2.10 Aboard China Clipper

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10. China Clipper

As they step off a rocking launch in Manila Bay and walk up a floating stairway into the famous Clipper, Ali voices what most first fliers think on boarding the China Clipper: “Wow, huge! But will it be able to take off and stay in the sky? Scares me a bit.” She grabs Kimura’s hand. “If I got to die now, Kim, I’m glad it’s wit' you.” She looks around inside and comments. “Top class on the Clipper is not as luxurious as on your Nippon’s DC3 but I guess we gotta blame it on American demo-crazy, with its lack of class-distinction frills.”

   They sit in a compartment with facing double seats and between them a pullout table that comfortably fits the leg stretch.

The four propellers add extra vibration and noise to the take-off but once at cruising altitude, 6.000 feet, the ride is smoother than on the DC3 because the heavier Clipper prevents its too easily being flipped about.

    “Hey, Kim! Hows about some drinkie-poo? I mean we got nearly 10 hours so we might as well get blotto.”

    “It seems fitting to order two manhattan cocktails, Ali-san, with our destination in mind.”

   “Yeah, I’ll take Manhattan. And pour in da Bronex and Staten!”

   “Ali-san, you are a premature poet. Do you not know what goes into a manhattan?”

    Ali surprises him by saying it is a mix of sweet vermouth, a white wine used much in cocktails, with whiskey and aromatic bitters.

Several minutes later, a stewardess in gray double-breasted jacket and matching skirt, looking like the middle-aged nurse recruited for flying she is, brings 2 high-stem cocktail glasses with clear yellow fluid, floated with a dull green olive and red pimento on toothpick.
                To read next, click 2.11 Creative Death