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 Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 6:08 am
[ A/N: This is from my Creative Writing Course this semester at university. We had to create a character sheet for a character we would be using for a number of different situational scenarios given by the professor. Enjoy.] Character Sketch
Captain Simon & Titanic Air Simon Ernest is 35 years old and uses the pronouns of he/him. He’s a Commercial Charter Airline Pilot, meaning that he flies general aviation aircraft for various business clientele throughout the United States and the world. Most of his flights are domestic, although he does frequently get sent with his employer’s Cessna Hawkeye 3-26, registration N-284NO to various countries throughout Europe, Australia, and Asia with his more prominent clients. He wears the traditional pilot uniform of black dress pants with a white button down shirt. The shirt has wings above the left breast pocket and epaulets on both shoulders. As he is the Captain on the aircraft, his epaulets hold four gold bars on each. Based out of Manassas Regional Airport in northern Virginia, Simon holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in addition to his Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) with Instrument Rating (IR) that allows him to navigate the aircraft based upon the instruments in the cockpit, rather than visually referencing objects on the ground to know where he is. He also holds a high altitude endorsement which allows him to fly fixed wing aircraft above 24000 feet mean sea level (Flight Level 240). He completed his training at L3 Flight Academy in Sanford, Florida, training with Cessna 172s and Piper Seminoles before going to work for his current employer. He does currently have some confidence issues at times and is known to sometimes question his own decisions within the cockpit. For example, he once made an emergency landing because his new watch at the time had made a beeping sound which he didn’t recognize and he thus thought that there was something wrong with the aircraft’s instruments. His employer wasn’t impressed given how that “Emergency Landing” had cost her $15, 000 in both landing fees and dumped fuel, to which he was made to fly for free for two weeks as compensation for his blunder, without notifying the Department of Labor. Simon is originally from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England, and although he still has a Yorkshire dialect accent, he is careful not to talk as if he were from Yorkshire when out in public, given that most people not from the North of England would likely be confused about what he was talking about if he were to say something like “Put t’ wood i’ t’ ‘oile,” which is a West Yorkshire slang for “Shut the door.” Simon stands in at 6 foot tall and maintains a healthy weight of 160 pounds. As one with dark brown hair which is somewhat curly, much to his annoyance however as it tends to fight against him whenever it gets longer than an inch or so in length, wishing to curl no matter how much he tries using things like hairspray or flat irons to kill the curls. Because of a gene passed down to him from his father (who has started to go grey at the age of 7), Simon found himself beginning to have a noticeable amount of grey hairs in his mid-teens He’s clean shaven, as is standard for commercial pilots, and although some do have a well groomed moustache, he himself does not have one. He remains semi-focused and committed to his job, even playing Microsoft Flight Simulator X once he gets home after a day of flying, and goes through procedures and such on his laptop to help keep in shape before his next flight. However, he and his First Officer do tend to do things which the F.A.A. would frown upon if they knew, an example being ‘Spot the Lemon,’ where you hide a lemon in plain sight somewhere inside the aircraft during flight, and the other players will take turns trying to find it. He’s currently on his third marriage, of which the complexity is unusual, given that his first wife sadly passed away from cancer, and he met his third wife at the wedding to his second wife, with the second marriage having been annulled only 45 minutes after the ceremony, because he had vomited on his bride after a single glass of champagne. His current marriage to Charlotte though is going strong in his mind, with both of his daughters supporting him in his work. His first daughter, Sarah, was born 3 months after he graduated from high school (to his first wife), and his third wife gifted him with his second daughter, Ashleigh. He lives in Manassas, Virginia and operates out of Manassas Regional Airport with Titanic Air (the owner and his boss, Helen Lock, decided to say that her lone airplane could never be capable of crashing, and so gave the company that name). When the company is not ferrying passengers, of which their maximum load is 15 passengers, they are sometimes hired to transport cargo in the hold of the aircraft.
