Rebecca laughed sarcastically. “I understand that, Kit. Baloo doesn’t exactly belong in upper-class society. What time do I pick you up?”

“How about if I meet you there? Here’s your ticket.” Kit turned on his heel and ran outside. “Don’t forget - seven o’clock tonight!”

“Dinner with a younger man,” Rebecca said softly, smiling at her ticket. “What a sweet boy.”

That Evening

TheZen Zeppelin, a large silver dirigible, was docked at the Cape Suzette airport. It was a very impressive aircraft mechanically and aesthetically. Concealed beneath the balloon’s shiny Mylar covering were seventeen helium-filled gas cells. These cells were individually covered with a rubberized cloth and confined in a rigid framework, allowing for added stability and safety. The airship was propelled by two propellers mounted on the rear of the balloon. From the cockpit, the pilot controlled the craft using a system not unlike airplanes - rudders and elevators - also attached to the rear of the balloon.

The glistening black gondola that hung underneath the balloon was divided into four compartments: cockpit, observation room, dining room, and kitchen.

Everything was very classy. Tables adorned with delicate china, polished silver, crisp white tablecloths, and fresh flower bouquets lined both sides of the large dining room.

The observation room was next to it, featuring ceiling-to-floor windows and comfortable plush couches.

The kitchen, fitted with only the most modern appliances, was at the opposing end of the state-of-the-art cockpit. The Zen Zeppelinflew with a crew of two captains, three chefs, a seating hostess, and five waitresses. Because it could only accommodate thirty passengers at a time, it was very exclusive.

Baloo arrived at 6:45 P.M. The big grey bear, clad in a tuxedo (per Kit’s insistence) with a sloppily tied red and white polka-dotted bow tie, was anxious to get a good seat and perhaps get a peek at the cockpit. After handing the hostess his ticket, he was seated at a table. He was disappointed to learn from the hostess that guests weren’t allowed in the cockpit. To pass the time, he amused himself by perusing the menu. His sensitive nose sniffed the air with appreciation. The chefs had already begun to prepare the elaborate gourmet five course meal.

Rebecca arrived five minutes later. Alighting from the cab, she put her hand to the back her head to make sure that her S-shaped chignon was still in place. She gaped in awe at the zeppelin looming before her, illuminated by the last rays of the setting sun and the flashing airport beacon. She pushed every frightening detail of the recentHindenburger disaster from her mind. She would not be burdened with fears tonight. Tonight she was going to enjoy a leisurely meal with a very special young man. Lifting the hem of her flowing pink gown to keep it off of the damp ground, she swept up the red-carpeted ramp into the zeppelin. The hostess took her ticket and seated her across from...

“Baloo! What are you doing here?” Rebecca cried, scowling at the pilot.

The big bear returned her scowl with a vengeance. Rebecca was the last person he wanted to see. “What am I doin’ here? What areyou doin’ here?”

“Where’s Kit?” they exclaimed simultaneously. Their eyes darted around the dining room. There was no sign of a thirteen-year-old boy in the dining room, which was quickly filling with passengers.

Rebecca’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “If this is another one of your screwball schemes...”

“This ain’t my screwball scheme, Beck...er, Rebecca. Kit set us up. I can’t believe he would pull a bonehead stunt like this! That kid’s gonna get it when I get home!” Baloo grumbled, wadding up his napkin in his fist and starting to rise from his chair.

“Fine, you leave,” Rebecca rejoined.

Baloo immediately regained his seat. “Me? I was here first! You leave!”

“No way! Do you know how many rich people are on this airship? Rich people with rich contracts?” she whispered pointedly across the table.

“Yeah, yeah, money makes the world go ‘round for Miz Rebecca Cunningham.” Baloo crossed his arms, glowering at the bearess. “I got the right ta be here same as you, and I ain’t budgin’ ‘til I get my grub!”

At that moment, the zeppelin began its gentle ascent into the air.

Rebecca watched the ground disappearing out the window and sighed. “Now, neither of us can get off.”

“Got a parachute on ya?” Baloo smirked contemptuously, propping his face in his hands.

“I always carry one in my purse,” she cooed in a silky smooth voice. Baloo recoiled in his seat when she snapped, “Of course I don’t, you buffoon! I’ll tell you what, Baloo; we’ll compromise. I’ll sit at that empty table at the other end, and we can pretend that we don’t know each other.”

With a disdainful wave of his hand, Baloo said, “Adios, stranger.”

