Monday, October 11, 2010

At the Airport

     A dark-haired young Arabic woman sits in the passenger waiting lounge clutching a small cardboard box.

     She stares straight ahead.  It is hard to tell if she is looking at the plane through the window or just gazing into space.

     A 40-ish business man comes up to her and says, "Is that a bomb your holding?"

     "Are you kidding," a somewhat angry, edgy reply fires from her lips.

     He smiles and tries to undo the damage,"Sorry, just joking. Where are you going?"

     "Detroit," warming up a bit.

     "Heh, so am I."  He begins to probe and set a trap, "Are you in first class?" 

     She shakes her head no. 

     "Well that's a shame.  I hate flying alone, how about you?" 

     She nods a yes.

     "Well you know what, I've got a couple of upgrade coupons -- I could get you bumped to first class.  What do you say?"

     "Oh, there's no need," she says with a tone that leaves an opening.

     "Look it's no problem."  He pulls out two coupons and hands them to her. "See?"

     While she's saying,"I don't know, I've already got my ticket, it's probably too late," she's holding on to the coupons with a vise grip.

     He gently pries the coupons out of her hands as he gets up.  He gives her a little wink and a smile and announces, "Wait here, I'll go fix this up. Let me have your ticket"

     She shrugs her shoulders with a hopeful nonchalance and gives him her ticket.  A "what can it hurt" attitude.

     A garbled voice on the PA system announces the initial boarding for the Detroit flight, ". . . passengers holding first class and preferred seats may board now."

     As she looks toward the counter he returns triumphant flashing the upgraded ticket.  He holds out his arm expecting her to take it.  Instead she hands him the box.

     "Careful with that -- it might explode," she taunts.

     "What's in this anyway," he asks?

     "Wouldn't you like to know," she says with a smile.

                        
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