midnight
-- Lieutenant Meade had reached the officers ' mess -- was it music or were his ears playing him a trick ? Meade opened the door and thought at first he must be dreaming . There sat his friend and comrade , Lieutenant Besser , at the piano , hammering wildly on the keys . That same Johnny Besser who , on account of his theological predilections went by the nickname of `` The Reverend , '' and who could argue until long after midnight over the most profound Biblical problems , that same Johnny Besser , who was perpetually on the water-wagon . There he sat , banging away as hard as he could on the piano ! Meade rushed at him angrily and seizing him by the arm cried : `` Johnny , what are you doing here ? Are you crazy ? ''