Tuesday, May 4, 1943

Dear Diary,

Bob was at Pensacola, Florida, tonight. He had more fun with swamps, just he did in La last week. He and Colonna and Frances and Skinnay were going through the swamps. Jerry was the guide, so when he came upon an alligator, he yelled back, “I’ll wave my hand at him to see if he’s friendly.’ Bob said, “Well is it friendly?” Jerry replied, “Certainly. It’s waving my hand back at me.” Frances sang “Let’s Get Lost” tonight, and every few minutes after that Bob would break out with snatches of it. He may have been kidding, but folly that guy can sing. Vera Vague asked Bob how he was enjoying the tour. He said, “Ah yes, first to Arizona, then Texas, then Louisiana. And all because of my fans.” “Where do we go next?” “Wherever my fans chase us.”

Tuesday, April 17, 1943

Dear Diary,

Bob was at the army air base at Monroe, Louisiana, tonight. They did a play showing a southern boy courting his girl. As they were leaving the house there was a loud noise, as if something had dropped. Bob didn’t explain what it was, but as soon as it happened, he said, “Is that my option?” Bob was talking with Vera Vague, and Miss V. said, “I was reared in the South. I came down here to see some of the boys I grew up with.” Bob replied, “Yes, I saw you looking at their statues.” B.J. said, “You dear boy. You know what you look like, don’t you? You like like somethings that’s left when they drain one of these Louisiana swamps.” Bob and Wen Niles did one of their now-famous singing commercials to the tune of “Chloe” tonight.