The Flyght

Written By: Rick Rosonowski

    Raining again. Every time I fly it rains. Living in the Midwest you would think that a person would come to expect it. Maybe I do expect it, but I don't think I will ever like it. The cold rain pushed against the oversized bay windows of the airport, momentarily hiding from view the dull and dreary landscape. People bustled by as I sat in silence, straining to listen to the multiple conversations going on around me. I couldn't make out enough of one conversation to really know what anyone was talking about. Just bits and pieces of nothing. Finally the loud speaker above me squeaked out the announcement of my flight's boarding. Like cattle we filed to the boarding gate, for some unknown reason avoiding eye contact with anyone but the flight attendants. Nameless and faceless, one by one everyone half stumbled down the ramp to the awaiting craft.
    Baggage too big, elbows too big, and legs too long - one by one and two by two the seats began to fill. Once the seats and belts were checked the attendant began her standard routine of explaining the emergency exits. I paid little or no attention to the demonstration, but I did notice a fly that had begun to swirl above her head. Landing just for a moment before being brushed away and dismissed.
    The Captain came on to thank us and reassure us that the plane would arrive on time at its destination. My seat was in the rear of the plane. From this vantage point I could see a sea of heads. Everyone fidgeted to try to make the best of an uncomfortable situation. Most settled for close enough and relaxed the best they could. I of course settled for almost comfortable, and closed my eyes. Sleep would not come, and the airline magazine was much to dry to hold my interest.
    I began to look around the cabin. I noticed a gentleman waving his hand above his head. At first I didn't realize why. Then as the winged pest began to go from passenger to passenger...it became obvious. I felt sorry for those that the fly chose to return to. Landing on exposed scalp, walking about until swooshed away, only to return. From man to woman to boy to girl. On and on the fly traveled. Adding annoyance to annoyance.
    Suddenly the plane shuddered. At first I didn't even notice the shaking and rocking. I only noticed the fly. The Captain came on announcing "We are experiencing some turbulence, please fasten your safety belts." That brought me back into reality. There was a buzz of voices about the cabin. Barely recognizable as voices. I tightened my safety belt. I tried to pray, but like the fly I was oblivious to the rocking and shaking of the plane. The plane jerked hard to the left, spilling magazines, and drinks. I could see the fly directly in front of me. I rolled up a magazine, I cocked my arm back. The plane began to roll. It became impossible to distinguish which way was up. People began to cry. The fly, startled by the sudden movement, flew off to land on the cheek of the woman two rows up and across the aisle. She didn't seem to mind the small annoyance, compared to the out of control craft and the faint smell of smoke.
    The Captain came on again, the words garbled by the frenzy in the cabin. He mumbled something about loss of control, and then the cabin filled with smoke. It sounded as if a freight train was passing through the craft. Then impact. The plane split open. Spilling people and seats about the hillside. What remained of the plane finally came to rest. Total silence. An eerie dead silence. A silence that could make a man crazy. No one moved. No one drew in air. No one lived.

    From a fold in my jacket appeared that single, pesky fly - the lone survivor. It paused briefly to straighten its wings, then one by one it began its trip about the remaining cabin, stopping only to sample the many treats offered. As I drifted into nothingness it flew onto my face. Then into my gashed and gaping eye... .. .