Layover (399 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.1 on 11 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by moneyshot (View user info) at 2007-02-22 21:49:21 EST
I was scheduled to fly out during the worst snow storm in recent history. News stories echoed eachother of El Nino and its devastating effects on our weather system. There were lots of us stranded in airports still optomistic that at any moment our grounded planes might get clearance to take off. The reality of the situation was we weren't going anywhere anytime soon. Hours and hours went by until an entire day had passed and despite people giving up hope and recieving flight vouchers for another time and place, I remained adamant that I would be the first to be on that plane when we sped down the runway towards our destination. I didn't care about being uncomfortable or turbulance. The only thing I cared about was getting back to sunny California and seeing my lover now that I had sort of finished tying up loose ends on this very important business trip.
I had been working for this corporation as an accountant in loss prevention for almost a year now and had been dispatched to track down some unaccounted for expeditures at another branch location. If there was a paper trail I was there to find it and more importantly find out where the money went. After interviewing what seemed like an endless amount of people and searching through filing cabinets on every level I was no closer to an answer than I was all the way across the country. I dreaded the oncoming months of investigating and research I would undoubtably have to invest in this.
I had split up my time evenly between two parts of the airport. Besides sleeping a hotel room which was connected to the airport, I would head either to the lounge for drinks or to one of the designated smoking areas that occured every so often along the way. In just two days I had made several aquaintances also waiting in vain for they're flights to depart. Some of them soft spoken and sullen and others loudly breaking into a random story or joke. You would think that none of them would be very memorable and doubt you would have much of a connection outside of being stuck inside this airport. Still, you'd be suprised how one person can change your entire view of everything. Even a complete stranger.
I had had a couple of drinks by mid-afternoon on the second day of waiting and made my way to the smoking lounge when a man in a suit and tie asked me for a lighter. I always assume that when a man asks me for a light and begins conversation that he is subtlely hitting on me. Perhaps this is arrogant of me and maybe it is completely innocent but most of the time I am right. Conversations in the right environment can quickly turn into a romp in the sack if executed correctly. As a matter of a fact I met my ex-husband in much the same way. But mother didn't raise a fool and charm won't necessarily guarantee you anything. There are some men that practice this sly exchange of words and are solely in it for a random encounter. I have done this dance many times before and I'll admit its hard to tell at first but I consider myself a fairly good judge of character. I have to be being a woman in the male dominated business world. Hell, just being a woman in general.
Anyway, like always he began by saying thanks and introducing himself with an extended greeting hand. He wasn't necessasrily handsome but he wasn't necessarily ugly either. I think most people fall into this category. After exchanging pleasantries we sat down in the uncomfortable blue chairs and talked about our respective destinations and estimated wait times. This part of the conversation wasn't remarkably memorable or even intriguing but everyone has to go through it to get to anything of substance. Like I said before, small talk is an art form. You build on it. Pretty soon we were talking about things we like to do outside of our professions and drinking came up. Now, I'm not a lush by any means. I've seen lushes and they are not respectable people but I definitely enjoy my liquor... in moderation. We all have limits and I'm very aware of mine especially in the company of strangers.
A little later we were off to the lounge to have a drink. This is when things began to spice up a little. I wasn't planning on spending the afternoon with anyone in particular other than my boyfriend back home but since that wasn't a possiblity, he would have to do. Besides, he seemed harmless enough at first. He steered the conversation in a number of different directions and I abliged him with a well timed response here and there. We were steadily drinking and losing hope that we would see anyone familiar other than ourselves as the hours passed by. He was very much a gentleman throughout and I think as a result we became increasingly comfortable with eachother. He asked me if I smoked and I laughted and said "Didn't we meet in the smoking room?" to which he replied "Not that kind of smoke." I saw where this was going and strangely I didn't care.
"Occasionally. Why do you ask?"
"I have some pot I was saving. Would you care to join me in my hotel room?"
Now, I know you think you know where this is going and let me tell you that you are wrong. At this point it was pretty much understood that sex wasn't an option. He was just a guy in a business suit and tie that wanted to get high. And so did I so we were off to his hotel room.
