Chatter by Kurt Horning Page A

enjoying their flight; our airlines are the best in the world. This is your President, Glenn Danielson. Depending on your travels you may have been out of country during the past week and unaware of the Mandate passed. All American citizens and visitors to our land must get the F5 vaccination upon landing at their destination. A great breakthrough in science, this injection will protect you from all strains of the deadly flu virus the country has been fighting. As soon as you land you will be escorted to a mobile lab in the airport. If you already have the vaccination, please show your papers. This injection is mandatory. Myself, and the country thank you for your time and loyalty. Enjoy the rest of your flight and rest easy.
                  “Is this for real,” shouted the farmer. “Anyone here have this so called cure already?”
                  About three fourths of the plane raised their hands. Oddly enough only the people who Cade had noticed earlier did not. They must be world travelers as he is. Cade looked around. Most of the faces had worried looks. Government intervention in people’s lives was a dangerous freedom bursting thing. Next they will take guns away. Cade wondered how big the needle would be. “God, I hate shots.”
                  No longer able to focus on his project, Cade put away his tablet and began his people watching again. At 23, he had seen a lot of the world already. His shyness kept him from making too many friends along the way however. His parents often thought him gay because of it, though he was far from it. He did have a few homosexual friends in the UK but never told his parents because they were so old fashioned. It’s funny where people’s thoughts can wander after so many hours on planes. What did this have to do with anything at all?
    00:20:34
    He noticed the stubble and thought about going to the lavatory to shave. Cade rubbed his face, but stayed in his seat instead contemplating his flu shot.
                  “Want another Coke?”
                  Cade looked up and saw that Keiko had returned. He smiled and accepted her offer.
                  “Are you staying in Indy when we land,” she asked.
                  “I live a couple hours away, but might get a room depending on how that shot feels,” he replied.
                  Keiko smiled at him and said, “Would you, maybe, have dinner with me?”
    She fidgeted a little, kind of shyly. “I don’t have another flight until morning and I do not know anyone.”
                  “Yeah that would be great. I know quite a few places we can pick from close by.”
                  “Ok great. I will hook up with you after our shots and I check in at the desk.”
                  “Ugh, if I survive,” he replied chuckling.
    00:09:42
    She walked on down the aisle with a smile on her face. Cade was stunned but happy. It had been awhile since a woman showed interest in him. Maybe they had but he was a bit naïve when it came to females. Low self-esteem doesn’t help much either.
                  Cade settled into his chair and ran his hands through his dirty blonde hair and closed his eyes thinking of Keiko and the night ahead. Maybe things were working out for the better, finally.
     
                  The plane had started to descend. Cade opened his eyes and peered out the small window. Corn fields were everywhere with a city in the middle; Home sweet home. He stretched and looked around the cabin. Everyone who had not gotten the injection looked nervous and fidgety. The huge blond man was still drinking hard and heavy. When he turned you could see the sweat on his face. He must be scared of needles too.
                  Behind him he could hear the farmer reassuring his little girl that it would be ok. “Don’t you worry Autumn. We aren’t getting any sort