The Overlooked Memo

The manila folder sits quietly on the corner of a wooden desk. It's December sixth, nineteen forty-one, just after three PM in Washington, D.C. The office is quiet on this Saturday afternoon. Most personnel have already left for the weekend. Lieutenant Commander Alwin Kramer, head of the Translation Section of US Naval Intelligence, places the newly translated intercept into the folder. The message, originally in Japanese diplomatic code, mentions something about Hawaii and a deadline. Kramer reviews the translation and marks it as important but not urgent. The folder will be delivered during the regular morning distribution tomorrow. Lieutenant Commander Kramer weighs the folder in his hand for a moment, considering its contents. His eyes linger on the reference to Hawaii and the specific deadline mentioned in the intercept. For a brief moment, he contemplates making a special delivery to his superiors. But then, decisively, he places the folder back down on his desk. The thought of disturbing senior naval officials on their weekend over what appears to be another diplomatic message seems excessive.