1 00:02:16,094 --> 00:02:17,595 It was late at night, 2 00:02:17,596 --> 00:02:19,181 and there was hardly anyone in the terminal. 3 00:02:24,561 --> 00:02:27,980 My mother saw a photograph of Liz Taylor in an upcoming movie 4 00:02:27,981 --> 00:02:29,482 called The V.I.P.s. 5 00:02:29,483 --> 00:02:31,442 She wanted a coat just like it, 6 00:02:31,443 --> 00:02:33,945 except she bought hers from a church basement sale 7 00:02:33,946 --> 00:02:36,740 where all the wealthy people sold their secondhand clothes. 8 00:02:37,449 --> 00:02:39,534 - Goodbye, Grandma. - Goodbye, sweetheart. 9 00:02:39,535 --> 00:02:41,161 - Mwah. - I'll miss you. 10 00:02:41,787 --> 00:02:42,870 Goodbye, Mom. 11 00:02:42,871 --> 00:02:43,872 Goodbye, honey. 12 00:02:44,540 --> 00:02:46,541 Final call for Trans World Airlines, 13 00:02:46,542 --> 00:02:51,045 Flight 700 Royal Ambassador Super Jet service to London. 14 00:02:51,046 --> 00:02:53,047 Now boarding at Gate 3. 15 00:02:53,048 --> 00:02:54,131 All aboard, please. 16 00:02:54,132 --> 00:02:57,677 The voice over the PA system seemed so sophisticated. 17 00:02:57,678 --> 00:03:00,137 I imagined it belonged to someone really beautiful, 18 00:03:00,138 --> 00:03:01,932 more like an actress of some sort. 19 00:03:02,516 --> 00:03:05,351 Maybe if I act like Marilyn Monroe, 20 00:03:05,352 --> 00:03:07,688 the ticket agent will put us in first class. 21 00:03:08,397 --> 00:03:10,940 She also said that all the drinks were on the house 22 00:03:10,941 --> 00:03:12,608 if you flew that way. 23 00:03:12,609 --> 00:03:16,738 Of course I didn't really care, as long we really got to go. 24 00:03:18,073 --> 00:03:20,700 Trans World Airlines, Flight 393 25 00:03:20,701 --> 00:03:23,119 Super Constellation service to Pittsburgh, 26 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:25,621 Dayton, Chicago, Kansas City, 27 00:03:25,622 --> 00:03:27,331 Denver and Los Angeles. 28 00:03:27,332 --> 00:03:29,167 Now boarding at the West Arcade. 29 00:03:29,168 --> 00:03:30,835 All aboard, please. 30 00:03:30,836 --> 00:03:32,503 The excitement ran through my body 31 00:03:32,504 --> 00:03:34,672 like something I had never felt before. 32 00:03:34,673 --> 00:03:38,467 Knowing that, within minutes, I would be airborne for the first time 33 00:03:38,468 --> 00:03:40,011 was comparable to nothing, 34 00:03:40,012 --> 00:03:42,638 including playing doctor with the kids on the block. 35 00:03:42,639 --> 00:03:44,766 And that was saying a lot for an eight-year-old. 36 00:03:47,144 --> 00:03:48,979 I remember everything about that night. 37 00:03:49,479 --> 00:03:51,606 The lights being dim in the terminal, 38 00:03:51,607 --> 00:03:53,441 color of the airline insignia 39 00:03:53,442 --> 00:03:56,402 as we moved quickly to the gate in the West Arcade. 40 00:03:56,403 --> 00:03:58,404 Even my mother seemed excited, 41 00:03:58,405 --> 00:04:00,698 but for totally different reasons, I'm sure. 42 00:04:00,699 --> 00:04:03,701 Probably something like the free drinks that she could have, 43 00:04:03,702 --> 00:04:06,413 or the potential for meeting a handsome man on the plane. 44 00:04:07,039 --> 00:04:10,917 My mother was about 49 years old, and quite attractive. 45 00:04:10,918 --> 00:04:12,877 Blue eyes, nice hair, 46 00:04:12,878 --> 00:04:15,380 and a good figure for her age, she told me. 47 00:04:16,005 --> 00:04:19,468 She would even have had a better figure if she hadn't had me so late in life. 48 00:04:20,010 --> 00:04:22,887 And a lot of men didn't mind a little bit of a potbelly. 49 00:04:22,888 --> 00:04:25,057 It was very sexy to some, she thought. 50 00:04:25,724 --> 00:04:28,267 Maybe she'd fall in love with someone really cool, 51 00:04:28,268 --> 00:04:30,437 like the captain of the plane or something. 52 00:04:31,396 --> 00:04:34,482 Rushing through the Idlewild airport was so much fun. 53 00:04:34,483 --> 00:04:37,778 I couldn't believe we were really, actually going to fly this time. 54 00:04:39,571 --> 00:04:42,990 Most of our visits to the airport were to see people off. 55 00:04:42,991 --> 00:04:45,326 One time my mother actually had to fly to go to work 56 00:04:45,327 --> 00:04:47,787 in some play that she was doing in summer stock. 57 00:04:47,788 --> 00:04:50,207 But this time I would get to go. 58 00:05:04,930 --> 00:05:06,598 It all seemed very surreal. 59 00:05:07,099 --> 00:05:08,684 Now my heart was in my throat. 60 00:05:11,144 --> 00:05:13,480 Everything seemed as if it were in slow motion. 61 00:05:14,314 --> 00:05:16,023 She was beautiful. 62 00:05:16,024 --> 00:05:19,402 Silver and white, with two red accent stripes 63 00:05:19,403 --> 00:05:22,364 and the letters TWA printed on the side. 64 00:05:22,948 --> 00:05:24,116 Oh, what a sight. 65 00:05:24,741 --> 00:05:29,246 The wind blew cold in my face, but it couldn't interrupt my first love. 66 00:05:31,790 --> 00:05:34,877 Noble in appearance, strong and powerful in impression. 67 00:05:36,587 --> 00:05:39,089 This would begin an experience I would never forget. 68 00:05:42,426 --> 00:05:45,011 As we climbed the steps to board the aircraft, 69 00:05:45,012 --> 00:05:47,054 I noticed something very peculiar. 70 00:05:47,055 --> 00:05:49,140 There wasn't very many people boarding with us. 71 00:05:49,141 --> 00:05:50,558 Only a few really. 72 00:05:50,559 --> 00:05:54,145 Then I pretended that the flight was really only for me and my mother, 73 00:05:54,146 --> 00:05:55,355 and wasn't that unique? 74 00:06:01,403 --> 00:06:03,905 Welcome aboard. It's much warmer in here. 75 00:06:03,906 --> 00:06:06,741 The stewardess at the top of the stairs was tall and slim 76 00:06:06,742 --> 00:06:08,368 and had a warm smile. 77 00:06:42,277 --> 00:06:44,445 So we also have an emergency map for you. 78 00:06:44,446 --> 00:06:46,405 There was something different about her. 79 00:06:46,406 --> 00:06:47,950 Something that was hard to pinpoint. 80 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:51,244 Later my mother would get to know her quite well. 81 00:06:51,245 --> 00:06:52,662 Almost best friends. 82 00:06:52,663 --> 00:06:55,748 I did ask her why Liz seemed so different from others, 83 00:06:55,749 --> 00:06:58,584 and my mom told me that it was because she had depth 84 00:06:58,585 --> 00:07:01,463 and true sadness in her life from being in a concentration camp. 85 00:07:02,798 --> 00:07:05,342 As the engines started, one at a time, 86 00:07:05,968 --> 00:07:09,346 I sat in what seemed like a big, soft, comfortable chair. 87 00:07:09,930 --> 00:07:11,431 I could hardly hear them at all. 88 00:07:11,974 --> 00:07:16,353 Big propellers turned around as fire exited through the backside exhausts. 89 00:07:17,104 --> 00:07:18,604 I knew it was the jet age, 90 00:07:18,605 --> 00:07:21,274 but there was something exciting about being in an aircraft 91 00:07:21,275 --> 00:07:24,527 that would take twice as long to get there as a jet would, 92 00:07:24,528 --> 00:07:26,196 especially my first time. 93 00:07:28,532 --> 00:07:31,577 I remember I saved my coins in a black floral purse. 94 00:07:32,202 --> 00:07:34,829 Your grandmother, my mother, 95 00:07:34,830 --> 00:07:37,207 gave me this floral purse to save money in it. 96 00:07:38,041 --> 00:07:40,626 And now you should save money in it, 97 00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:42,837 and then maybe we can go on a short trip together. 98 00:07:42,838 --> 00:07:46,132 We could go to Philadelphia, Hartford. 99 00:07:46,133 --> 00:07:47,842 We could go to Boston! 100 00:07:47,843 --> 00:07:48,927 Yes. 101 00:07:49,678 --> 00:07:52,513 There was nothing like it when my mother got excited about something. 102 00:07:52,514 --> 00:07:55,184 The whole world seemed to have brightness and hope. 103 00:08:05,736 --> 00:08:07,820 Okay. 104 00:08:07,821 --> 00:08:09,573 I was gonna keep this a surprise, 105 00:08:10,532 --> 00:08:13,285 but we are moving to Los Angeles. 106 00:08:14,661 --> 00:08:15,704 Real… Really? 107 00:08:19,041 --> 00:08:22,753 There's a director friend of mine from the Allentown Playhouse 108 00:08:23,337 --> 00:08:27,090 who has promised if we get ourselves out west by February, 109 00:08:28,050 --> 00:08:31,677 he is going to get me some work in a film. 110 00:08:31,678 --> 00:08:32,679 For real? 111 00:08:33,472 --> 00:08:34,640 I can't believe it. 112 00:08:35,890 --> 00:08:37,807 Mom already had quite a few jobs 113 00:08:37,808 --> 00:08:39,351 as an extra under her belt, 114 00:08:39,352 --> 00:08:41,437 so it didn't seem that far-fetched. 115 00:08:41,438 --> 00:08:43,439 She also taught drama in school, 116 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:45,859 and prior to that had a full-time stage career. 117 00:08:46,902 --> 00:08:50,029 And when she wasn't working, I was her best audience. 