Dick excused himself from the line and walked over to the employee. Tom turned away for a moment to meet another Soviet. When he looked back toward his boss, he saw the worker depart with the stuffed toys, leaving the hats with the photographer. Tom flashed Dick a relieved smile.
Finally approaching the Alexandrov family, Tom was surprised at the sight of Maria’s protruding belly. She looked like she had a beach ball under her dress. He couldn’t believe the pregnant mother was on the trip. Tom turned and reached for Viktor’s outstretched hand. “Hello, Viktor, nice to see you again.”
Viktor bowed slightly as he gave a hearty handshake. “Dah.” He turned to his wife. “Thez Maria and son, Dmitri.”
Tom lifted the lady’s delicate hand. “Hello, Maria, nice to meet you.” Tom waved at Dmitri. Tom then stepped aside so his family could get closer. “This is my family. My wife Anne and my son Peter.”
Anne and Maria shook hands as Peter thrust the present in front of Dmitri. “Hi, this is for you. Welcome to America.”
Dmitri said something in Russian and pulled out a wrapped gift from behind his back, handing it over to Peter.
Surprised by the present, Peter immediately looked up to his father, questioning if he could open it. Getting a nod from Viktor, Tom gave his son the okay.
Viktor signaled that Dmitri could also open his gift. Both boys eagerly tore off the wrapping paper. Peter was the first to open his and excitedly held up a Soviet toy rocket. Being slightly older than Peter, Dmitri didn’t look too thrilled when he lifted the stuffed Mickey Mouse. Both boys said “thanks” respectfully in their native tongues.
Viktor bent down and whispered something to Dmitri. The boy freely passed over the gift to his father. Viktor then handed it to a man behind him.
Tom was relieved the transaction was finally complete and he could now enjoy himself.
Once the introductions were finished, the photographer asked the boys to get together for some pictures. After putting on the Mickey Mouse hats, the boys teased each other playfully as the pictures were taken. After a handful of shots, the boys were set free to play close by while the press began to take pictures of the crews. The astronauts and cosmonauts were strategically positioned by the photographer’s assistant around a spacesuit-wearing Mickey Mouse.
After ten minutes of various poses, the lead photographer called out, “Hold on, gentlemen, I need to change film.”
Peter worked his way politely through the men. When the boy reached Tom, he cupped a hand around his mouth and asked, “Dad, can Dmitri and I go ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds? Mom said it was okay if it was okay with you. A Disneyland man will take us.”
Tom was fine with the idea, though he doubted the Soviets would go for it. Tom tapped Viktor on the shoulder and asked. Viktor lifted his hand, indicating he had to check, and turned to his mission commander, Yakov Slavsky, standing next to him. Yakov had been slated to be on the first USSR moon landing flight. If the Soviet Union had been successful and beaten the Americans, the commander probably would have been the first man on the moon. Yakov seemed to have it in for Tom ever since they first met earlier in the day, possibly because Tom was a moonwalker. The Soviet commander glared back at Tom as he answered Viktor in Russian.
Tom knew what the answer was before Viktor swung back around. “Dmitri stay. Ve all do soon.”
Understanding, Tom said to his boy, “Son, not now. But maybe you two can go on this attraction.”
Eyeing the ride’s façade, Peter whined, “Flight to the Moon? That’s a corny ride. We want to go on a roller coaster.”
Considering that Peter had personally witnessed the real mission control during Tom’s flight, the boy was probably right.
The photographer called out, “All right, gentlemen, back in position, please.”
Tom shooed Peter away. “Sorry, Son. We’ll work something out later.”
With a dejected look, the boy walked away, disappointed.
After another round of photos, the photographer finally dismissed the backup crews, calling for only the prime crews to stay. Rudely, Yakov stepped in front of Tom, planting himself next to Mickey Mouse, which prevented Tom from getting by. Viktor saw the intrusion. He leaned toward his commander and said something while pointing back to Tom. Yakov turned, rolling his eyes at Tom before moving to the side. Cosmonauts were former military officers, and an underlying rule stated you never questioned your leader. Tom appreciated Viktor standing up to his commander on Tom’s behalf.
As Tom eased himself past the stubborn commander and walked away, Anne approached with a troubled look. She whispered with a tinge of panic, “I can’t find Peter and Dmitri. I think they snuck off.”
After a quick scan of the area, Tom had a good idea where they had scurried off to.
Anne glanced back at the table and said apologetically, “I would search for them, but I’m afraid to leave Maria. She is about to pop.”
Tom looked toward Viktor’s wife, who appeared uncomfortable, with her head down. Due to her swollen belly, she had to sit sideways at the table. Tom looked back at Anne. “I know where the boys are. I’ll go get them. If anyone asks, say I took them to get a soda.” Tom quickly nabbed one of the Disney escorts and took off.
When Tom arrived at the Matterhorn, as suspected, the boys were there, about a third of the way along the ride’s snaking line. They seemed to be having a good time. Tom waved, but got no response. With the loud yodeling music flowing out of the surrounding speakers, he had to yell to be heard. “Peter! Hey Peter!”
Finally, his son looked up with a big smile that instantly disappeared at the sight of his father. Sternly, Tom signaled for the two to come over. Hesitating for a second, Peter dejectedly grabbed Dmitri, and the youngsters slowly crawled under the railings and through the line of people.
As the boys approached, Tom gave his son the evil eye. “Didn’t I tell you not to go on this ride?”
Peter put his head down. “Yes, Daddy. But Dmitri…”
“No buts. Son, look at me.”
Peter raised his head.
Tom softened his voice. “Dmitri can get in big trouble leaving his group. It’s a form of desertion. People from the Soviet Union are not free to go wherever they want, especially in America. They can be arrested.”
Peter’s eyes got big. “You mean go to jail?”
Tom put his arm around Dmitri, who appeared not to understand what was being said. “That’s right, and you don’t want that to happen to your friend, do you?”
“No, Daddy, I don’t. I’m sorry.”
“Good, so let’s not have this happen again.”
“It won’t. I promise.”
Feeling that Peter had learned his lesson, Tom turned to the Disney escort. “John, do you think you could cut the boys to the front of the line?”
“Absolutely, Commander Novak.”
With a smile, Peter nudged Dmitri.
Bending down, Tom looked his son straight in the eye. “Because you gave me your word that this will never happen again, I’m going to allow you two to go on the ride.”
After a few excited hops, Peter again nudged Dmitri. “Yes, sir.”
The Disney worker clapped his hands hard together. “All right, boys, follow me.”
By the time Tom reached the boarding area, the kids were already being strapped into a bobsled. Peter happily waved back toward his father as the cart pulled away into a dark tunnel.
When the bobsled returned, the boys were beaming with joy. After exiting the sled, Peter ran straight to his father and gave him a big hug. “Thanks, Daddy. That was a blast.” Peter looked up. “You’re the greatest.”
Hearing those words brought a big smile to Tom, making the little escapade worthwhile. He lovingly returned the hug as Dmitri caught up. Excitedly, the boy said something in Russian. Peter looked up. “Dmitri thanks you, too. We both had a blast.”