet Auxiliary”...? But she looks quite a Plain Jane...” I remarked.

“Never a judge a chick by her looks,” Horny said, “I can tell you from my own experience. Most of those gorgeous chic beauties who look like sex bombs turn out to be damp squibs, but these prosaic looking Plain-Jane types are terrific. Like this one. She’s real great. Just three drinks and she’s ready for action.”

“Three drinks...?” I asked.

“Yes  just three large pegs of neat whisky and she is all primed up – ready for action.”

“Really...?” I said, incredulous.

“The first drink  she lies horizontal. The second one  she puts her legs up by 45 degrees. And the moment she has her third drink  her legs go straight up to vertical position  and she is ready for action.”

“Like a Semaphore Signal...” I said.

“Semaphore Signal...? You mean the Flags...?”

“No. No. Not Naval Semaphore Signalling. I am talking about Railway Semaphore Signalling...” I said.

“Railway Semaphore Signalling...?” he asked, confused.

“Yes. Railway Semaphore Signalling. To be precise your passionate “Fleet Auxiliary” can be described as a Three Position Multiple Aspect Upper Quadrant (or MAUQ) Semaphore Signal...”

“Hey  stop the mumbo jumbo and explain to me in simple language...” Horny said.

Now  I am no great raconteur  so I picked up a pencil and piece a paper – I drew some pictures – and I explained the salient aspects of Semaphore Signalling. 

If you want to know what I told Horny  have a look at the picture below: 








                Multiple Aspect Upper Quadrant (MAUQ) Semaphore Signalling

The images above are from the Indian Railways Fan Club (IRFCA) Website Post on Signalling Systems. Indian Railways Fan Club (IRFCA) is a hobby group for discussing all aspects of railways in India. You may read the post on semaphore signals by clicking the url link:  http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-signal2.html


SEMAPHORE SIGNALLING

Let’s look at the red coloured signal first.

The arm at horizontal position means “stop”, inclined upwards at 45 degrees means “caution” and the arm in the vertical position means “all clear” and the train can proceed.

Now look at the yellow coloured semaphore signal.

I think, that in the context of this story, the yellow coloured signal seems more apt:

STOPATTENTIONPROCEED.

Now just imagine that the legs of the girl (our “fleet auxiliary”) in place of the arm of the signal.

First Drink – Legs Horizontal – STOP

Second Drink – Legs inclined upwards by 45 degrees – ATTENTION

Third Drink – Legs Vertical – PROCEED

On hearing my explanation  Horny burst out laughing – and we both laughed for a long time.

We were still laughing when “Semaphore Signal” joined us in the wardroom. 

She had freshened up. 

We talked. 

I liked her. 

Though she was quite chubby and ordinary looking  she had a very friendly smile – and she exuded a sort of affable charm.

Life moved on  Horny moved on – and – I moved on.

And – of course  the “Fleet Auxiliary” called “Semaphore Signal” moved on in life too – though I did see her a few times – circulating around in the Fleet.

Many years passed  and I had forgotten all about this episode. 

One day  I unexpectedly ran into “Semaphore Signal” while browsing in a bookstore located in a Mall.

I recognized her at once.

She was the very same “fleet auxiliary” I had nicknamed “Semaphore Signal”.

Now  so many years later  she had turned a bit plump  but otherwise – she looked the same chubby girl with a sincere, friendly smile which radiated the same charming warmth.

I smiled at her.

She did not smile back.

In fact – she totally ignored me  showing absolutely no trace of recognition. 

Then  she turned and walked towards the exit of the bookstore.

She walked out of the bookstore – and – she stood in the foyer.

I followed her with my eyes – and I positioned myself so that I could clearly see her.

She took out her mobile phone from her purse  dialled a number  held the cell-phone near her ear and she spoke briefly.

Then she walked into the Food Court of the Mall – and she sat down on a vacant table.

I kept down the book I was browsing  I walked out of the bookstore into the spacious food court – and I sat down on a table – from where I could see her clearly.

She knew that I was stalking her  but she avoided looking directly in my direction.   

Suddenly  a small girl came running and ran into her arms. 

The girl was followed by a man – who smiled at her and sat down opposite her.

They were talking  maybe they were discussing what to eat – mother, father and daughter – a happy family.

I noticed that “Semaphore Signal” exuded the bliss of domesticity.

I felt happy for her – a “Fleet Auxiliary” so happily settled down in family life.

It was time for me to leave.

I got up  I looked at her for the last time  and  I started to turn away.

Just as I was turning away  “Semaphore Signal” looked in my direction. 

She gave me a fleeting glance – a brief smile of recognition.

Then – she looked down at her daughter and started talking to her.


EPILOGUE

As I walked away after the encounter  I felt happy for “Semaphore Signal”.

She was one of the fortunate “fleet auxiliaries” who had put her past behind, moved on into a new world, and settled down into a happy married life – the bliss of domesticity.

Other “fleet auxiliaries” were not so lucky.

Some “fleet auxiliaries” could not move on in life and they persisted with their ways till age overcame them  and  the only future the could look forward to was to live a life of a lonely spinster  an old maid  with only reminisces to think about. 

A few “fleet auxiliaries” managed to “trap” a gullible naval officer into marriage.

Some marriages succeeded  but  many such marriages ended in disaster  since they remained in the same environment and did not escape to a new world. 

Much as they tried  they could not prevent the shadow of their past life from haunting their present lives.

I don’t know why  but  whenever I see a woman drinking whisky  I remember “Semaphore Signal”.

Yes  whenever I see a woman drinking whisky  the episode of The Fleet Auxiliary called Semaphore Signal” is rekindled in my mind – I hark back to those delightful Navy days  and a smile comes to my lips.

I really do not know if there is a connection between alcohol and promiscuity – but then as my Navy Friend Romeo would boast: “Give me a woman who drinks and I can get her into bed”.

And  he proved his theory  time and again.

But that is another story  one more yarn I will spin some day.

Till then  let me hark back with nostalgia to the story of The Fleet Auxiliary called Semaphore Signal

NB: 

By the way  the Railways have replaced Traditional Semaphore Signals with Electric Light Signals  and  I don’t think you will see a traditional Semaphore Signal anymore. 

But that doesn’t matter. 

The next time you see a railway signal  or a traffic signal  and as you watch it changing colour  do remember this story  and have a laugh.

Dear Reader – Keep Laughing and have a Happy Day

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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 apocryphal 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. Please note that around 40 years ago  in the 1970’s  it was an all-male Navy  where bawdy jokes, ribaldry and profane language was the order of the day  and concepts like gender-sensitivity were unheard of  and this story is written in that spirit.
3. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)
     
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
 

This Story was written by me Vikram Karve more than 5 years ago in January 2012 and posted online earlier in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve 
http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/10/a-fleet-auxiliary-called-semaphore.html  

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