Chapter 6
Author's note: For the sake of brevity I will skip the Butch and Linda sequence and proceed directly to Jimmy and Cindy in the lab. For purposes of clarity, Butch got his dance date with Linda and the gift was an incredible success. The whole event was great scientific info for Jimmy's analytical process in dealings with the opposite sex. One thing remains of course; Cindy seems to be pursuing Jimmy with relentless fervor. Something Jimmy had not calculated at all.
Also, my apologies for not updating in a while, I was on vacation for the past week.
Cindy felt a bit of what could be best described as a combination of excitement and anxiety while heading towards Jimmy's lab. She had gathered up all her rocket design materials and every bit of her will to make this important appointment. Her soar throat was starting to get worst and she was starting to feel genuinely sick with something, but she was not going to let it damping her enthusiasm. For now, she would hang tough so she could get her opportunity to ask a very unsuspecting Jimmy Neutron to the dance. She had gone over the details many times with Libby and she wasn't going to take no for an answer. Once she entered into the lab the plan would be set in motion, and Jimmy would have little option but to surrender to it.
She had arrived at the lab entrance and did a quick check to make sure all was in order. A bit of lip-gloss, a splash of perfume, all materials for her rocket were in hand. She knocked on the door and to her surprise; Jimmy had opened the door in person. This was strange since she was sort of half way expecting to be sucked down some kind of tube, or sprung into some other entry device. She couldn't help but smile at the site of Jimmy in his lab coat ready to solve all her problems with the rocket design.
"So, did you bring all your stuff?" Inquired Jimmy in a thoughtful manner.
"Sure did!" Replied Cindy trying to mask her enthusiasm a little bit.
"Well come on in!" Invited Jimmy moving his arm in a welcoming gesture.
"Thank You!"
Jimmy guided her down to the lab and pulled a chair for her next to his computer console. She sat down next to him never taking her eyes off him once. He logged in to his computer and brought up his Rocket simulation program and got it ready to input a new design. He turned to Cindy.
"Let me see what you have so far?" Asked Jimmy.
"Well it's only on paper, but I have all the dimensions clearly marked in red." Revealed Cindy.
"You Ok?" Asked Jimmy sounding a bit concerned. "You sound a little hoarse."
"Oh I just have a bit of a soar throat but I'll be fine!" Insisted Cindy.
"Would you like a pop cycle or something?"
"Yeah! That would be great if you have one!"
Jimmy signaled Goddard to go retrieve a pop cycle from the basement freezer. Soon Goddard brought over a Big Stick for Cindy. Jimmy started entering Cindy's rocket dimensions into the program and soon had her rocket design represented in 3-D graphics and ready to test in the simulator. He looked over the design with curious precision looking for possible improvements that could be done right away.
"Hmmm, this is an elegant design Cindy, I'm very impressed!" Remarked Jimmy still studying the model.
"Thank you!" Said Cindy joyfully. She was surprised, and delighted, to hear Jimmy actually compliment her efforts. Up until now she had struggled to even get her work noticed by Jimmy and even then, it was met with criticism and consternation. This was a nice change to see him actually embrace something she created.
"So what's the record for highest flight?" Inquired Jimmy still examining the model.
"1600ft." Replied Cindy.
"Hmmm, do you have access to the full 7 seconds of delay?"
"Yes as a matter of fact, why?"
"Your model only reaches 1400ft. even with 7 seconds of coasting time after max power." Explained Jimmy.
"So what can we do?" Asked Cindy.
"Well, the problem isn't that your rocket is not fast. In fact it's faster than most at max thrust." Jimmy continued. "The problem isn't solved by speed, but by reducing drag and total surface area."
Jimmy explained the problem in detail and recommended using a different design for the purpose of altitude. In all his explaining Cindy hardly heard a word. She was watching with joy at Jimmy embracing her problem with enthusiastic fervor. She couldn't help but think about how she felt about him and from what she could see Libby was right, she was now in his happy place.
