107. "Nearly like a small City"

Duty Bear chose some nuts from Theodore Bear's carry bag. "Well, here are big sheds for storing cargo before it is loaded onto special cargo planes, there is a parking garage where hundreds of cars can be safely parked and a hotel where passengers can stay overnight if their flight is delayed.  A shuttle bus goes between here and the city centre, there are  many lovely shops which we can look at later on and we even have a post office and a bank."  "This is nearly like a small city," said Theodore and passed Duty Bear another snack.   They sat and watched for a while longer and then Duty Bear said he would like to show Theodore the rest of the airport.  "Let's go up to the next floor to see the shops and from there we will be able to look out over the other side of the airport towards the city.  It is quite late already so some of the lights will be on and the view is very pretty"

106. All this on the Airport

Duty Bear was telling Theodore all about the airport."Those long passages are where the passengers walk to board the aircraft so they will not get wet when it rains.  It is also very safe for them that way.  There is a lot of organisation to make sure the correct luggage is stowed on each airplane and the meals must be loaded at the right time so the flight is not delayed."  Theodore listened carefully.
"Would you mind if we sat here a while and watched all the aircraft?" asked Theodore Bear. "I have a few snacks left in here and we could share them," he said, holding up the carry bag.  "I would enjoy that too," said Duty Bear and they sat down in the front row of chairs.  "This is interesting," said Theodore, "what else do they have here on the airport?" and he opened the bag for Duty Bear to help himself.

105. Upstairs

Duty Bear and Theodore walked back along the passage and through the passenger hall.  "We will go upstairs to the Observation Deck," said Duty Bear, "from there you will be able to see most of the things that happen on an airport like this" and he pressed the button to summon the elevator.
They got out again when the doors opened and went across to the big windows.  It was rather crowded but soon they were able to move right up to the glass and could see very well.  Theodore could hardly believe his eyes and Duty Bear was able to answer all his questions. "The big buildings over there are more terminals like this one.  Some are only for flights within the country and from others you can fly to anywhere in the world. Yes, that is a train running on rails above the buildings for passengers to move between the terminals quickly.  Look, there is a plane taking off and another one landing."  Theodore wanted to look everywhere at once!

104. Duty Bear's Suggestion

Theodore was just as pleased to see Duty Bear and said, "I am glad you are here after all.  I almost thought I was going to miss you." and they shook paws with each other.  "I arrived here on the bus a short while ago" Theodore continued, "and have been watching all the passengers rushing to and fro."  Duty Bear smiled, "There is plenty more to see here on the airport and I am off duty now so I can show you around if you like.  I have just fetched my new uniforms in this big box and must put them in my locker first.  See, here is a plan of the airport, have a look at it so long" He picked up the box and went out with it.  "This place is enormous," Theodore thought, "I never imagined it like this." When Duty Bear came back he had his back pack with him and was ready to leave.  "It was a strange thing," he said to Theodore, "I don't usually ask anyone to wait just before I go off duty, but today I thought I must do that.  What a good thing I really did it."

103. Worth waiting for

For a  moment Theodore Bear just stood and looked at the empty Desk 106.  He looked around the office but everyone was busy and they took no notice of him. Theodore did not know what to do next.  He was about to turn around and leave again when he noticed a small piece of cardboard leaning against the pile of papers stacked on one corner of the desk.  He moved closer to be able to read something in neat writing.  "Back in 10 minutes. Please sit down and wait," he read.  "I have plenty of time," he thought and pulled out the chair.  It did not take long until Duty Bear came into the office with a big box tucked under his paw.  He smiled a wide smile and said, "Why, look who is sitting there waiting for me.  If it is not Theodore Bear.  How nice to see you."  He put the box down on the desk and held out his paw to Theodore.  "Welcome," he said.