Mid-Air

           DickHallorann’sflightwascalledat6:45A.M.,EST,andtheboardingclerkheldhimbyGate31,shiftinghisflightbagnervouslyfromhandtohand,untilthelastcallat6:55.TheywerebothlookingforamannamedCarltonVecker,theonlypassengeronTWA’sflight196fromMiamitoDenverwhohadn’tcheckedin.

           "Okay,"theclerksaid,andissuedHallorannabluefirstclassboardingpass."Youluckedout.Youcanboard,sir."

           Hallorannhurrieduptheenclosedboardingrampandletthemechanicallygrinningstewardesstearhispassoffandgivehimthestub.

           "We’reservingbreakfastontheflight,"thestewsaid."Ifyou’dlike-"

           "Justcoffee,babe,"hesaid,andwentdowntheaisletoaseatinthesmokingsection.Hekeptexpectingtheno-showVeckertopopthroughthedoorlikeajack-in-the-boxatthelastsecond.ThewomanintheseatbythewindowwasreadingYouCanBeYourOwnBestFriendwithasour,unbelievingexpressiononherface.Hallorannbuckledhisseatbeltandthenwrappedhislargeblackhandsaroundtheseat’sarmrestsandpromisedtheabsentCarltonVeckerthatitwouldtakehimandfivestrongTWAflightattendantstodraghimoutofhisseat.Hekepthiseyeonhiswatch.Itdraggedofftheminutestothe7:00takeofftimewithmaddeningslowness.

           At7:05thestewardessinformedthemthattherewouldbeaslightdelaywhilethegroundcrewrecheckedoneofthelatchesonthecargodoor.