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Colonel Potter held up his hands. "All right, here's how it's going to go! We're going to have two teams; the Red team and the blue team! The captains, Captain
Pierce and Major Houlihan will be choosing the team members and then we'll go over the rules!"
Radar watched as one by one the names were called and his friends excitedly hurried to join their respective teams.
"All right, everyone. Here are the rules!"
Everyone chattered excitedly, but Radar felt out of place. For he was the only one left who hadn't been chosen for a team.
"Okay, ready? Get set?" Colonel Potter shouted.
Before the Colonel could finish his order, Radar quietly slipped into the shadows and back where he belonged. No one was looking at him and no one even
realized that he was even there. He might as well go back to work.
In the radio room, he sat down in his chair and began to organize the mound of paperwork that filled his desk. Minutes later when it was all straightened out, he
signed what he needed to sign and made a neat stack of the papers for Colonel Potter to sign, or in some cases initial and then sign saying he'd initialed where
he was supposed to sign.
But he couldn't concentrate. His eyes moved across the radio room until they landed on the small furry brown object that lay on his bed. He picked up the bear
and clutched it to his chest. Just holding it was a comfort. He couldn't just sit there so he brought the bear over to the table where it would keep him company.
Minutes later he was so absorbed in his work that he didn't realize that he was no longer alone.
"Radar what are you doing in here by yourself? It's a beautiful day! The teams have all been chosen and we were all ready to start the second round of the
MASH Olympics has begun!"
Radar went back to sorting his papers. "Yeah, I know."
"Well, if you know, then why aren't you out there?"
He turned his head, trying not to meet Hawkeye's gaze. But it wasn't easy.
Radar, if you're behind on your work, I'll help you! or I'm sure that Colonel Potter will-."
"The heck with Colonel Potter and the heck with you! The heck with all of you!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, in case you're wondering what I'm doing in here, it's a nice place to be when you aren't wanted, all right?"
"Not wanted? Radar what are you talking about?"
"I didn't hear you or Major Houlihan calling my name to be on either team and no one seemed to even notice that I was there, so I figured that I might as well
not be there at all!"
"We did that, didn't we?"
Radar angrily shot from his desk and picked up a stack of papers, crossing the room to file them in the top drawer of the filing cabinet. "Yes so if you don't mind
I have work to do!"
"Radar, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention, or Major Houlihan's attention to ignore you. You can be on my team."
"No thank you."
To Radar's horror, Hawkeye coaxed him out of the chair and tossed the teddy bear onto the bed where it bounced and then fell flat on the mattress.
"Hey! Watch what you're doing! You're hurting him!"
"Just come on! The bear will be fine!"
Radar continued to protest as Hawkeye dragged him outside where everyone was waiting.
"Radar where have you been? You're holding up the games!" Colonel Potter said.
"Colonel with all due respect we were the ones holding up the games. It seems that we-all of us, had forgotten Radar."
"Forgot Radar? Na, that's impossible! Radar could never be forgotten! Isn't that right, everyone?"
The chorus of cheers made Radar smile.
"That's nice, Colonel, but I meant-."
"I know what you meant, Hawkeye. And I meant it too. Radar has been a godsend to this whole outfit in more ways than one. And from now on we're going to
make sure that he knows he's appreciated!"
Another chorus of cheers made Radar blush. "Oh come on, guys! Cut it out!"
"I think we're embarrassing him." Hawkeye laughed. "Come on, Radar, let's get our team ready to go!"
"Well what are we waiting for?" Colonel Potter shouted. "Let the games begin!"
~Fin~