Артур Хейли – Airport / Аэропорт (страница 3)
He hesitated, then reluctantly shook his head. “I wish I could. But we’ve some trouble here, and afterward I have to be downtown.” He got up. “Let’s have coffee, anyway.”
“All right.”
Mel held the door open, and they went out into the noisy main concourse.
As they made their way through the crowds and increasing piles of luggage, she moderated her normally brisk pace to Mel’s slower one. He was limping rather more than usual, she noticed. She wanted to take his arm and help him, but supposed she had better not[24]. She was still in Trans America uniform. Gossip spread fast enough without helping it actively. The two of them had been seen a lot lately in each other’s company, and Tanya was sure that the airport rumor machine had already taken note. Probably it was assumed that she and Mel were sleeping together, though, that was untrue.
They were headed for the Cloud Captain’s Coffee Shop in the central lobby.
“About that Lamb Casserole,” Mel said. “Could we make it another night? Say, the day after tomorrow?”
The sudden invitation from Tanya had surprised him. Although they had had several dates together – for drinks or dinner – until now she had not suggested visiting her apartment. Of course, going there could be for dinner only. Still… there was always the possibility that it might not.
Lately, Mel had sensed that if their meetings away from the airport continued, there could be a natural and obvious progression. But he had moved cautiously; instinct was warning him that an afaf ir with Tanya would be no casual romance but a deeply emotional involvement for them both. It was strange, he thought, that when a marriage was secure it seemed easier to manage an afaf ir than when the same marriage was shaky. Just the same[25], Tanya’s invitation seemed too tempting to pass up.
“The day after tomorrow is Sunday,” she said. “But I’ll be off duty, and if you can manage it, I’ll have more time.”
Mel grinned. “Candles and wine?”
“Okay,” she said. “Candles and wine.”
Mel had forgotten it would be Sunday. But he would have to come to the airport anyway because, even if the storm moved on, there would be aftereffects. As to Cindy, there had been several Sundays when she had been out, herself, without an announced reason.
As they entered the coffee shop, an energetic hostess recognized Mel and led him, ahead of others, to a small table, marked RESERVED, which airport ofifcials often used. When they sat down, Tanya said, “Did you ever see such crowds? This has been the wildest three days I remember.”
“If you think this is a big crowd tonight, wait until the civil version of the C-5A[26] goes into service,” answered Mel.
“I know – we can barely cope with the 747s[27]; but a thousand passengers arriving all at once at a check-in counter… God help us!” Tanya shuddered. “Can you imagine what it’ll be like when they collect their baggage? I don’t even want to think about it.”
Mel was amused to find that their conversation had already drifted into aviation. Airplanes and airlines held a fascination for Tanya, and she liked talking about them. So did Mel, which was one of the reasons he enjoyed her company.
“You remember,” he said, “a few years ago, when the jets first started flying – what conditions were like at airports which had been designed for DC-4s[28].”
“I remember,” Tanya said. “I worked at one. On normal days you couldn’t move for the crowds; on busy days you couldn’t breathe. We used to say it was like holding the World Series in a sand lot.”
“What’s coming in the 1970s,” Mel predicted, “is going to be worse. And not just people congestion. We’ll be choking on other things, too.”
“Such as what?”
“Airways and trafifc control for one, but that’s another whole story. The really big thing is that we’re moving toward the day – fast – when air freight[29] business will be bigger than passenger traficf. If you want a sign of the way things are moving, watch some of the young men who are going into airline management now. Not long ago, hardly anybody wanted to work in air freight departments; passenger business had the glamour. Not any more! Now the bright boys are heading for air freight. They know that’s where the future and the big promotions lie.”
Tanya laughed. “I’ll be old-fashioned and stick with people. Somehow freight…”
A waitress came to their table. They ordered coffee, Tanya cinnamon toast, and Mel a fried egg sandwich.
When the waitress had gone, Mel grinned. “I guess I started to make a speech. I’m sorry.”
“Maybe you need the practice. You haven’t made many lately.”
“I’m not president of the Airport Operators Council any more. I don’t get to Washington as much.” But it was not the whole reason for not making speeches and being less in the public eye. He suspected Tanya knew it.
Curiously, it was a speech of Mel’s which had brought them together. At one of the rare interline meetings which airlines held, he had talked about coming developments in aviation, and the lag in ground organization compared with progress in the air. He had used the occasion as a practice for a speech he intended to deliver at a national forum a week or so later. Tanya had been among the Trans America contingent, and next day had sent him one of her lower case notes[30]:
As well as amusing him, the note had caused him to think. It was true, he realized – he
The thought of Tanya’s first message was a reminder of the note she had sent this evening. “I appreciate that tip about the snow committee report, though I’m curious how you managed to see it before I have.”
“No mystery. It was typed in the Trans America ofifce. I saw our Captain Demerest checking it, and chortling.”
“Vernon showed it to you?”
“No, but he had it spread out, and I can read upside down. Which reminds me, you didn’t answer my question: Why does your brother-in-law dislike you?”
Mel grimaced. “I guess he knows I’m not very keen on
“If you wanted to,” Tanya said, “you could tell him now. There’s the great man himself.” She nodded toward the cashier’s desk, and Mel turned his head.
Captain Vernon Demerest of Trans America was counting out change as he paid a bill. A tall, broadshouldered, with a striking figure, he towered above others around him. He was dressed informally in a Harris tweed jacket and impeccably creased slacks, yet managed to convey an impression of authority – “like a Regular Army General,” Mel thought, “temporarily in civilian clothes.” Demerest’s strong, aristocratic features were unsmiling as he addressed a four-striper Trans America captain – in uniform – who was with him. It appeared that Demerest was giving instructions; the other nodded. Captain Demerest glanced briefly around the coffee shop and, observing Mel and Tanya, gave a cool nod.
Then, checking his watch, and with a final word to the other captain, he walked out.
“He appeared in a hurry,” Tanya said. “Though wherever he’s going, it won’t be for long. Captain D. is taking Flight Two to Rome tonight.”
Mel smiled. “
“Yes. I see, sir, you read our advertising.”
“It’s hard not to.” Mel was aware, as were millions of others who admired the four-color double page spreads[31] in
“It seems to be agreed,” Mel said, “that Vernon is one of the finest pilots.”
“I agree. Mr. Youngquist, our president, said, ‘Keep that arrogant guy out of my hair[32], but book me on his flights.’ “
Mel chuckled. He wondered idly where his brother-in-law was going at the moment, and if it involved one of his amorous adventures. Looking toward the central lobby, Mel saw that Captain Demerest had already been swallowed up in the crowds outside.
Across the table, Tanya smoothed her skirt with a swift stroking gesture which Mel had noticed before and liked. Tanya looked very feminine in uniform.
Some airlines, Mel knew, let their senior passenger agents out of uniform, but Trans America liked the authority which its blue and gold showed. Two gold rings edged with white, on Tanya’s cuffs, proclaimed her Job and seniority.
As if guessing his thoughts, she said, “I may be out of uniform soon.”
“Why?”
“Our District Transportation Manager is being transferred to New York. The Assistant D.T.M.[33] is moving up, and I’ve applied for his job.”