10 dollars is 10 dollars

[Carolynn]

So, Randy was a hot shot pilot during WWI, flying against the Germans and was just one "kill" short of being an ace. As were most of the people in the service, as the war ended he was mustered out into an economy that was just not brimming with jobs as the job market shifted from war to peace. He used his mustering out pay plus a little savings to buy a plane, a two seater, and took up the life of a barn stormer, giving rides for money and thereby eaking out a living while doing what he really loved, flying.

At one particular state fair, he was approached by a middle aged man and his wife, Henry and Mable, and they inquired about the cost of a ride. At the time he was charging $40 for the ride for two passengers. The cost seemed to be too much, and Mable gently admonised the wide eyed, eager Henry that, "They didn't have much money and $40 was $40." With many sad looks back over his shoulder, Henry followed Mable away.

The next year, there they were again. The cost had risen to $45 due to the rising cost of living. Again Mable gently reminded Henry they didn't have much and "$45 was $45 after all". Dejectedly Henry left, looking longingly at the plane.

The next year, there they came again. This year, despite the rising costs, Randy took pity on Henry and told them the cost was $10. Henry eyes lit with joy, but again Mable told him times were hard and after all, "$10 was $10". The couple started walking away, Henry nearly in tears, when Randy called them back. He offered them a free ride if they would promise to stay quiet no matter what. If they talked or yelled or screamed, they would have to pay him $10. Mable reluctantly agreed and Henry clambered into the plane and Mable joined him, squeezing into the small cockpit.

Randy took off, and at first just took a cruise over the fair and the immediate countryside, then he decided to make them say something. He called on his aerobatic skills that led to the downing of enemy planes, and he did loopity loops, barrel rolls, split-Ss, and other maneuvers, but heard not one comment from the rear cockpit. He landed, and was giving Henry a hand down from the plane.

He said, "Henry, you really surpirsed me by keeping quiet through all the aerobatics. I was sure one of you would have yelled or something."

Henry just shook his head and said, "Well, I started to say something when Mable fell out of the plane, but then she always said "$10 is $10" so I kept quiet."