118 00:08:50,030 --> 00:08:51,364 I'll be right back. 119 00:08:51,365 --> 00:08:53,450 I gotta go check my schedules right away. 120 00:08:55,702 --> 00:08:57,954 I practically flew upstairs to my room, 121 00:08:57,955 --> 00:08:59,790 where I had my airline schedules. 122 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:07,840 United, American, TWA. 123 00:09:11,093 --> 00:09:14,136 There it is. "Propeller One-Way Night Coach. 124 00:09:14,137 --> 00:09:17,306 $95 full fare, children half fare." 125 00:09:17,307 --> 00:09:18,391 That's it! 126 00:09:18,392 --> 00:09:20,102 Now back to flight times. 127 00:09:21,353 --> 00:09:23,896 "Trans World Airlines, Flight 393 128 00:09:23,897 --> 00:09:26,357 departs Idlewild airport at 9:00 p.m. 129 00:09:26,358 --> 00:09:28,526 Super Constellation services to Los Angeles 130 00:09:28,527 --> 00:09:30,820 with intermittent stops at Pittsburgh, 131 00:09:30,821 --> 00:09:34,949 Dayton, Chicago, Kansas City, Denver and Los Angeles. 132 00:09:34,950 --> 00:09:37,244 Arrives at 3:00 p.m. the next day." 133 00:09:37,911 --> 00:09:39,954 Only Trans World Airlines 134 00:09:39,955 --> 00:09:44,877 links 70 cities in the USA with 15 world centers overseas. 135 00:09:45,419 --> 00:09:46,878 Nationwide, worldwide 136 00:09:46,879 --> 00:09:48,004 Depend on… 137 00:09:48,005 --> 00:09:49,256 TWA 138 00:09:50,549 --> 00:09:52,301 TWA's the way 139 00:10:01,185 --> 00:10:02,810 By the time I came back down, 140 00:10:02,811 --> 00:10:04,396 the lights were off in the living room. 141 00:10:06,356 --> 00:10:09,860 And the music from the radio portion of the stereo was playing softly, 142 00:10:10,527 --> 00:10:12,945 "Wives and Lovers," sung by Jack Jones. 143 00:10:12,946 --> 00:10:16,742 Her cigarette was burning in the dark, a glass of white wine by her side. 144 00:10:18,035 --> 00:10:21,287 Then I worried that what she said about moving to Los Angeles 145 00:10:21,288 --> 00:10:22,372 might not be true. 146 00:10:23,165 --> 00:10:24,958 Maybe just a daydream of hers. 147 00:10:27,211 --> 00:10:28,377 Oh, well. 148 00:10:28,378 --> 00:10:30,755 I thought I could still save for the short trip. 149 00:10:30,756 --> 00:10:33,342 Maybe I'll… I'll look at my schedules again. 150 00:10:39,139 --> 00:10:42,059 My grandmother had a '57 Plymouth Belvedere. 151 00:10:42,601 --> 00:10:45,978 So there we were, in December of 1962, 152 00:10:45,979 --> 00:10:50,067 on our way to Idlewild Airport with Flight 393 on my mind. 153 00:10:50,984 --> 00:10:52,610 When are we gonna get there? 154 00:10:52,611 --> 00:10:55,905 Honey, when the odometer gets to 62, 155 00:10:55,906 --> 00:10:57,282 we'll be there. 156 00:10:58,742 --> 00:11:00,868 Now it was fun to see the big billboards 157 00:11:00,869 --> 00:11:04,497 boasting different opportunities that one could take, like, 158 00:11:04,498 --> 00:11:06,833 "Fly Pan Am, seven hours to Paris." 159 00:11:06,834 --> 00:11:10,003 Or "TWA, the best way to California." 160 00:11:11,338 --> 00:11:13,047 And here I am on this plane 161 00:11:13,048 --> 00:11:15,551 going to one of the farthest trips the airline offers. 162 00:11:16,593 --> 00:11:20,304 There were a total of about 15 people on this first segment of the flight. 163 00:11:20,305 --> 00:11:23,140 I was wearing a hunter's cap that I forgot to remove, 164 00:11:23,141 --> 00:11:25,434 probably due to coming in from the cold. 165 00:11:25,435 --> 00:11:27,980 Nevertheless, on takeoff, this was my look. 166 00:11:29,481 --> 00:11:32,024 I could tell that my mother was excited for me, 167 00:11:32,025 --> 00:11:35,695 but for the moment was kind of impatiently waiting to be airborne 168 00:11:35,696 --> 00:11:37,823 so she could have a cigarette and her drink. 169 00:11:43,620 --> 00:11:47,124 I really enjoyed watching the fire come out of the back of the engines. 170 00:11:47,749 --> 00:11:49,625 The in-flight magazine would tell you 171 00:11:49,626 --> 00:11:51,712 that for a propeller engine, that was typical. 172 00:11:59,136 --> 00:12:00,970 Come fly with me 173 00:12:00,971 --> 00:12:04,558 Let's fly, let's fly away 174 00:12:05,726 --> 00:12:09,103 If you can use some exotic booze 175 00:12:09,104 --> 00:12:10,813 There's a bar in far Bombay… 176 00:12:10,814 --> 00:12:14,817 As we sped down the runway, that surreal feeling came over me again. 177 00:12:14,818 --> 00:12:17,404 And at that moment, the aircraft left the ground. 178 00:12:22,534 --> 00:12:24,286 I can't believe I'm flying. 179 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:26,704 My mother looked straight ahead, 180 00:12:26,705 --> 00:12:29,207 and then she turned and smiled at me. 181 00:12:29,208 --> 00:12:31,293 I'll always remember my mother that way. 182 00:12:38,717 --> 00:12:42,261 The takeoff was much more gentle in feeling than I thought it would be. 183 00:12:42,262 --> 00:12:45,306 For some reason, everything that happened thus far that night 184 00:12:45,307 --> 00:12:46,432 seemed perfect. 185 00:12:46,433 --> 00:12:50,394 For years, no matter what negative experience I might have, 186 00:12:50,395 --> 00:12:52,230 from the time I would leave for the airport 187 00:12:52,231 --> 00:12:54,774 until the time I would arrive at my destination, 188 00:12:54,775 --> 00:12:57,319 life would seem safe, and I would be happy. 189 00:13:02,199 --> 00:13:04,116 {\an8}My mother liked Manhattans, 190 00:13:04,117 --> 00:13:05,953 but I liked Coca Colas. 191 00:13:10,165 --> 00:13:12,667 Liz showed up by the side of our seats. 192 00:13:12,668 --> 00:13:14,252 Now what can I get you to drink? 193 00:13:14,253 --> 00:13:16,087 - Can I have a Coke? - Sure. 194 00:13:16,088 --> 00:13:17,755 - I would love a Manhattan. - Of course. 195 00:13:17,756 --> 00:13:19,298 And is it okay to smoke now? 196 00:13:19,299 --> 00:13:20,300 Of course, yes. 197 00:13:22,344 --> 00:13:24,595 Newport filter cigarettes. 198 00:13:24,596 --> 00:13:27,348 That turquoise box, that half-moon in the middle of it, 199 00:13:27,349 --> 00:13:30,060 would always bring to mind pleasurable moments. 200 00:13:32,479 --> 00:13:33,563 As she lights up, 201 00:13:33,564 --> 00:13:36,692 that first satisfying breath of smoke leaves her mouth 202 00:13:37,401 --> 00:13:38,986 and I would think, "How festive." 203 00:13:39,736 --> 00:13:42,321 All my mom's friends from the theater smoked. 204 00:13:42,322 --> 00:13:45,200 As a matter of fact, I don't remember an adult who didn't. 205 00:13:49,162 --> 00:13:51,331 I could see every star in the night sky. 206 00:13:53,458 --> 00:13:56,336 Or so it seemed as I looked out the window. 207 00:13:57,045 --> 00:14:00,590 "This is so beautiful. Why don't people just live in airplanes?" 208 00:14:00,591 --> 00:14:03,759 I started to reflect on how sometimes at home, late at night, 209 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:05,970 {\an8}I would lie in bed awake, 210 00:14:05,971 --> 00:14:08,765 {\an8}listening to the drone of some airplane flying over the house, 211 00:14:10,058 --> 00:14:12,853 probably having just left Newark or LaGuardia airport. 212 00:14:13,729 --> 00:14:16,857 And I would think, "Where is that plane going this late? 213 00:14:17,441 --> 00:14:18,941 Who's on it? 214 00:14:18,942 --> 00:14:21,653 And are they sleeping? Are there beds on board?" 215 00:14:23,113 --> 00:14:24,322 And here I am, 216 00:14:24,323 --> 00:14:27,576 maybe even on that very same plane that I had been pondering. 217 00:14:29,953 --> 00:14:34,624 The gentleman in seat 3D wants you to have this drink on him. 218 00:14:34,625 --> 00:14:37,335 Oh, how nice of him. 219 00:14:37,336 --> 00:14:39,879 Oh, please thank him for me. 220 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:42,048 When my mother wanted to impress someone, 221 00:14:42,049 --> 00:14:44,425 often her voice got deeper and richer. 222 00:14:44,426 --> 00:14:46,636 I called it her theatrical voice. 223 00:14:46,637 --> 00:14:48,888 She didn't like it when I'd say it, 224 00:14:48,889 --> 00:14:50,599 but it never stopped her from using it. 225 00:14:51,308 --> 00:14:53,309 Shortly after, almost like clockwork, 226 00:14:53,310 --> 00:14:56,103 the most handsome gentleman, about 50-years-old, 227 00:14:56,104 --> 00:14:58,397 sat across from us in the same aisle. 228 00:14:58,398 --> 00:15:00,650 My mother at once wondered if this indeed 229 00:15:00,651 --> 00:15:02,693 was the gentleman who had treated us to the drink. 230 00:15:02,694 --> 00:15:04,654 Do you mind if I sit next to you? 231 00:15:04,655 --> 00:15:07,282 If you don't, I'll pull you over. 232 00:15:09,576 --> 00:15:11,827 I'm terribly nervous about flying. 233 00:15:11,828 --> 00:15:13,204 You are not. 234 00:15:13,205 --> 00:15:14,705 Don't contradict me. 235 00:15:14,706 --> 00:15:16,499 But you're not, Mom. 236 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:20,254 Honey, why don't you go up to the cockpit and meet some of the pilots? 