AIR NATION A FREE TICKET AROUND THE WORLD
CHAPTER 10
ACAPULCO MEXICO
CHAPTER 10
ACAPULCO MEXICO
-Listen Youssef, says Danyele adding a new transmittal in her flight attendant manual. I know you don’t have a family here in Montreal, and that you are not catholic either, but would you like to join us for Christmas tomorrow morning instead of staying all alone by yourself. My mother decided to postpone Christmas Eve, so we can celebrate together as soon as we arrive home.
-Oh yeah! Danyele says Youssef quite enchanted. It’s quite nice of you. Sincerely your invitation touches me dearly.
-You are going to like it. Louise is going to be there and my parents are very friendly. You will replace my brother who is in California. My other sister is a travel guide and she is with a group of French tourist coming to enjoy our cold winters and to do some dog sled, so the house is going to be very empty for my mother who loves to celebrate Christmas.
-I will come if I am not dead beat after this hell of a flight, answers Youssef kissing her on the cheek.
-Jade, says Lorenzo meeting her at the cappuccino machine. Do we have plan for tomorrow night or you prefer to spend Christmas in your family.
She looks at him a little bit sad.
-You know, I told you My parents are gone to Florida with the rest of the family and I was sure we were going to work at Christmas, so I told them not to make any plan that were including me.
-Come to my parents place, proposes Lorenzo. I told you a little bit about it; for me all this Christmas things give me the chill, it doesn’t excite me one bit. I am even depress by all this but I certainly doesn’t want to leave my new girl friend all by herself on Christmas eve. We could sleep all day long together....
-It’s nice of you, Lorenzo. I don’t say no. Let me think about it. Anyway, we will see how we feel after this long night ahead of us.
-You are right, maybe we will go directly to bed, without realizing that Christmas went by. Come, let’s sit here this cappuccino is quite hot.
Xénia is talking on the phone and Victor passes near her side trying to listen to her conversation.
-Go away!, screams Xénia. You are really like a stinky beast. I don’t fell like laughing tonight, so leave me alone! I don’t feel like hearing your stupidities.
-Watch what you are saying Xénia, the little Jesus wouldn’t like to hear you say cruel thing to others especially on the time of rejoicement, says Victor proud of himself.
-Ah! Leave me alone, Victor! My mother is going to be all alone for Christmas so I am trying to comfort her a little, anyway , I do not have to report to you either, scram!
-I went to see crew sched, about two minutes ago, explains Josey to Tiffany who are both revising their manual. I wanted to know the forecast for tomorrow’s weather because I have to go down to Quebec to be with my family but apparently they are expecting a lot of snow for tomorrow. So, it looks like it’s going to spoil everything for me and I will end up all by myself. Conclusion: I don’t have any plans for Christmas eve.
-But what about your boy friend, what do you do with him?
-He is working all night and this for five consecutive nights, so...
-Darling!, I have an idea, proposes Tiffany. If it pleases you, you could always come with me at the Queen Elizabeth hotel for diner with my parents.
-I tough...
-Yes, I know. They send me an invitation to join them. I think they want to make peace. I don’t know if I am interested, but like I only have them, you know it’s difficult especially during the holidays. I don’t have any brother and sister, I just have my parents. My grand-parents are dead so it all come back to them. I have to admit I am missing them a little too I really don’t know why but it’s like that.
Maybe it’s the perfect occasion to renew my relationship with my parents under my conditions. I grow up and I know now what I want. They have to take me like I am and they have to step on their pride of old rich people and accept my decision in becoming a flight attendant once and for all.
Max enters rapidly the lounge all nervous like usual.
-O.K. hurry up! I want to see every one in the briefing room immediately. I want to start my briefing right away.
The flight attendants rush in the room to get themselves a chair and take place.
-Good evening and Merry Christmas! I know that tonight is not a night like the others, and it is difficult to work on the 24 of December and that everyone would like to be with their family but there is nothing I can do, he says looking at each and everyone of them. So, what am I about to say might sounds silly but anyway I will tell you. The crew is your family. Those who are unhappy with this situation try to be nice. We will be back tomorrow morning and there is nothing we can do about it. We are all in the same boat. O.K.
He takes a small pause and continues right with the briefing.
-Good Lord! We are full tonight. We have 475 passengers, 15 babies, one handicap person, 1 UM and 4 V.I.P. for the Montreal gazette. Xénia, would you like to explain the service for tonight, please.
She looks at him all surprised to start before him.
-We have 30 vegetarian meals. Look at the final list before serving them and make sure you have the exact count of meal for every single galley. We also have 3 kosher meals and one diabetic . We are going to start with the bar, fallowed by the meals, tea and coffee and the liquors service. Verify if they have put the croissants for breakfast.
-Good evening, says the captain at the door. It’s Christmas eve and everyone would like to be with their family but what can we do, it takes someone to do this flight. And also, I would like to tell you that we are going to have a lot of severe turbulence after take-off for about a good 20 minutes and also an hour before landing in Acapulco. So, don’t be surprise to see the seat belt sign on.
