For the next two hours the media fills in with canned pre-journey interviews and recaps. Then come reports from the doctors and finally the climactic hospital interview.
Once again Jim is smiling broadly.
“That was a hairbreadth ending, Jim. And it certainly left the Park Service with a surprise. What were you thinking those final moments?”
“Well, Chet, I was remembering my childhood. I was remembering when I used to ride horses up and down the streets of Mountain Home and in and out of the surrounding hills. Those were fine times for me and my family.
“How was I feeling? I was feeling good. I’d paid my respects to my parents and their heritage.”
“So what are your feelings towards the Park Service Primitive program?”
“Well, Chet, it’s a program with noble aspirations, but it has meant a lot of hardships—” Jim sees Olson unobtrusively shaking his head.
“What’s this bullshit I’m spouting?” He’s ranting now and Chet loves it, even with the expectable bleeps. “Hell, Chet, I don’t know what I was thinking back there. My mind was as stiff as my body. I didn’t even know what I’d done until I saw the tapes. I don’t remember a thing.”
“Doctors report that temporary amnesia is quite common in exposure victims. I’m sure Jim will be much more coherent after he gets a night’s rest. This is Chet Bradley. Good night.”
Chet leaves. Olson comes up to Jim’s bedside. “You made your point, Jim, out in the wilderness on that field of snow. To speak it again here, in the civilized world, will be much more costly to you and those who believe as you do. As things stand you’ve got a substantial reward coming for your labors. If you feel strongly about the wilderness program, secure the reward and use it to further your beliefs.
“Goodbye for now, Jim, and congratulations. You learned enough patience to survive the wilderness. Now you must relearn a different kind to survive civilization again.”
By morning Jim is much recovered. He is interviewed by Chet again and by other anchormen. They’re careful to throw him softball questions and he’s careful to answer with heroic modesty. Once again, Jim is in the world where straight teeth are more important than straight talk and stamina is something you show at the negotiating table. When the media giants finish, the second wave breaks into the hospital room: The agents and lawyers. The media rights to this story will be worth millions.
“Patience,” Jim thinks as he smiles. “Patience.”
The End