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Adventures in the Land of the Giants
The crew and passengers of the Spindrift slept peacefully in the Land
of the
Giants. Today would be a busy day as repairs on the Spindrift had been
neglected lately. Mark was the first to awake and immediately got to
work on
the component that he had put down last night when he could no longer
keep
his eyes open. He knew he could repair it, but frustration started to
get
the better of him and he put it aside. Mark Wilson was one of the most
brilliant engineers who ever lived, yet he had spent two long years
trying to
repair the spaceship and get the group back to Earth. The strain was
beginning to show more and more every day.
One by one, the others began to rise - all except Fitzhugh, who
continued to
sleep soundly despite the activity in the camp. Steve found Mark a
couple of
yards away from the ship, “Mark, what are you doing out here? We have
a lot
of work to do today.” “Why bother”, replied Mark, “let’s face it
Steve,
it’s no use. I can’t repair the ship. We just have to face up to the
fact
that we will never leave here.” Steve was startled. He had never
heard Mark
talk this way. Mark had always been headstrong and confident, always
so sure
of himself. He just couldn’t let Mark give up like this.
“Mark, think about what you are saying. Just look at all the progress
you’ve
made already. You can do it, I know you can. We will get out of here,
it
just takes time.” Mark turned to face Steve, “Time, how much more time
do
you think we have? I’ve been trying for two years and we are still
here,
fighting for our lives every day. It’s time to take a reality check;
you all
put too much faith in me and I can’t deliver.” Mark turned to walk
away and
Steve grabbed his arm, “Where are you going?” “I just need to be alone
for a
while. I need to sort this all out”, Mark replied as he walked into the
forest.
Steve returned to the campsite and sought out Dan, his trusted
co-pilot. The
two men entered the cockpit of the Spindrift and Dan immediately knew
something was wrong, “What’s the matter Steve, it must be pretty bad.”
“It
is Dan. It’s Mark, he’s convinced himself he’s failed us. He insists
that
he can’t fix the ship. He’s given up.” “Where is he, maybe I can talk
to
him”, said Dan. Steve shook his head and explained what had happened. “He left. Just walked away into the forest. Said he needed time
to
think. I tried talking to him, tried to re-assure him, but it was no
use.
It’s like he’s not the same Mark Wilson we’ve known for two years.”
“Steve, he’ll come around, I’m sure of it”, Dan answered. He always
had
been the calming presence in the group. Tempers flared at times,
especially
between Steve and Mark, and it was always Dan who kept a cool head. “I
hope
you’re right Dan, but you didn’t see him or hear him. Like I said, he’s
given up.”
Mark walked and walked until his legs could hardly move anymore. He
arrived
at the watering hole, took off his jacket and sat by the edge. He
couldn’t
believe he had failed. He’d sworn to make something out of himself.
After
growing up poor and watching his family struggle to survive, Mark knew
he
would succeed. He put himself through college and graduated at the top
of
his class. Quickly he became one of the best known engineers in the
world
and made his first million dollars before the age of twenty-five. He
had
made it. He’d done exactly what he’d set out to do. Everything was
perfect,
until that fateful trip to London. Mark was so deep in thought that
he did
not hear the danger approaching; before he could react, he was
caught in a
giant net.
Back at the campsite, Steve woke Fitzhugh and gathered the others
around to
tell them about Mark. All were shocked at what they heard, but Barry
looked
especially disturbed. Betty noticed the boy’s discomfort and tried to
comfort him, “Barry, don’t look so worried, I’m sure Mark will be back
soon.”
But nothing she said seemed to soothe the boy. Barry got up and
walked to
the leanto. Dan followed, “Barry do you want to talk about it? Maybe I
can
try to explain how Mark is feeling.” “No, Dan. I know exactly how Mark
feels and why.” Barry explained to Dan that yesterday Fitzhugh had been
ranting and raving about how the ship should have been repaired by now
and
how he thought it was impossible and that Mark was wasting his time.
Barry
noticed that Mark had heard the whole thing and looked upset. “I’m
sorry I
didn’t say anything Dan. I guess I should have tried to tell Mark that
we
still believe in him.” Dan was visibly angry, but not at Barry,
“It’s not
your fault Barry. There’s nothing you could have done. But we have to
tell
Steve and then we have to find Mark”.
Steve was furious. He immediately set out to find Mark with Dan and an
unwilling Fitzhugh. They started out in the direction that Mark had
headed
earlier. They had been walking for hours when they came to the water’s
edge. There they found Mark’s jacket, but no Mark. The three men
spread out
to look, and soon Dan’s voice called to them. They all looked upon a
set of
giant footprints leading up to the water and then away from it. It was
clear
that Mark had been caught, but luckily, the muddy footprints led a clear
trail for them to follow to rescue their friend.
At SID headquarters, Mark was caged while Inspector Kobick spoke to his
superior. Mark heard the Inspector say that he wouldn’t let this one get
away
this time. “That’s what you think”, thought Mark. He had to find a
way out
or at least a way to let Steve and the others know that he was in
trouble.
Inspector Kobick entered and said, “So I’ve caught you again; maybe
this time
you will be willing to talk”. Mark all of a sudden had an idea and
said,
“Yes, maybe I will - but not from in here”. Kobick agreed to let Mark
out
adding that if he’s thinking of escaping, forget it because its a long
way
down from the table. Mark agreed and told Kobick that he would draw
him a
map on the pad of paper on the table but needed a pencil. As Kobick
went for
the pencil, Mark took out his lighter and set the pad on fire.
Running to
the edge of the table, Mark scurried down the phone cord while Kobick
was in a
panic, putting out the fire. As Mark headed for the vent to the outside,
he
spied Steve and the others and told them to get out. They all met
outside; everyone was relieved that Mark was safe and sound. Fitzhugh was the
first
to speak, “Mark, please forgive what I said yesterday. I wasn’t
serious. I
was just ...” Mark cut him off by adding, “having a tantrum??
Don’t
worry about it Fitzhugh, I had a tantrum of my own today. But that’s
over
now. Let’s get back to camp and get that ship fixed."
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