The Adventure Begins
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"Kate, I know you don't like us just bopping in on you, but this time Kid and I are just downright scared in the situation you're putting us in," Heyes said, then stopped and slowly turned a full circle to take in the strange and bustling surroundings. "Just exactly where are we, Kate? This ain't your place. This looks like...like something I ain't never seen before."
"Oh am I glad to see the two of you," Kate said with a look of nervous anxiety written all over her face. "This is what's called an airport. It's probably THE most frustrating place any person could ever experience."
"I see some people running around like they're in a hurry, but most folks are just sitting around looking exhausted, or chasing after little kids. There's a fellow over there just sitting eating a sandwich."
"I could use a sandwich," Kid said with an eager smile.
"An egg salad sandwich, Kid, is twelve dollars," Kate explained.
"Well, maybe just a beer, then."
Kate shook her head. "Beers start at eight dollars."
"What about plain water?"
"Four dollars a bottle."
"Kate, this doesn't sound like a good place to be spending your time, especially if you're going to be writing a story involving Kid and me."
Heyes felt the back of his partner's hand tapping his shoulder, then followed his extended arm and his pointed finger to a window that extended for yards and yards, running the full length of the long terminal. But it was the object beyond the window that stunned the two outlaws.
"What the hell is that?" they both exclaimed.
"That is an airplane."
"And what does it do?" Heyes asked.
"Almost every person you see here, will be boarding one of those airplanes.. Now, you see those longs strips of roadway way out there?" Kate asked, pointing beyond the plane to the runways. "A plane races down one of those runways, then lifts off and climbs fifty thousand feet into the air, and it flies to some particular destination."
"That's higher than the clouds," Heyes exclaimed.
"In them sardine cans? Them wings don't even have feathers? You ain't getting in one of those, are you?" Kid asked.
Kate nodded nervously.
"Where you going in it?" Heyes asked, finding himself somewhat intrigued.
"Sacramento, then on to Lake Tahoe."
"How long does it take?" Heyes asked.
"Nonstop would be about four hours, but I have a layover, so a little longer."
"Four hours?" Heyes asked, now totally amazed. "Up in the air, above the clouds, traveling five, maybe six hundred miles an hour?"
"Now you know why I'm so nervous," Kate replied.
"This your first time?" Kid asked, then laughed. "I think that's the first time I ever asked that question without it being related to..."
"We get the picture, Kid," Heyes interrupted.
"And no, it's not my first time," Kate added.
"Then why are you so nervous?" Heyes asked.
"Well, the whole process is...anything but relaxing. When you arrive at the airport, you have to go through a lot of security checks."
"Cause there's a lot of bank robbers and airplane thieves flying, are there?" Kid asked.
"No, but they want to make sure of that, and there's a lot of thing you can't take on a plane. For instance, the way the two of you are dressed, you wouldn't be able to board. You'd have to leave your guns and holsters behind or stowed in your checked bags."
"Our what?"
"You valises. You can carry something the size of your saddlebags on board with you, but anything bigger has to be checked and you pick it up when you get to your destination. All guns have to be checked."
"And fly nekked?" Kid asked. "I'm beginning to see why it makes you so nervous. You wouldn't catch me fifty thousand feet in the air and nekked."
Kate laughed, and found the tension easing. "I guess you'll never join the Mile High club then, Kid."
"The what?"
"Maybe that's a story for another time," Kate replied, biting her lip, but still smiling as her thoughts drifted to being cramped in a tiny lavatory with Kid Curry for hours on end.
"Flight number 24135 to Toronto now boarding at gate six," a voice bellowed from some undetermined location and both both Heyes and Kid instinctively ducked slightly as they scanned the room for the source.
"What was that?" Kid asked.
"That's just announcing a departure," Kate explained.
"I thought maybe it was the voice of God. Where did it come from?" Kid asked.
"From a loudspeaker. It helps people find the gate they need so they get on the right plane."
"Kate, let's gate back to the reason Kid and me are here," Heyes suggested.
"Which is?"
"Which is, I understand you are trying to kill some time until you have to climb into that sardine tin and shoot up into the clouds, but, well from what you're writing, I think maybe, just maybe, you need a little break from these stories."
"Why would you say that?"
"Kate, you've got Kid thinking of riding the Colorado Rapids on a surf board!"
"I don't even know what a surf board is," Kid protested. "And what the hell is a Speedo and why did you split the seams?"
Kate sighed and looked up at the two outlaws. "You're right. I'm taking all my anxiety out on you, Kid. Maybe I do need a break," she said, closing her lap top and clasping her hands on top of it.
"Flight 2690 to Minneapolis boarding at gate four," the loudspeaker announced.
"That's my flight," Kate said as she stood and gathered her things.
"So when are you planning on coming back?" Heyes asked.
"Minneapolis is just a stop over. Then I'm heading into your territory, trying to get a better feel for the high, lonesome country, ride a horse, sleep in a cabin, maybe visit a ghost town. Maybe even meet and make some friends along the way."
"So you're looking for inspiration?"
Kate smile. "I'm always looking for inspiration, though I have to admit, it's really not hard to find when it involves the two of you."
"Well, we'll want to hear all about it when you get back," Heyes told her as she walked away.
"And I want to hear all about that Mile High Club!" Kid shouted
Kate cringed, ducked her head slightly, and kept walking, hoping no one in the terminal knew the blond, blue eyed cowboy was shouting to her...or maybe hoping they did.