—Kathy, please prepare the cabin for takeoff.
—You already said that, sir. Sir? Brian?
—Is the cabin prepared?
—We’re airborne, sir.
—I’d like to hear that from Troy, please.
—We’re airborne, sir.
What else have I forgotten? Did I do my pre-flight check? The engines, if they were turning any more smoothly, would be silent. I don’t believe them any more than I trust the earth that rolls by gently beneath us beckoning.
—What does everyone think of me, Kathy?
—Please, Brian. Shouldn’t we call the tower?
—And what, turn around while we still have fuel?
—If you’re not feeling well.
—So you trust me to land?
Sometimes the horizon is a finish line in the distance, other days—I feel the pull of the earth like another silent engine—a level I don’t dare to dip below.
—We could let Troy take over, sir.
—That shows how little you comprehend.
How I envy the clarity of these instruments. Just once, I wish I were understood as well as I understand this yoke. A little nudge and we stay on course, but too much leaning forward and we fall off a cliff.
—Tell me something I can understand.
We only think we’re pilots because of where we sit on the plane. From the aft galley, with all those rows ahead of us, we’d know we’re not in control, just trying to put one terminal behind us, headed for another.
—What are you planning to do?
—Something incontrovertible.
—There’s no such thing, you know.
—I know. Doubt creeps in. And now I can’t decide.
The most annoying little girl has asked to see the cockpit. I sit her on my lap. She wipes her gummy fingers on my face and I promise to get her safely to the Magic Kingdom.
Copyright © May 05, 2008 David Hodges
Very Short Novels 
9 comments
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May 6, 2008 at 5:29 am
Wizzer
It wasn’t until I read the last line and saw the final destination that I understood the pilot’s desperation !!!!
Seriously, this is worrying. Anyone of us could be on his plane – or another pilot who has just had enough. The dialogue in this really moves it on – fast. Another “story” with “real” problems.
Thanks, Wizzer! If they continue to use code words to explain flight delays, is it any wonder we wonder what’s really going on?
–David
May 6, 2008 at 5:36 am
Ioju
Excellent final line. Thank you!
Thanks, Ioju and welcome to Very Short Novels!
–David
May 6, 2008 at 8:12 am
archiearchive FCD
Yikes! I hate flying as it is – now I may start walking everywhere! Is there a bridge to America?
Yikes, indeed! As for America’s bridges, well, some of them aren’t looking too good either. Thanks, Archie. Happy flying.
–David
May 6, 2008 at 12:02 pm
grantman
..sounds like a script for Airplane 08′ with Leslie Nielson…and the Magic Kingdom for a destination…peanut butter and jelly for all my friends…
Grantman
I’m racking my brain for the pb&j reference, but so far I haven’t found it. Thanks grantman.
–David
May 8, 2008 at 5:18 am
verbivore
We dislike having our airline pilots made into real human beings with their own sets of concerns and worries. Way to tap into a really primal fear. We give so much control away in so many modern circumstances and it’s easier not to think about it. Wonderfully, and bravely, done.
Hey, I don’t like to think about it either, verbivore. This is my way of purging. Thanks!
–David
May 8, 2008 at 7:16 am
Jennifer
And here I sit, thousands of miles away from home, knowing I’ll be at the mercy of a pilot in a few days …
I love what you convey in the gaps between words.
Just my little parting gift before you take off! Thanks, Jennifer.
–David
May 8, 2008 at 3:39 pm
litlove
Wow, remind me never to sit beside you on a flight – I shudder to think what your imagination could do to me (I’m a nervous flier) by the time we landed!
Thank you, Litlove. Your comment just gave me the most overwhelming sense of deja vu. I feel certain, despite knowing better, we’ve flown together somewhere.
–David
May 9, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Hoda Zaki
David,
This is a frightfully beautiful story. You have a such a love affairs with words: you know how to bring out their magic and how to make them paint your meanings to achieve the desired effect.
The only drawback is that I might have to cancel a trip coming up in July!
Bravo!
Hoda
In that case, I warn you not to read “Pre-Crash Checklist,” “Social Security,” or “Flight Delay.” Apparently characters never get where they’re going in these Novels. Thank you for your beautiful compliment, Hoda.
–David
May 10, 2008 at 11:57 am
Teresa
That heightened awareness is common in both the Fool and the psychopath. I guess the difference is that when the Fool steps over the edge, he keeps on flying, but when the psychopath does it, he falls (and takes us with him).
Dreadfully good story. Reminds me of a couple of mine that I haven’t actually written yet; maybe it’s time for me to sit down and write.
Thanks once again for sharing your exceptional craftmanship.