The three climbed out and immediately started tracing the cause of the trouble. With practiced skill they checked out the plane’s control system. Tom soon found a shorted-out winding in one of the servomotors. When the ground crew arrived at the scene, all congratulated Tom.
“Guess my passengers have had enough air stunting for the day. Me too!”
Tom said, grinning. He then pointed out the trouble and asked that it be repaired.
That evening Sandy was excited when she learned that Bud was going on the Venus probe project. “This calls for a farewell celebration,” she said, and immediately phoned Phyl to plan a big party for him the next evening. Phyl was enthusiastic at the idea, but Bud, when sounded out over the telephone, begged off.
“Let’s keep it a foursome,” he suggested. “A day in the mountains with a picnic lunch, and then dinner and dancing at Range View Inn.”
“Wonderful!” Sandy agreed. “It’s a date!”
Range View Inn, high in the mountains overlooking Lake Carlopa, catered to hikers and flying enthusiasts. The inn maintained its own small flying field on lower ground.
The next morning Tom, Bud, and the two girls boarded a helicopter at Enterprises and flew to the inn’s field. They ate their picnic lunch near 30 MEGASCOPE SPACE PROBER
a small stream whose banks were strewn with wild flowers. Later they hiked slowly to the inn, arriving in the late afternoon ravenously hungry. After dancing a while to the music of the Range View band, they settled down to a hearty roast turkey dinner.
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