SECTOR 39 - "BUNTR (Bunter) ARRIVAL SECTOR - 5:25 PM / 2325Z

   As Gary responded to the aircraft and observed the changes in his sector over the next several minutes, another air traffic controller, Smith Ryan came into the control room and was instructed to plug-in at the "D" side position at Bunter. A controller with twelve years of experience, Smith coincidentally was twelve years younger than Gary. Even though they had worked in the same control Area in ZAB during that time, Gary and Smith hadn't always gotten along. The trouble between them two wasn't personal, just a difference in "professional opinion" regarding how traffic was handled in the various sectors.

   Gary glanced at Smith as he sat down and plugged his headset into the radio jack.

   Great...twenty five aircraft inbound and I've got "Mister Approve Anything" as my help. Next thing you know, we'll be shut off with all twenty five aircraft in the sector at the same time.

   "Hey kid," Gary said to Smith. "Get ready, cause here they come."

   Get ready, cause here I come...get ready cause here I come...That was a great song.

   "Hey old man," Smith said. "Anything need to be done right away...like a little help signing your retirement papers?"

   "Very funny, smart aleck," Gary replied. "Did you dry the water behind your ears before you sat down? By the way, Jim can hold the tissue for you if you need to blow your nose."

   Smith gave a weak smile as he was going to say something in reply, but was interrupted by a coordination call. Gary's attention returned to the radar scope and was soon busy. The timing of Smith's sitting down was just right, as seven aircraft were now in the process of being handed off to Gary's sector.

   Over his shoulder, Gary could hear the line from Traffic Management ringing again. He could also hear Ann at the High Altitude sector busy giving radar vectors to more arrivals and other controllers in the Area busy with their traffic.

   It was a muted cacophony of voices, tapping and pushing of computer buttons, computer tones, shouts over voice lines, aircraft frequencies coming out of overhead speakers, telephone and interphone lines ringing.

   A thought occurred to Gary after he corrected an erroneous readback of a clearance. He looked at Smith.