The narrator sits in a chair that has straps fixed around their arms and legs by an attendant. As the doctor gives a final check, the narrator tries to smile and joke about telling their grandchildren about the experience, appearing afraid. When someone waves a flag and the group stands back, the chair jerks and the narrator feels pain as the deck below recedes while their eyes are closed.

1. I sat down on the chair

2. I sat down on the chair
and adjusted my position.

3. I sat down on the chair
and adjusted my position.
The one nearest to me fixed the straps
around my arms and legs.

4. I sat down on the chair
and adjusted my position.
The one nearest to me fixed the straps around
my arms and legs.
I noticed that his uniform was worn at the
elbow.

5. I sat down on the chair
and adjusted my position.
The one nearest to me fixed the straps around
my arms and legs.
I noticed that his uniform was worn at the
elbow.
I tried to move but couldn’t.

6. The doctor gave me a final check.

7. The doctor gave me a final check.
I tried to smile, to show that I wasn’t afraid.

8. The doctor gave me a final check.
I tried to smile, to show that I wasn’t afraid.
“Don’t worry”, he said, “it’ll be over in no
time.”

9. The doctor gave me a final check.
I tried to smile, to show that I wasn’t afraid.
“Don’t worry”, he said, “it’ll be over in no
time.”
I tried to smile again. “Well, it’ll be something
to tell my grand-children, “ I said.

10. Someone waved a flag and they all stood back.

11. Someone waved a flag and they all stood back.
“Don’t look down!” one of them cried as I felt
the chair jerk.

12. Someone waved a flag and they all stood back.
“Don’t look down!” one of them cried as I felt
the chair jerk.

13. Someone waved a flag and they all stood back.
“Don’t look down!” one of them cried as I felt
the chair jerk.
The pain in my side flared up again.

14. Someone waved a flag and they all stood back.
“Don’t look down!” one of them cried as I felt
the chair jerk.
The pain in my side flared up again
and I closed my eyes as the deck receded
below.

15. Someone waved a flag and they all stood back.
“Don’t look down!” one of them cried as I felt
the chair jerk.
The pain in my side flared up again
and I closed my eyes as the deck receded
below.