-The bus is here, captain, informs Mike who enters at his turn. Ah! It’s even colder than before out there, shit! Why could we stay in Mexico for the night, he says laughing.
-It’s a great idea!, answers the captain buttoning up his jacket, but unfortunately, we have to come back here at the early hours of the morning and you to Mike. Sorry, body!
-No!, no!, don’t be sorry, for ounce, I will be with my kids. So, I can not wait to be back, you understand, I will be there when they wake-up. We English people, celebrate in the morning of Christmas compare to you francophone who party the entire night before.
-I understand you. I can not recall how many Christmas days I miss, he says getting out the door.
The crew members hurry to get on the bus. The wind is blowing like hell and it’s almost a blizzard. The snow is fallen heavily.
In the plane, Max finishes his briefing and right after the crew rushes to check their equipment.
“Hurry up!, the ground agent is ready to board” announce Max on the P.A.
-Max! Darling!, wait, they didn’t clean the lavatories, says Tiffany disgusted. These washrooms smell worst than a pig stall.
-Ah! No, it’s not true.
He takes the P.A.
“Hey! Guys!, passengers are coming and the washroom are not been clean at all.”
-O.k. o.k. we are taking care of it, says one of the groomers. We are too busy tonight and we are short of staff you know how it is at that time of the year.
-Well, well, says Max, showing him to go on.
The telephone rings.
-Max!, exclaims Xénia real mad. We are missing 120 meals and all the special meals. Total 154 meals are missing. It doesn’t make sense. We have to delay the flight. The passengers are going to freeze if they come and bring all those meals by 4 L door and ask the pilots to put some heat it’s inhuman to work under those conditions. They didn’t even warmed up the aircraft, it’s like we are outside. We are all going to be sick.
-This isn’t true, says Max raising his arms in the air. It’s not starting well at all.
He hangs up and leave right away to talk to the guy who is doing the catering.
-Hey!, he screams to the man who is completely in the back of the truck.
-Hey!
The wind is blowing strongly. Max waits completely frozen, he waits for the man to answer him. The man turns around bringing some bags inside with him.
The snow is getting in the aircraft. It is so cold inside and outside, it’s awful.
-Yeah, yeah, we are taking care of it. The other truck slide off into another aircraft. So they are transferring everything into another truck to bring it all the way here as soon as they can. Don’t worry!
-Max, shakes is head, showing him he understand and leave.
David arrives beside him.
-Good lord! Not another problem, screams Max anxious.
He jumps up and down to warm up himself.
-I am afraid so, Max. The sound system is not working in my section.
-Listen, try to catch the guy up stairs, I saw him going up a few minutes ago and tell him to fix it right away Hey!, tell the pilots to put some heat or else we are all getting off to go to the terminal. Good Lord! It is way too cold.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
A red light flashes at the same time.
I would never be able to get this aircraft going, good Lord!, says Max. We have to have strong nerves for this kind of work.
At the same time, the ground agent comes back to get the permission to board the aircraft with the passengers.
-Wait!, a moment. It’s the big chief calling me. Yes, captain, answers Max, picking up the handset and signalling at the ground agent not to leave.
-Max, delay the boarding for another fifteen minutes, We have a radar problem O.K. I will give you more information later.
-I wanted to know...start saying Max but the captain already hang up. We have to wait fifteen minutes tell Max to the ground agent. We have radar problems.
-Very well, answers the agent, I will miss Christmas again, I feel it, I am going to arrive after midnight of course and my wife is going to punish me for the rest of the night.
Louise arrives up front.
-Listen, Max, she says seriously. I look at the wings of the aircraft and they are full of ice now.
Max looks at her and crosses his arms, smiling. It’s not my department, you have to go to the complaints department, anyway, at this time mine is full.
Louise turns around and rushes to go upstairs.
-Wait, says Max. It won’t be necessary. W have to delay the flight for fifteen minutes so we are definitely going to de-ice the aircraft. Thank you for checking it. We can not take anything lightly.
-Very well, Max. I am going to up to get myself a nice cup of coffee and to try to warm up. I am freezing. Sir, would you like one, ask Louise to the ground agent.
-Certainly, I take it black.
-Excellent idea, Louise, says Max. Put a little bit of sugar that’s all. Maybe it will warm me up too. It’s cruel to let us in this undercarriage completely cold.
Max looks at the passengers list and calls Xénia.
Is the catering finish?, he asks
-Still three to five minutes, signals Xénia.
-Well, anyway, we have radar problems, don’t worry.
-Perfect.
Louise comes back with the coffees. Max takes a good sip of it before making his P.A.
“David, can you make me a thumbs up if the video is working now in your section.”
David gives him a thumbs up.
“Good”, he says.
He calls back the captain.
-Captain, can we start the boarding of the passengers who needs assistance?
-Yes, Max, everything should be in order in a few minutes.
He takes a another sip of coffee and takes the P.A.
-Flight attendant to your door, please.
Lolitta is going to her door in a hurry and trip on the mechanic tools box.
