Don is wearing his purple heart, pinned to his swimming trunks. He is at the beach. The surf is up. With the waves rolling in, Brian Wilson's falsetto can be heard faintly, singing from a fairly distant concession. ("When I Grow Up to Be a Man.... ") Two women are lying face down on towels between Don and the concession.
"Sir? Can I get you anything?"
A red-haired boy, about 10, interrupts Don's gaze toward the sound, and the bathing beauties.
All Don sees is that glint of red. He shakes him off, then stops, turning toward him, and replies.
"I'll have a root beer float, and some Cracker Jacks, boy."
"Sure thing" and he runs off.
Inside, looking from the concession window, Joan is watching Don, as Opie approaches. Her expression does not reveal much. But it might be surprise.
"Who is he, Thelma Lou?" asks the boy.
"Just another man from the city, Ope"
I oughta tell him that his fly is open, Opie thinks as he returns with the cup and cracker jack in the foldout cardboard container.
Brian Wilson, singing, as the beauties gather up and start to move.
Don is gone. Opie finds the purple heart on a blue towel the next day.
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