Thursday, 4 Oct. 45

Dearest -

This is the 56th day and the end of 8 weeks at Shoemaker & still nothing [to] do in the way of a draft I'm reconciled to my fate; if I just remain in this transient state a few more months, I should be eligible for return home for separation - i.e. from the Navy.

I spent the day working in that literal madhouse, the 3rd batt. hq. It's the old story of too many cooks; I'm still trying to figure out who's who among the many personnel that drift in & out, loiter around, do some odds & ends & block the exits. I did a little work, typed out work permits, leave requests, helped men fill out demobilization forms, & 3-children fathers on their way out of the Navy. There's no one to instruct on the work but by asking questions, I've learned a bit of the procedure or utter lack