-Aye! Aye!, she screams in pain.
David tries to hold her by the arms but she falls on the ground holding her ankle.
-I’m sorry, explains the mechanic trying to lift her off the floor.
-Are you alright?, ask David worry.
Lolitta is in pain but she tries to get up anyway.
-Si, si, David, I am fine. You did not see me fall, alright.
-Are you sure Lolitta? Don’t forget you are to be on your feet for twelve hours in your high heel shoes.
He looks at her ankle.
-He is right, you know miss, says the mechanic feeling guilty.
-It will be fine. Let me be.
-We have to replace you, Lolitta.
-Forget it! Carramba! I am not made in paper. I will be fine.
David doesn’t let her go and examines her ankle.
A passenger and his wife are passing by without being careful.
-Hey!, slow down, sapristi!, says David. We are all going to arrive at the same time.
-David, beseeches Lolitta. I can not miss a flight. You know very well that I have to take care of my family. So let me go.
David says no with his head and raises his two arms.
-Miss, says the mechanic. He is right, your ankle looks swallow.
-Listen sir, please pick up your tool box before someone else hurt themselves and let me do my job.
-Excuse me sir, can you help me, ask a passenger to David.
Lolitta takes the opportunity to leave immediately to the back walking slowly. The mechanic looks at David and raises his shoulder not being able to do better.
The passengers continue to board like real nerves. Everyone is pushing everyone. The passengers are complaining to be seated next to the washroom, others complaint because they are not seated together. The children are crying and no one is stowing their luggage properly.
The wind is blowing really hard. Louise is completely frozen. The passage that joins the terminal to the aircraft is not even heated. With her little shoes, without her jacket, she is welcoming the passengers courageously.
“Ah!”, she says to herself taking the boarding cards. “Do I ever wish I was in Kuwait right now, in the sun.”
A little bit later, Louise is still there, trembling of cold, waiting for the late passenger.
-Miss, says the ground agent, It’s finish.
But Louise doesn’t listen to him
-Miss, the boarding is over.
-Ah! Ah!, thank you sir and merry Christmas!
-Merry Christmas to you too.
-Thank you, good bye!, says the agent helping her close the heavy door.
A few moments after, we can hear the announcement of Max on the P.A.
“Prepare doors for departure and cross check.”
Max waits a few seconds before making a conference call.
1 L, 1 R, 2L, 2 R ....5R, 5R, answer please.
-Max, says Victor, we have a problem. The door most be frozen we can not bring down the handle. It doesn’t move at all.
-Good Lord!, not tonight, I’m coming. Wait everyone.
Max arrives at the back of the aircraft fallowed by the engineer who heard the call.
-O.K., says the engineer after examining the door. We have a slice problem. We have to fix it before we go.
He checks the handle one more time and finally announces that they are going to have to open the door from the outside to make sure nothing is blocking the mechanism of the handle that arm and disarm the door.
-Call the captain, Max, and ask him to send a mechanic at door 5R from the outside.
-Alright. I call him. Victor call us back as soon as the problem is fix, ask Max. I’m going to return to the front, I will start the emergency briefing of the aircraft.
We can see a few men trying to open the door and trying to close it back and forth to make sure it’s working perfectly. The engineer arm and disarm the door a few times and confirms that everything is back to normal.
-It’s fix, captain, we can leave now, informs George by conference call.
-Take your time George, we just lost our slot time for de-icing. There are now 10 aircraft in front of us. Did everyone heard that?, ask the captain.
-Yes sir, answers Max. Do you want to do a welcoming message to the passengers and to tell them what is going on captain.
-Yes, that is a good idea, Max.
-I prefer to be inside than outside, says Chanel to Max who is sitting next to her. Isn’t it awful! Those de-icing men only works when it’s absolutely disgusting outside.
They both look out the window. A little further they can see some workers de-icing a 767 of American Airlines.
-Can you imagine doing this kind of work?, ask Max to Chanel.
-You would pay me a fortune to do this and I wouldn’t accept it.
-Can you imagine being at the top of this ladder, tonight?, ask Chanel.
-Oh! Stop it. I’m cold just by looking at them. Brrr! They are starting to have cabin with automatic devise so the guys don’t have to go outside anymore but you know...budget...it’s going to take years before they all get a nice warm cabin to do their job.
After waiting thirty minutes on the ground for de-icing, and another fifteen minutes before being able to take off, the pilots tonight have to do a lot of manoeuvres to lighten up the ride to have as less turbulence as possible before reaching their cruising altitude.
Max, without hesitation, make sure to advise the passengers to fasten their seat belt. The plane balances in all the directions. The passengers are scared.
-Here, hold my hand, says a passenger to his wife trembling. Don’t worry, he says to comfort her a little.
-Yes, but it’s my first time, is it going to last for ever?, she ask very afraid.
-It all depend, sweetie, answers the man getting close to her.
Ding! Ding!
After thirty minutes of turbulence, the bell is finally ringing, announcing the crazy race up in the air. A lot of passengers are already asleep. Others too nervous to calm themselves are looking every where to make sure the aircraft is in good condition to take them to their final destination. As to the more experience passengers, they are already have their nose bend on a good book, trying to empty the space around them.
