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I forgot to get my pumpkin bread at Norma’s!She was going to be starving by the time the delay was over. Why hadn’t she brought a snack? Clara did a 360 and ventured over to the snack area to search for something somewhat healthy.
Her attention turned to a tall man with sandy hair wearing a beautifully-tailored, expensive-looking, dark navy wool overcoat and tortoiseshell glasses. His eyes were glued to his phone; he barely looked up as he moved past Clara and scooped up an assortment of snacks at random. Clara nearly laughed aloud, noting he picked up a peanut butter and jelly cupcake, fruit cup, and bacon and cheese sliders.
This muffin has my name on it.Clara smiled, selecting the last muffin from the pastry case and wrapping it in a brown takeaway bag.
Clara approached the cashier. The sandy haired man stood ahead of her in line, his face slightly flushed as he fumbled with his pockets in search of his wallet to pay for his purchase. He finally placed his phone and snack selections down on the counter to pat down his pockets. The two men traveling with him had a hard time keeping straight faces as they stood off to the side.
Why didn’t they step in and assist him? Did they enjoy watching him struggle? A heavy believer in karma, Clara stepped up to the register next to him.
“How much does he owe?” she inquired.
“Eight bucks,” the annoyed clerk spat out.
The man’s phone rang, immediately stealing his attention. Clara doubted he even noticed her. Clara stared in disbelief that he would take the time to answer it instead of finishing his transaction first. By the time Clara had swiped her credit card and paid, the man had taken notice of her goodwill gesture. In a very posh, upper-class British accent, he muttered a hasty, “Thanks.” After scooping up his provisions, the group of men rushed from the newsstand and toward the terminals without a backward glance.
I thought the British were supposed to be more polite. Oh well.Clara glanced down at how she was dressed. She wore her favorite pair of black leggings and a comfortable, old, black and white polka dotted top with gray converse. Plus, her long, dark brown hair was swept up into a messy bun. She appeared much younger than her twenty-six years of age.Maybe if I were in a power suit I’d be able to hold the sandy-haired man’s attention. She paused. Nah, she’d never trade her tutu for a cubicle.
An hour and a half before boarding, right as Clara finished the last article in her magazine about ancient Greece, she heard her name being announced over the PA system near the departure gate.
“Ms. Clara Little, please see the gate agent at gate number 8 of the International A terminal for an important message. Again, Ms. Clara Little, please proceed to gate number 8 for an important message.”
Clara glanced at her watch, wondering why Pacific Skyways could possibly be paging her so early. She stood from her seat and stretched, gathered her belongings, and made her way down two gates to number 8. The gate area was full of two hundred or so anxious-looking passengers frustrated by the delay. She was certainly happy she didn’t have to be the one to assist all of them. As she walked up to the counter, Clara pulled out her passport to confirm her identity.
“Hi, I’m Clara Little. You paged me?”
The gate agent’s shoulders were rigid with tension and his forehead revealed a thin layer of perspiration. “We have some bad news for you. Unfortunately, due to overbooking this flight, we do not have enough business class seats available. We have had to move you into the economy cabin. We apologize for the inconvenience.” He looked visibly uncomfortable to have to give her the news.
“I mean, I understand, but is there a reason I’m the one getting bumped?” Clara inquired.
“Again, we apologize. We’ve had to relocate five of our business class passengers and almost all of our first class passengers. You were one of the last bookings in business class, so unfortunately you lost the lottery,” the agent explained.
“I’m already arriving late as it is. My business class ticket was booked on a full-fare basis. I don’t mean to be rude, but as a full-fare customer, doesn’t that entitle me to be accommodated in the business cabin?” Clara’s voice rose. The remain-calm mantra Clara usually practiced wasn’t going to work in a situation like this. Clara needed that business class seat. She’d expected to utilize the lay-flat seat to sleep on the plane to London. With the delay her schedule was tight and she would not have much time to rest before the performance.
“No, unless you want a later flight. We have other passengers on a full-fare basis. Management tells us what to do. My hands are tied. I do have a voucher you can use to pick up a meal from one of the restaurants here since we don’t have the business class meal available for you. It’s good for a value of fifteen dollars. You can also call our passenger service line to see if they can assist with a refund in the fare difference. I’m sorry.” The agent mopped his forehead and took a step back from the counter.
“Fine, I get it. Do you have a seat assignment for me?” Clara’s voice was flat and emotionless. The agent nodded and handed Clara her passport and boarding pass. Moving her purse from one shoulder to the other, Clara walked past another disgruntled passenger airing their frustrations in public and plopped down into the first empty chair she encountered. She would hate to be the agent stuck telling people their tickets were being downgraded. It was a good thing she didn’t work in customer service anymore like she had in Seattle.
This is such BS.All she wanted to do was sleep and mentally prep for the show. Now she was going to have to get up every hour or two just to keep her body from cramping too badly. Fifteen dollars wasn’t gonna even buy her a full meal. Just a sandwich and maybe a bottle of water. What a joke.
Clara really didn’t want to travel in such an ugly mood. Was Amanda able to access the on-board Wi-Fi and receive text messages yet? Amanda was good for gossip and getting her mind off of her problems. Clara shot off a text message to Amanda.
Clara: Just got downgraded to Economy :( Was told flight is ‘oversold’. Really angry over this. Any insider gossip you can find out for me? How are all the first class tickets gone? You always make me feel better. Work your magic.
Amanda: That sucks! I’m sorry! What’s the flight number again?
Clara: I’m on 769 to London.
Amanda: I know Becky on 769. Hold please.
Clara waited a few minutes until a ding went off,indicating a text message.
Amanda: OMG! You are sooooooooo lucky! There is a VVIP on that flight. I would kill to be working it.
Clara: What’s a VVIP?
Amanda: VVIP means celebrity, royalty, or millionaire. You won’t be able to know who it is :( They always use funny fake names like Les Ismore.
Clara: That must be why I’m getting bumped and the lack of first class seats.
