Since I had no cigarettes, I was at a disadvantage to bargain for anything. Lt. Jim Magargee (a B-17 Bombardier from Pennsylvania, who had been shot down 8/11/44 on a raid over Paris) and I were discussing the situation and noted all the dirty, smelly clothes on many, and decided to go into business. Thus the E.Z. Duz Laundry was born.

We had plenty of soap but no water or large cans for doing the work. We engaged Lt. Emerson Jones, a big time operator, to get these items and shag the water as needed. My Pilot, Lt. Schauer, was hired to solicit business and to pickup and deliver the clothes. The clothes were returned to the customer, wet. They agreed to work for us for three cigarettes a day, since they had no cigarettes either.

Everyone laughed at us for doing such menial work for a few cigarettes. However, business boomed. The second day we hired additional help, some to scrub the dirty cuffs and greasy spots, some to rinse, some to wring--they were paid two or three cigarettes a day, depending on their skill.

After a couple of days they went on strike for higher wages. We finally settled, but had to go out of business the fifth day for lack of cigarettes on the part of our customers. We had accumulated numerous cartons of cigarettes and were independently wealthy. In fact, I made a major deal for 50 packs of cigarettes (which amounted to about a year's wages) for a pair of civilian shoes, which ended up being a size too big. My pilot came running breathlessly, and said:

"I just heard some fool paid 50 packs of cigarettes for a pair of shoes."

"What?!, you are off my crew!"