Viable@140

Just one more time down the slope, dear?

Lance, you know I have a job interview tomorrow and if I don’t get enough sleep I won’t be my best.

Sandi has been at the top of her class, and this internship has been her goal since her sophomore year. A job at one of DeLand’s most prestigious law firms would be great to put on her job resume when she graduates from Stetson University next year.

One more time sweetheart, but that’s it. You know it’ll take us at least an hour to get our skis packed and to get down that mountain. Depending on how much traffic is on the perimeter in Atlanta, it might take us nine hours to get back to school.

Lance always loved skiing and the Black Diamonds of Beech Mountain have always been the best the southeast Unites States has to offer. Sandi, who has been skiing since she was a little girl, can keep up with her boyfriend fairly well. Before her parents’ divorce, she and her family would vacation all over the country looking for the best packed powder. Even after their marriage was over, at the age of thirteen, she continued the sport. It brought back some good memories of when her family was together and happy.

This was the third time up to Boone this season. A three day weekend provided the perfect getaway. Since this is the middle of February, Sandi and Lance realize this would be the last run for them until next winter. The slopes are crowded with skiers, snowboarders, and representatives from the media. Lance is glad they will miss the bigger crowds that will come starting tomorrow for the Olympic Qualifiers. With all the helicopters shooting sport footage, it makes for a busy place. Down near the lodge he counts ten helicopters on the ground and five in the air.

I wonder if anybody is directing these aircraft in and out of the landing zone, he shouts to Sandi.

I sure hope so, she yells back in response.

But in fact this is not the case. With this change in venue due to a heat wave up north and the cold wave down south, Ski Resorts International (SRI) thought it was in their best interest to move everything down to North Carolina instead of to Vermont. They did a great job accommodating everyone involved, but nobody bothered to tell the Federal Aviation Administration about this change. There is not a temporary control tower available. All the pilots can do is transmit on a standard common traffic advisory frequency their position and intentions. With this bit of information the pilots are hopeful that they can see and avoid each other.

As Lance and Sandi begin to ascend the mountain it begins to snow.

Race you down the mountain, Sandi! Last one down drives all the way home!

Lance, you’re on. I could use the extra sleep!

As the ski lift reaches halfway up Upper White Lightning Run it begins to snow harder. Without warning, off toward their right, they see a sudden flash of light. Lance and Sandi are startled by the sight of two helicopters that are violently coupled together. They sit in silent horror as the two aircraft separate and begin to fall out of the sky.

It looks to Lance like a small news helicopter and a larger corporate helicopter. The news copter is on fire and hits the side of the mountain right below, spitting pieces of rock, ice, and metal up towards them. It is a miracle that nothing flying through the air hits them. The explosion that follows puts Sandi into a mild state of shock. They both know that it is entirely unlikely anybody could live through what they just saw.

The larger helicopter shakes violently while the pilot desperately fights to keep the aircraft under control. With the tail rotor missing a few blades he can hardly control it. It careens down, crashing down on a group of jagged rocks. The left skid hits a boulder, causing it to flip over. The rotors disappear into a cluster of pines. The fuselage comes down hard, appearing to be critically smashed. It does not explode on impact, but a lot of smoke can be seen billowing out from the engine compartment. The helicopter comes to rest on the other side of a ravine which separates the lift and a trail from the rest of the mountain leaving it accessible to no one.

The lift stops thirty seconds after the explosion of the smaller helicopter. Lance and Sandi are suspended fifty feet in the air right next to one of the towers. Lance looks at Sandi.

Are you alright?

I think so… how long do you think we’ll be stuck here?

Not long for me. I have to see if I can get down there and help anyone get out of that copter before it explodes!

"Lance—you’re crazy! Don’t you dare!"

But before she can say another word, Lance takes off his skis and throws them down like spears into the snow along with one of his poles. With the other pole, he grabs the metal rung on the tower and pulls himself toward it. Once he grabs hold of the rung with his other hand, he kisses Sandi, throws down the pole, and says, I’ll be careful. Lance lets go of the lift and the chair swings back without him. He makes his way quickly down the ladder, leaping the last five feet into the virgin snow. He finds his poles and skis and within two minutes he races toward the smoke.