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 6:21 am
Situational Scenario One
[A/N: For this first situational Scenario, we were asked to take our character and place them in a situation in which they:
A) Has received bad news from a teacher, doctor, employer, or...;
B) Has been told by a significant other that they are leaving them because ..., or
C) Received news of a death of a parent, child, spouse, enemy, or
D) Is being chased or is chasing.
I went with option C myself. Enjoy.]
Mortality is a Sad Reality
“Potomac Approach, good morning. November Two Eight Four November Oscar is with you at 8000 for Manassas.” First Officer Robbie Saunders called out over the radio to the air traffic controller based at Leesburg Executive Airport. The hum of the engines was heard softly in the background as they passed over the agricultural landscape of Warren County, Virginia below, speeding along like a bullet which has just been fired out of a gun.
“November Two Eight Four November Oscar, radar identified. Descend and maintain 6000. Expect the visual, runway Three Four Right. Report field in sight,” the voice of the air traffic controller at Potomac Approach called out over the radio.
“Descend and maintain 6000, and expect the visual. We will report the field in sight. November Oscar,” the First Officer replied, cutting down on the callsign length as initial contact had been made at this point with the controller.
“November Oscar, read back correct. Confirm you have ATIS information Echo.”
ATIS, or Automatic Terminal Information Service, is a feature at controlled airports where pilots can get the current weather and traffic advisories for that airport, such as birds in the area, the wind conditions, or what runways are in use at that time. Normally updated once every hour, they sometimes can issue an urgent updated ATIS known as a “Special ATIS” if conditions drastically change at the airport within that one hour period, such as adverse weather conditions or a runway closure. Each ATIS is given an individual letter from the alphabet to identify its validity, and helps to ensure that the latest information is available to pilots.
Airports and airfields without a tower, known as ‘Uncontrolled Fields’, have a similar weather reporting feature known as AWOS, or Automated Weather Observation Service, which relays the current weather conditions. Pilots then use their own discretion to decide which runway to use if at all, sometimes deciding to go elsewhere instead.
“Affirmative for November Oscar.”
With that, the radio calls could go silent for a few moments. As Robbie reviewed the approach plate for Manassas Airport’s runway 34R, Captain Simon Ernest was at the controls.
“Descending to 6000,” Simon called out as he turned the altitude dial located on the window sill until it read 6000. As he did so, he also reached down to the island between their seats, with his seat to the left, and Robbie’s seat to the right. He took hold of the thrust levers for each of the three engines, and drew them back slightly to prevent the engines revving up during descent. There was a noticeable decrease in the hum of the engines outside as the elevators tilted the nose of the airplane downwards ever so slightly. The altimeters on either side reflected that the aircraft was beginning its descent from 8000 feet to 6000, averaging 300 feet per minute.
“Approach briefing” Simon called out as they continued to descend, the sun beginning to rise off to the east.
“Certainly Captain. Expecting the visual approach for runway Three Four Right at Manassas. ATIS reports clear skies and 10 miles visibility. Normal approach pattern. Aircraft to vacate runway as soon as able. In the event of an emergency, during initial stage, we will confer and initiate checks, advising ATC should assistance be necessary. The Captain will be the landing pilot for this leg. Should an emergency arise during final approach, I will call out the emergency and we will decide whether to commit or miss the approach to correct. We should also-”
He was interrupted by a sudden repetitive beep from the aircraft, with the aircraft communications addressing and reporting system, or ACARS, light coming on. “Oh goodie. Whatever could she want now?” Robbie asked as he hit the answer call button. ‘She’ was their boss, Helen Lock.
“Good morning. This is Titanic Air.” Simon said with a sarcastic cheer in his voice. He and Robbie both knew who it was, and whenever she called out of the blue via the aircraft ACARS system, it was to tell them that as their boss, Helen had done something to cause them even more grief. Typically telling them that the scheduled break that they had scheduled and even written down, was now called off because she’d acquired another client who wanted to go somewhere on short notice.
“Good morning.” Helen replied in a somewhat depressed voice.
