The Zeppelin Eureka rests in a hangar in Northern California. Image courtesy of Airship Ventures.

You didn’t make my job easy.

I received almost 200 stories, many of which were smart, funny, touching or clever. In the end, though, I choose a winner from Westminster whose little tale simply charmed me. The writer is Marie Thompson, who won a free pair of tickets to ride on Zeppelin Eureka, the world’s largest airship, which is scheduled to arrive at Long Beach Airport today.

Here’s Marie’s story:

Contest winner Marie Thompson of Westminster.

(As) Eureka rose out of a thick cloud bank over Laguna Beach,  British pilot Katherine turned to her German mentor, Fritz, and said, “Crickey! Look!”
“Vhat?  Vhere?”
“Port side, Fritz!”
He peered through the cockpit window.  “Calm down, mein liebe.  It’s likely another of those DOD secret aircraft.”
The craft was pod shaped and covered in graffiti.  With a burst of speed, it hovered parallel to the Eureka.  Several purple creatures were peering out.  One waved its huge hand.  A giant yellow megaphone shot out of the craft roof.   ‘ello luv!  We’re ‘aving a daay at Lagoona Beach.  ‘Orrible rain in England.”
“Cor luv-a-duck, it’s got a Liverpool accent!”  Katherine reached for the intercom.  “Can you hear me?  Over.”
“Oh, yes.” The figure wriggled its elephant-like ears.
“Where did you get that accent?”
“We joost loov the Beatles…we know all their sonngs…went Mersey-side to listen.  We live in Loondon, now.”  The figure gave a smart salute. “I’m Hector.”

The London Eye

Fritz reciprocated, clicking his boots. “Your craft is very interesting.”
“We nicked it from the London Eye. What a caper, eh?  Nice ain’t it?”  The figure put a six-inch finger to its lips.  “ I’m talking cockney now.  That’s wha livin’ in London duz ta ya.”
“Vhat planet are you from?”
“Don’t know.  We crashed and our ruddy memory disappeared.  We remember ‘ow to make things go really fast though.  That’s ‘ow we can ‘ave a day in Lagoona.”
Katherine said rudely, “You look very strange.” If she were home, Mummy would have slapped her wrist.
“Blimey, I’m insulted.  ‘av you seen what’s walking around London nowa days?”  Hector beckoned another figure forward.  “Every family in Britain has a Mum.  To fit in proper, we made this our Mum.” Singing suddenly erupted from the megaphone.  All you need is love, dada da da….   Hector rocked back and forth in time to the music.  “This is our favorite.  We fly over cities and play it while people are sleeping.”
“But vhy?  Vhat’s your point?” Fritz asked suspiciously.
“If all you need is love is heard over and over, it might permeate people’s subconscious, and change attitudes.  We’re trying, anyway.” Hector beamed, cheekily. “That’s a magnificent dirigible, but take it back and ‘ave a day at the beach with us.”
Fritz and Katherine looked at each other. Should they—could they?  Fritz cleared his throat.  “Ve could meet you in front of the ice cream parlor at two.”
“Mum wants to look at art galleries.  Two would be blooming perfick!”  Hector waved.  “See you soon then.” The megaphone withdrew; following a loud rumbling, the pod sped off.
Static spluttered on the radio; a monotone voice asked, “What is your position, Eureka One?”  Katherine cut the connection.  “Pinch me, Fritz, Is this a dream?  Ouch!!  I didn’t mean really pinch me!”
Fritz laughed giddily. “Vhatever it is, mein captain, I’m returning this bag of vind to Long Beach NOW. I’ve got a date with Mum at two! Von’t you join us, Fraulein?”
“A pleasure, mein Professor!”

ABOUT THE WORD COUNT: Early today, I received an email from reader Mary Carbonne, who said that Marie’s story is 504 words long, not 500. The contest rules say that the essays can’t exceed 500 words. We went back and double-checked the math on this and Marie’s essay is exactly 500 words. But thanks, anyway, to Mary for making me check my math. When it comes to math, I’m a moron.

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