@ @ @ @

Scott Rassmusson is excited about watching his ski team compete for the Olympics. He worked very hard getting his company off the ground and thought the fast pace of downhill skiing is a good match for his cutting-edge communication company. His patents on cellphone technology are a step ahead of his competitors. He loves the thrill of competition in everything he does. Scott has AT&T, Verizon, and Nextel falling all over themselves for one of his patents right now, and it seems that two other projects he is working on have shown great promise as well. The RASSMUCOM Logo can not only be seen on the helmets of the four Olympic hopefuls but also on the #5 car on the NASCAR Circuit. RASSMUCOM corporate headquarters is located in Downtown Atlanta, with two other office buildings and a manufacturing facility located in Buckhead, a northern suburb of Atlanta. RASSMUCOM owns a small fleet of corporate aircraft to meet the executive needs of the corporation. A Lear 60, Citation 650 and a Bell 206 LongRanger Helicopter are all based at the Dekalb Peachtree Airport (PDK). At fifty-five years of age, this Georgia Tech graduate seems to have the Midas touch in the ever-changing telecommunications field.

The flight on the corporate helicopter was just over an hour from PDK to Beech Mountain. Scott had gotten a bit of stick time in the Lear and Citation but not much in the LongRanger. Jim Zeiller, one of six corporate pilots working for RASSMUCOM is behind the controls of the chopper today. All six pilots could fly any of the three aircraft, having logged well over fifteen hundred hours in each type. Usually, without any other passengers, Scott would ask to fly the aircraft once it was a comfortable distance from the ground, but today he has a lot of planning to do in order to get ready for the media blitz that his team is about to face. He sits in the back with his laptop, phone, and files spread out on the empty seats. He is on the phone with the Pinnacle Inn front desk, letting them know he is about five minutes from arrival and wanted a baggage handler available to meet them at the landing area along with transportation to the inn.

He notices both the snow and wind picking up. Jim is busy on the radio trying to get wind, altimeter, and traffic information. When Scott finishes with the front desk, he puts on a headset and listens in on all the chatter on the frequency.

Boone Traffic, this is helicopter 265 Romeo, three miles north of the pad inbound for landing.

Jim just finishes his transmission when Robinson 22 Tango Victor transmits.

Boone Traffic Robinson 22 Tango Victor five miles north of the pad inbound for landing. Followed by,

Boone Traffic Robinson 23 Tango Victor departing the pad Northbound.

Boone Traffic BellRanger 265 Romeo, we are three miles north of the pad inbound. I have the pad in sight but not departing traffic Northbound. We are holding over the ravine waiting until we see traffic or traffic calls clear.

The heavy snow flurries make it extremely difficult to see any moving targets. A minute goes by while Jim and Scott try desperately to locate the aircraft moving in the opposite direction.

November 23 Tango Victor has the BellRanger in sight. We are at your ten o’clock and one mile.

Jim replies, Roger November 23 Tango Victor, we have you in sight. No factor; we are now inbound.

"Robinson 22 Tango Victor has other Robinson in sight looking for the Bell…OH NO! Watch!" Screech! (Static)

Scott feels a sudden jerk forward and hears a loud bang. The fireball from the explosion below to his right momentarily blinds him. The controls are too much for Jim to handle. As he’s fighting to keep the Bell-Ranger under control, it spins violently to the right. The terrain is rocky and with the heavy snow falling, it is hard to tell where the ground begins. The impact of the rocks smashing the front side of the aircraft sends the front seat crashing into Scott’s legs, causing him to lunge forward and strike his head hard on the back of the front seat. He regains consciousness moments later--upside down and pinned into his seat by the seat in front of him. Jim is knocked unconscious, being held in place by his shoulder harness.

The smell of jet fuel is strong and Scott can see it dripping down the side of the helicopter and into the left side of the cockpit.

"Jimmy! Jimmy! Can you hear me! We need to get out of here! Jimmy! Jimmy! Do you hear me?"

No response.

"Jimmy… I can’t feel my legs. I’m pinned in here! Jimmy! Come on Jimmy!"

Lance is upslope from where the copter came to rest. He knows there is a deep ravine between him and the wreckage. While sitting on the lift, he had noticed a slight incline near a large boulder located at the edge of the ravine. If he can only get enough speed, he could jump the ravine… His approach is without any hesitation. He crouches on the bolder, and with a spring in his legs he jumps as hard and high as he can, looking straight ahead, never looking down, fearful what the drag could do to his distance. He lands on the other side with five feet to spare. Adrenaline still pumping, he continues straight for the smoke.

Without a moment of hesitation, Lance quickly removes his skis and sticks his head into the wreckage.

Anybody hear me?

Yeah… I hear you... Where did you come from? I didn’t expect any help for a long while.

"That’s not important. Let me get you out of here."

I’m pinned in--get Jimmy out first!

