Chapter 33

For Anna and Maria, the experience was utterly thrilling. The silver Boeing 767-ER — for extended range — was flying west at only 21,000 feet. This was only about half the altitude at which transcontinental flights normally cross the country. Moreover, their flight plan itself was quite different. Although they were flying nonstop from Newcastle to Los Angeles, they initially followed a flight plan as if they were flying to New York.

When they reached New York, air traffic control, acting on instructions from the highest level, cleared them to circle Manhattan Island and the Statue of Liberty. The clearance came in spite of the problems it created for other inbound and outbound flights. They then flew on a vector to Washington, DC, where again they did some sightseeing. Then flying southeast, they passed north of New Orleans, but still close enough to see the Crescent City, then over the plains of Texas, the Grand Canyon, Salt Lake City, and then on to Los Angeles.

Don had gone forward to speak to the two flight crews — because of the time of flight, the plane carried two — to thank them for their courtesy. He admitted that he had been to the States only once in his life, and then only to Washington, DC, when he ran the RAF’s Fighter Command. Marion had never been to the States at all, and she, too, was glued to her window to see many of the sights she had read so much about and seen so often in pictures. But they weren’t the only ones. The two tigers were also glued to windows. Although they had flown before, they had always been in cages, usually in the cargo hold. They utterly adored their new freedom to roam the huge cabin and were fascinated by the constantly changing scenery below them.

As they were entering final approach to LAX — Los Angeles International Airport — the pilot came on the intercom and announced, “There’s been some change in plan, folks. Instead of bringing you to a United gate, I’ve just been ordered to taxi to the VIP section of the airport. They’re not telling me what’s up, but it’s definitely something very big.”

He paused and then added, “You women are always beautiful, but I think you’ll probably want to be wearing something very nice when you deplane. Incidentally, we really lucked out. Conditions in Los Angeles are CAVU, which occurs once almost every year. The temperature is pushing 80 degrees. Quite a change from the cold and gloom of the British Isles — with all due respect, Marshal, of course.”

“What’s CAVU, honey?” Marion asked softly.

“It’s an acronym, as I’m sure you guessed,” Don replied. “It’s a flyer’s term and means ‘ceiling and visibility unlimited.’ In other words, the weather is as good as it’s possible ever to get.”

The three women went aft to confer on apparel. They finally settled on identical white silk dresses that were very simple in cut but which could only be worn by women with perfect figures, which certainly included the three of them. Marion wore diamonds, while the girls wore triple strands of matched pearls. Then the girls tied large bows at the necks of the tigers, black for Duke, and white for Duchess.

Don was still wondering what he should wear when the pilot announced, “Marshal, more word from the ground. They tell me it would be most appropriate for you to wear your summer marshal’s uniform with medals.”

A few moments later, while Don was finishing his dressing, the pilot came on the intercom again and said, “Sir, I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s big. We have the max VIP designation. There’s only one higher, sir, and that’s for Air Force One with the President aboard. We’re not in a pattern at all. They’re holding all departures and arrivals to give us a clear shot. Hope you all enjoyed the friendly skies of United!”

“They’re awfully good flyers aren’t they, darling?” Marion asked.

“The very best in the world,” he replied. “They’re really delightful chaps. Two of them flew fighters for the Air Force. It’s really embarrassing, I guess. They say that all they do is push the button when the ‘On Target’ light comes on. They felt that my mates and I defined what aerial combat was all about.”

With a grin he added, “Isn’t it nice to feel appreciated?”

“The very best of the few, my darling,” Marion whispered. Then she melted her lips to his as the plane settled on the runway.

As they followed the taxiways to the designated spot, the pilot was the first to see what was in store. “There’s a crowd you will not believe waiting for you,” he said over the intercom. “I don’t know who’s there, but there appears to be a full battalion of dignitaries.” Then with a chuckle he added, “All I can say is, better you than me, sir!”

When the plane came to a smooth stop, they went forward to await the positioning of the mobile stairs. They all took the opportunity to thank the crews for a truly marvelous flight.

The captain said, “It was truly our pleasure. We were delighted to have the opportunity to see some of our country ourselves. And as often as we fly over it, we almost never get the chance to sightsee the way we did today. So thank you!”

The door was opened by an Air Force senior master sergeant who instantly stiffened to attention and rendered Don his very smartest salute. Don returned it and decided it would not be inappropriate for him to lead the way. He descended the steps to the sound of an Air Force band playing ruffles and flourishes, the appropriate honors for an Air Vice Marshal.

When they were lined up with the Duke, Marion, Anna, Maria, and then the two tigers sitting at attention, the band played God Save the Queen. Donald snapped his smartest salute as it was played. It was immediately followed by The Star Spangled Banner, then the national anthem of the Czech Republic. Tears came to the eyes of the two girls as they heard their national anthem played in their honor in the United States. Then to their amazement, it was followed by several other national anthems, only one of which — that of France — Don recognized.

