The Gypsy Moths Page #4

- That doorway is pretty narrow.

- Three of you will get out at one time?

We're used to it.

Rettig can tell you what he wants.

The main thing is, get back on the ground

as soon as possible after every jump.

A long wait is bad for the crowd.

They get restless.

- Got it.

- Just don't get down before we do!

If I do,

I'll shorten your program considerably.

- That's good.

- All right.

There's a guy out there

setting up a PA system.

Give him that

and ask him to give us an outlet.

- This is really exciting.

- Yeah.

I never did anything like this before.

There are a couple of kids around,

stir them up...

... and send them in

to make a couple of bucks.

That's not going to be hard.

I'm ready.

Are you certain

that you won't come along?

You're not coming, Mrs. Brandon?

When we come down in the parachutes,

we need some help.

I want two of you to come out

on each parachute...

... and you grab it and help us collapse it.

Understand that?

But the main thing is for you to get...

... as many parachutes out there

in front of the stands.

We want plenty of parachutes, right?

Okay, you can start now.

Listen, men.

Don't lift any more than you can carry.

- Mr. Browdy?

- Yeah?

I'm the ambulance service.

- Well, where is it?

- Out behind the hangar.

Well, come on,

let's get it out here so they can see it.

I don't know what you mean?

It's just part of the act, understand?

We're not going to need it. Knock wood.

We have to let them see it. Got it?

I see what you mean.

You drive that ambulance

right in front of the stands nice and slow.

And you get the light going,

and let's make some noise.

Understand?

Park it right over there on the other side

of the stands. You got it?

All right, go!

- You see that crowd?

- Yeah.

What's with Rettig?

I don't know.

Hell of a crowd, Browdy!

Testing, one, two, three, four.

Testing, one, two, three, four.

That's okay, Eddie. Let's put on the record.

- Any questions?

- No, I think I got it.

What's the matter?

A little nervous.

You're going to get over it real soon,

aren't you?

Yeah.

Just don't worry about me.

Don't worry about me.

Are we all set?

Say hello to Dick Donford.

He's from the local radio station.

Hi.

I'll be doing the commentary

on all the jumps.

The stunts that I go up on.

You just describe what you see

and add a little color.

Use your imagination.

I've done a lot of sports events,

like basketball games.

Right, call it like a basketball game.

Attention, please! Good afternoon'

I don't see my aunt.

You're not going to be disappointed,

I can promise you that.

We have some very fine stunts

lined up for you.

Which one is it?

The one in white.

I like the one in the red better.

Yeah, so did I.

We'll all leave the aircraft together.

What the hell.

The way things worked out,

I got no complaints.

Did I introduce ourselves? No, I didn't.

In the yellow jump suit,

a local boy making good, Malcolm Webson.

Let's hear it for Malcolm.

In the red jump suit,...

a gentleman who'll do

something special for you.

Mr. Mike Rettig! Let's hear it for Mike.

And me, my name is Browdy!

Cut!

Here he comes.

There's his chute. Hey, watch it!

What's happening?

Looks like he lost something.

I guess it's a joke.

We have a little problem here.

That jump suit that I lost

is the only one that I have.

We have people

all over the countryside looking for it,...

so I'll be right back with you

as soon as we can find it.

How do you feel?

In the meantime, I thought

I'd make myself useful around here...

... by going up with the guys

and describing a jump from our viewpoint.

It's kind of a change of pace.

How does that sound to you?

Are you ready, folks?

Okay.

Incidentally,

there's a reward for that jump suit.

Anybody finding it

gets a free parachute jump.

Off we go into the wild blue yonder.

Climbing high into the sun.

Hey, down there, can you hear me?

If you can hear me, let's hear it.

Come on, let's hear it.

That's not loud enough!

Come on, let's hear it.

Hey, that's a lot better.

It's a beautiful sight up here.

I wish you were all up here with me!

Mike and Malcolm

are getting themselves set.

You're going to like this stunt.

It's one they've been working on

for quite a while.

I'm getting the go-ahead from Mike now.

Okay!

There they go!

They're off! You should be able to see

them about now. It looks good.

It looks real good.

Yeah, it looks real good!

I'm falling out.

I fell out of the plane!

Is there a doctor in the house?

I think I'm going to faint!

I want to tell you how much I've enjoyed

being a part of this show.

I know that Mike Rettig and Malcolm

are going to carry on without me.

I'd like you to tell them for me! Will you?

I don't want any of you to be upset.

These are the chances we take,

we all know it can happen at any time.

Especially if you're stupid enough

to fall out of a plane without a chute!

But I'm not that stupid!

So I guess I better open the chute...

... before this joke goes too far!

Now we come to the most dangerous

and exciting stunt.

I'd like to be able to say

we all drew lots to see...

... who'd perform this stunt,

but that'd be a lie...

... because Malcolm and I are chicken.

That leaves Mike Rettig.

Seriously, as far as we know,

Mike is the only person...

... in this country performing

this stunt at the present time.

Wearing this specially designed cape.

Mike is going to jump...

... and do some very nice things for you

on the way down.

He'll be traveling in excess of 200 mph.

Up to now,

the fastest we've gone is about 100 mph.

You can see the difference.

Another thing:
Unless he holds his arms

correctly, the wind can break them off.

Attached to each foot

will be this smoke flare...

... so he'll leave a trail through the sky

you can follow.

Unless the flare malfunctions and burns

his legs, which they have a habit of doing.

Mike Rettig. Now, let's hear it for Mike.

Come on, let's hear it!

- See you, kid.

- Rettig?

Don't be late for supper!

There's the aircraft.

Cut!

His flares are lit!

Pull it!

Pull it!

Rettig!

Get out of here! Get out!

What's the matter, you morbid creeps!

Come on, get out of here!

Come on, get out of here!

Move them back, damn it.

What's wrong with you? Get out of here!

Malcolm?

Are you all right?

It's all set for Tuesday, here in Bridgeville.

Listen.

Listen, I don't like to talk about this

any more than you do, but...

... we've got to get some dough.

For the burial and everything.

Tomorrow is the Fourth.

I thought maybe we can put on

a short program...

... and call it a memorial jump.

Something like that.

Maybe only do one jump.

I can get on television and radio tonight...

... and newspapers in the morning.

Then tomorrow, we'll pass the hat.

What do you think?

Who'd come to see one jump?

Unless...

... we jumped the cape.

That's not necessary.

We can lend you the money for the burial.

Mrs. Brandon...

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