The Flight
Spider sipped her champagne.
Yeah, it wasn't New Year's Eve, but it was a good way to start the flight.
"Attention passengers, this is your flight captain speaking. We will be arriving in France around 2 AM Universal Time. Our flight crew has some delicious meals cooked up for you. I might add the newly weds onboard, Mrs. Jennette and Mr. Antoine Lee, who just exchanged their vows in Houston. Let's give them a warm round of applause."
The passengers clapped. Even she did.
Then the thought crossed her mind: gee if only I was getting married maybe I wouldn't be so lonely these days.
But as she was looking over the menu once they were in the air and settled in, a handsome passenger took the empty aisle seat next to her.
"Oh, excuse me, I didn't see you there," she said, moving her laptop to her space.
The man smiled kindly. There was an irresistible charm about his countenance that made her feel at home.
"I assure you that you have done no harm," he said with a gentle smile.
"James Tomlinson, London England," he said, extending a hand.
"Spider Maddox, Houston Texas," she said, accepting the gesture and obliging the dashing young man with a universally cordial greeting, the sign of trust and pure fidelity in business: the blessed handshake.
Her Casio watch signaled the hour.
"Nice watch," he complimented her.
"Casio Data Bank: you a fan?" she asked.
"Of course, but I do prefer the Rolex. It just suits a gentleman better in business affairs. I have a client awaiting me at Frosty Resort, the latest of resorts in the French Alps."
"I am going to the resort, as well," she added.
"How refreshing!"
He showed off his green faced diver's watch.
"Nice," she said.
"Pricey, however. A consequence of dealing in the industry. One casualty of the trade."
"And what is that?"
"Pharmaceuticals."
"Then I see that's why our paths have crossed! I work for Janis Pharma. I'm a scientist!"
"Well, I do say, that's a very rewarding profession."
"It can be, sometimes. But long hours in the labs can make a girl forget the world sometimes."
"Isn't that a blessing, though?"
"To what? Forget the world?"
"Yes."
"Sometimes."
"Ah, sometimes. I see."
They both ordered champagne and made a healthy toast to their shared adventure to the resort.
"What kind of ring is that?" she noticed after laughing about one of his office jokes.
It was a very odd looking ring: a skull outfitted with an orange sapphire in its gaping mouth.
"This? It was a wedding present from my late wife."
"I'm sorry."
"No need. She would have wanted you to ask about it. It was part of her family. You see, her father was a Lord. This was one of his prized possessions he returned with following his missionary expedition in India sometime in the 1980s. It is said the ring holds the souls of a thousand gods."
"That's....odd."
"Yes. Dreadfully her father stole the ring from a deceased shaman's ashes. The small village where the shaman lived suffered from a terrible blight, forcing its people to migrate to the cities. The priceless stone is worth millions. And yet, the Lord kept it as a reminder of his journeys where he ministered to the people."
"Hold on just a sec. Are you telling me that this ring is an heirloom from the Lord Alfred Janis, founder of Janis Pharma?"
"Lord James Alfred Janis, yes."
"So...you're the heir to the Janis empire?"
"Well, kind of, yes."
"So, you could fire me for fraternizing with you?"
"No. Not at all. Please forgive me. I take responsibility for that."
"But don't you see this as kind of a mix up? Like a conflict of interest."
"Not necessarily. Why?"
"Because I work for you!"
"I guess it's rather creepy."
"Not creepy, just...dangerous."
"Everyone could use a little danger now and then. Why else would anyone go to a ski resort?"
"Maybe because they want to be left alone."
"Do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Want to be left alone?"
"Not necessarily. Why?"
"Because I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to accompany me on a ski trip at the resort."
"No, no, no, I don't ski!"
"You'll be fine. I promise."
"Do you always fly first class with employees?"
"Sometimes. It's a solid way to go...undercover."
Their eyes met, and in the seemingly oozing romance, Spider tipped over her champagne glass. It crashed onto the floor with a loud shatter following.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" she said.
The other glass had spilt its contents onto James' pants.
"Spider, don't worry about it."
"Okay."
Their eyes met again. And before the flight attendant could reach them, Spider was blushing and biting her lip as she looked out the window.
He was focused on the back of the seat in front of him, smiling as well.
