Chapter 1: Calm Before The Storm
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:32 pm
It rained all night, but the morning dawned bright and clear over the airfield. In the Pennington Enterprises hangar, Captain Pelton held a last-minute crew meeting.
"Good morning, gentlemen. I have just a few things to go over before we embark. First let me say that I'm sorry we didn't have time to train in our proper watches; but I know most of you have military experience, so I expect you'll all get on fine. The duty roster is posted in the Crew Mess. Pay attention to it. The chain of command proceeds strictly left to right, starting with me of course, and then my leftenants here, thence through Lt. Scott and the helmsmen, the stewards, and lastly the engineers. Note that Mister Markwell is not the navigator's mate, nor a leftenant, that's an error, somebody in the front office who didn't know beans must've done that. Mr. Markwell is our radio man, and as such not in the chain of command. Neither are the kitchen staff" (and at this, several chuckles were heard, but Pelton went on as if nothing had happened) "they're under command of the stewards."
Pausing to draw breath, Captain Pelton looked at his watch. "Right, now, here's the order of the day. All watches are on duty during the boarding, which should begin in an hour or so, that is, about eight o'clock. Third watch is in charge of the bridge. Engineers, you'll perform final inspection as soon as I dismiss you. Have the engines and generator started by eight sharp.
"Now, if you aren't in the third watch, and you aren't an engineer, I expect you to be at the ready to greet our passengers. There are some very influential people boarding today, so be on your best behavior. Some of you may not have heard that Mr. Pennington won't be joining us for this trip. Says he's unavoidably detained on business. So far as I know, Mr. Monday is still planning to fly with us.
"I should give you all a thorough inspection," he says, looking at his watch again, "but I just don't have enough bloody time for it. So look each other over quickly, and then let's get our gear aboard and be about our business!"
The crew quickly checked each other's crisp new white uniforms, and began to board through the port-side B deck doorway. On the other side of the majestic Morgana, Captain Pelton and Leftenant Briggs took up their positions at the foot of the boarding stair, awaiting the arrival of the passengers.
Chief Engineer Green, a short and slightly heavyset fellow, put one arm around Simon Lars and the other around the bony shoulders of Mr. Lusk. "Okay, boys, we're on. Lusk, go straight to the engines, get 'em started. Lars, the generator is your problem. Captain wants 'em both runnin' afore eight, means we put off most o' the structural inspection until afterward. I'll inspect A deck right now, so that'll be done before there're passengers about." With that, he clapped the two junior engineers on the back, pushing them toward the portside door, then turned to walk around the aft of the gondola.
...
Artie counted his lucky stars that it wasn't still raining as he walked to the airfield. He was wearing his second-best suit (having held back his best suit for performing) and he carried all his worldly possessions in a shabby suitcase. Artie wasn't entirely happy with the arrangement, wherein he got his passage in lieu of pay; he could only hope the tips were good enough to get him passage the rest of the way home.
He didn't need a guide to tell him where to go; the Pennington hangar was pretty obvious, with the aft third of the Morgana sticking out. The twin props were turning lazily, idling he supposed. Parked on the tarmac outside the hangar, Artie saw a number of automobiles. Several were large and obviously expensive. From one slim red roadster Artie saw a dashing young man dismount; his tanned skin, dark hair, and aquiline nose marked him as being Italian.
Then Artie noticed a taxicab pulling up; a beautiful young woman stepped out of it, her platinum hair flashing in the morning sunlight. The taxi driver obligingly retrieved her single large suitcase from the trunk of the car, holding out his hand; she pulled some money from her purse and handed it to him. He responded by cursing her roundly (the kindest thing he called her was "cheap") but she ignored his foul language and turned away, struggling to carry the heavy suitcase toward the hangar.
...
Will Thornton stepped out of the car. He was running late, and he knew it (as traffic that day was bloody awful) but he was relieved to see the great blades turning only slowly, and people still entering the hangar.
"Well, have a good trip, neighbor," said the mousy fellow whose car it was. Will regretted that he could not remember his name, but then he doubted it mattered as he would likely never see him again. They had only been neighbors for a year or so, after all. Will smiled... people were always willing to help if you only asked them just right.
He got his bag from the back seat, and waving in a friendly fashion at the driver, he said "Thanks for the ride, chum." Then he turned toward the great building and began walking briskly, hoping to see either Monday or Pennington boarding. He did not see Mr. Pennington, unfortunately, and he realized as he stood looking at the people climbing the boarding staircase that he had no idea what Reginald Monday even looked like. How would one identify an American millionaire, he wondered, as he showed his papers to the steward in the crisp white uniform at the foot of the boarding stair.
