Plane Talk

They were strangers. One sat in 22B, the other in 22C. I could hear them well from 21C, and I pulled out my notebook to jot bits of dialogue. I couldn’t see them during the flight, but I did get a quick glimpse when we deplaned. 22B was seventy-something; 22C was probably in her early 60s.

22B: Are you coming or going?

22C: Going. And you?

22B: Going. It’ll be good to sleep in my own bed tonight after 2 weeks away. Seattle, though, so I won’t be home until nearly midnight.  You?

22C: Atlanta’s home for me. I’m glad I’ll be there by noon. I can’t have a late night. I have to work tomorrow.

22B: I never worked, but Raymond did, so I know. Raymond was a supervisor at the shop. He liked to get to work a good hour or more before his men. He liked a good breakfast, too.

22C: We working folks like our schedules.

22B: Raymond did.  He kept his schedule even after he retired.

22C: Really?

22B: He wanted his dinner at 5:30 every day. I always thought 5:30 was early to eat dinner, but Raymond liked his dinner at 5:30.

22C: Bugles?

22B: Just a couple. I had a good breakfast. These are good.  I haven’t had Bugles in 15 years.

22C: I haven’t either. I was surprised to see them in the gift shop. I always loved Bugles, so I had to buy them. It’s the salt, don’t you think?

22B: Yes. Raymond liked Fritos. He wasn’t a potato chip person. I like potato chips, but Raymond liked Fritos.  And pork rinds. How can those men out there hear each other? Must be real loud.

22C: They have head things, I think. Yep. I see their head things.

22B: That one doesn’t. He’ll ruin his hearing. Raymond did at the shop.

22C: That’s a shame. Things do change when you get old, and you wish you’d been more careful.

22B: I have so many pins and things in me. My whole body is pins and rods. The hip replacement was the easiest. People said the knee would be easiest, but for me it was the hip. Feel free to nod off if you want.  It’s fine with me either way.

22C: I’m not a nap person. Messes up my sleep at night.

22B: Raymond wasn’t either. He liked his schedule.  Lunch at 12 noon and dinner at 5:30.