The Pilot's Holiday

The Pilot's Holiday Pt. 2

Chapter 2

Carol stood in the mirror admiring her Captain's uniform. Although it was a new promotion, she'd envisioned herself wearing it for years. The smile took a while to dissipate. When it finally did she took her placed the black Captain's cap over here dark curly hair and gave herself a nod in the mirror.

After the walkthrough Carol made her way onto the plane. There she was by Charles who had just made it himself. Shirt still untucked and a sleeve hanging out of this rolling suitcase. "See you at 8:00 a.m" Carol stated mocking Charles as he was clearly late. Charles gave a half hearted chuckle before replying. "Oh ha ha. Fine you got me. I had a long night and missed the alarm." Carol stared at him as if she could see through him. "Ok fine Carol, I missed the first three alarms." They both laughed as the passengers started boarding.

After Charles fixed himself up and they ran through the checks he leaned over to Carol and nudged her. "Hey, remember when we first started and you were the pilot for the first time?" "How could I forget?" Carol replied.

*3 years ago*

Carol adjusted her white button up and ironed it with her hand repeatedly. She took a deep breath and pressed the button to speak into the intercom. "Hello passengers, welcome aboard. I am your pilot Carol Scott an-" before she could finish voices from the passengers could be heard through the cockpit. "A female pilot?" "Oh God we're all gonna die!" "I didn't sign up for this? Women can't fly!" "I need some peanuts. Is it time for peanuts yet?"

*Present Day*

"I still don't know if that guy ever got his peanuts." They both let out a laugh and gave each other a fist bump. The fight from Arizona to North Carolina was a long one but it was made better by Carol and Charles sharing stories or singing off key badly. When the flight landed and all passengers got off, Carol and Charles were the last to leave. "I decided to take your advice. I'm taking a Holiday here. I have time saved up and I'll put the word in with Paul." Carol smiled and tilted her cap to him.

"Wait!" Shouted Charles. "Where's your phone? You know we have to take a 'post flight selfie' like always." Carol stopped and rushed back. Charles held the phone up and tried to do a smoldering look that came off as cringey. "Alright caption time. Flight was awesome because of my awesome co-pilot who is awesome. Hashtag Self Care, hashtag Flying with the birds, hashtag Charles in Charge." Carol couldn't help but laugh and let Charles post his crazy caption. "Did you have to put Charles in Charge? You're not in charge, you know that?" She stated raising an eyebrow. "I know but with you on vacation I am the next best thing. And don't worry about telling Paul, I'll do it. Besides, I gotta ask him to send another pilot for the next flight tomorrow." Carol gave Charles a tight hug and disappeared down the escalator. "See you in a week!" He shouted.

Charles sat at the car and pulled out his phone to call Paul. It rang a few times before Paul answered.

"This is Paul Robinson."

"Hi, sir, this is Charles Martin."

"Ok Mr. Martin, what is the purpose of this call?"

Charles cleared his throat as he took a swig of his Canadian whiskey.

"Sorry sir, I'm calling to report an abandoned job. Carol Scott. She just left as soon as we landed sir."

There was a silence before Paul spoke. This time in a more firm and commanding tone.

"Carol? She just left?! I do not believe that. She is the best and just got promoted to Captain. I couldn't pay her to take a day off and you're saying she left?"

"That's correct sir."

"Mr. Martin, that is crap and I don't believe it. Report to my office tomorrow. I want to know what happened exactly. Bring that flight attendant Lacey as well as she's up for a review. Two birds, one stone. Good day Mr. Martin."