Saturday, July 24, 2021

In My Skull, with SSG Joe Jacob and MU1 Frank Mullen

In My Skull

starring

SSG Joe Jacob, USMC, as the Assistant School of Music Master-at-Arms

and

MU1 Frank Mullen, USN, as the Piano Instructor

Time: Early 1980s.

Setting: School of Music quarterdeck.

At rise: SSG Jacob is sitting in the Master-at-Arms's shack. He wears bulky headphones and is humming.

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(Enter MU1 Mullen from the C-wing passageway. As he turns the corner, SSG Jacob sees him, takes off the headphones and steps out onto the quarterdeck. He is carrying the headphones in one hand and a little box in the other.)

JACOB

 Hey, Frank, check this out.

MULLEN

Check what out? A pair of headphones? What's that little thing they're plugged into?

JACOB

This? Don't worry; just put the headphones on.

MULLEN

Don't fuck with me.

JACOB

 Would I fuck with you?.

MULLEN

 Jesus H.

(He puts on the headphones.)

Yeah, okay, so what am I supposed to--

JACOB

Hang on a sec.

(He presses something on the little thing in his hand.)

Get ready. 

MULLEN 

Get ready for what? I--Whoa... How is...Oh, my God, it's Sinatra...

(He speaks louder.) 

He's singing "Under My Skin" in my head! Not through my ears; actually in my head!...No, my skull! 

(He's yelling now.) 

Frank Sinatra is singing in my skull! In! My! Skull!"

(He pulls the headphones off.)

Damn...How...What is this?

JACOB

It's called "Walkman."  

----- Curtain ---