Hay Foot

Dodo Doubleday, a raw recruit, rockets from private to senior NCO in under 24 hours thanks to an encyclopedic mind and a string of lucky accidents. This meteoric ascent is followed by an inexplicable demotion back to staff sergeant, and he returns to being the regimental commander's orderly. The reversal confounds the other soldiers and sets up a power dynamic with the other men.

Sergeant Ames hates Dodo for outranking him within the first day, fueling a bitter rivalry between the two. The resentment spills into every assignment and interaction as they try to prove themselves. The unit's mood tightens around this contest for status.

Charlie Cobb, another buck sergeant, is among the regiment's best marksmen. He and Ames constantly boast about their prowess, which prompts Colonel Barkley to seek an expert who can outshoot them. The rivalry thus becomes a central problem for the colonel.

Despite his photographic memory and weapon knowledge, Dodo is gun shy and a poor marksman. His weakness contrasts sharply with his intellect, creating a paradox he must overcome. This realization leads the colonel to seek an expert who can outshoot Ames and Cobb.

During the pistol range, Dodo nearly shoots several fellow soldiers as his aim is off and the actual target seems to vanish in the confusion. The incident underscores his dangerous lack of control despite his theoretical knowledge. The other men watch with a mix of fear and disbelief.

After the range incident, Dodo is ordered to the woods to practice away from the main unit. The aim is to build true gun skills in isolation and reduce risk to his comrades. The woods become the stage for quieter, more intense training and self-doubt.

While practicing in the woods, Dodo accidentally shoots a hawk through its eye in flight. This dramatic misfire draws the colonel and his daughter Betty's attention and fuels the rumor mill. The incident marks a turning point in how others view his talent and danger.

Later, as the colonel fishes, an accidental discharge from Dodo's pistol shoots the fish through its eye. The episode further cements his reputation for unpredictable accuracy and misfortune. It intensifies the colonel's curiosity about whether Dodo can be harnessed as a genuine marksman.

Seeing potential or spectacle in these events, the colonel bets a month's pay that Dodo can outshoot Ames and Cobb. The wager publicizes the challenge and sets a clear goal for proving someone can surpass the regiment's best shooters. It becomes the centerpiece of the coming test.

Betty invites Dodo to dinner at the colonel's quarters as part of an effort to promote democracy in the United States Army. The notion of democratic inclusion unsettles the veterans, and they wonder how the gathering will affect rank and rivalry. It signals a shift in social dynamics within the regiment.

Ames and Cobb interpret the dinner invitation as possibly excluding them, fueling fear and resentment toward Dodo. Their sense of entitlement clashes with Betty's attempt at inclusive camaraderie. The tension between old guard and new potential outshooter comes into sharper focus.

With the wager in place and the social shake-up underway, the stage is set for a future contest to determine who will outshoot Ames and Cobb. The colonel's search for an expert is now tied to the possibility that Dodo could be the one to bridge the gap. The regiment awaits the next move as plans solidify.