The Sound Barrier Page #4

" I shan't understand a word of this.

There's nothing to understand.

That fellow spends 50 pages

telling us he doesn't know a thing.

- But you'd better read it, all the same.

- I shall need you to do some explaining.

You go up to the observatory,

I'll be with you in a minute.

- How's the new telescope working?

- It's good, but it might be better.

I think one day I'll build myself a

proper observatory out in the park.

- Father, answer me a question, will you?

- Yes?

Is the ability to travel at 2,000 miles an

hour going to be a blessing to the human race?

Well, I'd say that's up to the human race.

Well, as a member of it, I

can't feel unduly optimistic.

In fact, if that's all that

lies beyond this barrier,

what purpose is there in

risking lives to pierce it?

Well, I could talk about national security,

beating the potential enemy bomber;

flying to New York in two hours,

but that's not the real point.

The real point is, it's just got to be done.

What purpose did Scott have

in going to the South Pole?

I wish I knew.

I really wish I knew.

Hm.

This coffee's bitter.

Yes, I got it at Weymouth's

in the high street.

Franklin tells me you've

been looking at his house.

Yes, Father, I made him an offer.

That house is not suitable either for

my daughter or my chief test pilot.

Franklin won't accept your offer.

- How do you know?

- For, my dear Susan,

Mr Franklin likes his present job very much.

And I have no doubt, no doubt at

all, he'll be anxious to keep it.

Good night, darling.

- Tony?

- Mm?

Will you try not to use piece

of cake talk for a moment?

I'll try not to.

How dangerous is it going to be?

Well, exploring the unknown must

always be a little... chancy.

Yes, I see.

Darling?

I did go and see the doctor this morning.

When?

- End of December.

- Oh, how clever of you.

We'll save money on birthday presents.

Certainly not. Even if arrives on

Christmas Day, he will still get two lots.

- We might give him a false birthday in June.

- That's right, darling. Say "him".

Say "him" whenever you think about it.

A psychologist I know says

there is something in that.

- Tony?

- What?

Must it be you? This sound barrier?

- Must it be you?

- Yes, darling, I'm afraid it must.

- Couldn't someone else?

- No, Sue, it's my pigeon.

I promised myself when you took this job

that I'd never nag you about it, Tony,

and I really wouldn't have done if

you'd just gone on testing aeroplanes,

but I find now I'm married not only to a

test pilot but married to an explorer as well.

It's a bit unfair, Tony, really it is.

Darling, I hate it.

I'll think about it, darling, I promise you.

I'll think most awfully hard about it.

- Hey. Do you remember Philip Peel?

- Of course.

Like to fly with me tomorrow

and have lunch with him?

- Fly... Hey, will he be all right?

- According to modern theory, yes.

- He'd like to very much.

- Good.

Now, it's strictly unofficial, so

not a word to anyone. Not even Dad.

And we should be back by dinner.

- All right?

- Yes.

- Where are we going, Tony?

- Cairo.

- Funny, I thought you said Cairo.

- Oh, I did say Cairo.

Oh, silly.

You all right?

Fine.

Ridgefield Tower from Glass

Jar 1-0, clear for takeoff?

1-0 clear for takeoff. Have a good time.

We're starting to climb now.

We use too much fuel down here.

- How high are we going?

- About 40,000.

Eight miles.

- Is our engine all right?

- I think so. Why?

I can hardly hear it.

Glass Jar 1-0, this is Ridgefield

Tower. Transmit for a fix.

Ridgefield Tower, this is Glass

Jar 1-0 transmitting for a fix.

On course, 156, altitude 25,000 feet. Over.

Your position is Dover.

Darling. France.

Cap Gris-Nez.

Belgium, and Holland on the horizon.

Paris.

There you are. See the Arc de Triomphe

and all the avenues branching off it?

- I can't see the Eiffel Tower.

- Well, look ahead, you can see the Alps.

We'll go over the top if the weather's OK.

Geneva Tower, this is Glass Jar 1-0.

Mediterranean.

You'll be able to see Athens in a moment.

The Earth is beginning to look

awfully small and insignificant.

- I don't know that I like it. -

You're being old-fashioned, darling.

Why worry about the poor

old Earth? Look up there.

There's our future. Space. You

can't make that insignificant.

Down there's had it.

Hey. There's the Comet.

- One ladder!

- You're lucky to have one.

Tony!

Phil!

- It's good to see you.

- How are you?

- And Sue, how are you?

- Wonderfully well, Phil.

Isn't this exciting?

- Good trip?

- Piece of cake.

I see you haven't widened

his vocabulary much.

- I say, this is the Vampire,

isn't it? - Uh-huh. Night fighter.

I suppose I couldn't take her

on a quick circuit, could I?

No, you certainly couldn't.

I always said you'd get

bored being an oil magnate.

I'm not bored with it. It's just that I haven't

flown anything for 18 months, that's all.

If you want to fly, you'd better take that

job at Ridgefields. The offer's still open.

I'd better go and check

in at the flight office.

- Look, meet us over there by the Jeep, will you?

- OK.

- What job at Ridgefields, Philip?

- Test pilot.

He mentioned it in his last letter,

but I didn't take him seriously.

I didn't think he was high

enough to give out jobs.

- He is, you know.

- Does he get on with the great man?

- He calls him Dad.

- Oh.

Whew, it's hot.

Oh, Tony, why did you bring that

awful thing? You know how I hate it.

When I got your wire, I

thought you must be tight.

I probably was.

I say, how are you going to get back?

Get back? Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

Why don't you try going by sea? It's

a nice restful trip. Only 15 days.

- Fifteen...? Tony, do you mean to say...

- Don't worry, darling, we'll think of something.

Why not ask Cunningham? He tests the

Comet between here and London most days.

No, rival firm. No, we'll

catch a lift somewhere.

Hey, where are you taking us for lunch?

- An open-air place. Jessie's

meeting us there. - Oh, good.

- It's the best food in Cairo.

- Hooray!

To think you were in England only

this morning. It seems like a miracle.

I can't quite believe it myself.

- I'm so glad, Jess, to meet you at last.

- I can never realise you don't know each other.

- Here's to us.

- To us.

- How are the children?

- Fine, thank you.

Isn't that Cunningham?

Yes, I think it is.

Darling, do you think I ought to swallow

my pride and cadge that lift home?

I certainly do. If we have to go back by boat, I

shall be wearing these trousers for a fortnight.

How much would they pay you as a test pilot?

What? Oh, about 200 a year less

than I'm getting at the moment.

Oh well, I expect we'll manage somehow.

They're off!

Home. In five hours.

Thanks, John, she's a nice steady old crate.

- Who was it said, "Oh, to be in England"?

- Browning. But he wasn't!

- Oh, Tony, it was a wonderful trip.

- I knew you'd love it.

Love it? I shall treasure it

all my life. Every single moment.

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