No Way to Get to America
"Well, Hadji, what do you think about traveling by airplane?" Jonny asked his new adopted brother as they entered the airport.
"It was fun, Jonny," Hadji answered, and promptly added, "The first three times."
Race Bannon was not so optimistic about it as he came in behind the boys carrying his own suitcase. "First a tropical storm and we detour, then an emergency landing due to fog…then the engine gets hit by lightning, and we still have 9,000 miles to go. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear somebody don't want us getting back to Palm Key."
"I said it before, and I say it again," Hadji said jokingly, "This is no way to get to America."
Race sighed and told the boys, "Oh well, we might as well find a seat and take a load off while we wait for the next departure. But if our luck with the airplanes doesn't improve soon, I'm opting for a boat ride the rest of the way home."
"Home," Hadji spoke up, "A new and foreign concept," all the same he had a big smile on his face as he said it.
"I think you'll like Palm Key, Hadji, once we actually get there," Race said.
"I think Bandit feels the same way, Race," Jonny picked up the little pet carrier he'd hauled in and undid the latch so Bandit could get out and stretch his short legs a bit before they boarded the next plane.
The plump little white dog scattered out of his pet taxi and went around the floor in circles, sniffing and happily barking, "Ruff-ruff-ruff-ruff-ruff!"
Race and the boys laughed at the yappy little dog's antics.
"That's exactly how I feel yo-yoing between airports, Bandit," Race told him, and tilted his head back and closed his eyes momentarily, "And I'll like it when we get back home."
Jonny looked around the waiting area of the terminal and finally saw his dad coming their way.
"Hey Dad, when's the next flight leave?" he asked.
"In about an hour, son," Dr. Quest went over towards their bodyguard and asked him, "Race, can I see you for a moment?"
"Sure thing, Doctor," Race answered as he stood up, "Your office or mine?"
The two men walked out of earshot of the boys, who Benton was relieved to find weren't trying to listen in on the conversation anyway. He looked to the other man and told him, "There are only two open spots on the next flight out. The next plane heading anywhere near Florida that isn't already booked solid, won't leave until tomorrow afternoon."
"Great," Race said, "Now we're going to be stuck here another 15 hours."
"Maybe not," Benton replied, "I had an idea. What if one of us takes one of the boys and goes on ahead, and the other two will follow on the next flight?"
"Not that I'm not tempted, Doctor, but who would be going and who would be staying, and which kid would be going with whom?"
"Well I thought about that, Race," Benton said, "I think it would be very beneficial for Hadji if the two of you went on ahead by yourselves, give him a chance to get adjusted to everything before we join up. Jonny and I can take tomorrow's flight out…besides, I'm sure Bandit would enjoy a night in a hotel room instead of that carry cage."
"That's a good idea, Doctor, I like it," Race told him, "I'm sure Hadji will too."
"I took the liberty of getting you two tickets while they were still available," Doctor Quest retrieved the two airline tickets from his coat pocket, "Do you think Hadji will mind traveling business class this time?"
"I know I won't," Race answered as he took the tickets, "We've just had three first class trips that all ended in disaster. If this one gets us home, we can be freight for all I care."
Dr. Quest chuckled and responded, "That's the spirit, Race, I'll go explain the situation to the boys and…"
"I'll do it, Doctor Quest," Race offered, "I don't think Hadji would take unkindly to the news but all the same I think it'll be better coming from me."
The bodyguard headed back to the two boys who were talking amongst themselves and laughing while they waited for something to happen.
"Hey boys, I need to talk to you for a minute," he told them as he sat down across from them.
"What is it, Race?" Jonny asked.
"Well we've run into another bout of bad luck on this plane too. Most of the seats are already booked up, there are only two spots available, and the next available flight won't leave until tomorrow afternoon."
"Oh," Jonny said as he patted Bandit on the head, "So what do we do, Race?"
"Well we have two options, either one, we can all stay in a hotel for the night and come back tomorrow, or two of us could leave now and the other two could take the later flight," Race explained.
"Gosh, which two?" Jonny asked.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you boys about," Race told them, "Jonny, what if you and your dad and Bandit stayed at the hotel, and Hadji and I went on ahead?" he turned to the Indian boy and asked him, "Would that be alright with you, Hadji?"
"Yes, Mr. Bannon, that would be fine," Hadji said, "If it is alright with Jonny and Dr. Quest."
"What do you say, Jonny?" Race asked, "Once we get home it's going to be an adjustment for Hadji, it might be better if he had some time to get adapted to everything before it's all of us jam packed together again."
Jonny shrugged and said, "Well I don't mind, Race. I think Bandit's tired of riding in his taxi for one day anyway." He looked down at the tired and dopily grinning dog and asked him, "Aren't you, boy?"
Bandit's response was to climb up in his master's lap and sprawl all fours every which way and let his head droop down with his tongue hanging out.
"Looks like a yes to me," Hadji said.
Race stood up and told the boy, "Come on, Hadji, we better get going so we'll make the plane."
"See you guys in a couple days," Jonny waved goodbye.
"See you, Jonny," Hadji said as he picked up his suitcase.
"Either way I'm just glad we don't have to linger here anymore than necessary," Race confided in Hadji, "In which case, Hadji, makes you fortunate enough to miss out on one custom in particular that's not worth experiencing."
"What is that, Mr. Bannon?" Hadji asked.
"Airport food," Race answered.