Lance smells the strong odor of fuel and knows he has to act quickly. He pulls up his right pants leg to reveal the knife he has strapped to the side of his calf and cuts Jimmy out of his harness. Lance hears Jimmy moan as he grabs him from the back of his flight jacket using all his strength to drag the injured man twenty yards from the helicopter. He then runs back to the wreckage to see about the other trapped occupant.

Jimmy is safe. Let me try cutting you out of here.

It’s no use…I’m pinned in pretty good…what’s your name?

I’m Lance.

I’m Scott. Lance, if this thing catches fire, don’t you wait around here. Run…run fast. I don’t want you getting killed on account of me.

Lance does not answer him. He cuts his seatbelt and grabs him by the chest and pulls. Scott winces from the jolt of searing pain running down his right leg.

I’m stuck in the seat. I think my leg is broken…the metal from the front seat is pressed against my ankle.

Okay… let me see if I can pry it open. Let’s see what I have to work with.

There is nothing but mangled metal inside the cockpit. Lance looks around the outside. The skid that struck the boulder has broken clean off, laying about fifty feet away. He would not have seen it if it weren’t for the ragged support bar sticking straight up out of the snow. He runs over to it and pulls out a five-foot long piece of skid. As he runs back, the spilled fuel finds its source for ignition and engulfs the left side of the cockpit.

Scott shouts, "Are you crazy! Leave me--you can’t save me! It’s going to explode any second and we’ll both be dead!"

Lance jams the end of the skid into the bottom of the crushed seat and pushes down on the other end. The jagged support bar makes for a perfect fulcrum. The seat lifts slightly.

You’re going to have to pull yourself loose.

"I can’t! Now just go!"

"You better pull yourself free now or you’re right, we’ll both be killed because I’m not leaving without you. Now try!"

Gritting his teeth Scott mutters, You crazy fool! as he inches himself forward, the excruciating pain reflecting on his face. "There… I’m free, now let’s go!"

Lance lets go of his new tool and grabs Scott through the flames by the chest, pulling him free of the wreckage. He gets barely twenty feet from the wreckage when it explodes, sending both Lance and Scott through the air, landing on their backs.

The cold snow creates a sharp contrasting sensation against the burns Lance now has on his face and hands. As he lies there in the snow staring into the flurries, Scott laughs aloud, "You’re still crazy!"

Lance responds, Not crazy--just stubborn enough to finish what I started.

They both wave frantically as a rescue helicopter hovers and two medics jump out and race towards them.

2

Hickory General Hospital

Hickory, North Carolina

Thank you Nurse Stewart. The dressing isn’t too tight now. I’ll be fine.

After two hours of surgery to repair his right leg, Scott feels a bit hungry.

I’ll have the steak and mashed potatoes for dinner.

The food at the hospital was rated an A+ in a local food magazine. It was actually very good.

As Nurse Stewart leaves the room, the door stopper accidentally swings down and leaves the door about two inches ajar. Unbeknownst to Miss Stewart, Scott can hear a hushed conversation between her and Nurse Whittaker.

"Come on Charlotte…you’ve got to be exaggerating. How can she be arguing with her boyfriend? He’s a hero! I can’t believe she could be so self-centered."

"I know what I heard, Gloria. She wasn’t screaming, but her tone of voice seemed, well, irritated."

"Oh come on… what did she say?"

"She said, ‘Lance you know I won’t be able to make that interview tomorrow. I hope they can reschedule me. You know how difficult it was for me to get this interview with Stone, Sanford, and Butler. All my friends would kill for the chance to take my place.’ She then said, ‘I told you not to go. Your face looks awful. How long do you have to stay here?’"

"She said all that right in front of you?"

Yes. She talked like I wasn’t even in the room. She didn’t even acknowledge that I was there!

The door swings open, pushed by a young lady holding a dinner tray filled with steak and mashed potatoes.

Put it down here. I’m starving! Scott says.

"Don’t forget to fill out your menu request for tomorrow. Oh, and there’s a survey on the back about the food and service. My name is Jackie if you like the food. If you don’t my name is Erin."

@ @ @ @

The next morning, the lobby at the hospital bustles with the sound of news crews. The story has spread since yesterday’s accident and about the heroics of a man named Lance Strickland who rescued the sponsor of the Olympic ski team hopefuls and his pilot. To try and stop the commotion, a hospital guard ushers all the media into one of the meeting rooms where a podium is set up with a microphone.

