(with a bow to Dennis, Tommy, JY and Chuck for the idea, and Ann Arbour's own Fortunate Son for the title)

Scene: an empty stage in a theatre.
One spotlight, with a blue filter, pointed center stage.
Players: one, a lonely janitor, bent under the weight of the years, wearing a dusty pair of coveralls, and pushing a large shop broom.

"You know, I was here when it started. Wouldn't you know it, I am here when it all ended. I met 'em all: the famous, the not-so-famous, the gonna-bes, and the wanna-bes. Some were kind, some were some kind of _______. But now the old girl is closing down. Hard times they say. Not enough money because not enough "butts in the seats". Who's to say. It was a great run, and we will be back. If not here, somewhere else."

The janitor exits, stage right, whistling "Good Night Ladies"
The spot goes out.

• RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,jerryrosie, 14:09z, 12-02-01
  • RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,TD, 18:19z, 12-02-01
• RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,Bob, 14:51z, 12-02-01
• RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,Tom Hayward, 16:44z, 12-02-01
• RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,TD, 15:33z, 12-03-01
  • RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,jerryrosie, 16:50z, 12-03-01
    • RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,Sancho, 07:00z, 12-04-01
      • RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,jerryrosie, 14:13z, 12-04-01
  • RE: Last post in Gamers on CS,PL965Melo, 05:57z, 12-04-01

Neat! and right on....except for the whistling...

***Reality - the refuge of those who can't handle simulation***
Cheers, Jerry

Was either "Good Night Ladies" or "State Street Sadie", I did not think the latter was really appropriate...

Hi TD

Just had to go back and take a look at that message. So, so sad!!

Just for the record message was timed at 8.04 on 2nd December 2001. Never know when the question may turn up on a trivia quiz or be asked here. Would not want us all to spend 3 weeks arguing about it.

Look forward to many happy times here and already feel comfortable. Have just moved Flightadventures to the top of my favourites list. Guess what it replaced!

Kind regards

Bob Buckley
Coventry
UK

By the way TD, the janitor was last seen heading towards FlightAdventures to sit on the Pilot's Couch

_________________
Thomas S. Hayward

Kit's Last Post in the Rallies section:

Well guys, until a few minutes ago I didn't realise the Forum was still alive, even though it's officially dead according to CSi. I expect it'll be gone for real by this time tomorrow. So, with inspiration from TD's 'The Final Scene' posting in Section 7.....

The scene: An airfield Somewhere in the World.

An old hangar, doors askew with a fire truck parked outside on the ramp and the remains of what seems to be a barbeque along one side of the hangar. A large skip (dumpster to you west of the Atlantic...) stands half full of empty Coke tins, beer cans, burger wrappers etc etc.

There are no signs any aircraft, except for some oil leaks on the ramp, a pair of air stairs leading to nowhere, a trolly-acc and numerous sets of chocks just lying around.

But wait, in the distance a snarl of a piston engine as the pilot does a full throttle test at the threshold prior to take-off. It comes again, this time maintaining it's tone and the sound gets louder. A dust cloud approaches from downwind and the familair sound of a Merlin at take-off power reaches our ears as the dust cloud clears and a deep blue Spitfire appears, tail up, rudder twitching as the pilot feels for the sky.

With a slight wiggle she lifts off and the Merlin sound dopplers into a deeper tone. The Spitfire banks to port and the wheels slowly retract, port side first, starboard second. The wings waggle a little. Is that the pilot waving farewell or just the 'cross-hands' actions needed for raising the gear on the Spifire? We'll never know, as PL965 disappears into the haze on her way home.

We turn and look around the airfield. It could be anywhere, in any country. It was a challenge getting here, however far it was, whatever we flew, and some of us didn't manage it every time, but those who did were happy they arrived, and those who didn't would surely be here next time.

It's certainly been fun, and who knows, maybe we'll have another Rally somewhere else. But for now the Field is closed..............

Fini

Now - that one really brought a tear to my eye

It evoked much the same feeling I had watching the end of the M*A*S*H series, or when I walked away from my retirement ceremony. There's just something about vacant hangers with doors hanging open and the residue of better times still hanging around that gets to me.....

***Reality - the refuge of those who can't handle simulation***
Cheers, Jerry

>Now - that one really brought a tear to my eye
>
>It evoked much the same feeling I had watching the end of
>the M*A*S*H series, or when I walked away from my
>retirement ceremony. >

Thank you Kit, TD and Jerry for posting this here, because those were exactly my feelings as well, especially re retirement.
However, I remember that after that retirement ceremony I got a part time job teaching in a very difficult and new environment and that opened up a whole new world of experiences, feelings and friendship. Happy landings

>>I remember that after that retirement ceremony I got a part time job teaching <<

Wow! I just learned something new about you! After reading your messages all these months, I thought you were one of the young guys here - now I learn that you are old enough to have retired (at least once)

***Reality - the refuge of those who can't handle simulation***
Cheers, Jerry

Hi TD,

Thanks a lot for posting that here. Kit really captured the spirit of our shared experiences together.

Regards,
Melo