Airports have their own economies, their own rites of passage and rules of
engagement.
Chicago
“This might sound like a strange question,” I began. She
interrupted me.
“No, I’m sure it’s not,” she assured me.
“That kind of day?”
“That’s just how it is here.” Crazy life at the Concourse K
Sunglass Hut?
“Well, I wanted to ask you if several months ago you got a
poem…”
“Oh my God, that was you? Let me give you a hug!”
Detroit
“All right, that’ll be $3.98…whoa…did you scan your card?”
“No. I don’t know what happened.”
“Hmmm.”
“Maybe that last guy’s card is still keyed in?”
“I guess. Um…whoops?”
I still needed to break a twenty to give my friend gas money
once I got back to Asheville.
“I can’t just open the drawer. Sorry.”
“It’s all right, I’ll just get a pack of gum.”
Helena
“It’s a toy.”
“But it’s shaped like a gun. We’re going to have to get it
in your checked luggage.”
“But it’s obviously a toy.”
We were already running late and the airline had made several
boarding announcements. They were insistent.
“Jesus Christ…”
I hope that Eric appreciated his goddamned Chicken Chucker.
Houston
“I really appreciate all that you’re doing for me. You have
no idea what I went through to get on that last flight.”
She stayed an hour after her shift had ended to make sure I’d
have a seat on the first flight to Laredo the next morning.
The shuttle ride from the airport to the cheap motel they’d
arranged for those of us who’d been bumped was quiet and dark. The check-in at
the motel was kind but cold and methodical. “We’re going to process you all in
two lines. Once we’re done at the desk our restaurant will still be able to
accommodate your meal vouchers. We can get you all some toiletries for tonight
if you need them, combs, shaving gel, toothpaste. Just let us know.”
I slept poorly that night.
Eight hours later I was in the
air again, nothing but the sky.
