| 41. HOMETOWN HERO. Baxter won�t confirm Sam�s appointment as pilot with the RFDS. Sam flying the Nomad has twice talked down a novice pilot to land safely. Geoff and Chris have informed Head Office what Sam has done, now Sam is a hero and they try to pressure Baxter into confirming his appointment. Baxter has received a letter. Geoff: Why would anyone go over your head George, Head Office sent this down the wire. Baxter: Somebody prompted them. Geoff: Your journalist friend from Sydney did his stuff right, you said it would be good publicity for the RFDS, and you were�nt wrong. Chris: Head Office had so many media enquiries they had to issue a press release. Baxter: I don�t see what this has got to do with the question of Sam�s permanency. Geoff: Well it�s abit awkward George, they�ve got this star pilot, he saved two people, good for the image, but they can�t use him because they don�t own him, he�s only temporary. Baxter: That�s no reason they can�t use him in the publicity as things stand. Geoff: Well that�s not what they�re asking George, they wanna know why his permanency has�nt come through. Chris: They can hardly say, look is�nt he fantastic, but we don�t know how long he�s staying, can they? Baxter: Well maybe it�s not that simple. Geoff: I think you better read it George, it does say reply immediately. Chris: All you have to do is to attach a recommendation. Geoff: We�ll be happy to draft it if you�re pressed for time. Baxter: Don�t try me too far Standish, I�ll deal with this when I�m good and ready. (Baxter leaves) Geoff: I think we got him. Chris: I did�nt know you could lie so well. Geoff: I did not, what lie? Chris: Well we did go over his head. Geoff: No we did�nt, we went behind his back. ****************************************** Chris and Tony (Zoe�s father) walking along verandah of the pub, in the evening. Kate and Geoff leaving the Base, look up at the two of them. Kate laughs. Geoff: What do you suppose they�re talking about? Kate: Lichen? Geoff: There�s something very satisfying watching someone else�s romance blossom. Kate: Oh yeah, certainly beats blundering through your own. (embarrassed laugh) Geoff: It�s a warm glow of relief that it�s not you. (embarrassed laugh. Kate and Geoff long look at each other) ****************************************** At Base DJ., Geoff, Kate about to finish work. DJ: Hey, are you guys ready to go, I mean, I don�t want to rush you or anything, but some of us do have a social life to get on with? Geoff: Ah, don�t wait up, I�ve got a few things to do, I�ll lock up. DJ: You little beauty Doc., I gotta tell ya, I got this hot date tonight, I�ve been working on this girl all week and she�s into Country & Western, you know, C & W? Leaves Base singing, Havna Nagila! Havna Nagila! Kate, as an excuse to go into Geoff�s office picks up piece of paper and starts to walk to his office, he�s already walking towards her, Kate quickly turns into Chris�s office. Geoff: What are your plans tonight? Kate: Oh, er, I thought I�d go to the pub for a meal. Geoff: What a good idea. Both hang back in the office doorways. Kate thinking of something to say. Kate: How�s your house guest? (Tony) Geoff: Oh Tony�s fine as far as I know, he spends most of his time with Zoe and Chris. Kate decides to leave her doorway, walks to DJ.�s radio desk. Kate: There�s a lot to be said for it. (Geoff joins her) Geoff: Yeah, well if it�s a case of being with someone for the sake of not being alone, I�d rather be by myself. (Kate turns round to face Geoff) Kate: A lot less complicated, huh? Kate begins to turn off the lights, walks behind her own desk, Geoff stands in front of her desk. Geoff: Maybe I will come with you for dinner. (gives Kate an embarrassed smile, as she turns her desk light off and closes books on her desk) Kate: Oh, I don�t know. (sighs, comes around the front of her desk, bumps into Geoff as she passes him) Kate: Oh sorry. Geoff gently holds her arm as she walks past, turns her round to face him. They look into each others eyes, they kiss long and passionately. Kate dis-engages, they look at each other. Kate: Oh, I better go. She runs towards the door of the Base, Geoff watches her go. Geoff: Kate! Kate stops at door, glances back at Geoff, then hurries out. Geoff walks back to his office. Kate returns home, lays on her bed, Geoff sits in his office, rings Kate. Geoff: You alright? Kate: Yeah, I�m fine, how are you? Geoff: Sure fine, as long as you�re alright? Kate: Yep. Geoff: Well. (pause) Goodnight then. Kate: Goodnight. Both put the �phone down reluctantly, thinking about what has happened between them. ****************************************** Next morning at Airport, Sam to be confirmed as pilot with RFDS, Geoff, Kate, Chris, Emma, Violet amongst crowd gathered listening to Baxter make a speech. Baxter: Yes, maintaining the highest of standards is what I�ve always regarded as one of the prime responsibilities of those of us charged with the duty of selecting and approving permanent staff for the RFDS. Obviously it�s a choice not to be made lightly. Geoff standing with Kate and Chris, speaks over Baxter in hushed voice to Kate and Chris, mimicking Winston Churchill. Geoff: Never in the field of human endeavour has so much been ack�.. (Chris digs him in ribs) Chris: Stop it! Baxter: But it was made more easily in Sam�s case�.. Chris: He�s kidding. Geoff: No, he�s not. Baxter: This young man came to us with a most promising reputation. We of course took him to our hearts and he more than fulfilled our expectations both as a pilot with the RFDS, and as a member of our community. Violet: Hear. Hear. Sam: He�s going on abit. Baxter: He�s also been a rather patient young man. I�m not quite sure why, but there was rather an inordinate delay in the paperwork confirming his permanency. But erh, well I took the matter in hand myself only a few days ago� Chris: We going to take that? Geoff: No, but revenge is always better after you�ve given it alittle thought! Baxter: So without further ado Sam, welcome to the permanent staff of the RFDS, may it be a long and happy union. Everyone claps. Chris leaves Geoff and Kate to walk over to Sam. Kate: Well I�m glad that�s settled, I feel safe flying with Sam, he does�nt take risks. Geoff: There�s a lot to be said for not taking risks. Kate sighs, thinking about their encounter the night before. ****************************************** |