Cold War Spy

It’s the height of the Cold War, Americans and Russians are killing each other—but in small numbers. A field agent here, an airplane shot down there. Neither side escalates because neither is sure it can win an all-out nuclear war. Lieutenant Randy Zander’s training has taught him how to intercept and decode Soviet military messages. Now, he is waiting for his overseas assignment. Just then, an American C-130 is shot down over the Turkish-Armenian border, killing an entire intelligence team including Randy’s brother, Bobby. Randy is assigned to an intercept station in Turkey and given travel orders. On the Military Air Transport flight out of Charleston, a slender, dark-haired woman is seated beside Randy. But she chooses not to speak or acknowledge his presence. Then, 250 miles out over the Atlantic, the aircraft suffers an engine failure, causing the woman to panic and bear-hug Randy. The pilot feathers the bad engine and heads for an emergency landing on Bermuda Island. During the approach to landing, the woman introduces herself as Rachael, apologizes for grabbing him, and opens up to him about her life. Her husband is a former jet fighter pilot who crashed with serious injuries and was rendered impotent. She had been separated from him for two years but is now headed to join him in Greece. After landing, passengers are bussed to the luxurious Princess Hotel. While baggage is being unloaded, Rachael suggests to Randy that he come get her and they have dinner together. At her suggestion, they go to a bar-restaurant where they have dinner and drinks, and then enjoy dancing together. She confesses that hers is a “dry” marriage because of her husband’s disabilities. But she cannot live without sex. The drinks and the closeness of dancing leads them to spend the night in her room. Randy is even more stressed afterward because now he has slept with the wife of another officer. Continuing the flight the next day, Rachael announces that she wants Randy to meet her husband. Randy is shocked, but she convinces him it will be okay. At the Athens airport, she enthusiastically introduces Randy to her husband Bill. Because of the lateness of their arrival, Randy’s connecting flight to Istanbul has left. Bill invites Randy to bunk at his house and then catch his flight the next morning. After dinner, the three have a nightcap at Bill’s house. There, Bill informs Randy and Rachael that he and other officers in the 6900 Security Wing had engineered Randy’s assignment to the intercept site in Turkey because a mole is leaking damaging information. The assignment was made especially because of Randy’s unique qualifications. Bill also confesses to getting Rachael seated beside Randy on the aircraft because, after extensive clearance investigations, he knew Randy was reliable and trustworthy. Randy spends the night, sleeps with Rachael again, then goes to Bill’s office for a briefing on the Istanbul assignment. Bill has a telex from Randy’s C.O. authorizing him additional time in Athens. Afterward, Bill suggests that Randy take Rachael to the beach that afternoon. That idea that appeals to both Randy and Rachael. When they arrive at the Big Olive Beach, they discover that it’s clothing optional. They have a refreshing swim in the nude, and afterward Rachael asks him to rub lotion on her back, (perhaps the most sensuous scene of this episode). They talk about their affinity for each other and the future of their relationship. The next morning, Bill drives them to the Athens airport. Bill waits at the entrance while Rachael and Randy go to the Turkish Airlines ticket office. They say teary goodbyes to each other. Randy turns and goes through the departure door. Rachael watches with tears streaming down her face.