The crew as a lot to do tonight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the seat belt sign as just been turn off, however,....
-There you see, explains Arlene to an old man, everything is back to normal. We have very good pilots, believe in them. The Canadian pilots are the best in the world. They don’t take any risk. They are very professional, if they weren’t ...I wouldn’t be on this aeroplane you know, she says standing up to go in the galley.
-You must be right pretty face, he says.
-Yes of course, I’m not just a pretty face but I’m also intelligent, says Arlene laughing.
She pushes the curtains but Xénia gets out at the same time and pushes her.
-Come on! Xénia!, she says out loud, breath by your nostril, it’s not good to kill your self at work.
-I don’t have time to explain, look for yourself and you will see why.
She walks rapidly to the front of the aircraft and arrives at Max’s jumpseat.
-Max!, I just open the canister and all the bottles were not changed. There is nothing left to offer to the passengers, shit! It’s Christmas Eve.!
-Listen, calm down. We are going to get by with what we have and I will mention it on my report. There is nothing we can do Xénia. Do the blankets, the head sets and go immediately with the meal trolley. Cancel the bar and the liquor service. Go tell them and come back to do the duty free with me. It won’t stop them from serving drinks to those who wants some but we don’t have enough that’s all and when it’s finish, it’s finish. There is nothing else we can do about it. They don’t want us to open the bars on the group well that’s what happen.
Xenia leaves right away. Max prepares the boutique and goes to the first row to take the order.
-Duty-free, boutique hors-taxe , he says looking at the passengers sitting in first row.
-Hey! Do you sell cigarettes?, asks the man a little bit aggressive.
-Yes sir, answers Max politely. What kind would you like?
-The one that we can smoke on board, idiot! We can no longer smoke on your god dam aeroplanes, so why do you both selling cigarettes to the passengers?
Max stays calm and tries to be courteous.
-You know sir, you are totally right, however it’s a service we offer to the passengers for their vacation.
The passenger raises his ton of voice.
- What an airline!
-Listen sir, my name is Max Muller. Here is a card
to write your complaints. Fill it up and I will give it to my superior because like you, I think it’s quite stupid to sell cigarettes on board an air plane. I don’t smoke, I hope you do too, he says looking at the man, knowing dam well he is a smoker.
-Give me your pen, asks the passenger.
-Here you go sir, says Max still very polite.
Xénia arrives to the front to help Max to push his trolley, getting him out of this endless situation.
-Monsieur, ask a French woman in her late fifties, do you have a Tina Maria?
-Yes madam, we have some, a moment please, answer Max.
He bends down to look for the bottle and at the same time she pinches his ass, laughing.
Xénia couldn’t believe it. Max completely shock and revulsive looks at Xénia who saw everything, looking for a bit of comfort. Xénia smiles and raises her shoulders.
-Ah, ah, ah, you like that, hen!, asks the woman raising her voice so everyone could hear her. You would of prefer my husband to do it! You are not lucky he went to the washroom. Ah, ah, ah!
Max tries to keep himself together and tries to put the bottle in the bag without any comments on her behaviour.
-It’s twelve dollars, madam, asks Max not adding a word.
-Ah! You know, I think I change my mind. It’s more expensive than Mexico your boutique. Ah! Forget about all this.
Max is discourage. Tiffany passes in the aisle to give a milk bottle to a mother sitting with her infant. Max grabs her and whispers in her ears.
-Take my place darling, I don’t need passengers like this. I had enough problem for tonight.
Max returns to his jumpseat and sits for a few minutes.
-Duty-free, boutique hors-taxe, announces Tiffany to the next passenger.
Tiffany looks at Xénia who is facing her and signals her to look at the man. He is corpulent and his front head is pearling of sweat and he is quite grey looking.
-Mademoiselle....ask the man with a low voice. Could you...bring me...
He is having difficulty talking. He is very pale.
-A ...glass...of water....
The man doesn’t look good at all. He holds Tiffany’s arm tightly. His hands are moist.
-Xénia, orders Tiffany. Bring me the oxygen bottle.
She brings down the seat of the passenger without hesitation. Danyele arrives in front to get a blanket.
-Bring me a cold compress!, orders Tiffany to her.
She looks at the passengers once more.
-Breath in sir, she asks calmly. That’s it. It’s going to be fine. Good, that’s very good. Continue breathing slowly, hum! Hum!, slowly, she says talking his pulse at the same time.
Xéna arrives with the bottle and prepares the mask. She opens the bottle in the maximal position. Tiffany continues comforting the man.
-It’s normal you know, people have so many things to do during Christmas time, and they all do it at the last minute and you have on top of it to prepare for your trip, so many things to do that you forgot to breath. And I am sure they made you run all the way here to get on board.
The man starts laughing with some difficulties. Xénia puts on the mask on his mouth.
-It’s gone make you feel good. You will see. Everything will be better in a few minutes.
