The Last Salute

It's the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis and everyone is worrying about the possibility of nuclear war. Harry is planning a weekend away with Catherine. He's worried that any 'hostilities' will interfere with his plans. Leonard gives the AA men a talk on surviving a nuclear attack. He suggests that each of the men should protect himself by turning up his collar and putting a brown paper bag over his head. Leonard misunderstands a phone call and becomes convinced that a nuclear war has started. He tells Harry to take Catherine down into the cellar while he goes to get Joyce. She's preparing a meal when Leonard bursts in and carries her off to the old air-raid shelter in the garden. The house blows up because Joyce had not had chance to light the gas in the oven. Leonard spends the night with Joyce, while Harry and Catherine sleep together in the cellar. Next morning, Joyce is angry with Leonard when she discovers that there has not, in fact, been a nuclear attack.