Minute 066: Meet Me by the Big Fish

Guest Host: Alden Frautschy

Alden Frautschy is an intern at the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He’s also a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

Summary

Jenny is explaining to Neville Sinclair what Clifford is like, while Neville and Jenny dine at the South Seas Club.

“He can be pretty thoughtless sometimes, ” says Jenny, “and then he can turn around, and be the sweetest guy in the world.” Jenny smiles at Neville.  Neville smiles back.

“He gave me these little oranges when we first met,” says Jenny, pointing to a charm bracelet on her wrist.

“Oh,” says Neville, “how nice.”

“My family has a small farm,” says Jenny, “and Cliff was coming through our town, dusting the groves.”

“He’s a flyer?” says Neville, more a statement than a question.

“Yeah,” replies Jenny. “Flies racing planes. Like this one.” Jenny points at a small GeeBee on her bracelet. “At least, he did until yesterday, ” continues Jenny. “He was almost killed.”

“What happened?” asks Neville. A waiter stops by the table and starts putting silverware in front of both of them. A soup dish suddenly appears in front of Jenny with the words “MEET ME BY THE BIG FISH – *NOW*” written on a scrap of paper at the bottom of the bowl.

“Uh, we didn’t order anything,” says Neville to the waiter. Neville turns to Jenny, “Go on. You were saying…”

“Uh yes, sir,” says the waiter, with a familiar voice, “A fan of yours sent some soup over.” Jenny glances up and notices it’s Cliff Secord in an ill-fitting waiter’s jacket.

“It was… very silly, ” says Jenny, suddenly taking a new angle with the story. “He completely missed the runway. I don’t know why the real pilots even let him fly.” Cliff ladles soup over the note to Jenny in the bowl.

“I see,” says Neville, smiling. “At least I’m starting to feel a bit better about the competition!” Cliff ladles soup into Neville’s bowl. He spills some over the side of the bowl and onto Neville’s dinner napkin.

Neville frowns, looking at the table. “Have you worked here long?” he asks.

“Oh, yes!” replies Clifford, “I waited on you last time. ” They both regard each other for a moment.

In This Minute
Bill Campbell as Cliff Secord
Jennifer Connelly as Jenny Blake
Timothy Dalton as Neville Sinclair