Tiffany takes his pulse ounce more and looks at he watch to see at what time they started the administration of oxygen.
Danyele arrives with the cold towel. She puts it in the man’s neck.
-Does it make you feel good?, ask Tiffany sure of herself.
The man shakes his head affirmatively.
Relieved Tiffany tells the other to continue the boutique.
Ding! Ding!
Max answer. Victor announces him that they are ready to start the service in the back.
-Very well, start, the service, answers Max.
-Danyele, you can leave. We are starting the meals.
Tiffany stay with the passenger, I’m going to take your position. Xénia go to the rear of the aircraft, orders Max entering the galley.
He takes two trays right away, and goes back to that first row with it.
-Would you like pasta or beef?, asks Max to the passengers.
-I ask, I specify to my travel agent that I wanted a vegetarian meal!
-Yes mister, you are right. I should of been more attentive to your needs and check the special list before going with the trays like this. My apology. We have your meal. I will be back. Would you like beef or pasta?, he asks to the woman sitting on the right before going back to the galley
-I will take the pasta sir, she says smiling to him. You seem to have a very hard work, remarks the old lady. I’m looking at you since the beginning and I found you extremely patient young man.
-Thank-you! Madame, it’s a pleasure to hear something positive tonight.
He bends down to ask the man sitting at the window what he would like to have but he sees Josey getting out of the galley.
-Josey, he screams. The veggies? Where are they? I need two.
Josey looks at him discourage.
-Gee! They are in the back.
-You should of got them before we start the service, he says raising his voice.
-I’m sorry Max, I forgot, she says. It’s a human error. She is quite upset that he had dare scold her in front of the passengers like that.
He continues.
-Yes but you should of verify the count of your meal before, he says furiously.
-Calm down, Max, says Josey furious too.
-Sir, you have beef in your hands. We are going to take the beef, says the passenger sitting on the other side of the aisle. I’m not difficult, my wife either, he adds looking at those fussy passengers who were waiting for their special meals.
-What are they going to do when they arrive in Acapulco, those people?, ask the passenger to Max. They are going to starve to death!
Max goes back to the galley to get more trays. He stops to have a look at the man under oxygen.
-You seem to be feeling a little more better now, he says to encourage the passenger putting his hand on his shoulders.
-I think I’m going to lower the level of P.S.I., informs Tiffany to Max.
-Very well.
-Listen, says Tiffany with a soft voice to the man. We are going to leave you on oxygen still but we are going to lower the debit of litre per minute before we remove you everything.
Max help her change the position of the tube to plug it in the two litres outlet.
-Is everything ok still? Ask Tiffany gentle putting back the mask. You don’t feel any difficulties breathing like this.
The man moves his head negatively.
So, every thing is for the best, she says all smiling.
-Very well, confirms Max. You seem to have made some progress.
-I’m going to give a hand to my colleagues, explains Tiffany and I will be back from time to time.
-Don’t worry, says the passenger next to him, I’ll have en eye on him.
In the back of the aircraft, an handicap passenger is ringing the bell non stop. Lorenzo in a rush to serve the other passengers arrives a bit stress by all this.
-Yes, sir, you call me, says Lorenzo standing there with two trays in his hands.
-Can you bring me an empty glass please, asks the man.
-I’m coming with you meals. Give me three minutes. I can not serve everyone at the same time. I have another row to serve before yours, explains Lorenzo politely.
-Sir, insist the passenger grabbing him by the arms so Lorenzo can bend down a little. Sir, he whisper in his ears. I have to urinate!
-Yes sir, answers Lorenzo not understanding really what he was saying.
-The washroom are just there, he explains showing him with his chin the way to the washroom.
Lorenzo goes up without wasting any second to serve the other passengers who are disparately wanting their meals. He puts them on their table and suddenly realizes that the passenger who talk to him earlier is handicap.
-Mister, says Lorenzo coming back to his seats.
He takes the time to go on his knees to talk to him closely.
-I’m sincerely sorry, he says almost whispering. I should of been more attentive to your needs, precise Lorenzo a bit embarrass.
Without loosing any time, he stands up and lifts the man from his seat and brings him to the washroom and waits patiently to bring him back.
While on the other side of the aisle, a woman just fall down in front of Lolitta’s trolley.
-Carramba!, she screams.
Victor arrives at the same time with his trays. He puts them rapidly on a table without asking the passengers what they wanted and gets on the phone right away to contact Max.
Ding! Dong!
Victor calls Max but he doesn’t answer. Victor hangs up and take the phone to make a P.A.
-Your attention please. We need a doctor right away, please identify yourself to a flight attendant. Votre attention S.P.V....
He hangs up and rushes to take the oxygen bottle. The passenger is in convulsions. Lolitta is beside her and tries to put as many blankets around her as possible and covers the lady with one.
Max arrives to the back all excited.
-Max, says Victor, Where were you ? I think she is doing an epileptic crises.
-I think in fact...it’s really an epileptic crisis, he says looking at the woman again.
Chanel arrives in the section to give them a hand. A passenger sitting next to the window waves at her.
