112. The Bright Red Ticket

Theodore Bear stirred where he had been sleeping on the row of chairs and heard a voice over the loudspeakers say, "Good morning, Passengers. Please start checking in for your flights." He sat up and looked around then folded up his red spotted handkerchief and put it neatly in his back pack.  He took out his ticket at the same time and joined the queue at the counter. Theodore handed the lady his bright red ticket and she looked up and smiled.  "I see we have a Very Important Passenger flying with us today.  Mr Bear, I have booked you in Seat 1A and boarding will be in 30 minutes through Gate 2.  Enjoy your flight," she said.  "Thank you, Ma'am," said Theodore and he followed the other passengers through the security control point before he entered the Departure Lounge to find a seat near Gate 2.  He ate his last snack while waiting and put the carry bag in his back pack. Soon Theodore could hand in his boarding pass and was hurrying along the walkway to the aircraft.

111. Good Night Theodore

After Duty Bear left Theodore walked around and looked at everything on display in the Departure Hall in detail again. He found himself a seat in the corner at the end of a long row of chairs and sat down.  He thought to himself, "I am feeling quite important.  Here I am at this beautiful airport, I have a Super Special Concession ticket and tomorrow I am going to fly in one of those long, sleek, powerful airplanes. I can hardly wait. How lucky can one get." Sitting still and relaxed, Theodore began to feel tired and he yawned.  "Duty Bear said many people spend the whole night on the airport and it is perfectly safe," he remembered.  He carefully placed his carry bag and cane on the chairs behind him and took out his red spotted handkerchief, spreading it over his back pack which he slipped under his head for a pillow.  Soon he was sound asleep.

110. The Arrangements

Theodore Bear was so excited about the ticket he had been given. "Thank you so much, Duty Bear, I think I would like to fly tomorrow," and together they went to the counter to arrange it all.  "There is a seat on the first plane in the morning," said the lady.  Duty Bear took Theodore to see the Departures Hall and explained where he would have to show his ticket before going through the boarding gate to the plane.  "You can stay here on the airport tonight so that you will be in time tomorrow.  Lots of passengers do that and you can stretch out on a few seats to rest.  Remember you have to check in long before the flight leaves. I must say Good-bye to you now, though, as I have to go back on duty.  Have a good flight and Happy Traveling!" Duty Bear said.  "Good-bye, Duty Bear, and a very big Thank You," said Theodore and they shook paws with each other.

109. The Man in the Big Office

The man in the big office looked at Theodore and held out his hand.  "Good evening, Theodore, I certainly do not have two bears standing in my office every day.  Why are you traveling?"  "Good evening, Sir," said Theodore and put his paw in the man's hand, "I heard a man on the radio advise everyone to travel.  He said they would never regret it and so I decided to take his advice.  It is true what he said, I have not regretted it and would like to see many more places."  "Hmm," said the man thoughtfully, "where do you live? And where have you been?"  "I live in the desert where it is hot, Sir," Theodore told him, "and I have spent time in some cities and also in the mountains where there was snow.  It was wonderful."  "You sound like a very smart bear," said the man, "I think you can have one of my Super Special Concession Tickets," and he unlocked a drawer in his desk, took out a book of bright red tickets and gave one to Theodore.  "Thank you, Sir, thank you very much," said Theodore and shook his hand again.

108. Duty Bear has an Idea

"It was so kind of you to show me around the airport, Duty Bear," Theodore said later, "I have heard so much that I did not know anything about and seen much bigger aircraft than I have ever seen before.  I think I would also like to fly in one of them one day."  Duty Bear smiled and looked thoughtful,  "I am not sure if it will be possible, but come with me and I will see what I can do for you," he said and took Theodore to a big office.  Duty Bear knocked gently and a voice called out, "Come in."   Behind a wide desk sat a very important looking man.  He took off his spectacles when Duty Bear and Theodore entered and rubbed his eyes.  "I don't believe it," he said, "another bear!"
"Yes, Sir," Duty Bear said politely, "this is my friend Theodore Bear and he is traveling to see the world.  I was just wondering, Sir, if you would be so kind as to give him one of your Super Special Concession Tickets so he can fly on your airplanes?"