Up, Up, and Away Pat Parkin
This was the most important day in the life of Danny Williams, the day when he planned to become airborn. All his life he had wanted to fly. As a young child he had watched the effortless way birds could glide and soar, and envied them. He had flying dreams, in which he swam through the air, looking down at the city below with contempt. He had watched any film which showed the exploits of flyers during wartime.
Unfortunately, his ambition to become a member of the U.S. Airforce had been thwarted, when he failed the eye sight test. He should have anticipated this, as his nickname in school had been "Mr Magoo". He was always bumping into other students or pieces of furniture and could not see well enough to either catch or hit a ball. Also, it must be said, he was not a very able student and was also failed on academic ability but the authorities, not wishing to humiliate him, had made the failing of his eye test the focus of their rejection of his application to fly.
Now married to Ginny and with two young children and a steady job, he had still not given up on his dream. He had tried corrective surgery but this had only minimally improved his sight. To everyone who knew him Danny seemed a regular kind of guy, always happy to have a few beers and a joke with his friends but deep inside he was longing to be in the air.
He had wished to take private flying lessons, but the cost was too high. He had enquired about the price of an air balloon, but not only were they extremely expensive but his small back yard would not accommodate anything of this size. Then, by happy chance, he believed he had found the solution.
He collected Air Force insignia and for this purpose often visited the army, air force and navy surplus store. Browsing amongst the clutter he discovered forty five weather balloons and some tanks of helium. "One balloon could float high," he reasoned. Should not forty five inflated weather balloons give him a good lift into the air? He bought them.
His wife was aware of his desire to fly but when he arrived home and he told her of his plans, she was not supportive.
"Gee, honey. How you gonna get down again? It don't sound none too safe."
"Don't you worry. I got me a plan. Not going up too high. Just gonna float about for a while up there above the house."
Indeed this was his sole intention. A lazy afternoon up in the air, his admiring friends and family gazing up at him in wonderment. Birdman for a few hours and then a gentle descent to cheers and applause.
So he wrote out his invitations to friends, whose help he would need and whose approval he would wish.
"You are invited to a Barbecue and drinks party to assist in the launch of your friend Danny's first solo flight."
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