The first of two alternative endings to this lighthearted fantasy tale.

continuing - Victor's flight of fancy
................... Seconds later he burst through the smoke, coughing violently and beating his chest to snuff out the smouldering spots where sparks had caught his clothing. No more experiments. This was real. This was dangerous. This was embarrassing...

ENDING A - Victor returns to normal life

Yes, there were people below him, and any one of them could look up and see him. He pulled his jog-suit hood over his head and looked for a way out of the embarrassment. Nobody had seen him take off when wonder had got the better of his rationality as he glanced up at the autumn sunrise. Now he was back in control, nobody must see him land. He steered himself earthwards with scientific precision and landed in a tree-lined field on the edge of town. Brushing himself down, he jogged homewards and tried to look normal. Who would ever know that his rationality had given way to unaccustomed wonder one bright autumn morning?

©Derrick Phillips
October 1999