Rebecca made her way to the end of the dining area and sat down, facing Baloo. Both bears busied themselves with the menu, making it a point to ignore each other.

A Half an Hour Later...

Gazing past the stuffed shirts enjoying their salads, Baloo focused on the design ofthe zeppelin itself, noting how the gondola was attached to the framework of the rigid balloon. He’d never been inside a dirigible. He kept wishing that he could visit the cockpit.

By accident, Baloo met Rebecca’s gaze across the room. She was shooting him a quizzical look, because she wondered what in the world he was doing gawking at the ceiling. Coldly, she averted her eyes.

Frowning and grumbling to himself, Baloo attacked his salad. Man, it’s icy in here. Why’s she so riled up? I’m not doin’ nuthin’ wrong. Some evening this turned out to be. Thought I was gonna spend it with my best buddy, but I end up with crazy lady over there. Wish she’d stop lookin’ at me. It’s makin’ me squeamy-ish. Almost puts me off my feed. Baloo shoveled more salad into his large mouth. He revolted a few other patrons by chewing with his mouth open. Never thought I’d be double-crossed by Kit. I’ll hafta rub it in how nifty this airship is. I’m here, an’ he ain’t. That’ll make him sorry. He’ll never pull another one over on his ol’ Papa Bear again.

At the other side of the room, Rebecca munched on her salad She looked furtively over at the big bear, thinking, Baloo does clean up nice when he bothers to clean up. But why did he wear that ghastly bow tie? Doesn’t he have any fashion sense? And close your mouth when you eat, Baloo! Ugh! That bear! Then, feeling a little lonely eating by herself, she thought, I wonder what he’s thinking about.

Despite all her quibbles about his manners, she wished that she could join Baloo. The pilot, though uncouth, made dining entertaining. Many of their sort of ‘dates’ had turned into exciting adventures. She was beginning to tire of the endlessly endless animosity between them. She wanted to be friends again.

From the first moment that they had met, they had sparred. It was inevitable. They were two very different people from different backgrounds with completely different views of the world. However, as of late, the most trivial things propelled them into a bitter argument. It was like they couldn’t talk about anything without the conversation erupting into a fight. Rebecca didn’t know what had happened to their friendship.

This is stupid. Why are we eating at separate tables when we could be having fun eating together? She had almost made up her mind to just walk over there and sit down across from him when she snuck another peek at her pilot. He was chatting with a waitress - a young, attractive minx with a great set of legs showed off to perfection by a skimpy, black-and-white uniform. The big bear had a simpering, butter-couldn’t-melt-in-his-mouth smile on his face, which annoyed Rebecca to no end. Stop drooling, Baloo. She’s half your age and probably has less than half of your brains. That’s a scary thought. Rebecca smiled maliciously. Save your breath, girlie gold-digger, that bear’s as poor as the day he was born.

Glowering, Rebecca jabbed her salad so hard that the plate flew across the table and onto the floor with a reverberating smash. All eyes turned towards her. However, she didn’t see anyone but Baloo. He flashed her an amused smirk. That dumb bear is laughing at me. How dare he! Biting her lower lip to keep it from trembling, she stared out the window at the city.

Baloo was thinking, Oh, man, she’s gonna cry. Aw, c’mon, don’t cry in front of these snooty folks, Becky. He half rose from his seat. In the nick of time, he remembered that he was mad at Rebecca and couldn’t go over to comfort , he felt compelled to do something to help her. ‘Cause it’s my job to embarrass us, not yours... Baloo deliberately knocked his plate onto the floor. Lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, croutons, and salad dressing splattered everywhere, including on the waitress’s ‘great set of legs’. “Oops,” he said innocently as everyone’s eyes swivelled towards him. “That salad oil’s really slippery tonight.”

The waitress stormed off in a huff.

When Baloo looked Rebecca’s way, he shrugged and flashed her a sympathetic grin, allowing his boss to know that he had done it on purpose for her sake. Quickly diverting her gaze, Rebecca hid a ghost of a smile behind her water glass.

Fifteen Minutes Later...

Rebecca took a dainty bite of her filet mignon and glanced around the room. Her eyes rested on Baloo, who was obviously enjoying his veal parmesan. She winced as he slurped noodles, leaving a ring of white sauce around his lips. Oh, Baloo, use a napkin, for Pete’s sake! And remove that napkin from your collar. Try not to act like a no-nothing slob for a change. Oh, that bear! Fighting the impulse to march over to him and demand that he use some manners, she gritted her teeth.

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