237 00:15:21,171 --> 00:15:22,922 Actually, that was a good idea, 238 00:15:22,923 --> 00:15:25,091 even though I thought I was probably in trouble. 239 00:15:25,092 --> 00:15:27,010 So I left my mother to her own devices. 240 00:15:28,053 --> 00:15:32,391 I was halfway to the cockpit when I saw what seemed to be the most bizarre sight. 241 00:15:38,230 --> 00:15:40,858 Hello. I'm the ten-foot-tall man. 242 00:15:41,358 --> 00:15:42,943 Would you like my autograph? 243 00:15:44,069 --> 00:15:45,112 Who? 244 00:15:45,863 --> 00:15:48,573 {\an8}I work for Barnum and Bailey Circus. 245 00:15:48,574 --> 00:15:50,325 I'm the ten-foot-tall man. 246 00:15:51,785 --> 00:15:52,995 Okay. 247 00:15:57,624 --> 00:16:00,543 In the early '60s, the cockpit doors were not locked, 248 00:16:00,544 --> 00:16:02,628 and one could have easy access to them, 249 00:16:02,629 --> 00:16:04,964 usually with permission from the stewardess. 250 00:16:04,965 --> 00:16:06,174 Liz was not to be found, 251 00:16:06,175 --> 00:16:08,510 so I opened the door to the cockpit anyway. 252 00:16:09,178 --> 00:16:12,263 There were three men facing forward, so they didn't see me enter. 253 00:16:12,264 --> 00:16:14,724 - Tell me, was she not beautiful? - I mean, she was gorgeous. 254 00:16:14,725 --> 00:16:17,393 You know, I just can't believe that she did that with all of us. 255 00:16:17,394 --> 00:16:18,644 - I know. - I can. 256 00:16:18,645 --> 00:16:20,813 I only caught part of the story one was telling. 257 00:16:20,814 --> 00:16:23,441 Only later did I realize, when I was older, 258 00:16:23,442 --> 00:16:25,903 that they were probably referring to sex or something. 259 00:16:28,655 --> 00:16:31,742 Hey, are you… Are you going to Pittsburgh tonight? 260 00:16:32,326 --> 00:16:34,369 No, Los Angeles. 261 00:16:35,537 --> 00:16:37,246 How did you end up on the milk run? 262 00:16:37,247 --> 00:16:39,415 I wanted to stay on the plane as long as possible, 263 00:16:39,416 --> 00:16:41,627 but my mom can't afford a nonstop jet. 264 00:16:42,419 --> 00:16:45,214 I thought they would've loved the idea that I liked planes so much, 265 00:16:45,714 --> 00:16:49,050 but they saw the more inconvenient side of it, I guess. 266 00:16:49,051 --> 00:16:51,177 Okay, okay. Well, we're only with you until Chicago. 267 00:16:51,178 --> 00:16:53,888 So, you know, if and when you get bored, you're more than welcome to come up. 268 00:16:53,889 --> 00:16:56,433 Just do make sure you ask the stewardess next time, okay? 269 00:16:57,142 --> 00:16:58,143 Sure. 270 00:17:00,812 --> 00:17:01,813 Thank you. 271 00:17:06,026 --> 00:17:07,194 What's the ten-foot-tall man? 272 00:17:07,986 --> 00:17:09,237 That's your new girlfriend. 273 00:17:09,238 --> 00:17:12,990 Nevertheless, I was flying, and all night at that. 274 00:17:12,991 --> 00:17:14,117 Could life be any better? 275 00:17:14,701 --> 00:17:16,368 By the time I got back to my seat, 276 00:17:16,369 --> 00:17:17,870 Mom was on her second drink 277 00:17:17,871 --> 00:17:20,374 and already getting very touchy with her new friend Harry. 278 00:17:20,958 --> 00:17:23,251 This is my baby boy, Jeff. 279 00:17:23,252 --> 00:17:25,211 - Hi, Jeff. - Hey. 280 00:17:25,212 --> 00:17:26,879 This is Harry. 281 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:28,674 Harry's from Pittsburgh, honey. 282 00:17:29,424 --> 00:17:30,883 He is a lawyer. 283 00:17:30,884 --> 00:17:33,470 And he knows some of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 284 00:17:34,012 --> 00:17:35,097 Isn't that wild? 285 00:17:36,557 --> 00:17:38,809 Are you married? Do you have any children? 286 00:17:40,519 --> 00:17:42,896 Why, yes, I am. I have a boy and a girl. 287 00:17:43,981 --> 00:17:44,982 Oh. That's good. 288 00:17:55,701 --> 00:17:57,201 Hope you like chicken. 289 00:17:57,202 --> 00:17:58,828 I like fried chicken. 290 00:17:58,829 --> 00:18:00,663 Well, it's just like it. 291 00:18:00,664 --> 00:18:04,625 It's called chicken cordon bleu, and it's very tasty. 292 00:18:04,626 --> 00:18:07,087 Okay. I'll have some. 293 00:18:15,596 --> 00:18:17,138 When I got back to my seat, 294 00:18:17,139 --> 00:18:19,474 Harry was whispering something in my mother's ear. 295 00:18:20,142 --> 00:18:23,562 I waited until I thought he was through so I wouldn't get in trouble. 296 00:18:30,611 --> 00:18:33,029 Oh, what a wonderful man. 297 00:18:33,030 --> 00:18:34,572 So well-spoken. 298 00:18:34,573 --> 00:18:36,407 My mother liked people who spoke well 299 00:18:36,408 --> 00:18:38,659 and enunciated words and were articulate. 300 00:18:38,660 --> 00:18:41,037 She didn't like accents too much on people, 301 00:18:41,038 --> 00:18:43,289 unless they were using them for a role. 302 00:18:43,290 --> 00:18:46,460 She said good speech reflected how well educated they were. 303 00:18:47,085 --> 00:18:49,212 Her friend Julia was a beautiful woman, 304 00:18:49,213 --> 00:18:51,714 very wealthy, married to a rich inventor, 305 00:18:51,715 --> 00:18:53,424 and seemed to have it all, 306 00:18:53,425 --> 00:18:55,760 except my mother could never get over the idea 307 00:18:55,761 --> 00:18:57,929 that she had a thick New Jersey accent. 308 00:18:57,930 --> 00:18:59,764 She would say, "What a shame. 309 00:18:59,765 --> 00:19:02,976 All that beauty and wealth, and that horrible New Jersey accent." 310 00:19:03,685 --> 00:19:05,311 The funny thing is that sometimes 311 00:19:05,312 --> 00:19:07,856 Mom would actually have the same kind of accent herself. 312 00:19:08,982 --> 00:19:13,486 If we're ever in Pittsburgh, honey, Harry would love to take us to dinner. 313 00:19:13,487 --> 00:19:16,323 Oh, with his wife and kids? 314 00:19:17,032 --> 00:19:18,200 Smart-ass. 315 00:19:21,787 --> 00:19:24,205 As the darkness of the night turned into snow clouds 316 00:19:24,206 --> 00:19:25,498 outside the window, 317 00:19:25,499 --> 00:19:27,708 I could sense something being placed before me. 318 00:19:27,709 --> 00:19:29,418 This is for you. 319 00:19:29,419 --> 00:19:32,839 And from the smell of it, it was chicken cordon bleu. 320 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:36,426 Wow. It really did look like fried chicken, but better. 321 00:19:37,052 --> 00:19:38,387 I started to dig in. 322 00:19:43,350 --> 00:19:45,977 I like chicken, and I like cheese. 323 00:19:45,978 --> 00:19:48,021 But I'm not sure I can eat them together. 324 00:19:48,522 --> 00:19:50,648 Mom, I don't really like this. 325 00:19:50,649 --> 00:19:51,816 Can I have another Coke? 326 00:19:51,817 --> 00:19:53,485 Oh, sure, honey. 327 00:19:57,239 --> 00:19:59,907 As we started our descent into the Pittsburgh area, 328 00:19:59,908 --> 00:20:01,785 I could finally see outside our window. 329 00:20:02,536 --> 00:20:04,620 We were below the cloud layer now, 330 00:20:04,621 --> 00:20:06,498 and it was snowing at a pretty good rate. 331 00:20:07,124 --> 00:20:10,042 It actually looked quite beautiful to see the city below, 332 00:20:10,043 --> 00:20:11,753 kind of glistening through the weather. 333 00:20:12,337 --> 00:20:14,547 Then I started to think that possibly 334 00:20:14,548 --> 00:20:17,258 there was some child down below in some house, 335 00:20:17,259 --> 00:20:19,760 listening to the drone of the engines above 336 00:20:19,761 --> 00:20:22,513 and wondering, "Who's on that plane so late? 337 00:20:22,514 --> 00:20:25,142 And where are they going? And were they sleeping or not?" 338 00:20:29,897 --> 00:20:32,441 {\an8}We could hardly feel the landing, it was so smooth. 339 00:20:33,609 --> 00:20:35,776 The blue lights that lined the taxiway 340 00:20:35,777 --> 00:20:37,821 seemed to stand out even more in the snow. 341 00:20:38,447 --> 00:20:40,031 As we taxied up to the gate, 342 00:20:40,032 --> 00:20:43,118 an announcement over the PA system of the plane was being made. 343 00:20:43,702 --> 00:20:45,411 This is your captain speaking. 344 00:20:45,412 --> 00:20:47,872 Due to the unexpected snowstorm, 345 00:20:47,873 --> 00:20:50,291 those of you continuing on to Dayton and Chicago 346 00:20:50,292 --> 00:20:53,085 will be delayed until further notice. 347 00:20:53,086 --> 00:20:56,298 Please check with the ticket agent at the gate for further information. 348 00:20:58,217 --> 00:20:59,300 Not to worry. 349 00:20:59,301 --> 00:21:02,762 TWA will be taking care of the hotel for the passengers. 350 00:21:02,763 --> 00:21:04,222 - Free of charge. Okay. - Thank you. 351 00:21:04,223 --> 00:21:05,640 So we will have a hotel room? 352 00:21:05,641 --> 00:21:07,309 - Yes. Don't worry. - Great. 353 00:21:08,101 --> 00:21:09,102 Okay. 354 00:21:14,608 --> 00:21:17,527 I asked the man behind the counter when the hotel was built. 355 00:21:17,528 --> 00:21:19,112 He told me 1952. 356 00:21:19,821 --> 00:21:22,156 Now I could fantasize about all the people 357 00:21:22,157 --> 00:21:24,075 that had to do the same thing we were doing 358 00:21:24,076 --> 00:21:26,578 in the middle of the night since 1952. 