“Is everything alright, Helen?” Robbie asked, noting that Helen wasn’t seeming herself right now.
“No, I’m not. Now listen. Simon, are you sitting down?”
“The fact that I’m currently at the controls of your aircraft would suggest so, yes. I always find it difficult to fly a plane while standing upright, or even when doing a handstand.”
“Good. Anyway, I just received a call from Charlotte.” Helen’s vocal tone had turned serious at that moment.
“What’s happened?!” Simon asked with a grave sound of concern in his voice, now beginning to get worried. Charlotte didn’t normally call unless something serious had happened.
“It’s about your Father. Your Mother called Charlotte and let her know that he died during the night in his sleep apparently.” There was a brief pause, as a sense of dread and dismay filled the cockpit. “I’m sorry Simon for your loss. I’ve arranged a flight over to Leeds for you and the family via Dublin which leaves this evening out of Dulles on Aer Lingus. Charlotte and the girls are at home packing right now.”
Helen then turned her attention to Robbie. “Robbie, would you mind doing all of the shut down procedures and checks after landing and parking the plane? I want Simon to be able to get over to his house as quickly as he can.”
“Sure, that’s no problem.” Robbie wasn’t sure of what to say as he was surprised and disheartened for Simon.
“Very well. I’ll see you both on the ground shortly.”
With that, the ACARS gave a double beep, signalling that the call had ended. Silence then entered the cockpit.
Simon felt numb. He was certainly upset, but the grief hadn’t quite hit him yet. He took a long, deep sigh, unsure of how to exactly process all of this.
“I’ll take control” Robbie said. This wasn’t just because he felt bad for Simon, but given the emotional strike which Simon had just experienced, Robbie felt that it would be in everyone’s best interests for Simon to not be at the controls at this moment in time in case those emotions distract him.
“Thanks. You have control.” Simon then felt his hands come up to his face and wipe in an upward sweep towards his hair from his cheeks. He just didn’t know how to react, or what he should be thinking or feeling at that moment.
As the aircraft continued its approach towards Manassas, things went swimmingly, or at least as swimmingly as they could considering the circumstances surrounding the whole event.
Upon landing, Robbie taxied the plane towards the hangar. There were no passengers on board from this flight, as the outbound flight to San Francisco had been their passenger laden flight, the result of some major corporate executives who didn’t like the idea of their return flight home having been cancelled by their previously booked airline with no available seats for three whole days. Because of crew legality, they had spent a day in the Bay area just relaxing and doing some sightseeing.
Once the engines had been shut down and the marshal had signaled that the wheels had been chocked, Simon undid his seatbelt harness and hit the reverse button on his seat, allowing the electric motor to move the chair back so that he could get up. He grabbed his two cases and gave a nod of understanding to Robbie.
Craig was in the back still napping, and Simon didn’t want to disturb him as he exited the jet aircraft.
As he opened the door and lowered it to step down, Helen was waiting there.
“Take your time. And remember that you need to be there for your family right now.” she said with genuine care.
“Thanks.” Simon was still unsure of how to take it all in. But for now, he felt that he needed to get home and be with his wife and daughters. He made his way over to the Jet Center lobby, and then out into the parking lot where his trusty SUV sat waiting for him. It would be a somber drive back home.
Upon arriving home, Simon pulled into the driveway and parked the SUV. Turning the engine off, there was a brief pause once again as he felt himself release a slow, methodical sigh. He still felt completely numb throughout, and in his mind, he questioned just how he was meant to react, or even feel. It felt unreal to him that this had happened. Sure, as a mortal human being, he was well aware that death was a perfectly natural outcome, and came to everyone, and Simon felt fortunate that he had as long with his Dad as he was able to. Not everyone gets so much time with a parent, as a memory from elementary school reminded him with a fellow classmate having lost her own Dad during the school year. And she had only been 8 at the time.