He meticulously rolled the joint while talking about how he smokes to relieve stress all the while his eyes steadily focused on the rolling paper. I imagined him doing this since high school probably a slacker that one day suddenly had to grow up and get a real job. Old habits die hard and having money affords you certain luxuries. After we lit it I remember smelling the aroma that filled the room and thinking I haven't smelled it since college. "Why did I ever quit?" We both relaxed next to eachother on the bed there and with eyes closed kept the conversation going competely forgetting about flights and home and responsibilty. That's when he said it.
"Have you ever done something considered so despicable by society that you had to keep it a secret?"
"What are you talking about John?"
"I mean something that everyone else considers horrible but really it's nothing. I mean unless the intent is actually there but of course it's not."
"I don't understand..."
"I send out death threats."
At first I thought he was joking and I laughed but his expression remained the same and suddenly I knew he was serious. I asked why and he saw I was curious.
"Let me start by saying I never have actually harmed anyone. I would never in any way harm another living thing. It's just that some people only respond to certain types of stimulation and sometimes not even then but the point is it could be good for all if the desired results come of it. Haven't you ever been so mad at someone you say you could kill them? Of course you would never do this in real life but venting helps you deal with your anger. Well, what I do is kinda like that only it's indirect. Maybe they'll respond to it in a positive way and change the way they view others and themselves or not but I always know that on my end I have the right motivation."
Since we only knew eachother's first name I stopped him. "John, this is a little much for me to take in at once. I mean, why not confront them or take judicial action? It just seems a little extreme."
"I guess I don't confront them because I myself am a coward. I've never really been a confrontational person. I always submitted to others until I got older and began to take charge of my life more. I don't know what it is about certain people that think they can treat others like shit, you know? And even though I'm in turn contributing to that negative energy people can and have changed in light of it. Having your life threatened makes you reevaluate everything. You remember that life is precious and just maybe that others are as well. These of course are examples of how it could work out for the best."
"You know I never thought I say this but it kind of makes sense. Maybe it's because I'm high but I think I get it. I'm not sure it's the best way but it is... a way."
"I don't expect you to condone it. I just needed to tell someone. What matters is that someone else knows now."
I don't know why but I didn't feel the need to turn him in and for all I know maybe he was right. Another hour later I would leave his hotel room and make my way back to the terminal. An hour after that I was in the sky somewhere above New Mexico thinking about our conversation. Was he crazy or just someone who saw a way to make an impact, right or wrong and took it? At least he was doing something and that's more than most people. To be honest, to this day I don't know how he affected the people he sent these death threats to and I'm fairly certain he never was caught either. After watching him meticulously roll that joint it dawned on me he is a very careful and detail oriented person. He wouldn't be careless enough to get caught. From now on he would always there in the back of my mind casually dropping letters in a mailbox somewhere and quietly smoking a joint in a dark room somewhere. My thoughts were interrupted by the loudspeaker.
"This is your captain speaking. We'll begin making our descent over sunny Los Angeles in just a few moments. Please keep your tables in the upright position and remain seated until we land and as always thank you for flying with us."
User Reviews
Submitted by moneyshot (user info) at 2007-02-24 00:34:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Auto Loki -2? This isn't Loki. You are probably confusing me with "themoneyshot" also a member. Whatever, like it matters...
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-02-23 15:56:52 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
auto loki -2
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-02-23 15:49:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I <3 DRUNKEN WHORES
Submitted by jade_digitalmedia (user info) at 2007-02-23 13:13:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i've been worried about you :( log onto gabbly so i can shower you with comments about your hot wifey.
Submitted by particle_man58 (user info) at 2007-02-23 08:48:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
nice
Submitted by zimm0r (user info) at 2007-02-23 07:46:31 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
!FIRE! !FIRE! !FIRE!
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2007-02-23 07:23:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Because you are okay in my book.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-02-23 02:47:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm gonna take Rob's word for it. Plus, I'm in a good mood 'cause I'm actually gonna get this fucking chapter done tonight.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-02-23 02:09:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This was sensational. Very well written.
Submitted by Progr3ss (user info) at 2007-02-22 22:49:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
well written
Submitted by gravitas (user info) at 2007-02-22 22:40:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
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