At that moment there was the growing sound of thunder in the air. Looking upward they saw 16 U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles flying at low altitude in four flights of four aircraft. When the planes reached the 767, they pulled up into a vertical climb with their afterburners blazing. The four flights seemed to make four walls of an elevator shaft as they continued to roar skyward. Then at a signal the formation broke with each flight breaking out like a starburst.

Marion whispered that she had never seen anything like it. “That’s because they’re the only aircraft in the world capable of doing what they just did,” Don replied.

Finally the opening ceremonies were concluded and the Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, introduced himself.

Going to the microphone, Gore began, “First, the President has asked me to apologize. He was unable to get away from Washington to welcome you personally, but he asked me to welcome you on his behalf, and on behalf of the American people.” Then looking at the huge crowd — Don was astonished at its size — he said, “It is a great honor to welcome these people to the United States. First, there is Air Vice Marshall Sir Donald Whitfield, VC, DFC, KCB, 12^th Duke of Northumbria.

“For those of you who may not know, Sir Donald has been credited with winning the Battle of Britain by no less than Sir Winston Churchill himself. Had that battle not been won, all of Europe might still be under the Nazi boot. It is certainly rare indeed when one can look at one man and claim that he, alone, may have salvaged the freedom of millions! But it is true.” Gore than shook Don’s hand in a very warm welcome.

Returning to the microphone he continued, “With the Duke is his beautiful wife, Lady Marion, Duchess of Northumbria. All I can say is that a hero like this truly deserves a beauty like her. Then we have Maria, Duchess of Norfolk, Duchess of Burgundy, Marquise of Toledo, Countess Jutland, and her sister, Anna, Duchess of Suffolk, Marquise of Flanders, Countess of Pavia .” Gore paused for a moment and then said, “Before I continue, it is my great honor to present Count Olaf Swensen, the ambassador of the King of Sweden to the United States.”

A tall gray-haired man shook Gore’s hand and went to the microphone. “I am here today under instructions from His Majesty and His Majesty’s government. I am here to make a plea: Please stop bombarding us with requests regarding the award of the Nobel Prize for Physics. We give up! We surrender!”

He grinned and continued, “It really wasn’t terribly hard. You see, not only have these two young women been nominated by dozens of different nations — with more nominations arriving daily — but all other nominations have been withdrawn. Accordingly — and to try to clear the phone lines to Stockholm that have been so jammed with incoming calls from around the world that it’s been nearly impossible for me to communicate with my own government — the King has instructed me to announce today the winners of the 1996 Nobel Prize for Physics. The winners are Anna and Maria, the two duchesses who created Mayday, the finest scientific achievement of the century, and possibly the finest of all time.”

With his announcement there was an explosion of noise as the crowd of thousands screamed their joy. When he could again speak, Ambassador Swensen continued, “Finally, I have been instructed by my King to tell you that, when you come to Stockholm to receive the prize, you will be his personal guests at the Palace and will be honored guests of the Kingdom of Sweden.”

He paused and then concluded, “I am scheduling my home leave to be certain to be in Stockholm at the time of the awards. This is one Nobel award ceremony no one will want to miss!”

But the formal portion of the reception wasn’t over. Governor Pete Wilson welcomed them to California. Mayor Richard Riordan gave them the keys to the City of Los Angeles. They were warmly greeted and congratulated by the ambassadors of France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Denmark.

Marion squeezed Don’s arm as the two girls looked as if they had spent their lives attending diplomatic receptions. The ambassadors almost fainted with joy when each was greeted fluently in his own language. The girls were all complimented on the perfection of their speech. Since, with the exception of France and Italy, all of the nations were still monarchies, each ambassador proudly extended a royal invitation to visit his monarch when next they were in Europe.

“Good heavens, darling,” Marion whispered, “it’s as if each of those countries is recognizing the girl’s relevant title!”

“That’s precisely what they are doing!” Don confirmed.

Finally, the official ceremonies ended. When Gore offered Secret Service protection during their stay, Don introduced Duke and Duchess. “Your Excellency, I think you’ll agree that these tigers provide at least as much security as a Secret Service detail could.” Gore greeted the two tigers and then agreed that it was undoubtedly true.

Gore left with his security detail, but was replaced by an U.S. Army major. When Don saw the light blue ribbon with white stars bearing a gold oak-leaf cluster signifying a second award, instantly he knew who he had to be. Rendering the smartest salute he was capable of giving he said, “You can only be Ken Carlson!”

Ken returned the salute with one as smart and said, “You’re correct, sir.”

Then, while ruffling the fur of Duke and Duchess’s who were crowding around him, he said, “I hope Duchess conveyed my message, sir? While me and my men were tearing up worthless pieces of jungle, you were saving a continent! I can’t tell you how pleased I am to meet you.”

Then introductions were made to the women. When he met Anna and Maria, Ken said, “Karla kept telling me, but I refused to believe her. But now I guess I have to.”

The girls looked puzzled. Anna finally said, “What did she keep telling you that you refused to believe, sir?”

