An unexpected act of daring from the passenger sat behind her created an unanticipated twist to a woman’s travel that she had assumed would be just another ordinary vacation. It ended differently than any of them had expected.
I was on a flight from New York to Los Angeles, just another work trip. I’m a 35-year-old marketing consultant who travels a lot, so I’m used to airports and airplanes. This time, I had a close connection to San Diego for a pre-conference meeting and was traveling to a significant conference in Los Angeles. I had everything carefully planned out because I couldn’t afford any delays.
I had even planned to leave quickly by sitting in the aisle. I could see the man in the window seat was comfortable as soon as I got to my row. He looked like he was in his early 40s and he was quite self-important. Wearing a well ironed button-down shirt, elegant slacks, and shining shoes, he was barely recognizing me as I sat down and was looking at his pricey watch.
Not a huge deal, I reasoned. All I wanted to do was take a calm trip, possibly study my notes for the San Diego meeting, and maybe take a quick nap before landing. I had no idea, though, that this man would make my uneventful trip into a terrifying experience.
The flight attendants started serving dinner halfway through. I was starving by the time the lunch service started because I hadn’t had an opportunity to eat all day. My stomach was growling at the scent of food, and I couldn’t wait to eat, review my notes, and sleep.
But the natural world called. The food cart was still a few rows away, as I noticed when I looked down the aisle. Sensing that I had plenty time, I excused myself and made my way to the bathroom, taking care not to annoy Mr. Important too much.
There was a line when I got to the back of the aircraft. Exactly what I required! With apprehension, I looked at my watch as the minutes passed. I was virtually tapping my foot with agitation by the time it was finally my turn, as I was anxious about missing the meal service.
I was shocked to see that the man sitting next to me had cheerfully begun eating his second lunch, and my dinner tray had vanished.
Did they bring my food while I was away, I wonder? Even though the response was clear, I asked.
With a smug expression on his face, he looked up from his tray. Yes, that’s right. I figured you didn’t want it because you were taking a long time. did not want it to be thrown away.
I was astounded as I looked at him. “You consumed my food?”
Yes, he replied, continuing to chew. “After mine, I was still hungry, and you weren’t here. When we land, you can pick up something at the airport.
I was hearing things that I couldn’t believe. Though entitled people were nothing new, this was something else entirely. Who takes that action?
“Are you serious at this moment?” I questioned, hoping it was a joke, more to myself than to him.
He simply shrugged, showing no signs of fear. “Slow down, this is just airplane food.”
I asked the flight attendant if there were any meals remaining, feeling a mixture of fury and disbelief as I pressed the call button. She smiled pityingly at me. We’re so sorry, but we’re out of food. Instead, how about some pretzels?
Crackers? That was not going to work, but I had no other option. I took the little bag of pretzels, feeling dejected and getting more and more irritated at my seatmate for being so bold.
As this was going on, Mr. Important devoured both meals, sat back, and quickly dozed off, looking as content as a cat that had just caught a mouse.
I nibbled on the pretzels and glared at the man who was now dozing quietly next me while I attempted to concentrate on my work. My stomach protested by growling, but I made myself focus on my notes. I had to worry about a close relationship, and I couldn’t allow this jerk spoil the day. As I counted down the minutes till our landing, I continued to check my watch.
The flight attendants gave the customary statements regarding landing and connecting flights as we started our descent into Los Angeles. I was forced to snap out of my annoyance and return to work mode by the reminder about tight connections. I looked at my seatmate, who was still unconscious and not seeing anything.
As soon as the plane touched down, I quickly grabbed my suitcase and made a mad dash to my next gate. However, one of the flight attendants made a crucial announcement as I was getting up: “Attention, passengers connecting to San Diego.” A last-minute gate adjustment has occurred. You must proceed as soon as possible to Terminal 4, Gate 45.
Fantastic, I thought. A gate change, exactly what I needed. I turned to walk away, but stopped when I looked at Mr. Important, who was still sleeping loudly. I contemplated if I should wake him awake. Although he had consumed my food and acted like a total jerk, did it mean I should just walk away and lose our connection?
I gave him a small prod. “Hey, we made it,” I muttered.
Nothing. He remained still.
I gave him a more forceful prod. “There’s a gate change; we’ve landed, so you might want to wake up.”
This time, obviously not ready to wake up, he muttered something incomprehensible and looked away. Thinking that the noise would ultimately wake him, I chose to concentrate on our relationship. I hastened off the aircraft since I couldn’t afford to miss my flight.
I had to navigate through a throng of people at the busy terminal in order to get to my new gate. They had already boarded by the time I arrived. I arrived in plenty of time, and as soon as I took a seat, I felt a great sense of relaxation. I was finally able to catch my breath as I traveled to San Diego.
I didn’t learn the whole story until I came to San Diego and met up with my coworkers. While discussing our next travels, Lisa, one of my colleagues, revealed that she had seen someone she knew.
Lisa laughed and remarked, “There was this guy at LAX who looked like he’d just woken up from a coma.” He was utterly lost as he staggered off the aircraft. He was fighting with a gate agent because he didn’t get the connection, and I heard it. It appears that he was asleep when the gate change was announced, and it was already too late when he woke up.
I couldn’t resist grinning. “How did he appear?”
Lisa characterized him as an early-forties man with a slightly wrinkled button-down shirt, polished shoes, slacks, and a fine watch that he constantly checked while he battled with the gate agent. He appeared stressed out and enraged, and his hair was a complete mess.
I knew without a doubt that it was him.
“Oh, that person!” With a hint of delight in my voice, I spoke. Yes, he was sitting beside me. It’s unbelievable that he finished his lunch while I was using the restroom and then dozed off. He refused to move when I tried to wake him.
Lisa’s gaze expanded. “Not at all! That right there is karma at work.
I completely concur. Even though the experience had been frustrating, it was extremely fulfilling to know that karma had intervened. Mr. Important was stranded in Los Angeles, missing his connections and undoubtedly regretting his decision to indulge in two dinners, while I arrived at my meeting on time.
What goes around, sometimes, does indeed come around. Furthermore, karma in this instance wasn’t forgiving.