Cindy had now finished her pop cycle as was waiting for the right moment to spring her question. By now Jimmy had completely changed her rocket design to achieve max altitude of over 1800ft. in the simulator. It was all she could do to keep herself from jumping in his lap again and getting that kiss, but she was really starting to feel a fever coming on now and it wasn't from her desire. She was really feeling sick.
Jimmy continued to explain the relationship of Center of Gravity and Center of Pressure and how it affects rocket stability. She could see that the new design had really taken shape with slick elliptical fins and vast reduction in total surface area. Jimmy continued in his technical daze.
"So can you help me build it?" Inquired Cindy now seeing an opportunity.
"Sure.." Replied Jimmy still entranced with the details.
"And will you take me to the dance tomorrow night?" Asked Cindy with a quick gasp.
"Yeah sure….Now we can move the fins…ah wait! Did you just ask me to take you to the dance?" Wondered Jimmy. Cindy nodded.
"..And did I just say yes?" Asked Jimmy confused at the events that just transpired.
"Yup!" Replied Cindy with a smile, "You've already agreed so you can't take it back now!"
"Sneaky!" Thought Jimmy.
"I do have some rules though!" Declared Cindy.
"Yes, and what are they?"
"First, you only dance with me so no frolics with other girls."
"Ok!"
"Second, you take me for a hover car ride and Candy Bar afterwards!"
"Sounds reasonable!"
"Third, and most important, NO Betty Quinlin!" Demanded Cindy.
Jimmy back up putting his hands in the air in a semi defensive fashion.
"I'm all yours!" Said Jimmy.
"Good answer!" Said Cindy. She could hardly contain her excitement as she gave Jimmy a hug and pressed her check against his. She turned and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before letting go. Jimmy was surprised, but also had a look of concern to him now as if he was really worried about something. Cindy look back at him confused.
"What's wrong?" Asked Cindy.
"Cindy you're burning up with fever, how long have you had that sore throat?" Inquired Jimmy looking even more concerned.
"Well, just a couple of days." Remarked Cindy, "It's really nothing though, I'll be alright!"
Jimmy grabbed the pop cycle stick from her hand and pulled a pen light from a drawer.
"Let's have a look!" Demanded Jimmy.
"Oh, want to play doctor already?" Joked Cindy.
"Come on, you may be really sick so open up and lets have a look."
Cindy opened her mouth and stuck her tongue out. Jimmy used the pop cycle stick to depress her tongue and using his penlight, had a good look down her throat.
"Holy cow!" Remarked Jimmy, "Your tonsils are practically the size of golf balls!"
"Oh great! Now what do I do?" Asked Cindy.
"We need to get you to a doctor now! You need antibiotics!"
"But what about the dance?" Asked Cindy sorrowfully.
"You're probably going to miss it I'm afraid!"
"Nooooo!" Pouted Cindy. She couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Come on." Directed Jimmy, "Let's get you home so your parents can take you to the hospital."
Cindy was genuinely disappointed but at the same time she felt delighted that someone, especially Jimmy, cared about her and felt actual concern for her well-being.
Jimmy walked Cindy back to her house and explained to her that she should limit her speech so as not to strain her vocal chords. Jimmy explained to Cindy's mother that she had tonsillitis and would need treatment right away.
"Cindy, how did you come across this?" Inquired Mrs. Vortex.
"Ah, I'm sure she doesn't know Mrs. Vortex, but she needs to go to the hospital." Explained Jimmy.
Mrs. Vortex grabbed her keys and directed Cindy towards the garage. She didn't seem all that sympathetic, which was a surprise to Jimmy. She seemed rather put out that she had to now take her daughter to the hospital. Jimmy gave an astonished look to Cindy as Mrs. Vortex mumbled to herself about the inconvenience. Cindy mouthed the words "Come with me please!" Jimmy recognizing her plight calmly asked.
"Mrs. Vortex, I'd be happy to come along and help out!"
"Thank you Jimmy, but I'll take care of Cindy from here. You can visit tomorrow if you'd like!"
Jimmy watched as Mrs. Vortex drove off with Cindy to the hospital. He hoped that she wouldn't need surgery, but her tonsils were at a stage where removal was a valid course of treatment.
Next! Jimmy makes a house call!