He remained sitting in his car for nearly 15 minutes, just lost in thought while trying to gather those thoughts and emotions. Indeed, he was brought back to reality when his younger daughter Ashleigh came outside and knocked upon the window of his door.
“Dad, are you okay?” she asked, somewhat muffled by the closed window and door.
He could hear the sadness and grief in her own voice as she asked him that question. Both of his daughter had enjoyed hearing stories of a steam train named ‘Little Willie’ in which he would spend the day crafting a tale about the little steam engine, tying moral lessons into the tale.
Opening the door, Simon reached down to undo his seatbelt while taking a deep breath.
“Well, I won’t sugar coat it. I just don’t honestly feel anything apart from numbness at the moment.” He rested his left hand on her shoulder. “How about you?”
“I miss him already,” she replied. A true statement even for Simon.
He reached over and gave her a hug.
“I know. I do too.”
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Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:26 pm
Scenario 2
A/N: For the second scenario, the character has to experience a bank robbery. *Shrugs.* Simon had heard from his wife while he was at the hotel in New York, that their bank’s fraud department had reached out to them concerning a number of questionable charges which had appeared on their checking account in short order. Someone had gotten hold of their debit card number and had used it to make multiple purchases before the bank had stepped in and froze the account. Because of all of this, the card had been cancelled, and Simon now needed to go and pick up a temporary card from the bank upon his return to Virginia, while they waited for the actual cards to be mailed to their home. After parking his SUV and going into the bank, he glanced around, seeing the hustle of the lunchtime crowd, and each of the tellers working hard to process transactions for other customers. With a sigh of annoyance towards his predicament, he made his way over to a set of chairs on the left hand side near the business offices. Signing in, Simon then took a seat and began watching the folks who were there, just letting time pass him by as he waited on a banker to help him out with this matter. This had been the second time in about 5 months that such fraud had been spotted on the account, and neither Simon nor his wife had used this card online since it was issued, so it was interesting to see how someone had managed to determine the card details. A few minutes later, a banker stepped out of a back office along with a couple who were smartly dressed, and shook their hands, before heading over to meet with Simon. It was Walter, whom Simon knew as they had worked together frequently with the mortgage application and such which Simon had been handling, and this was a plus with using a Community Bank where the staff got to know their customers personally. “Hello, Mr. Ernest,” Walter said as he approached and extended his hand to shake with Simon’s. Before Simon could manage to respond however, there was a loud bang which startled both of them. A couple of masked individuals, who were wearing thick coats and balaclavas, came around the corner from the front doors, both visibly carrying shotguns. “NOBODY MOVE!” one of the individuals shouted out. The voice was deep enough to let onloookers know that they were male. Some of the other people in the bank started to scream in panic, while Simon was still taking all of this in and trying to process the shock in his mind at knowing how he was caught up in a bank robbery. “Everybody get on the ground and remain quiet. And no getting your phones out! I see anyone try to call the cops, and they’re going to regret it really quick.” Simon and Walter both co-operated and got down on the floor, while seeing the other masked individual go over to the tellers and demand that they start taking out cash and stuffing it into a duffle bag which he set down on the counter. “No tripping the silent alarm folks, and I don’t want any dye packs or tracking devices added to the bag.” he said while waving the barrel of the gun between each of the tellers. Whether that would actually mean anything in the long run, remained to be seen. Simon meanwhile, was starting to wonder if he would ever see his wife and daughters again, as well as whether everyone within the bank would be alright in the long run.
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Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:41 pm
Scenario 3
A/N: Thinking of W.W. Jacob's short story "The Monkey's Paw" and other stories along the premise of being careful what you wish for, here is my take on the three wishes being ranted by a genie, and how one should be careful about the wording they use when making such wishes.
Please enjoy.
Be Careful What You Wish For
Simon wondered what exactly the package from his brother over in England was. The attached Customs form just said ‘Antique.’ Opening the top, he saw a bunch of packing peanuts, and as he reached his hand in, he felt something cold and hard. Metallic even.