AT THIS POINT, players, please feel free to fill in your intentions. Be as detailed or as brief as you wish, but remember, it's up to me to figure out how your intentions translate into results.
"Good morning, gentlemen. I have just a few things to go over before we embark. First let me say that I'm sorry we didn't have time to train in our proper watches; but I know most of you have military experience, so I expect you'll all get on fine. The duty roster is posted in the Crew Mess. Pay attention to it. The chain of command proceeds strictly left to right, starting with me of course, and then my leftenants here, thence through Lt. Scott and the helmsmen, the stewards, and lastly the engineers. Note that Mister Markwell is not the navigator's mate, nor a leftenant, that's an error, somebody in the front office who didn't know beans must've done that. Mr. Markwell is our radio man, and as such not in the chain of command. Neither are the kitchen staff" (and at this, several chuckles were heard, but Pelton went on as if nothing had happened) "they're under command of the stewards."
Pausing to draw breath, Captain Pelton looked at his watch. "Right, now, here's the order of the day. All watches are on duty during the boarding, which should begin in an hour or so, that is, about eight o'clock. Third watch is in charge of the bridge. Engineers, you'll perform final inspection as soon as I dismiss you. Have the engines and generator started by eight sharp.
"Now, if you aren't in the third watch, and you aren't an engineer, I expect you to be at the ready to greet our passengers. There are some very influential people boarding today, so be on your best behavior. Some of you may not have heard that Mr. Pennington won't be joining us for this trip. Says he's unavoidably detained on business. So far as I know, Mr. Monday is still planning to fly with us.
"I should give you all a thorough inspection," he says, looking at his watch again, "but I just don't have enough bloody time for it. So look each other over quickly, and then let's get our gear aboard and be about our business!"
The crew quickly checked each other's crisp new white uniforms, and began to board through the port-side B deck doorway. On the other side of the majestic Morgana, Captain Pelton and Leftenant Briggs took up their positions at the foot of the boarding stair, awaiting the arrival of the passengers.
Chief Engineer Green, a short and slightly heavyset fellow, put one arm around Simon Lars and the other around the bony shoulders of Mr. Lusk. "Okay, boys, we're on. Lusk, go straight to the engines, get 'em started. Lars, the generator is your problem. Captain wants 'em both runnin' afore eight, means we put off most o' the structural inspection until afterward. I'll inspect A deck right now, so that'll be done before there're passengers about." With that, he clapped the two junior engineers on the back, pushing them toward the portside door, then turned to walk around the aft of the gondola.
...
Artie counted his lucky stars that it wasn't still raining as he walked to the airfield. He was wearing his second-best suit (having held back his best suit for performing) and he carried all his worldly possessions in a shabby suitcase. Artie wasn't entirely happy with the arrangement, wherein he got his passage in lieu of pay; he could only hope the tips were good enough to get him passage the rest of the way home.
He didn't need a guide to tell him where to go; the Pennington hangar was pretty obvious, with the aft third of the Morgana sticking out. The twin props were turning lazily, idling he supposed. Parked on the tarmac outside the hangar, Artie saw a number of automobiles. Several were large and obviously expensive. From one slim red roadster Artie saw a dashing young man dismount; his tanned skin, dark hair, and aquiline nose marked him as being Italian.
Then Artie noticed a taxicab pulling up; a beautiful young woman stepped out of it, her platinum hair flashing in the morning sunlight. The taxi driver obligingly retrieved her single large suitcase from the trunk of the car, holding out his hand; she pulled some money from her purse and handed it to him. He responded by cursing her roundly (the kindest thing he called her was "cheap") but she ignored his foul language and turned away, struggling to carry the heavy suitcase toward the hangar.
...
Will Thornton stepped out of the car. He was running late, and he knew it (as traffic that day was bloody awful) but he was relieved to see the great blades turning only slowly, and people still entering the hangar.
"Well, have a good trip, neighbor," said the mousy fellow whose car it was. Will regretted that he could not remember his name, but then he doubted it mattered as he would likely never see him again. They had only been neighbors for a year or so, after all. Will smiled... people were always willing to help if you only asked them just right.
He got his bag from the back seat, and waving in a friendly fashion at the driver, he said "Thanks for the ride, chum." Then he turned toward the great building and began walking briskly, hoping to see either Monday or Pennington boarding. He did not see Mr. Pennington, unfortunately, and he realized as he stood looking at the people climbing the boarding staircase that he had no idea what Reginald Monday even looked like. How would one identify an American millionaire, he wondered, as he showed his papers to the steward in the crisp white uniform at the foot of the boarding stair.
AT THIS POINT, players, please feel free to fill in your intentions. Be as detailed or as brief as you wish, but remember, it's up to me to figure out how your intentions translate into results.