He could be an officer in 4 years and have his own ship in 8 years, and further fulfill what his heroic father did in 12 minutes of command (save 800 lives): "I dare you to do better." Marlowe thanks the General for the drink and promises to be back in touch:Marlowe: Thanks for the drink, General.]After MGM acquired stage and film rights to Baum""s book (for $35,000), a Broadway stage-play version was first planned as a test of its popularity.Damn.Days go on and on.They don""t end.He is tormented and pent-up, lying awake on his bed watching daytime soap operas on television in his littered hovel, and full of agony trying to find his own identity:All my life needed was a sense of someplace to go.