Posted on: 2009-12-22
In a Perfect World we could choose our travelling companions, but The Naked Truth is that the world isn't perfect. The little particulars of the Circumstance mean that we may end up flying with people we would rather avoid. For the flight crew, they are stuck with whoever is booked on the flight. Although They know enough who know how to learn, the crew love their job and despite Babies and Bodies of various shapes, forms, sizes and noises, the end is where we start from – the crew love their flying.
Having made Connections in London, and With the greatest of expectations, the occupants of the first class cabin of this particular flight, set out for the last adventure before The Christmas 2008 Poem was read. The plane lurched into the inky blackness punctuated with just a sprinkling of Stardust in The English Night Sky.
Amelia Bennet's eldest daughter Jane, was the Cabin Manager for this flight, and began her safety demonstration as the aircraft was pushing back from the terminal. The demonstration used scenario based Variations – a series of what ifs to avoid A Case of Catastrophe. There could be Nothing Wanting when discussing safety – When Tragedy Strikes there could never be Too Much Information. Jane had been promoted to the position One Day in May, and A More Amiable women in such a position you could never hope to find. She announced "Our crew will be Excessively Attentive to your needs. We hope you have, travelling with Everingham Airways."
Working the first class cabin was A Whole New World for two new crew members The Dairy Maid's Daughters, Kitty and Thorn. Both had long wish to become flight attendants and it was also a Mother's Favourite Wish. The Price of a Good Education had seen them achieve their hearts desire. Dreams Such as These had led to them being one of Three Servants in the first class cabin, though their safety positions were R5, and R5A*. On this flight they were excited to see the famous actress Autumn Raye, who looked like she had a Bodyswap with a Regency Lady in New York City.
"She looks much younger on the screen" whispered Kitty, the Fourth Sister in the Bennet Family. "The Emma Experiments with Healing Hands to address A Most Affecting Ailment obviously failed. I even heard she had ESL lessons. It was reported in P&P in the Fandom."
Thorn replied "Did you see her in The Mystery of Colbey Green? ."
"No, but I did see her in Netherfield Park is Let at Last, and the sequel Four Evenings at Netherfield. Her performance in L'Histoire de la Rose Blanche was a Moving Day – nothing else has matched up before or since".
Jane, overheard their conversation and said sternly "Loose Lips ladies – keep the chatter down Between the Night And The Morrow. There is plenty of time to discuss that after we land. Wait until I tell you The Nanny's Story about her." With this admonishment, and in anticipation of some gossip upon arrival, Kitty and Thorn returned to their duties.
Another occupant of the first class cabin was Sir Walter Musgrove. The most senior member of The Musgroves, he hailed from Mare's Nest, and was a former member of the Misogynist's Club. He was known to drink a little too much in flight, and envisage himself sitting with various imaginary people including Princesses, Peas and Other Imponderables, and even such Mixed Matches as Sardines and Diaries. The crew once found a booking for Sir Walter and the Leprechaun! He had once received A Shocking Inheritance, A Lost Discovery which gave him the title of Kinghorn of the Castle.
While he was sleeping, Harold, the Horrible Hairy steward, took the duty free trolley around with Miss Martin. As he was her Cousin Harry, she usually ended up with the job. They made a quite An Unfashionable Couple. There was Nothing to Keep them from their appointed rounds visiting each section of the aircraft Part by Part. They finally arrived at the first class cabin where they usually made their best sales. Occasionally there was An Amusing Dispute over the various items, the staff did their best to avoid Duels of Every Sort between passengers.
A Father's resolution to avoid Tears on Christmas Eve, resulted in him Paying the Price for The Pendant. Not Every Gentleman would take such a step, but as A Man of Means, it was A Better Course of Action, and would save Untimely Regrets in the future. Had His Wife Celia been A More Amiable Woman, he would have taken Great Pleasure in the Power of Choice and made An Honourable Offer giving her Fudge. The Tale of Uncle Jack 'Rabbit' Phillips became a legend in The Family Circle. He said when his wife had The First Glimpse of The Butterfly pendant, that she was The Fairest of them All.
Jane's sister Elizabeth was also a passenger in first class. Elizabeth was travelling with her husband Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy. After an initial Estrangement, thanks to An Unforgiving Temper, it only took Twelve Days of Persuasion before Darcy's Rash Proposal achieved An Engaging Friendship. Take two of This Piece of Civility, formed through Regrets and Resolutions, and some further Passion and Prudence, led to An Ode to Mr Darcy, finally creating the Perfect Pair. Her All Too Handsome husband was now known as Mr Popularity. They had overcome Pride and Education, unrequited Love and Prejudice, taking a ride on The Ferris Wheel to create some Changes in Families.
Darcy leaned over to his wife and said "This is the last flight with Just the Two of Us."
Elizabeth smiled back at him and said "I know, not long now until An Heir is Born."
Her besotted husband replied "You know I am Better for Loving You. Even though some describe our courtship as a Project Pride and Prejudice, I am glad that All that this entails is our future together ."
"Ah, so now you try An Endeavour at Civility?" She asked coyly.
"Please Elizabeth, you must take care. It is time you got some sleep my dear. I promise you some Lilacs after the Midnight Ride of Santa dear. Goodnight Elizabeth" whispered Darcy.
Darcy's sister Georgiana was travelling with them. She had recently written a book called Pride Prejudice and Prussians, highlighting the adventures of An Officer and an Honest Man. Georgiana's Tale had led to some Burnt Bridges with her publisher Waterloo. What really happened at Waterloo was some Caprice and Instability. Her brother begged "No More Tears Georgiana. The Benefits of Retrenching will take you away from The Edge of this Grey Enigma. All that this Entails is emulating the Hamilton Documents. Why not write something like The Caroline Bingley Diaries, or Pride and Prejudice meets Shrek?"
Georgiana was not impressed. She was, up until that time The Girl Who Did not Know Angst. She did ask her brother "Can there be any other opinion on the subject, who else would be willing to take a chance on me?"
"You never know, you may find some Mistletoe in Austen Place after we land"
"You may as well be speaking Of Mice and Uncles" retorted his sister.
"Goodnight Georgiana – try dreaming of Racecars, Jane Austen and the Monon Trail!" said her brother.
"I may as well sing Songs from the Heartland. Everything has been different since the band Anne and the Gun sang the Wing's song Live and Let Die."
"Enough already – we need some sleep before we land. Mary Bennet will Reflect on Christmas before we know it" replied her brother.
Eventually sleep overtook all of the Darcy's. Adventures through the looking glass were dreamt by some, while Lizzy dreamt of a Sardines Epic.
It only seemed a short time after that the flight began the decent into New York. Items were stowed, and people began their preparations for landing.
Upon leaving the aircraft, the cabin crew performed their duties, ensuring departing passengers were thanked for their patronage.
"Thank you for flying Everingham Airways" chorused Kitty and Thorn to Mr Darcy, Upon Leaving.
"Netherfield will never be the same again" wailed Kitty. "Seeing her has ruined those movies forever. After seeing Autumn Raye in the flesh it's hard to believe she is Somebody's Natural Daughter!"
"I know what you mean" replied Thorn. "Some things are better left Seen and Unseen."
*aircraft safety positions are coded by the side of the aircraft –R for right and L for left, and then a door number. The first number is responsible for the door and the A = assist.