359 00:21:32,626 --> 00:21:33,709 Okay, sweetheart. 360 00:21:33,710 --> 00:21:36,712 So the airline will call when the flight's gonna be ready, 361 00:21:36,713 --> 00:21:40,299 but that won't be for a couple of hours. So, you should try to get some sleep. 362 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:41,717 - Okay? - All right. 363 00:21:41,718 --> 00:21:43,511 I'm gonna go down to the lounge for a nightcap. 364 00:21:43,512 --> 00:21:44,595 All right. 365 00:21:44,596 --> 00:21:46,639 - Okay. You good? - Yep. 366 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:48,642 - Okay. I love you. - I love you too. 367 00:21:50,894 --> 00:21:53,187 Somehow I knew Harry was gonna be involved, 368 00:21:53,188 --> 00:21:54,773 but I held my tongue. 369 00:22:24,219 --> 00:22:25,220 Hello? 370 00:22:26,471 --> 00:22:28,223 Yes, we'll be there. 371 00:22:30,434 --> 00:22:33,060 I ran out the door, I flew down the hallway, 372 00:22:33,061 --> 00:22:35,439 and I pushed the elevator button over and over again. 373 00:22:36,231 --> 00:22:38,150 No, you need to stop. 374 00:22:40,569 --> 00:22:43,447 Mom! Mom, come on! We're gonna miss our plane! 375 00:22:45,991 --> 00:22:48,159 Mom, come on! The plane leaves in 20 minutes! 376 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:49,161 We're gonna miss it! 377 00:22:49,912 --> 00:22:52,580 As I looked down the hall, I saw Mom leave some different room. 378 00:22:52,581 --> 00:22:53,664 Coming. 379 00:22:53,665 --> 00:22:55,958 It didn't really matter, even if she was with Harry. 380 00:22:55,959 --> 00:22:58,419 What really mattered was that we only had 20 minutes 381 00:22:58,420 --> 00:23:00,672 to get to the gate to continue our flight. 382 00:23:01,381 --> 00:23:04,175 For 3:00 in the morning, my mother was in an awfully good mood. 383 00:23:04,176 --> 00:23:05,259 But so was I. 384 00:23:05,260 --> 00:23:08,013 Three hours of sleep and the rest of our journey to go. 385 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:12,518 The flight from Pittsburgh to Dayton was just under an hour, 386 00:23:13,268 --> 00:23:15,479 and was far more interesting in retrospect. 387 00:23:16,271 --> 00:23:19,440 I watched my mother go through more emotions in 40 minutes 388 00:23:19,441 --> 00:23:21,109 than I had ever seen before. 389 00:23:22,027 --> 00:23:23,778 What could she be telling her? 390 00:23:23,779 --> 00:23:26,406 Later, of course, I got the whole story on Liz. 391 00:23:26,907 --> 00:23:28,449 I don't remember a lot, 392 00:23:28,450 --> 00:23:30,618 other than being confused by it. 393 00:23:30,619 --> 00:23:35,039 But I was only nine years old when we tried to flee the country, 394 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:38,918 and my brother and I were the only ones to make it. 395 00:23:38,919 --> 00:23:43,882 And, unfortunately, we had to watch them taking our parents away. 396 00:23:46,009 --> 00:23:47,677 Oh, honey. 397 00:23:47,678 --> 00:23:51,514 No, I'm okay. I'm okay. I've gotten through this. 398 00:23:51,515 --> 00:23:54,392 There was a TV show in the New York area at the time 399 00:23:54,393 --> 00:23:55,686 called Remember Us. 400 00:23:56,270 --> 00:23:58,646 It showed actual footage of the Nazi event. 401 00:23:58,647 --> 00:24:01,817 It was probably more responsible for my nightmares than anything. 402 00:24:02,317 --> 00:24:04,610 I just always felt bad for Liz. 403 00:24:04,611 --> 00:24:06,572 Anyway, my mother really cared for her. 404 00:24:07,114 --> 00:24:10,199 It was almost as if someone who had more emotional pain than her 405 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:11,493 offered some kind of relief. 406 00:24:13,203 --> 00:24:16,706 I was suddenly sorry I hadn't gotten to know the ten-foot-tall man. 407 00:24:16,707 --> 00:24:18,458 At least I would've had someone to talk to. 408 00:24:19,710 --> 00:24:22,629 But tonight I would join the evening stars. 409 00:24:23,672 --> 00:24:27,592 Quiet nights of quiet stars 410 00:24:27,593 --> 00:24:31,179 Quiet chords from my guitar 411 00:24:31,180 --> 00:24:34,223 Floating on the silence That surrounds us 412 00:24:34,224 --> 00:24:37,518 {\an8}We decided to stay on board during the stop in Dayton. 413 00:24:37,519 --> 00:24:39,396 {\an8}Mom and I had actually got a nap in. 414 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:42,858 {\an8}We were in the air again before we awakened. 415 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:46,235 {\an8}Liz let us sleep as long as we were buckled in. 416 00:24:46,236 --> 00:24:48,196 No one had gotten on in Dayton. 417 00:24:48,197 --> 00:24:51,032 Well, anyone that seemed that interesting. 418 00:24:51,033 --> 00:24:53,118 At 4:00 in the morning, why would they? 419 00:24:53,619 --> 00:24:55,621 So we slept until Chicago. 420 00:24:59,458 --> 00:25:02,461 It was still dark when we arrived in the somewhat new O'Hare terminal. 421 00:25:04,421 --> 00:25:06,214 It's my last stop. 422 00:25:06,215 --> 00:25:07,341 It's my home base. 423 00:25:07,841 --> 00:25:11,136 But I have planned a couple of surprises for you. 424 00:25:12,513 --> 00:25:14,972 I've arranged for you both 425 00:25:14,973 --> 00:25:16,974 to fly first class 426 00:25:16,975 --> 00:25:19,644 to Kansas City and Denver. 427 00:25:19,645 --> 00:25:23,607 And another little surprise will be waiting for you in Denver. 428 00:25:24,191 --> 00:25:25,192 So… 429 00:25:30,072 --> 00:25:32,323 So here are the details. 430 00:25:32,324 --> 00:25:34,075 Just give this to the ticket agent. 431 00:25:34,076 --> 00:25:35,326 - Okay? - Thank you. 432 00:25:35,327 --> 00:25:37,663 - All right. Goodbye. - Thank you. 433 00:25:40,290 --> 00:25:43,000 All I could think about was how much it would have cost us 434 00:25:43,001 --> 00:25:45,045 if we had to pay first class ourselves. 435 00:25:45,838 --> 00:25:48,131 It was something like $185 one way. 436 00:25:48,715 --> 00:25:51,509 The amount of toys and hot dogs I could buy. 437 00:25:51,510 --> 00:25:54,388 And that's including probably two or three more trips like this. 438 00:25:54,888 --> 00:25:56,265 What a gal, that Liz. 439 00:25:57,558 --> 00:25:59,977 Suddenly, my mother's whole demeanor changed. 440 00:26:00,561 --> 00:26:02,979 I could see the visible change come over her. 441 00:26:02,980 --> 00:26:07,108 Her posture was straight, her chin up, her walk was noble. 442 00:26:07,109 --> 00:26:08,609 We were flying first class. 443 00:26:08,610 --> 00:26:12,322 And she was an actress flying to the West Coast, first class. 444 00:26:13,031 --> 00:26:16,200 I know that she was wishing that she had worn that fake leopard coat 445 00:26:16,201 --> 00:26:18,745 that I had talked her out of before we left the house. 446 00:26:27,337 --> 00:26:28,547 Hollywood called. 447 00:26:29,965 --> 00:26:32,009 They told me to grab the next flight. 448 00:26:33,051 --> 00:26:34,218 So you're an actress? 449 00:26:34,219 --> 00:26:36,888 Yes. How did you guess? 450 00:26:36,889 --> 00:26:40,016 My mother would often make unsolicited comments like this. 451 00:26:40,017 --> 00:26:41,185 Good luck in Hollywood. 452 00:26:41,852 --> 00:26:43,103 Thank you. 453 00:26:48,150 --> 00:26:50,484 The terminal was beautiful. And for some reason, 454 00:26:50,485 --> 00:26:52,862 the hot dog stand was open even at 4:00 in the morning. 455 00:26:52,863 --> 00:26:54,405 - Hello. - I wanted two. 456 00:26:54,406 --> 00:26:55,490 My mother ordered one. 457 00:26:56,116 --> 00:26:57,910 - We done here? - Yes. 458 00:26:58,994 --> 00:27:00,621 Could I have another hot dog? 459 00:27:01,288 --> 00:27:04,041 Do you really, really want another hot dog? 460 00:27:04,666 --> 00:27:07,044 Yes, I really, really do. 461 00:27:07,544 --> 00:27:08,545 Okay. 462 00:27:16,220 --> 00:27:18,262 Out of the tree of life… 463 00:27:18,263 --> 00:27:20,264 First class sections on propeller planes 464 00:27:20,265 --> 00:27:23,352 were usually in the back of the plane, different from the jets. 465 00:27:23,894 --> 00:27:26,646 First thing I noticed was the seats were bigger. 466 00:27:26,647 --> 00:27:28,398 Second was the beautiful mural. 467 00:27:31,902 --> 00:27:34,403 Still, it's a real good bet 468 00:27:34,404 --> 00:27:37,282 The best is yet to come 469 00:27:40,202 --> 00:27:42,537 The best is yet to come 470 00:27:42,538 --> 00:27:45,874 And, babe, won't it be fine? 471 00:27:48,210 --> 00:27:52,088 You think you've seen the sun But you ain't seen it shine 472 00:27:52,089 --> 00:27:54,507 When we took off, it was much more quiet. 473 00:27:54,508 --> 00:27:57,760 That's probably the reason the seating was placed in the back. 474 00:27:57,761 --> 00:27:59,179 In jets, it's quieter up front. 475 00:28:00,097 --> 00:28:03,015 My mother seemed genuinely excited to be in first class. 