-Miss! Miss! I’m a doctor!
Chanel looks at him.
-Very well, if you are a doctor, I don’t mind to be your nurse, she answers smiling at him.
-He tries to get out of the row.
-It’s a pleasure to help you, he says fallowing her to the back.
-Come, hurry! Oh!, you have your identification card with you, I presume, she asks.
-Yes, of course. I work at the Jewish Hospital.
-Good.
Arlene enters the galley. Xéna is preparing the coffee pots.
-So, everything is for the best, she said smiling.
David enters the galley at his turn.
-I don’t believe it, says Xénia. Did you see that?
-Yes, answers Arlene mad too.
-It’s always the same one who are lucky. It’s always the blondes who gets everything on earth!
-Excuse-me, says Arlene, I’m blond too if you didn’t remark it. Hum! And chances like this one to fall on a gorgeous looking doctor is only happening to Chanel. It’s the second time that a doctor grabs her. She doesn’t have enough with one she needs to have two! She could think of us.
-But, I was just there and it’s to her he presented himself not me, says Xénia jealous.
David listens to them and takes three casseroles from the oven and closes the door.
-I need some for the front.
He looks at Xénia and puts his three casseroles on the counter and takes her by the waist.
-Xenia, he says looking at her right in the eyes. Let me just remind you that we are in the air and not on the ground and that second of all you are as good looking as anyone on this flight and you too Arlene. Each person as their personality and it’s charm. The outside, the skin doesn’t matter.
-No, but you think the passengers have time to analyse our interior, says Xénia trying to get away from him.
Arlene starts laughing.
-No, David, she says trying to get away still but David his holding her close to him, You didn’t understand, explains Xénia. When the exterior is nice and cover with blond hair, it’s all they want to know about but when you are you have the skin I have, precises Xenia, well....
-And what?, says David getting her closer to him.
-Well... it seems they have done it in purpose to work with me so I look more black.
-Xénia you are exaggerating!
David keeps her under his hold and Arlene closes the curtains and puts her tray on the counter.
-Xénia! Says Arlene stunt by her comment. We choose this position Chanel and I because we knew that it was the purser’s position and that you will be senior to us so all we had to do was to fallow your directive. We were so afraid at the beginning when we started...you wouldn’t believe. So, you see how you wrongly judged us and anyway, we love to work with you. You are very efficient and very professional. You don’t loose your time.
David finally levels her and takes his casseroles back.
-Well, let’s go back to Chanel girls. She attracts doctor, I guess? What happen with the other one? Is it already over?
-Listen David, says Xénia. I don’t have the slightest idea but I’m sure she has everything she desire...
Arlene puts some sugar pack on her tray.
-Ah! Xénia! You only see one side of the medal. Let me tell you my dear one, when you pass your entire time meeting men who only want you for your nice eyes, your nice blond hair and your nice ass, you always end up alone because respect in all of this doesn’t exist, they don’t give a damn about it and we have to live with the reality. To each it’s own problem my dear.
-Ah! I completely agree with you, and I must say that you and Chanel don’t have a bird brain, but you still two blonds and there is nothing I can do with that. I am jealous!
-Ah!, says David laughing I have to go. It’s terrible to talk about this when someone is almost dying.
-You are right David, it’s terrible. It must be because of the holidays...Its depressing.
-It’s true, agrees Xénia. What were we thinking? I think the air on this air plane is affecting our brain.
-I think so. The air is unhealthy, adds Arlene.
-We are getting egocentrics just like the passengers, says David leaving the galley but he comes back two seconds after and closes the curtains behind him.
-I would like to inform you that the passenger having an epileptic seizure is blond. I don’t think she is as lucky as you two. Bye!, see you later.
Xéna looks at Arlene.
-Ah!, she says. I think I prefer serving the passengers instead of trying to think tonight. I feel like a total idiot! I need some fresh air!
-You are right Xénia. Let’s go out on the balcony to take some fresh air, says Arlene laughing.
In the back of the aircraft, the woman is still in an epileptic fit. Lolitta, the doctor and Chanel are there to insure that she doesn’t hurt herself and she doesn’t swallow her tongue. Max gives a hand with the service in the back.
-Hey sir, calls a passenger talking to Victor who is coming to see how is she.
-Hey! Give me her plate, he asks to Victors pointing to him the poor lady’s plate. I’m still hungry.
Victor looks at him completely stunt by his comment. He can’t believe it. Really tonight is a night mare of a flight, and the passengers are absolutely absurd. Victor stays there with his mouth open.
-That’s enough mister!, exclaims Max who heard him. Another stupidity like this and the Mexican police will arrest you when you get off this plane. We have seen it all tonight but this is inhuman! Did you hear me sir? A woman is almost dying there at your feet and all you think is your ridiculous you and your stupid stomach! Well have a bit of respect or next time stay home!
Max returns and looks at the others next to the woman having a seizure and decides not to say anything else and enters the galley closing the curtains behind him rapidly.