Wrapping his fingers around it, he drew the object out, a heavily tarnished brass oil lamp. He then set a few paper towels down for the lamp to sit on while he polished it. It began to shine once more as the tarnish was cleared away, exposing a bright golden-like hue beneath.
When he’d nearly finished with his polishing handiwork, the lamp suddenly seemed to shine even brighter. Suddenly, a voice seemed to come out of the lamp itself. No visible genie per say, however, it was interesting how only Simon could hear the voice, as his wife Charlotte seemed too engaged in her book.
“Ah, that’s better.” the voice said as it gave what sounded like a stretching groan, and similar in nature to that of Gilbert Gottfried’s voice. “I finally can enjoy the view out of my lamp again after having spent ages not being able to see out from all that tarnish. Some of you human really are a pain to work with. Where am I? Dammit! I want my agent! I never signed up to be treated by humans as just a plain old lamp. I expected the glitz and glamor of the theatrical life…Man, the Roman Empire sure treated me with better respect than that cocky and arrogantShakespeare ever did.”
“Did you hear that?!” Simon asked Charlotte.
“Hear what?” she replied, looking over at him.
“That voice just now.”
“No, I didn’t.” she responded, seemingly disinterested, before returning to her book.
“Don’t pay attention to her right now. She’s not important. Listen only to me.” the lamp said with conviction. “I suppose that I will allow you some wishes in return for freeing your new master—I mean friend—from his bonds. Uh…Yeah. Let’s go with three wishes.”
Thinking that this was some sort of joke, Simon then said “Alright. For my first wish then, I would like you to tell me who you are.”
There was a brief pause. “Well, that was rather pathetic, but a wish is a wish. The name’s Nero, just like that of the greatest emperor to ever lead Rome back in its hay day. I’ve lived comfortably in this lamp for thousands of years, which is similar I suppose to the tale of the old lady who lived in a shoe. Alright then. Next wish please…and be quick about it. I’ve got a world of fame and fortune to conquer. Hollywood has never seen talent quite like me.”
“Um… I wish…” Simon thought. He knew from stories like the Monkey’s Paw, and movies like ‘The Wishmaster,’ that one should be careful about the wishes they make. “I wish that my younger sister Haylee could own her very own brand-new red Lamborghini Aventador.”
“Done. She now owns a brand-new red Lamborghini Aventador. Granted, it’s only a simple children’s model which one can get from Amazon, as you didn't specify.”
“Dammit!” Simon muttered. “I should’ve been more careful. Still, I’m sure she’ll appreciate that it’s the thought that counts.”
“Right. Only one more to go. And make it quick. I need everyone to worship me as the greatest idol of all time.”
“Well, the first two were ill-planned.” Simon thought as he considered his final wish, before he then got an idea. “Alright then. For my final wish, I would like unlimited wi-”
“Hold it! No wishing for additional wishes beyond the three which I had offered to you.”
“Worth a try, I suppose.” He thought again, however Simon just couldn’t think of anything right now. “I wish that I knew what to wish for…” he muttered, unaware that he had just made his final wish.
“Okay, that’s the third wish, and it’s granted. You should’ve gone and wished to be a deity among all life.” The lamp then paused for a quick second before continuing. “And with than, I am now free! Thus, I bid you adieu.” With that, the lamp vanished, leaving Simon completely in shock over the whole situation.
“Well, at least I didn’t wish for anything that could have been a disaster for me or my family.” he said, looking at the bright side of it all.
Meanwhile, upstairs in her bedroom, Simon’s older daughter Sarah was busy doing her homework, when there came the sound of a loud clunk in her closet, as if something had just fallen. Getting off her bed, she made her way over and opened the door, before seeing a shiny oil lamp on the carpeted floor.
“Where did this come from,” she wondered as she picked the lamp up.
There was the sound of coughing before a voice much like that of Gilbert Gottfried’s was heard.
“Say, uh, you wouldn’t happen to know how to get to Hollywood, would you? If you help me out, I’ll even give you three wishes. How does that sound?”
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