476 00:28:03,016 --> 00:28:07,270 You know, if a film studio was flying me out here, 477 00:28:07,271 --> 00:28:11,650 the Screen Actors Guild would insist that the studio fly me out this way. 478 00:28:12,609 --> 00:28:14,111 It's the rules. 479 00:28:19,950 --> 00:28:22,410 As the plane continued to fly westward, 480 00:28:22,411 --> 00:28:24,954 I could see the sun was starting to rise. 481 00:28:24,955 --> 00:28:27,081 As we did a small turn to the right, 482 00:28:27,082 --> 00:28:28,791 the sun came through the window 483 00:28:28,792 --> 00:28:31,837 and seemed as if it were dancing on my mother's face. 484 00:28:33,422 --> 00:28:37,842 Remember, darling, when I was in Light Up the Sky in summer stock? 485 00:28:37,843 --> 00:28:43,765 And that critic that said that I was a cross between Crawford and Stanwyck. 486 00:28:44,975 --> 00:28:47,227 A tour de force performance. 487 00:28:49,897 --> 00:28:51,565 Wasn't that marvelous? 488 00:28:53,567 --> 00:29:00,574 It's a lazy afternoon… 489 00:29:02,367 --> 00:29:05,786 As I looked to my right, I saw these gold, sparkly curtains. 490 00:29:05,787 --> 00:29:07,456 And I wondered what was behind them. 491 00:29:08,081 --> 00:29:10,708 I looked up and down the aisle for a stewardess. 492 00:29:10,709 --> 00:29:12,503 I saw one standing by the galley. 493 00:29:13,545 --> 00:29:14,795 I motioned to her, 494 00:29:14,796 --> 00:29:17,007 just the way I would have in school for my teacher. 495 00:29:21,970 --> 00:29:25,389 Tall and tan and young and lovely 496 00:29:25,390 --> 00:29:28,893 The girl from Ipanema goes walking 497 00:29:28,894 --> 00:29:30,937 And when she passes 498 00:29:30,938 --> 00:29:34,440 Each one she passes goes, "Ah" 499 00:29:34,441 --> 00:29:35,859 Yes? May I help you? 500 00:29:36,568 --> 00:29:38,278 The voice seemed so familiar. 501 00:29:38,820 --> 00:29:41,949 She sounded just like the voice I'd heard at the terminal in New York. 502 00:29:42,991 --> 00:29:45,702 She looked exactly how I imagined that person would look. 503 00:29:47,496 --> 00:29:48,580 What's that thing for? 504 00:29:50,791 --> 00:29:53,626 That's the sleeper service for the cross-country overnight flights. 505 00:29:53,627 --> 00:29:55,087 We don't really use them anymore. 506 00:29:55,671 --> 00:29:58,089 When did you use them? What year? 507 00:29:58,090 --> 00:30:00,550 How come you stopped using them? How many are there? 508 00:30:00,551 --> 00:30:02,468 How about I answer one question at a time? 509 00:30:02,469 --> 00:30:03,845 Okay. 510 00:30:03,846 --> 00:30:05,972 Well, from the time when this plane was new, 511 00:30:05,973 --> 00:30:08,349 until the jets came in in 1959, 512 00:30:08,350 --> 00:30:11,018 this was used on longer nonstop flights. 513 00:30:11,019 --> 00:30:14,188 Anytime the plane flew, let's say, over eight hours. 514 00:30:14,189 --> 00:30:16,524 Let's say on an overnight flight cross-country. 515 00:30:16,525 --> 00:30:19,360 They would sleep people. It was part of the first-class airfare. 516 00:30:19,361 --> 00:30:20,611 Oh, cool. 517 00:30:20,612 --> 00:30:22,530 How come you know so much? 518 00:30:22,531 --> 00:30:25,074 Well, my mother's been in the airline industry for years, 519 00:30:25,075 --> 00:30:27,034 originally as a stewardess in the '30s. 520 00:30:27,035 --> 00:30:28,160 Wow. 521 00:30:28,161 --> 00:30:31,455 And she retired in 1939, but ever since then 522 00:30:31,456 --> 00:30:34,042 she's been doing the flight announcements at New York Airports. 523 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:35,961 I'll be right back. 524 00:30:39,798 --> 00:30:41,299 You're kidding. Really? 525 00:30:41,300 --> 00:30:45,011 How old is she now? What kind of planes did she fly in? 526 00:30:45,012 --> 00:30:47,306 Where does she say those announcements from in the airport? 527 00:30:47,931 --> 00:30:53,187 Well, she's 58 and she mainly flew in DC-3 planes. 528 00:30:53,687 --> 00:30:57,231 And I think that she does it in a little room in the back of the TWA terminal. 529 00:30:57,232 --> 00:30:59,817 You have a lot of questions. You really like flying, don't you? 530 00:30:59,818 --> 00:31:00,903 Is this your first time? 531 00:31:01,445 --> 00:31:03,988 Doris answered all my questions and more. 532 00:31:03,989 --> 00:31:05,490 She was my new best friend. 533 00:31:07,326 --> 00:31:08,618 Mom! Mom! Wake up! 534 00:31:08,619 --> 00:31:09,953 You gotta wake up! 535 00:31:10,787 --> 00:31:13,122 - What is it? - You're not gonna believe it. 536 00:31:13,123 --> 00:31:15,625 Doris's mother is the voice at Idlewild Airport. 537 00:31:15,626 --> 00:31:19,253 She's 58 years old and she was one of the first stewardesses ever. 538 00:31:19,254 --> 00:31:20,713 Mom, you're gonna love her. 539 00:31:20,714 --> 00:31:23,382 She has no accent at all and she's really beautiful. 540 00:31:23,383 --> 00:31:25,426 - Who? - Doris! 541 00:31:25,427 --> 00:31:28,930 Oh, that's wonderful, my baby boy. 542 00:31:28,931 --> 00:31:31,349 Mom, don't call me that in front of Doris, okay? 543 00:31:31,350 --> 00:31:33,685 Okay, darling. Now let me go back to sleep. 544 00:31:40,776 --> 00:31:43,444 Her hair was done in just the style I liked. 545 00:31:43,445 --> 00:31:44,695 Light eyes. 546 00:31:44,696 --> 00:31:46,406 I couldn't stop looking at her. 547 00:31:47,449 --> 00:31:48,658 How old are you? 548 00:31:48,659 --> 00:31:49,743 Twenty-one. 549 00:31:50,285 --> 00:31:51,662 What's your favorite airplane? 550 00:31:52,913 --> 00:31:54,580 Boeing 707. 551 00:31:54,581 --> 00:31:58,043 - Why? - Because it's beautiful and very fast. 552 00:31:58,836 --> 00:32:00,044 That's pretty good. 553 00:32:00,045 --> 00:32:01,213 Do you have a boyfriend? 554 00:32:02,297 --> 00:32:03,841 I did. But we just broke up. 555 00:32:05,175 --> 00:32:06,759 My mother's an actress, you know? 556 00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:08,219 Really? 557 00:32:08,220 --> 00:32:10,889 I used this line whenever I wanted to impress someone. 558 00:32:11,390 --> 00:32:12,807 That's very interesting. 559 00:32:12,808 --> 00:32:14,934 Yes, we're going to Hollywood. 560 00:32:14,935 --> 00:32:16,102 They called her. 561 00:32:16,103 --> 00:32:19,273 She has to do some movie with Paul Newman, I think. 562 00:32:19,898 --> 00:32:21,066 Paul Newman, really? 563 00:32:21,942 --> 00:32:23,318 Oh, I can't believe it. 564 00:32:24,653 --> 00:32:26,445 Well, I have to go now. 565 00:32:26,446 --> 00:32:27,697 My mother wanted something. 566 00:32:27,698 --> 00:32:29,031 Okay. 567 00:32:29,032 --> 00:32:30,700 Oh, God. Why did I lie? 568 00:32:30,701 --> 00:32:31,910 That was so stupid. 569 00:32:32,452 --> 00:32:35,080 She was already impressed with just the actress stuff. 570 00:32:39,918 --> 00:32:42,296 {\an8}Kansas City Airport was not very interesting. 571 00:32:42,963 --> 00:32:44,840 Except for this toy store. 572 00:32:46,008 --> 00:32:47,843 Oh, my God. Oh, my God. 573 00:32:48,844 --> 00:32:53,182 There's a battery-operated toy replica of almost the same airplane we're on. 574 00:33:00,105 --> 00:33:02,733 It was the greatest toy ever made, bar none. 575 00:33:05,611 --> 00:33:08,071 The door opens, passengers disappear, 576 00:33:08,906 --> 00:33:10,781 stewardess appears. 577 00:33:10,782 --> 00:33:12,159 Oh, my God. 578 00:33:12,743 --> 00:33:13,952 The door closes, 579 00:33:14,828 --> 00:33:16,038 the passengers reappear. 580 00:33:17,289 --> 00:33:19,458 The engines start, one at a time. 581 00:33:20,083 --> 00:33:22,252 Oh, my God. It starts to taxi. 582 00:33:25,339 --> 00:33:28,966 Life at this moment was so good that it was just hard to recover from. 583 00:33:28,967 --> 00:33:30,885 - So it's $12.95. With tax. - Okay. 584 00:33:30,886 --> 00:33:32,178 Okay, let me write it up. 585 00:33:32,179 --> 00:33:33,180 Okay. Great. 586 00:33:34,973 --> 00:33:36,517 Until I broke the plane. 587 00:33:39,353 --> 00:33:41,062 I didn't stop crying for an hour, 588 00:33:41,063 --> 00:33:43,607 including the time during takeoff en route to Denver. 589 00:33:44,525 --> 00:33:46,025 This would be our longest leg, 590 00:33:46,026 --> 00:33:48,570 just under four hours, due to the headwinds. 591 00:33:50,447 --> 00:33:51,781 What's the matter? 592 00:33:51,782 --> 00:33:53,075 My plane broke. 593 00:33:55,994 --> 00:33:57,454 Well, even real planes break, you know? 594 00:33:58,330 --> 00:33:59,580 They do? 595 00:33:59,581 --> 00:34:00,707 Yes, of course they do. 596 00:34:02,084 --> 00:34:04,210 Well, I didn't know that. 597 00:34:04,211 --> 00:34:07,296 Doris telling me that changed my life forever. 598 00:34:07,297 --> 00:34:09,756 I had always had a problem with things being less than perfect 599 00:34:09,757 --> 00:34:11,050 for some reason, 600 00:34:11,051 --> 00:34:12,927 especially mechanical things. 601 00:34:12,928 --> 00:34:16,763 And now she had the answer that I would use until this day. 602 00:34:16,764 --> 00:34:18,515 Real things break too. 603 00:34:18,516 --> 00:34:20,935 Would you like me to make up the berth so you can get some sleep? 