-Hey Lorenzo, exclaims Max. They are crazy tonight I’m telling you. Can you believe that the man sitting next to the sick woman wanted her plate. Shit! I just can’t believe it. Good Lord! How can you keep your senses when a situation like this occur, Good Lord!, he repeats banging his fist on the counter.
-It’s awful, what you are telling me. It can’t be true.
-Yes, like ah! I rather not say another word.
-Come on Max!, take over yourself, says Lorenzo. We need you an your good spirit. No one is allowed to be moody tonight no matter what because we are all going to be like this.
-Yes you can talk Lorenzo but you weren’t there, explains Victor coming in. I think I was going to hit this bastards selfish pig! What an imbecile bastards!
-Listen we are going to calm ourselves down for a minute, have a nice coffee before we explode and they can wait with their trays the bloody passengers, I don’t care anymore just like them!
-It must be the Holidays, says Lorenzo, that get people to behave like this and to be aggressive. They don’t even realises what they are saying or doing. Everyone live different emotions during these times and we have to let it happen, without getting involve that’s all. Courage my friends courage! Let’s drink to that! , he says giving them a small cup of coffee.
Ding! DING! DING!!!
Max pulls the curtains to look. The bells is ringing with a red light. He hurries up to answer the captain’s call.
-Max, he says furiously. I’m waiting for the report regarding this lady and on top of it we are waiting for our meals.
-I’m coming, answers Max hanging up right away.
He goes to see the lady and to ask about the situation -Ah!, he exclaims I see you are getting better.
The woman wave with her head.
-It s the night for miracles. It’s marvellous.
-I think she will be fine, explains the doctor. We are going to stay at her side for a while just in case, says Lolitta.
Max returns to the front of the cabin and goes up stairs to see why the pilots didn’t receive their meals. He arrives in the upper decks but cannot see Youssef. The passengers are sitting with their trays still in front of them and didn’t get any teas or coffees yet. One woman sees him and signals Max to get closer to her.
-It’s been a while he is in the washroom, explains the lady showing him the door. He didn’t look good your flight attendant.
Max knocks at the door.
-Youssef, what are you doing?
Max knocks again.
-Are you all right?, he asks impatiently.
He decides to open the door to check on him. Youssef is on his knees vomiting like a sick dog.
-Good Lord! Youssef. What did you eat? Did you have a passenger meal or one of the crew members, questions Max worry.
Youssef is very sick. Max waits for him to answers. Youssef pulls down the flush and dries up his face with a cold towel that Max is giving him. He turns around looking very pale and tries to get up to answer Max but right away he goes down on his knees to vomit again. Max leaves him alone and gets out of the washroom.
He enters the cockpit.
-Listen up, tonight is not going well. The lady with an epileptic seizure is al right, the man who took some oxygen is getting better. Your meals...
But who came to bring your meals!, he asks furiously. Max at first didn’t see that the pilots were eating.
-Josey, answers Mike. She just did.
-Stop eating immediately, orders Max. Youssef is extremely sick. That’s why he didn’t come to see you. Give me back your meal, orders Max right away. We will bring you other meals when we know for sure what Youssef ate. Well you didn’t touch your casserole, so it should be fine, I presume. Good Lord! Max rises his voice. He had enough for tonight.
-You could of come in the cabin to see what was going on or phone to find out about Youssef. You know we have to check on you every fifteen minutes. Good Lord!, he exclaims very furious. If we don’t come to see you I think it’s pretty obvious there is something wrong, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out this one! We have to take care of you Good Lord!, he swears again leaving with their trays.
He puts them on the counter and returns to see how is Youssef doing. He opens the door and sees that Youssef has his head down facing the toilet bowl. He closes the door and right away decides to call someone to come and give him a hand up here. At the same time the phone rings.
-Max it’s Danyele. I went to the back to give them a hand and I saw Lolitta in tears in the washroom.
Ah! Not another sick flight attendant.
-She is not sick. She hurt herself on the tool box of the mechanic on the ground she though that the pain will go away but it’s not the case, her ankle is
very swallow.
-Give her some ice, orders Max and take her place. No, wait! go see the doctor and ask him to have a look at her.
-O.k. Max, says Danyele hanging up.
She opens the washroom door and helps Lolitta to get to her jump seat. She takes the purser kit and places it under her leg to elevate it. Lolitta is very embarrass because all the passengers are looking at her.
-Don’t move, demands Danyele. I’m coming back. I’m going to take your place. Don’t worry.
Lolitta looks at her and moves her head. Danyele goes in the galley in the back.
-Chanel, says Danyele go see your handsome doctor and ask him if he could come and see Lolitta. I’m going to take the first aid kit and bring her some ice. I think she is going to need a bandage.
-It’s not true! I’m going right away.
The plane is going through a light turbulence zone. Everything is moving from one side to another but the service is continuing.
In the first galley.
The girls are putting everything away.
-Well, our passenger is doing a lot better, announces Tiffany while placing some trays in the trolley. Now we can eat, finally.
