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We Will Joust!
By John
Pinch has a phenomenal first hand account of escorting legendary fighter pilot Robin Olds to a post-conference party. I'm pretty sure it's how the man would want to be remembered (General Olds passed recently):
Robin at age 75 or so, was still in ‘ burner ‘! Given that my grip on his sport coat had become a very stabilizing force in his life, other than an occasional teeter, he was showing no wear!At my rickety edge of consciousness I meekly re-suggested a departure.
“Are you saying I am too drunk to drive?” he bellowed again.
To which I tactfully replied, “Absolutely not, sir, I only desire the honor and the privilege of driving the General to his quarters.”
He demurred.
Another hour passed before he sensed my weakened state and offered a window of opportunity.
“I demand an honorable challenge before going to quarters,” he declared.
Thinking that I retained superior SA [ another error in judgment ] I replied:
“Let the General engage with his weapon of choice! ”
“ Get me two brooms and those two empty scotch bottles over there. We will Joust! ”
The story is so classic fighter pilot, it hurts. Read the whole thing.
