THE ADVENTURES OF VIC SOCOTRA, PRIVATE DICK"

TODAYS EPISODE: "VIC SOCOTRA, BRIG RAT"

WHEN I CAME TO, THE GREY STEEL WALLS WERE REELING AROUND LIKE A merry-go-round. I reached for my pocket flask, but it wasn't there.

That wasn't all. My clothes were gone, and all I had was a denim shirt and dungaree pants. I reached up to touch my forehead, and my fingers felt a soft mass just slightly smaller than a volleyball. Somebody had K.O.'d me, but good. As I ran my hand back further, I encountered only stiff bristles. Someone had shaved my head!

Was there no outrage the Fat Man would not perpetrate on his enemies?
Apparently not. I looked around and the little cubicle spun. My head still felt like a big pre-war Dusenburg had rammed it at full throttle. I grabbed the bottom of the narrow rack and steadied myself. At the front of the room was a wire mesh screen.

I was in the slammer. My hands went to my pockets for a smoke. They had even taken my Lucky Strikes!
I knew I was in for the treatment now. I saw a figure go by in the passageway, clad in some sort of camouflage outfit. The Fat Man's operation was even bigger than I thought. This was going to take some dramatic action. I crawled over to the wire mesh and pulled myself upright. I heard footsteps coming back. "Got a smoke, buddy?" I asked nonchalantly.  

The figure halted and turned my way. I heard a shouted command and feet pounded towards my cell. I clenched my fists. All I had going for me was knuckles and know-how against my captors. I didn't think it was going to be enough, not this time . . . but I had one thing that they didn't - an Expense Account ...

DON'T MISS TOMORROW'S ACTION-PACKED CHAPTER
OF VIC SOCOTRA: "ESCAPE AT GENERAL QUARTERS"