Doing it for the Boy

Doing it for the Boy

Petrach was at the helicopter repair shop. He was replacing the
joystick on a Agusta A129. However, today Petrach felt no joy. His son
Psigor was so small. In fact, Petrach finally admitted to himself,
Psigor was just too small.

At one o'clock Petrach broke for lunch. It was as he was on his third
tealeaf sandwich that Yogi, the Eurocopter rep, turned up. Yogi was a
big man. He had a big head on a big body and large flame-coloured
hair.

"I hear congratulations are in order," boomed Yogi across the wide
expanse of the work area. "A strapping baby boy."

Petrach paused the tealeaf sandwich in midair. Psigor was many things
but strapping was not one of them. How to say?

"We at Eurocopter support the family man," boomed Yogi more quietly,
closer now. "Helicopters can be an easy-come easy-go business. Families
show commitment."

"Oh Yogi," began Petrach, wanting there to be no secrets between them
from the start but he was interrupted.

"Which is why we are offering you the Latvian Coast Guard helicopter
maintenance and repair contract."

Petrach didn't know what to say. It was the biggest thing that had
ever happened to him.

"Two helicopters a month guaranteed," said Yogi. "You are familiar
with the HH 65, aren't you?"

"Oh very much so," said Petrach.

"A small helicopter but reliable in stormy weather," said Yogi and
then, the deal done, he pirouetted from the shop.

Petrach couldn't wait to get home to tell Ninny.