604 00:34:20,936 --> 00:34:22,019 Yes! 605 00:34:22,020 --> 00:34:24,564 Doris, thank you, but that won't be necessary. 606 00:34:24,565 --> 00:34:26,899 - Mom! - No, really. It's not a problem. 607 00:34:26,900 --> 00:34:28,150 I'll make it up right now. 608 00:34:49,464 --> 00:34:51,799 I was so excited to be in this berth 609 00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:53,594 looking out into the sky from the window. 610 00:34:54,261 --> 00:34:55,929 I just couldn't sleep at all. 611 00:34:57,139 --> 00:34:59,473 I wanted to stay put so I could have some fun, 612 00:34:59,474 --> 00:35:01,101 maybe even eat a meal in here. 613 00:35:04,062 --> 00:35:06,397 - Your son told me that you're an actress. - Yes. 614 00:35:06,398 --> 00:35:09,442 And I have to say congratulations on your Paul Newman film. 615 00:35:09,443 --> 00:35:10,694 That's so exciting. 616 00:35:11,904 --> 00:35:13,821 He must have misunderstood. 617 00:35:13,822 --> 00:35:15,615 There's no specific film. 618 00:35:15,616 --> 00:35:18,327 Just a friend who is going to try and help me out. 619 00:35:18,994 --> 00:35:22,079 He knows that I love Paul Newman as an actor, 620 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:24,750 so he must have put the two together. 621 00:35:25,417 --> 00:35:28,086 I was mortified, and I didn't wanna live anymore. 622 00:35:28,795 --> 00:35:31,589 Lunch is almost ready, so I should probably check if he wants some. 623 00:35:31,590 --> 00:35:32,965 - Thank you, Doris. - I'll be back. 624 00:35:32,966 --> 00:35:33,967 You're so sweet. 625 00:35:37,304 --> 00:35:38,513 Lunch is almost ready. 626 00:35:38,514 --> 00:35:39,847 I hope you like chicken. 627 00:35:39,848 --> 00:35:41,516 I like fried chicken. 628 00:35:41,517 --> 00:35:43,726 Well, this is just like it. Only better. 629 00:35:43,727 --> 00:35:44,810 Oh, yeah? 630 00:35:44,811 --> 00:35:46,396 It's called chicken cordon bleu. 631 00:35:47,356 --> 00:35:48,898 Can I have another Coke? 632 00:35:48,899 --> 00:35:50,691 Of course. I'll be right back. 633 00:35:50,692 --> 00:35:51,693 Okay. 634 00:36:00,953 --> 00:36:04,163 The man in the seat I approximated to be 7D 635 00:36:04,164 --> 00:36:06,916 was drinking a lot and smoking Pall Malls, 636 00:36:06,917 --> 00:36:10,503 a very strong unfiltered cigarette, my mother told me. 637 00:36:10,504 --> 00:36:12,297 Newports were not nearly as strong. 638 00:36:12,923 --> 00:36:16,175 At any rate, he kept referring to the headline on the front 639 00:36:16,176 --> 00:36:18,178 of what appeared to be The Kansas City Star. 640 00:36:18,887 --> 00:36:22,598 It said, "Disaster: Jet Airliner Crashes at Idlewild." 641 00:36:22,599 --> 00:36:24,893 And below was some blurry, black-and-white photo. 642 00:36:25,853 --> 00:36:29,106 Air crashes, when I was younger, were more intriguing to me than upsetting. 643 00:36:29,648 --> 00:36:31,649 I think it was just too much to comprehend 644 00:36:31,650 --> 00:36:34,819 that something I loved so much could ever hurt anybody, 645 00:36:34,820 --> 00:36:35,988 let alone kill them. 646 00:36:36,822 --> 00:36:39,991 Then I overheard him talking to a different stewardess, not Doris. 647 00:36:39,992 --> 00:36:41,493 Sir, are you all right? 648 00:36:46,331 --> 00:36:47,457 Actually, no. 649 00:36:49,126 --> 00:36:52,128 This is a rough thing to read because not that long ago, 650 00:36:52,129 --> 00:36:55,882 I booked a trip from Chicago to New York for business, 651 00:36:55,883 --> 00:36:59,011 and I… I couldn't get on my flight. 652 00:37:00,220 --> 00:37:04,183 I fought for my seat, but they would not accommodate me. 653 00:37:05,684 --> 00:37:10,814 I went home quite upset, but by the time I got to the house 654 00:37:11,815 --> 00:37:14,943 and turned the TV on, I had seen that my plane had crashed. 655 00:37:16,111 --> 00:37:17,571 The one I was booked on. 656 00:37:18,822 --> 00:37:22,784 So, I'm… I'm… quite afraid to fly. 657 00:37:23,619 --> 00:37:24,827 I'm so sorry to hear that. 658 00:37:24,828 --> 00:37:28,831 But I can assure you that nothing will happen and we're fine. 659 00:37:28,832 --> 00:37:31,043 And if you need me, I'm right here. 660 00:37:32,211 --> 00:37:33,378 Okay. Good to know. 661 00:37:34,546 --> 00:37:36,380 I guess he had a right to be scared. 662 00:37:36,381 --> 00:37:39,133 Besides, how could I help him feel any better? 663 00:37:39,134 --> 00:37:40,468 My plane was broken. 664 00:37:40,469 --> 00:37:42,846 It would probably scare him just to look at it. 665 00:37:43,847 --> 00:37:45,973 And then I had the greatest idea. 666 00:37:45,974 --> 00:37:47,892 Maybe the captain could fix it. 667 00:37:47,893 --> 00:37:49,061 My toy, that is. 668 00:37:52,314 --> 00:37:53,856 Are you married? 669 00:37:53,857 --> 00:37:55,526 No, I'm not actually. 670 00:37:56,360 --> 00:37:57,444 Freshly divorced. 671 00:37:59,029 --> 00:38:00,739 Isn't that a coincidence? 672 00:38:01,406 --> 00:38:02,991 My mother's an actress. 673 00:38:03,909 --> 00:38:05,994 I don't think I knew what a coincidence was. 674 00:38:06,578 --> 00:38:07,496 He fixed it. 675 00:38:07,996 --> 00:38:09,413 God, he's the greatest. 676 00:38:09,414 --> 00:38:11,041 Why couldn't he marry my mother? 677 00:38:13,377 --> 00:38:14,544 Thank you! 678 00:38:14,545 --> 00:38:17,505 You know, my mother is going to be in a movie with, 679 00:38:17,506 --> 00:38:21,051 I think she said, Kirk Douglas and Elizabeth Taylor. 680 00:38:23,762 --> 00:38:24,972 And Paul Newman. 681 00:38:25,722 --> 00:38:27,724 Really? Paul Newman? 682 00:38:28,559 --> 00:38:31,353 - You don't say. - Well, I have to go now. 683 00:38:31,979 --> 00:38:33,188 Thank you. 684 00:38:37,109 --> 00:38:38,442 Hi, darling. 685 00:38:38,443 --> 00:38:40,236 The captain fixed the plane. 686 00:38:40,237 --> 00:38:42,572 - He's so cool. - Oh, good. 687 00:38:42,573 --> 00:38:44,198 I'm so happy for you, baby. 688 00:38:44,199 --> 00:38:46,325 She looked really pleased, and I knew why. 689 00:38:46,326 --> 00:38:48,953 Fresh linen had been placed before her, 690 00:38:48,954 --> 00:38:52,248 and the most beautiful china and silverware for her to look at. 691 00:38:52,249 --> 00:38:53,792 Oh, my. 692 00:38:56,920 --> 00:38:57,963 Lenox. 693 00:38:59,715 --> 00:39:02,718 It's ill-mannered to turn a plate over in front of people. 694 00:39:03,343 --> 00:39:06,180 My mom loved antiques and expensive china. 695 00:39:07,097 --> 00:39:10,600 She started to read aloud the menu, a habit she had. 696 00:39:10,601 --> 00:39:13,102 It was done in a very deep, theatrical voice 697 00:39:13,103 --> 00:39:15,229 that always embarrassed me at restaurants. 698 00:39:15,230 --> 00:39:18,649 "Your choice of appetizer: shrimp cocktail 699 00:39:18,650 --> 00:39:20,652 or stuffed mushrooms with crab meat. 700 00:39:21,570 --> 00:39:23,822 For the main course, beef with au jus 701 00:39:24,448 --> 00:39:26,700 - or chicken cordon bleu." - Chicken cordon bleu. 702 00:39:33,290 --> 00:39:35,583 I climbed back up into my little haven, 703 00:39:35,584 --> 00:39:36,919 my own private world. 704 00:39:37,586 --> 00:39:43,175 The good life 705 00:39:44,551 --> 00:39:50,349 Full of fun Seems to be the ideal 706 00:39:51,183 --> 00:39:52,184 Thank you. 707 00:39:54,895 --> 00:39:58,439 The good life 708 00:39:58,440 --> 00:40:04,363 Lets you hide All the sadness you feel… 709 00:40:08,867 --> 00:40:10,911 As I looked down where my mother was sitting, 710 00:40:11,453 --> 00:40:13,789 I wondered what we would do this year for my birthday. 711 00:40:14,373 --> 00:40:17,750 I started to giggle at the thought of when I was little, my fifth birthday. 712 00:40:17,751 --> 00:40:21,046 It was so successful that I wanted a party every day. 713 00:40:21,755 --> 00:40:23,966 My mother gave in for about five days. 714 00:40:24,550 --> 00:40:26,384 And then I had to learn the ugly truth, 715 00:40:26,385 --> 00:40:29,137 birthdays lasted only one day, usually. 716 00:40:29,805 --> 00:40:32,723 But no one told me that I couldn't have them every month. 717 00:40:32,724 --> 00:40:34,350 I can remember that one time in April 718 00:40:34,351 --> 00:40:37,770 my mother's friend walked in on one of my birthdays and said, 719 00:40:37,771 --> 00:40:39,522 "Isn't his birthday in February?" 720 00:40:39,523 --> 00:40:42,025 "Yes," my mother said, "but don't spoil it for him." 721 00:40:42,693 --> 00:40:44,194 My mother was good that way. 722 00:40:45,028 --> 00:40:47,114 - Thank you. - You're welcome. 723 00:40:48,365 --> 00:40:50,157 I laid down on my side. 724 00:40:50,158 --> 00:40:53,286 The drone of the engines seemed to be kind of lulling me. 725 00:40:53,287 --> 00:40:55,788 Before I knew it, I was asleep. 