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                 (Mark returns from the base
                            and relates what he saw on the way back. We
                            hear some comments about my work habits
                            noting how tough the hours have been. What
                            isn't noted is that he is getting back from
                            a time jump to the base that took 90 minutes
                            real time but was his his family for sixteen
                            hours on the base.)
 
 
 Mark: I think one
                                        of my smoother landings (yawns).
                                        I think I'm getting better at my
                                        landings.
 
 Skip: you think you
                                        are huh, you're not skidding in
                                        so bad?
 
 Mark: I just had
                                        enough time to watch a shooting
                                        star. God, I guess Russ took
                                        into account.
 
 Skip: yeah he just,
                                        he just, poor baby. He was just
                                        laying here, he just couldn't
                                        keep his eyes open anymore.
 
 Mark: oh
                                        was......were they being that
                                        boring?
 
 (joking
                                        as only Mark can)
 
 Skip: no, uh-huh,
                                        it was just that he was that
                                        tired.
 
 Mark: oh really?
 
 Skip: yeah, he was
                                        just, he was just pooped.
 
 Mark: yeah.
 
 Skip: he's, he's
                                        just totaled because he's been
                                        putting in some god-awful hours.
 
 Mark: oh God yeah
                                        he has. Kind of worries me a
                                        little bit but....
 
 Skip: well now he's
                                        not working two jobs now, he's
                                        only working one.
 
 Mark: yeah.
 
 Skip:
                                        so.....he's......I think, now
                                        this is just my personal
                                        opinion, but I think that his
                                        tiredness is just by being awake
                                        so long.
 
 Mark: yeah.
 
 Skip: because he's
                                        enjoying what he's doing.
 
 Mark: oh yeah.
 
 Skip: and by
                                        enjoying your job, it doesn't
                                        seem like a job.
 
 Mark: no, no.
 
 Skip: you know what
                                        I'm talking about Mark.
 
 Mark: oh yeah,
                                        yeah.
 
 Skip: because
                                        that's why I've stayed in
                                        maintenance all my life because
                                        I've always enjoyed the
                                        challenge.
 
 Mark: yeah, I'm
                                        going to go and grab my
                                        cigarettes.
 
 Skip: oh golly, we
                                        can get up out of here.
 
 Mark: okay. Oh,
                                        here they are.
 
 Skip: oh, okay.
 
 Mark: we can head
                                        up the stairs.
 
 Skip: yeah. Getting
                                        a little stiff sitting still so
                                        long.
 
 Mark: yeah.
 
 Skip: that's not my
                                        cup of tea is it?
 
 (the
                                        door closes as both walk out)
 
 
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