THE RETURN TRIP – Episode 15b
…Sampson McKinney found himself rooting for a better outcome for this “girl”, who has a name that he doesn’t know…
…“That doll is the bomb,” one other exclaims!…
16 years ago, when a 20-something Sampson McKinney stands watching as fellow cadets at the singular Astronaut Preparation—Lovell Space Center, are subjected, in turn, to the dreaded
Challenger Control Simulator. You know, just in case one loses control of what you are flying {gravity-less}.
Up until now he found the process mildly entertaining, until an unmistakably tall, blond and FEMALE steps up to take her turn. ‘A Swede,’ he heard a guy in front of him say.
Sam found himself rooting for a better outcome for this “girl”, who has a name that he doesn’t know. “Olga” is the prototypical Scandinavian female name keeps popping into his uninformed mind.
She climbs into the booth, seemingly undaunted by the lack of previous successes. From the outside you do not know what is going on inside. It is supposed to be a un-rehearse-able surprise, which is the point, with varying degrees of achievement.
One thing is obvious, even to the most casual of observers; the simulator hums along as if it hadn’t been started. “What’s the deal,” Sampson utters aloud.
“That doll is the bomb,” one other exclaims!
Out she comes; standing tall and proud for a few short moments, but the young McKinney can tell her 
Seconds later, with her body regaining some perceptive function, she tells her rescuer, “That is one wild ride,”
“It looked pretty smooth to me,” he admits.
In one of those “wow he is handsome” moments, she has to parse her words carefully; sometimes your hear
t takes the lead. “I want to thank you…” her face turns green, words followed by the discharged contents of
her tender innards.
“You’re welcome Miss,” he tells her facetiously. He manages to look past the messy situation.
THE RETURN TRIP
Boy and Girl by mykitty jasper deviantart.com
Episode 15B
page 14
