Fear of flying

Fear of flying  (E) A contest entry for Dialogue 500 September 2019 #2201736 by Chris Breva

"Hi there. I heard the flight attendant call you Johnny. I'll bet this is the first time you have ever flown isn't it? I can tell because you are squeezing your arm rest so hard you knuckles are white. I'll tell you what let's you and I talk and maybe it will take your mind off of the flight."

"It isn't the heights that I'm afraid of. The big roaring sound hurts my ears. My daddy says I'm a big boy and big boys don't cry over anything. I feel so bad for crying."

"Did your daddy ever get upset over anything? I'm sure your daddy loves you and would understand that you are afraid of the engine noises. I will tell you that as long as those engines are making that roaring sound it means we are okay that, if that is any help?"

"If the engines stop making noise, does it mean we are going to die?"

"No Johnny. If the engines stop making noise it means the pilot is landing the aircraft without the help of the engines."

"As long as the engines are making noise we are flying then?"

"Yes. As long as the engines are making noise we are flying. If the engines stop making noise we are landing. Are you going to be okay with the big noise now?"

Yes. I will be okay with the big noise now. By the way, we have talked all this time and I don't know your name."

"My name is Captain Franklin. I am a pilot with this airline."

"Wow! You are a pilot? You could fly this plane if something happened to the real pilot?"

"Yes Johnny. I could fly this plane. This plane is called a DC 10. It's a smaller version of a jet liner. Would you like to meet the captain who is flying now? I could probably arrange for you to do so. However,you would have to let go of the arm rest and walk to the cockpit with me."

"Okay! I would love to do that! Can I fly the plane too?"

"No Johnny. You'd best leave the flying up to us. I think I can get you a tour of the airplane before we arrive in Los Angeles if you wish though. If I do, you have to promise me that you will relax and not fuss for the remainder of the trip."

"If I get scared can I still talk to you about it."

"Why of course you can talk to me about it. In fact, I think I would like talking to you. It makes time go by faster if I am talking to somebody."

"Does time seem to go by slow to you to? It seems like we are taking forever to me."

"I'm sure it is boring to you Johnny. I'll tell you what. I have a movie in my brief case that you would probably like to watch."

"You're a really good captain!"

Winner of Dialogue 500 September 2019