The Dragon of Nottingham - Aloha

The dad weaved his way through the airport terminal, dodging frappucinno toting web crawlers and other lost souls wandering about in this mustn't-miss-anything world of ours.

"Hurry up, you two!" he cried. "We're almost to the gate!"

Isaac and his mom were annoyed and breathless.

"You look like a chimpanzee running through a jungle fire," she said. "And carrying that banana isn't doing much to change the image."

"Very funny," said the dad. "Eating on the run isn't such a bad thing, by the way. Hmm. Now that's an idea! The burning calories while eating diet. That's a million seller right there, my darling. You're married to a genius, you know. Now, come on. Hurry it up! I expect to see smoke under those heels!"

"Why are we in such a rush? Are we that late?"

"No, dear. We're not. As you know, we're not actually going anywhere. I just wanted to see how fast we could catch a plane in case of an emergency. Like when the aliens come in the dead of night to beam us onto to their spaceship. Isaac and I, of course, will have fended them off with some cunning jiu jitsu moves. And while the aliens were incapacitated we would get ourselves to the nearest airport and fly a safe distance away. I'm just thinking ahead."

Isaac and his mom stopped In their tracks.

"You mean to tell me this is only a practice run?" said the mom.

"Why, yes," said the dad. "Didn't you get my memo?"

"Memo!" said the mom. "I'll give you a memo, my darling husband!"

Isaac's mom fetched a pen form her purse, grabbed her husband by the hand and wrote something on his palm.

Your screws are loose, read the memo.

"Now, that's not very nice," said the dad.

"And you'd better get yourself a proper screwdriver before you lose them all! If you know what I mean. Now, let's go home before I have a right proper fit here at the airport and get us a free trip to the nut house."

"Does that mean we're not going to Hawaii?" said Isaac. "You always said our next trip would be to Hawaii."

"It will be, Isaac. Only not today. But you you'll be happy to know that when we do go to Hawaii we'll know exactly when to leave the house without being late. You two were splendid practice runners today. Now, how about a trip to the zoo, instead?"

"Not unless the zoo's in Hawaii," said Isaac.

"Not going to happen today, my son," said the dad. "Sorry. But you can always visit Hawaii in your dreams. And one day you'll be there."

Isaac closed his eyes real tight and thought hard about those lush tropical islands where thrived the pineapple and the Macadamia nut.

He thought it would be great if he could just take to the skies whenever he pleased and  go wherever he pleased. As he clutched his suitcase tighter to his chest he could feel a slight rumble from within. He could not imagine what was making such a fuss. He had only packed away some clothes, some comic books, and his talking Ginger cat.

But the dragon, seeing how cozy everything looked in the bag, had nestled itself below some underwear and fell fast asleep.

The little suitcase began to throb, then to swell until it could no longer contain itself. In one final burst of energy there was a huge explosion. And when the debris had settled, there stood the enormous two-headed dragon, flapping its wings and blowing fierce balls of fire.
Isaac grabbed his tattered talking Ginger cat and climbed aboard.

"Dragon, away!" He shouted. "Hawaii, first stop!"

The dragon caused a sensational stir as it crashed its way through the terminal window and took to the sky.

"Isaac?" said the dad. "Are you all right? Why are your eyes closed?"

"Isaac, darling," said the mom. "Please open your eyes and look at Mommy. Isaac! Have you heard a single word I've said?"

But Isaac could hear nothing but the sound of warm tropical waves pounding on a white sandy shore.