Chapter 2
Late, twenty minutes late. Couldn't a damn plane arrive on time for god's sakes!? Howie moaned and plopped down in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs and groaned. After waiting another two hours to get his luggage all checked out, and now he had to wait for the lousy plane to arrive. He rolled his eyes and took a relaxing breath. The excitement was really starting to get to him.
Granted that this was an informational trip mostly, but he was dying to get out of Florida. He'd come equipped with everything for the trip, including warm, heavy clothes.
Gloves to keep his fingers warm (he'd been told on numerous occasions that his fingers were always freezing, his mom had insisted mittens would be better, but he kindly refused). Hat, scarf, extra long long johns (for added warmth), ear muffs, ski cap, thermal underwear (incase the extra long long johns weren't enough), snow boots, sweaters, sweatshirts and pants, turtlenecks, designer slacks and dress shirts, and any other formal wear you can think of. Yup, one could never say that Howie wasn't prepared, that includes his own personal iron. Never can trust the hotel ones, there was always some crap on the bottom of it that got all over his dress shirts.
With experience comes the knowledge of packing backup of everything. Howie seemed to be prone to having his luggage disappear by the time he got to his destination, so it would appear that duplicates of everything was in order.
Checking his watch, he saw that hopefully the plane would be arriving.
"Now boarding, flight 822 one way to Utah." Came the announcement.
Grabbing his carry on bags, Howie started towards the terminal.
****
He stuck his bag into the overhead compartment and sat down, pulling a paper out of an envelope. Looking it over, he read that he was supposed to meet the rest of the torchbearers in a special section at the Airport in Utah. There they would receive the next set of instructions. It sounded like some sort of military set up.
He rested his head on the back of the seat and sighed, his eyes drifting shut. He really didn't know what to expect. What kind of information did he need? He carries a torch around and hands it off to someone else, simple. What could he possibly have to learn?
Well in any event, he'd get a break. He'd always loved Utah when he'd visit there for a concert. This would be different this time; he'd actually get to look around. Visit a museum or two. He hopefully would get to meet new people who didn't know who he was, hopefully.
Yeah, he was looking forward to this. Once the week was over, he'd be refreshed and ready to come home.
****
8 Hours later...
"Trevor, the group should start to arrive shortly. I've checked with the airlines and the earliest flight lands at three. You should head over now so that you can get organized before anyone arrives." Jordan explained.
"Yeah alright. Everything else is set though right? Hotel arrangements and rental cars."
"Yeah, the hotel has enough rooms. They each need to pay for their own room and rental car if they choose one. Remember, they don't have to stay at that hotel, but they do receive a discount at that one only. Anything else you need to know is in the handouts. Do you have enough?"
"Yeah, I ran off thirty five just in case."
"Good. If you would, once everyone gets settled in, come by and let me know how things went."
"You got it boss. See ya later." Trevor called, waving.
"Bye." Jordan turned back to her computer and started looking through the profiles of each person. Such a variety. Business owners, doctors, lawyers, housewife, mothers, singers. They sure didn't leave anyone out. There was someone to represent anyone. She laughed; the process had been long and grueling. That was one part of her job she was glad was over.
There was still so much to do in so little time. A week wasn't nearly long enough to get around to everything she had to tell them. She was sure they were all thinking what could they possibly have to learn about carrying a torch, but there was so much more to it than that.
Sighing heavily, she closed the screen and started back to her other work.
