A Long, Long Time Ago

Posted on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 @ 7:59am by Commander Donald ‘Don’ Key

Mission: Albion, on Ice!
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Timeline: 30 Years Ago…

:ON:

{National Skate Rink, Toronto, 2353}

Female voice, Austrian accent: “Quicker! Harder! Faster!”

13-year old Key: “I’m trying!”

Female Voice: “You are not trying! Come on! Quicker, quicker, quicker!”

Key: :: Skating to within an inch of his life. Doing toe loops, flips, spins, axel jumps, etc ::

Female Voice: “I demand more from you Mister Key!”

Key: “Fräulein Brunt, I’m trying my best!”

Brunt: “Your best is not good enough! I want more!”

Key: :: Does intense spin, almost falling ::

Brunt: “This is why we practice, practice, PRACTICE!”

Key: “But I can hardly feel my legs anymore, Fräulein!”

Brunt: “The Championships begin tomorrow! Do you want to be stood on the podium clutching that gold medal, or do you want to be sat on the ice feeling sorry for yourself?!”

Key: :: Hesitates :: “I want to be holding that gold medal…”

Brunt: “I can’t hear you.”

Key: “I want to be holding that gold medal!”

Brunt: “I STILL can’t hear you!”

Key: “I WANT TO BE HOLDING THAT GOLD MEDAL!”

Brunt: “Then dance, twirl, and jump my boy! Dance, twirl and jump like you’ve never danced twirled and jumped before!”

Key: :: Does triple twirl, double backflip with a 720 twist, landing it faultlessly ::

{ Present Day }

Sprague: “Are you ready to do this performance?”

Key: “Dick, I was born ready.”


:OFF:

Commander Don Key
Flight Control Officer
USS Albion