726 00:40:55,789 --> 00:40:57,331 For many years to come, 727 00:40:57,332 --> 00:40:59,250 I would scrounge through my airline schedules 728 00:40:59,251 --> 00:41:03,004 to find a propeller plane to fly, providing that I had the time, 729 00:41:03,005 --> 00:41:05,047 just so I could get the same kind of sleep. 730 00:41:05,048 --> 00:41:09,510 And in case you wonder why… 731 00:41:09,511 --> 00:41:12,346 Now, you can stay up here as long as you're strapped in, okay? 732 00:41:12,347 --> 00:41:13,806 - Okay. - Okay. 733 00:41:13,807 --> 00:41:15,808 This is your captain speaking. 734 00:41:15,809 --> 00:41:18,811 We are expecting moderate turbulence for the next 20 minutes. 735 00:41:18,812 --> 00:41:21,522 Please remain seated and fasten your seat belts. 736 00:41:21,523 --> 00:41:24,358 The aircraft started to buffet and rumble a bit. 737 00:41:24,359 --> 00:41:27,946 The pitch of the engine sound changed as we started to climb above the weather. 738 00:41:28,697 --> 00:41:30,990 However, the turbulence got worse, 739 00:41:30,991 --> 00:41:33,242 and some of the passengers started to look around 740 00:41:33,243 --> 00:41:36,663 as if maybe something they could look at would solve this problem. 741 00:41:38,373 --> 00:41:40,374 The man in 12A got up 742 00:41:40,375 --> 00:41:42,210 and strangely moved toward the back of the plane. 743 00:41:42,211 --> 00:41:43,294 You okay? 744 00:41:43,295 --> 00:41:44,670 He yelled out to no one. 745 00:41:44,671 --> 00:41:46,006 Stop following me! 746 00:41:47,424 --> 00:41:48,841 Sir? Sir, can I help you? 747 00:41:48,842 --> 00:41:51,511 The stewardess that I didn't know ran after him. 748 00:41:51,512 --> 00:41:53,888 - Sir, can I help you? That's okay. - What a bizarre sight. 749 00:41:53,889 --> 00:41:56,557 The man had his hands around the throat of the young lady, 750 00:41:56,558 --> 00:41:58,977 and she had her hands around his throat as well. 751 00:41:59,770 --> 00:42:02,188 There seemed to be a genuine resistance between the two. 752 00:42:02,189 --> 00:42:03,314 I understand. I've been there. 753 00:42:03,315 --> 00:42:05,858 But they were having quite a normal conversation. 754 00:42:05,859 --> 00:42:07,944 There's more to this character than meets the eye. 755 00:42:07,945 --> 00:42:09,529 - There's a problem. - Breathe out. 756 00:42:09,530 --> 00:42:10,696 Thank you. 757 00:42:10,697 --> 00:42:12,865 When he boarded before everyone else did, 758 00:42:12,866 --> 00:42:15,451 apparently he was drugged and placed on board 759 00:42:15,452 --> 00:42:19,080 so he could be transferred to a different mental hospital in Denver. 760 00:42:19,081 --> 00:42:20,373 Oh, thank you so much. 761 00:42:20,374 --> 00:42:21,999 - Calm down. - Sorry. 762 00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:23,584 If you need anything, let me know. 763 00:42:23,585 --> 00:42:25,670 They were talking in such a calm manner. 764 00:42:25,671 --> 00:42:27,673 It was hard to believe anything was wrong. 765 00:42:28,465 --> 00:42:30,592 And together they managed to calm him down. 766 00:42:31,218 --> 00:42:33,928 Still everyone was quite uneasy until we disembarked. 767 00:42:33,929 --> 00:42:37,015 - Let's get you to sit down, okay? - Yeah, I'm okay. 768 00:42:47,234 --> 00:42:49,152 Good luck on that Paul Newman film. 769 00:42:52,406 --> 00:42:53,990 Why, thank you. 770 00:42:53,991 --> 00:42:54,992 I'll need it. 771 00:42:57,327 --> 00:42:59,078 Why do you think our plane broke down? 772 00:42:59,079 --> 00:43:01,414 I don't know, darling, 773 00:43:01,415 --> 00:43:02,707 but it's okay. 774 00:43:02,708 --> 00:43:04,542 It will give us a good night's sleep. 775 00:43:04,543 --> 00:43:08,338 And tomorrow we will have a wonderful flight. 776 00:43:09,506 --> 00:43:11,800 And what do you say we read a play together? 777 00:43:12,509 --> 00:43:17,013 I think we should read The Philadelphia Story. 778 00:43:17,014 --> 00:43:18,390 - All right. - Okay. 779 00:43:19,641 --> 00:43:21,934 Actually, staying in Denver was fun. 780 00:43:21,935 --> 00:43:24,937 That night, Mom read two acts of a play. 781 00:43:24,938 --> 00:43:26,355 Ever since I can remember, 782 00:43:26,356 --> 00:43:29,151 Mom read me good-night plays instead of fairy tales. 783 00:43:32,571 --> 00:43:34,907 We went to lunch at the Denver terminal restaurant. 784 00:43:35,490 --> 00:43:38,535 Grilled cheese and a Coke as I watched the airplanes come and go. 785 00:43:39,786 --> 00:43:41,204 This was just great. 786 00:43:41,205 --> 00:43:43,915 What could happen to beat everything that's happened so far? 787 00:43:43,916 --> 00:43:45,041 Nothing. 788 00:43:45,042 --> 00:43:46,376 I wanted to live forever. 789 00:43:46,919 --> 00:43:49,254 - Enjoy your flight. - Thank you. Have a nice flight. 790 00:43:50,297 --> 00:43:54,134 Hi, there's a note in there for you to read. 791 00:43:55,511 --> 00:43:57,136 Yes, Liz told me all about it. 792 00:43:57,137 --> 00:43:58,930 Wait! We're at the wrong gate! 793 00:43:58,931 --> 00:44:00,556 Mom, we're gonna miss the plane! 794 00:44:00,557 --> 00:44:02,141 It's not this one, Mom. I'm telling you! 795 00:44:02,142 --> 00:44:04,519 This is a nonstop jet flight to LA. 796 00:44:04,520 --> 00:44:05,811 I know it by heart. 797 00:44:05,812 --> 00:44:09,315 StarStream Boeing 707 Royal Ambassador service. 798 00:44:09,316 --> 00:44:11,609 - Thank you. I'll take that for him. - Enjoy your flight. 799 00:44:11,610 --> 00:44:12,818 Thank you. 800 00:44:12,819 --> 00:44:14,612 Surprise, honey. 801 00:44:14,613 --> 00:44:17,407 We are going on a jet. 802 00:44:18,700 --> 00:44:19,952 What? 803 00:44:20,953 --> 00:44:22,286 I can't believe it. 804 00:44:22,287 --> 00:44:24,373 We're taking the 707 to LA. 805 00:44:28,377 --> 00:44:29,795 Aren't you excited, honey? 806 00:44:30,546 --> 00:44:32,548 This is your surprise from Liz. 807 00:44:36,218 --> 00:44:37,343 What's wrong, baby? 808 00:44:37,344 --> 00:44:39,846 Nothing, it's just… 809 00:44:39,847 --> 00:44:43,392 Well, we're going to get on there and you're gonna start showing off. 810 00:44:49,481 --> 00:44:52,067 Well, let's just head to the gate, okay? 811 00:44:54,027 --> 00:44:55,278 I was excited, truly. 812 00:44:55,279 --> 00:44:57,865 But sometimes I just didn't know how to express it. 813 00:45:00,367 --> 00:45:02,452 Somehow I felt a kind of loss. 814 00:45:04,371 --> 00:45:07,165 Maybe it was saying goodbye to that big, beautiful old Connie, 815 00:45:07,666 --> 00:45:09,710 or maybe it was never seeing Doris again. 816 00:45:12,171 --> 00:45:14,923 She didn't say anything, and I felt really bad. 817 00:45:21,013 --> 00:45:24,433 There it was. An absolute specimen of an aircraft. 818 00:45:25,601 --> 00:45:27,895 It was art. Believe me, it was art. 819 00:45:36,904 --> 00:45:39,990 I was on a jet and in first class. 820 00:45:40,866 --> 00:45:42,075 I just couldn't believe it. 821 00:45:43,076 --> 00:45:44,994 My mother said I could sit by myself 822 00:45:44,995 --> 00:45:47,413 so I could pretend that I was flying alone. 823 00:45:47,414 --> 00:45:49,958 She decided to sit by a lovely woman named Barbara. 824 00:46:02,846 --> 00:46:05,224 A surge of power thrust me back in the seat. 825 00:46:21,323 --> 00:46:23,533 Wow. Fantastic. 826 00:46:23,534 --> 00:46:25,284 And it was fantastic. 827 00:46:25,285 --> 00:46:26,662 Straight up into the air we went. 828 00:46:28,455 --> 00:46:30,791 We were over the Colorado mountains before we knew it. 829 00:46:31,375 --> 00:46:35,754 The snowcapped mountains glistening in the afternoon light were unforgettable. 830 00:46:37,464 --> 00:46:40,300 We leveled off, and the captain came over the speaker. 831 00:46:40,884 --> 00:46:43,678 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the jet age. 832 00:46:43,679 --> 00:46:48,641 We are flying at 600 miles an hour at an altitude of 33,000 feet. 833 00:46:48,642 --> 00:46:52,979 Our flying time to Los Angeles will be one hour and 52 minutes. 834 00:46:52,980 --> 00:46:55,314 So sit back and enjoy your flight. 835 00:46:55,315 --> 00:46:56,733 Champagne is on me. 836 00:47:02,447 --> 00:47:04,615 Barbara was a little older than my mom, 837 00:47:04,616 --> 00:47:07,326 but very pretty and just like my mother liked, 838 00:47:07,327 --> 00:47:09,580 sophisticated, wealthy and no accent. 839 00:47:10,330 --> 00:47:11,497 No, no. 840 00:47:11,498 --> 00:47:14,625 Unfortunately, my husband passed away many years ago. 841 00:47:14,626 --> 00:47:17,712 Henry was his name and… 842 00:47:17,713 --> 00:47:19,130 Oh, I'll tell you the story. 843 00:47:19,131 --> 00:47:24,135 He was at a podium accepting the presidency for the Crocker Bank 844 00:47:24,136 --> 00:47:26,053 - when he had a massive heart attack. - Oh, my God. 845 00:47:26,054 --> 00:47:28,140 - Oh, Barbara. - Forty-three years old. 846 00:47:29,057 --> 00:47:31,018 I decided to roam the cabin. 847 00:47:33,896 --> 00:47:35,939 I was walking in a very cocky manner. 