“The name is ‘Ken’” he replied, “unless you want me to address you using all your titles all the time? But what I didn’t believe was her statement that her sisters were at least as beautiful as she is. But she’s right. You truly are.” Then he shook his head sadly and added, “Beauty and a Nobel Prize! The world’s just not fair!”

Although the girls wanted to bring their car in with them, Ken said it would be easier to have the cars driven in. Arrangements were all set. Going through the terminal to the street, they found two limousines waiting along with a police motorcycle escort. After getting into the cars, they sped off, following the motorcycles with their sirens screaming, to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. There they found the hotel surrounded by squads of police who were present to control the throngs of people gathered there. Ken was riding with the two girls, while Duke was in the front seat beside the driver.

“It’s a good thing you’re here, big fellow,” Ken said. “We may need you to clear the way so the girls can get in the door.” He paused and said, “Prince and Princess are waiting for you two. They’re so damned proud of their cubs, they can’t stand it. Just imagine! Their cubs are now Knights Commander of the Military Order of Bath! Duke, you just can’t believe how proud of you two they really are.”

The police were able to keep the crowds at bay long enough for them all to get inside the hotel. Then they were ushered into a special elevator that took them up to the penthouse.

The penthouse had recently been completed. Ali Clifford had taken the top off the hotel and replicated in Los Angeles what the Taylors and the Collins had done in New York. There was now a free-standing apartment on the roof, complete with its own 50 meter swimming pool and sauna. When she had been teased by the girls, Ali had stuck out her tongue and pointed out that, because they were on the roof of the hotel, she still had access to room service. Alone among the women, Ali never did any cooking.

When the group was ushered in, the first people to greet them were Steve and Barbara Sloan who had returned to Los Angeles a week earlier so Barbara could resume her teaching. By the time all the introductions had been made, the Whitfields’ heads were reeling. The common denominator was that the women were all beautiful, all appeared to be nineteen, and almost all of whom were five feet eight inches tall.

Then when Andy Cartwright appeared, Maria and Anna dropped to their knees to kiss her feet. When she protested, they pointed out, wide-eyed, that they were still her slaves, after all, and wasn’t that the way slaves were supposed to greet their mistress?

Finally things quieted down, with many of the people leaving to return to their own homes. They were seated in the living room when Ali Clifford apologized. “I’m really sorry for all that,” she said, “but there are so many people who desperately wanted to meet you. On the other hand, after you’ve been flying for more than ten hours, you encounter all the ceremony at the airport. You all must be dead!”

“Not dead, Ali,” Marion replied, “just overwhelmed.” Then with an eyebrow raised she asked, “Are you Yanks still trying to get even for that unpleasantness of two centuries ago?”

Ali and Bill Clifford just howled with laughter. Then he said, “Barbara and Steve said we would utterly adore you folks. They certainly got that one right! We do.” Then to the girls he said, “We also understand that you two brilliant young women are plotting and scheming to appropriately meet the Campbells. Is that correct?”

Before either girl could answer, Marion said, “Ali, I hope you’ll excuse me, but you look awfully familiar. Were ... were you ever in the films?”

“No, Marion, I was never in the films,” she replied with a straight face. “But I did make movies once upon a time.” Marion was chagrined as she realized that Ali had picked up on her Anglicism. “I’m just teasing you. ‘Film’ directors would never work with me. The only ones who every did usually made ‘Ali McGrath movies.’”

“You’re Ali McGrath!” Don exclaimed. “Good heavens!” Then he shook his head and said, “I’ve seen some of your films ... movies!” he added with a grin. “But that was so many years ago. And I could swear you look younger today than you did then.”

“How old are you, Don?” Ali asked.

“I’m... 82,” he replied reluctantly.

“And I’m pushing 60 ... hard!” she responded with her sunshine smile. “I won’t talk about you, if you don’t talk about me. Fair?”

“It’s fair,” he conceded. Then he continued, “Some of my Fighter Command chaps were over there with your fighter pilots. I heard stories from them about Ali McGrath. A guy could be at some out-of-the-way hell-hole, but Ali McGrath would be there. The only thing was, there was never any publicity.”

He paused and said, “They loved you, Ali. They really did.” Then he looked at her shrewdly and said, “All the time you spent with the troops caused your career to crater, didn’t it?”

Ali’s eyes flared for an instant, but then she just sadly nodded.

“Maybe I’m not supposed to say this, Ali, but I’m going to anyway. The reason I know is that my boys saw you coming in on all kinds of flights, usually with priority cargo. You just hitchhiked out there, didn’t you?” Again she reluctantly nodded. “You Yanks took over 60,000 dead in that war. I want you to know, Ali, that there are a lot of those guys upstairs right now who are praying for you because of what you did for them.”

At his last comment the dam let go and Ali began to bawl like a baby. Like a flash, Marion was beside her, holding her in her arms and comforting her. When she had regained some control, Marion eased her just far enough away to be able to kiss her lips. Then she poured out all of the love it was possible for her to convey.

Ali felt an instant rush of love, joy and sanctifying grace pour into her body, and it just kept coming. She began to feel lightheaded, and then faint. Moments later she had blacked out.