C) Mr. Brown Takes on Airplane Trip

(Mr. Brown, looking at his watch.) There seems to be some delay. Our plane is to leave at 2.10 and it's already 2.20. Wait. That's our flight they are an­nouncing over the loudspeaker now. Flight 620 — leaving for Miami. Gate 14. You have the tickets. Come on! There's a line forming. If we hurry we can have our choice of seats when we get on the plane. I like to sit in the middle of the plane. (Mr. Brown, obviously ill at ease.) Do you want to know something? I'm beginning to feel a little ner­vous.

There's nothing to be nervous about.

This is my first plane trip. Maybe I'm not going to like it.

There's nothing at all to worry about. Once you're up in the air it's just like sitting at home in your own living room. — That's just where I'd like to be right now — sit­ting at home in my own living room.

— Here take your ticket. You have to show it as you go through the gate.

— Do I need my passport?

— Not here. You show your passport in Miami when we arrive. (They pass through the gate, board plane, take seats near the centre of the plane.)

— (Mr. Brown looking around.) What's the idea of the seat belts?

— You're supposed to fasten yourself firmly to your seat in case of an accident. Otherwise you may be thrown against the seat in front and injured.

— And if the plane catches on fire I won't be able to get out either.

— Nothing like that ever happens. You're beginning to make me nervous.

— What's that terrible noise?

— Those are the motors. They're warming them up. We're about to take off. Lo! We're starting. Isn't it thrilling? Now we're leaving the ground. John, stop clenching your teeth and open your eyes. We're already in the air and you're completely safe and sound. Look down below and see how pretty New York looks from the air.

— Maybe I'll get sick if I look down. Heavens, what was that? The plane dropped suddenly.

— That was probably an air pocket. Every time a plane strikes an air pocket it always dips a little. Nothing serious is going to happen to you. Thousands of peo­ple travel by plane every day and nothing happens to them. Be a little philosophical. When your turn comes to die, you'll die — and not before.

— But suppose today happens to be the pilot's turn?

Then the co-pilot will take over. These big planes always carry two pilots. Now, please, sit back and relax. We'll soon be in Miami and all your trou­bles will be over.