Hello… I am Wilma Lowry, spokesperson for the hospital. I have some information we would like to release to the public, then I will be happy to answer questions. I know you have been briefed about the facts of the accident by the FAA and state police so I will just keep to information about the condition and care of the patients. The pilot, Jim Zeiller, was admitted unconscious with a severe concussion as well as broken ribs and pelvis. We have relieved the swelling to the head and Mr. Zeiller is now conscious in serious but stable condition. Next, Mr. Scott Rassmusson was admitted with multiple fractures to his right leg. After surgery, he remains in stable condition and will be in the hospital one more day for observation. Finally, Mr. Lance Strickland was admitted with first and second degree burns to his hands, arms, and face. He has been treated for his injuries and depending on how the healing goes, he should be released in a few days, according to his doctor.

Any questions?

Did the pilot say anything about how the accident happened?

No. The pilot is in and out of consciousness and those types of questions will be addressed by the appropriate authorities when Mr. Zeiller is healthy enough to respond.

How long was Mr. Rassmusson in surgery?

Two hours.

Was there any concern of him possibly losing his leg?

No. There was no arterial or muscle damage, just bone fracture. He received four pins in his leg and will probably be in a cast for three months.

What type of burns did you say Mr. Strickland suffered?

First degree burns to his face and first and second degree to his hands and arms.

Is there any chance he will lose the function of either of his hands or arms?

No, with proper care and healing he should be back to normal within a few months.

Is there any way we can talk to Mr. Rassmusson or Mr. Strickland?

No, that is not possible. Once they are discharged, you may contact them as you see fit. Thank you. We will keep you updated of any new progress on our patients. Thank you…no more questions.

Before anyone can ask any more questions, Mrs. Lowry slips out a door marked Personnel Only, located in the back of the room.

As Lance shuts off his television using the remote attached to his bed, his door is bumped open by Scott, who is sitting in a wheelchair. His right leg sticks out in front of him, covered in a white cast.

So…what do you think? Are you going to wait until your face heals before you get in front of all those cameras? You know… fame is fleeting, right? What’s news today is old tomorrow…trust me. I’ve been in the media spotlight plenty of times with my company and sport teams. You need to ride the wave when it appears because when it’s gone, it’s hard to get back on.

Well, I’d prefer that the wave would leave now. I don’t like all this fussing over me.

But you deserve it, Lance! You didn’t need to do what you did. You saved my life and Jim’s. I want to thank you for both of us. That was a brave thing to do, especially when the fire started. I thought we were both done for.

Scott, to tell you the truth, so did I. Hey--I’m just stubborn. Once I made up my mind to get you out of there, nothing was going to stop me.

Well, that stubbornness has given me a new look on life. Is there anything that I can do for you? Name it kid, and it’s yours. I had my secretary check your Facebook page. I know you’re attending Stetson University and have aspirations for medical school to become an anesthesiologist. I just got off the phone with the athletic director of the university and I gifted the school a substantial amount of money in your name. As a token of their appreciation, you now have four tickets on the fifty yard line for every Stetson Hatter football game--either home or away--for the rest of your life. I also know you drive an old Ford F150.

Scott wheels himself to the other side of the room and reaches for the window, slowly opening the blinds to reveal an unobstructed view of the street.

I’d like to replace your ride for what you see out there.

Scott tosses Lance some keys and points to a bright red Ford F250 parked across the street.

Here’s a receipt for an account at the Mainstreet Bank in DeLand. I want you to draw from this account for the rest of your education at Stetson and graduate school. Oh yeah--that includes all your gas expenses, too.

Lance is speechless for a moment and seems to be choosing his words very carefully.

Mr. Rassmusson…uh…I really appreciate these gifts but I can’t accept them.

What do you mean?

Just then, a knock on the door breaks the awkward silence.

Are you finished with your tray?

Yup. It was great. I ate every bite.

"Great. Have a great day. Remember, I’m Jackie."

Lance waits until she clears the room.

"Scott? Hey, it’s not that I don’t appreciate the gesture and all, but I’ve been brought up by my parents to plan and provide for myself. That truck you see on Facebook is paid for. I took the Dave Ramsey Financial Planning course when I was just a sophomore in high school and I’ve followed his suggestions on saving for the future. When I can’t drive that truck any more, I know I already have enough saved for another one. I’ve been raising goats, hogs, and steers ever since I can remember. I’ve invested most of my profits from the livestock auction at the Volusia County Fair starting when I was in middle school. My parents live out on fifty acres in Barberville where I still keep and sell steers. My dad has even invested in a college IRA since I was born, Lance sighs. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I appreciate what I have and where I’m going when I have skin in the game. I’m happy where I am and with what God’s given me."

Well… wow… I see, Lance. I know what you’re talking about and although I really wish I could give these things to you, I see that you’re in control and are happy with your life. Isn’t there any way I can change your mind? After all, I owe you my life and I’d do anything to repay you.

"Really? You