MATC Det Commander (Controller type, usually a CAPT or LT without a clue) :
"Your readiness is at 85%".
MATC Det Maint O (always a former Enlisted guy) :
"Damnit CAPT"!!
MATC Det Commander :
"I'll ask for the fourth time. When is our readiness going to be at 95%, I told you to make sure it was at least 95% or higher on this report"!
MATC Det Maint O :
"You want lies"?
MATC Det Commander :
"I want higher readiness".
MATC Det Maint O :
"You want lies"!
MATC Det Commander :
"I want the truthful higher numbers".
MATC Det Maint O :
"You can't handle the truth"!
(And nobody moves)
MATC Det Maint O :
(continuing)
"Sir, we live in a world that needs constant maintenance.
and that maintenance has to be performed by men
with skill. Who's gonna do it? You? You,
Capt Dargan? I have a greater
responsibility than you can possibly
fathom. You weep for higher readiness numbers and you
curse the maintainers. You have that luxury.
You have the luxury of not knowing what I
know: that honest reporting, while painful,
probably saved lives. And my existence,
while grotesque and incomprehensible to
you, saves lives".
(beat)
"You don't want the truth. Because deep
down, in places you don't talk about at
parties, you want me in that maintenance bay. You need me
there"!
(boasting)
"We use words like Limited, AFU,
CASREP...we use these words as the
Backbone to a life spent maintaining
something. You use'em as a punchline".
(beat)
"I have neither the time nor the
inclination to explain myself to a man who
rises and sleeps under the blanket of the
very readiness I provide, then questions the
manner in which I provide it. I'd prefer
you just said thank you and went on your
way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a
tweeker and start fixing. Either way, I
don't give a damn what you think you're
entitled to".
MATC Det Commander :
(quietly)
"Did you order that the Operator Position be reported on a CASREP"?
MATC Det Maint O :
(beat)
"I did the job you sent me to do".
MATC Det Commander :
"Did you order the CASREP"?
MATC Det Maint O :
(pause)
"You're goddam right I did" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MATC Det Commander :
"And why did you order the CASREP"!?!
MATC Det Maint O :
"Because YOU spilled COFFEE on the KEYBOARD AGAIN"!!!!!!