848 00:47:36,523 --> 00:47:38,649 A way that only an eight-year-old could do 849 00:47:38,650 --> 00:47:40,819 when he knows he's doing something truly special. 850 00:47:51,538 --> 00:47:53,623 As I looked to the left, down the aisle, 851 00:47:53,624 --> 00:47:55,083 I saw a young kid there. 852 00:47:55,751 --> 00:47:57,376 He was younger than me. 853 00:47:57,377 --> 00:47:58,879 About two years I'd say. 854 00:47:59,713 --> 00:48:03,841 He sat with an official airline guide, or OAG, 855 00:48:03,842 --> 00:48:06,594 which only travel agents in big companies have. 856 00:48:06,595 --> 00:48:08,555 Is that the latest OAG? 857 00:48:09,306 --> 00:48:12,016 My dad gets 'em in the mail before anybody does. 858 00:48:12,017 --> 00:48:14,144 Geez, you're so lucky. 859 00:48:14,728 --> 00:48:15,896 I'll be right back. 860 00:48:17,981 --> 00:48:19,273 Mom, I made a new best friend! 861 00:48:19,274 --> 00:48:21,275 - He has an OAG. Oh, my gosh-- - Oh, Jeff, darling. 862 00:48:21,276 --> 00:48:22,652 Jeff, this is Barbara. 863 00:48:22,653 --> 00:48:26,364 And believe it or not, her father owns an airline. 864 00:48:26,365 --> 00:48:28,866 Trans Caribbean Airlines. 865 00:48:28,867 --> 00:48:30,409 - Really? - Yeah. 866 00:48:30,410 --> 00:48:33,746 And I'll have you know that my father put my name, Barbara, 867 00:48:33,747 --> 00:48:37,792 on the nose of a brand-new DC-8 jetliner. 868 00:48:37,793 --> 00:48:39,962 Wow. That's so cool. 869 00:48:40,629 --> 00:48:42,422 A plane with her name on it. 870 00:48:43,465 --> 00:48:47,886 Do I stay here or go back to my new best friend, Skipper? 871 00:48:50,806 --> 00:48:51,807 Kids. 872 00:48:52,933 --> 00:48:55,643 The next hour was filled with conversation 873 00:48:55,644 --> 00:48:57,812 that only would fascinate Skipper and myself. 874 00:48:57,813 --> 00:49:01,315 Can you believe that TWA had a nonstop flight 875 00:49:01,316 --> 00:49:06,445 from London to San Francisco that took 22 hours right up to 1960? 876 00:49:06,446 --> 00:49:07,948 Wow, really? 877 00:49:08,782 --> 00:49:10,908 None of my friends are into aviation, 878 00:49:10,909 --> 00:49:12,076 but now I have Skipper. 879 00:49:12,077 --> 00:49:14,287 - Where's your father? - Over there. 880 00:49:14,288 --> 00:49:15,454 What does he do? 881 00:49:15,455 --> 00:49:17,331 - He's a lawyer. - Where's your mother? 882 00:49:17,332 --> 00:49:19,334 Oh, she died when I was three. 883 00:49:19,960 --> 00:49:22,378 Oh, really? Do you have a new mother? 884 00:49:22,379 --> 00:49:26,007 No, my dad remarried twice after my mom died, 885 00:49:26,008 --> 00:49:28,259 and they died of cancer too. 886 00:49:28,260 --> 00:49:30,262 - All of them. - You're kidding. 887 00:49:31,180 --> 00:49:32,346 Does he have an accent? 888 00:49:32,347 --> 00:49:33,723 I don't know. Does it matter? 889 00:49:33,724 --> 00:49:34,932 Well, kinda. 890 00:49:34,933 --> 00:49:36,392 I don't think he does. 891 00:49:36,393 --> 00:49:38,352 Oh, great. My mom's gonna love him. 892 00:49:38,353 --> 00:49:40,272 She loves people without accents. 893 00:49:40,814 --> 00:49:42,065 To Hollywood. 894 00:49:42,608 --> 00:49:43,733 - To us. - Yes. 895 00:49:43,734 --> 00:49:44,942 - I still can't believe-- - Mom! 896 00:49:44,943 --> 00:49:46,110 I made this new best friend, 897 00:49:46,111 --> 00:49:48,864 and his dad is rich and sad and has no accent. 898 00:49:50,449 --> 00:49:52,451 Well, make sure you tell him which row I'm in. 899 00:49:54,286 --> 00:49:55,287 Hi. 900 00:49:56,330 --> 00:49:57,705 Why are you here? 901 00:49:57,706 --> 00:50:00,584 Well, I changed my flight so I could see you guys one last time. 902 00:50:01,543 --> 00:50:03,504 I'll never wash my face again. 903 00:50:04,254 --> 00:50:05,505 This is too good. 904 00:50:05,506 --> 00:50:09,134 My girlfriend, my buddy, my mom's new husband, hopefully. 905 00:50:09,927 --> 00:50:12,595 And we're all on a new jet heading westward. 906 00:50:12,596 --> 00:50:15,724 It's scientifically impossible for life to be any better. 907 00:50:21,313 --> 00:50:24,024 Hello. Would you care for some chateaubriand? 908 00:50:25,192 --> 00:50:26,359 - No. - No. 909 00:50:26,360 --> 00:50:27,611 Do you like chicken? 910 00:50:28,195 --> 00:50:29,403 Not really. 911 00:50:29,404 --> 00:50:30,821 You don't like fried chicken? 912 00:50:30,822 --> 00:50:32,199 I love fried chicken. 913 00:50:32,699 --> 00:50:34,951 Well, this is just like it. 914 00:50:34,952 --> 00:50:36,495 It's called chicken cordon bleu. 915 00:50:38,539 --> 00:50:42,875 But on our jet flights, we also offer a children's menu, 916 00:50:42,876 --> 00:50:45,962 which is your choice of hot dog, hamburger, 917 00:50:45,963 --> 00:50:47,965 and peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 918 00:50:48,757 --> 00:50:50,383 I'll have a hot dog with mustard. 919 00:50:50,384 --> 00:50:53,135 I'll have a hot dog with no mustard, no ketchup. 920 00:50:53,136 --> 00:50:54,387 Perfect. 921 00:50:54,388 --> 00:50:55,930 I thought I would faint. 922 00:50:55,931 --> 00:50:58,724 A hot dog at 35,000 feet? 923 00:50:58,725 --> 00:51:01,602 I was so excited I was lost for words. 924 00:51:01,603 --> 00:51:04,063 But I had to say something, so I turned to Skip. 925 00:51:04,064 --> 00:51:06,399 I like your official airline guidebook. 926 00:51:06,400 --> 00:51:07,442 Thanks. 927 00:51:09,611 --> 00:51:12,947 The sun was shining, the sky was brilliant blue, 928 00:51:12,948 --> 00:51:15,825 and I was eating a hot dog and drinking a Coke 929 00:51:15,826 --> 00:51:18,912 with my new best friend at 600 miles an hour. 930 00:51:19,872 --> 00:51:23,208 From that moment on, I never thought things could get better. 931 00:51:45,230 --> 00:51:46,689 As we taxied in, 932 00:51:46,690 --> 00:51:49,860 I could see the new space-age-style restaurant at LAX. 933 00:51:50,485 --> 00:51:51,819 It was truly beautiful. 934 00:51:51,820 --> 00:51:54,156 I'd really like to eat there sometime, I thought. 935 00:51:58,952 --> 00:52:00,661 Through the window, 936 00:52:00,662 --> 00:52:04,124 I could see the jetway start to glide over to meet our plane. 937 00:52:10,756 --> 00:52:12,633 Mom, there's movie cameras out there. 938 00:52:13,217 --> 00:52:15,718 - You're kidding. - No, he's not. 939 00:52:15,719 --> 00:52:17,345 - Better safe than sorry. - Yeah. 940 00:52:17,346 --> 00:52:19,014 Well, you look wonderful. 941 00:52:40,452 --> 00:52:42,245 What are all those cameras doing out there? 942 00:52:42,246 --> 00:52:43,788 It was the captain of our jet. 943 00:52:43,789 --> 00:52:46,582 He was 62 years old, and this was his last flight. 944 00:52:46,583 --> 00:52:48,125 Doris told me all about you. 945 00:52:48,126 --> 00:52:49,794 - Is your name Jeff? - Yeah. 946 00:52:49,795 --> 00:52:52,672 How would you like to walk the jetway with me? 947 00:52:52,673 --> 00:52:55,592 And Life Magazine was doing a TV special on him. 948 00:53:02,182 --> 00:53:04,351 Okay, I've got one last question. 949 00:53:05,102 --> 00:53:07,104 What are you gonna do now that you're retired? 950 00:53:08,355 --> 00:53:11,649 Well, I haven't officially retired until I sign out, 951 00:53:11,650 --> 00:53:15,612 but if you're gonna make me retire in front of your cameras… 952 00:53:17,155 --> 00:53:18,574 I think that… 953 00:53:19,449 --> 00:53:21,535 I think that I would like 954 00:53:22,202 --> 00:53:23,704 to give my wings 955 00:53:24,955 --> 00:53:26,081 to this young man 956 00:53:26,999 --> 00:53:28,292 who I think… 957 00:53:31,044 --> 00:53:32,629 has flying in his blood. 958 00:53:40,971 --> 00:53:43,557 I took that moment in my life so seriously 959 00:53:44,141 --> 00:53:46,267 that today I'm a captain myself. 960 00:53:46,268 --> 00:53:49,813 And I married Doris, although I had some catching up to do. 961 00:53:50,314 --> 00:53:52,148 Thirteen years to be exact. 962 00:53:52,149 --> 00:53:54,400 But nevertheless, happily married. 963 00:53:54,401 --> 00:53:56,320 An aviation couple to the max. 964 00:53:56,820 --> 00:53:59,781 As a matter of fact, I get to see her almost every day. 965 00:54:00,616 --> 00:54:04,702 She's the new voice at JFK, and I've got the New York, LA run. 966 00:54:04,703 --> 00:54:06,162 Very convenient. 967 00:54:06,163 --> 00:54:07,246 Oh, yeah. 968 00:54:07,247 --> 00:54:10,750 In case you're wondering about my mom, she never married Skipper's dad, 969 00:54:10,751 --> 00:54:12,835 but she did get to date him for a while. 970 00:54:12,836 --> 00:54:14,629 We all pretended that it would work out. 971 00:54:14,630 --> 00:54:15,714 She's very happy though. 972 00:54:16,298 --> 00:54:19,259 She teaches acting at the Pasadena Playhouse in California. 973 00:54:19,801 --> 00:54:22,846 She's 80 now and gets a big kick out of the young guys. 974 00:54:23,555 --> 00:54:27,351 And Liz is her favorite student, has been for almost 20 years. 975 00:54:28,185 --> 00:54:29,561 It's been a wonderful life.