-No! Darling come with me, says Josey to her without giving her the time to rest a little. We need to finish the duty-free. Max has to stay up stairs. Youssef is sick. Danyele is replacing Lolitta in the back, she hurt herself. Xénia needs to take care of the epileptic woman. It’s really a beautiful Christmas eve, don’t you think?
-Josey don’t start saying things like this. We are not in Acapulco yet, the return flight is going to be more tragic than this one. Trust me, if Youssef and Lolitta are out of service wait to see the return my darling!
Ding! Ding!!
The seat belt sign is on.
We can hear Xénia making the announcement to the passengers to return to their seat and fasten their seat belt and informs the flight attendants to stop their service. The plane is rocking in all directions. The girls are having a hard time to return to their seat themselves. Big shakes of turbulence are balancing the plane like a pendulum. The passengers are holding on to their armrest. A big lightening is illuminating the entire back cabin. The passengers scream horrify by this. They really thought for a second they could of been hit by it but it went by just beside them.
The passengers are completely thrown very hard to the left and than to the right. You can read on their faces their freight. A man stands up to go to the washroom.
-Is he crazy or what this one?, comments Chanel to Xénia.
Xénia doesn’t hesitate to take the P.A. to remind him to stay seated but the man doesn’t listen to her and continue walking in the aisle to go to the washroom. But when he gets almost there, he is suddenly propel in the air to fall down abruptly on the floor. The plane just went through an air pocket and just in few seconds the plane had lost 10,000 feet of altitude. Chanel unfasten her seat belt to run to his rescue.
-No! but you did not understand at all, says Xénia looking at her furiously. Fasten your seat belt Chanel. It’s your life before his. We told him, the sign is on and we remind him in French and in English now there is nothing you can do. If he wants to risk his life well too bad, but don’t risk yours for an idiot like him. That will teach him, comments Xénia happy to see him on his ass. But for whom he takes he is this imbecile! Really! The captain light up the seat belt sign just for fun. Really!, she says enrage. She changes her voice and continues. “ Yes, but I have to go to the washroom” Imbecile! They are nuts! What are they waiting for... to fall, well here you go bastards, this one fell well let him stay there now. I have no pity for people like him. How many times do we have to repeat it? They look at us like we were some crazy bitches when we tell them to go sit down.
-You are right, Xénia. How many times we told them not to use the washroom when the seat belt sign is on but they don’t understand. We should show them the movies we see during our training maybe that will teach them something
-Yes but it will scared them too much and we will have no more passengers.
-Indeed, but on the other side they will perhaps know about the reality, of the exact numbers of catastrophes that goes on every years. We are hiding them the truth you know. Even us, we are not aware of all the incidents and accidents that are happening in the aviation world. Perhaps we wouldn’t be flying either or we could apply the rule a little more strictly, It’s our life that depends on it, you know.
-I know, says Xénia but what do you want us to do. We are the more concern people and unfortunately no one is consulting us when it’s time to take a decision no matter if it’s for security or again regarding a simple descent meal. Did you ever see a flight attendant at one of those executive meeting. We could at lease be represented and have the right to give our opinions or again to give them suggestion.
-We could at least tell them that the passengers don’t like what we are serving.
-Yes we could change...
While the girls are dreaming on ameliorating the company, the pilots are very busy trying to find a better cruising altitude that is a lot more calm than this one but unfortunately, they are right in the middle of thunder storms.
In the cockpit, Mike asks the air traffic controller of the city of Mexico to go up to 40,000 feet. The captain is changing their position. The engineer is calculating new numbers but the plane is still being knock abruptly. There is nothing to do. The wings of the aircraft are bending and bending again and again by the power of the winds.
Suddenly, without any warning, the plane finds itself in a total darkness. No body is talking. No light is illuminating the first floor, no light in the upper deck but the scariest part is that there is no lights either in the cockpit. Nothing.
Max is petrified. He doesn’t know what is going on, he never in his entire career of flight attendant live something like this. No one had ever mention to him a situation like this one. The plane is throwing all the passengers down and up and left to right. After a few seconds, Max takes the flash light behind Youssef’s’ jump seat and stands up to go to the cockpit and to tell the captain about the situation, not knowing it was the same inside the cockpit.
He holds on to the ramp and tries to walk as best as he can to get to the flight deck. He tries to hold himself but the turbulence is very severe and with one hand he holds his flash light and with the other he tries to open the door of the flight deck but he looses his balance and falls on the floor. He tries again to open the door while he is on the floor than when it’s open he finally stands up to get in but to his biggest nightmare, he realises that the cockpit is completely dark too. The pilots are still in shock and aren’t talking either. The plane is going through terrible movement of turbulence and Max has just the time to sit down in the observer seat.
-George!, orders the captain finally to brake the silence. Verify if the stand-by artificial arisen works.
-Affirmative.
-Mike, lets do our black out check list, orders the captain and Max take a second flash light and light us up will you.
A few seconds goes by and right away the plane is back to normal or looks like it. Max returns to the cabin to see if the situation is fine there too.
-Everything is ok in the back captain, informs Max nervously. What happen?
-Not now, grumbles George busy to put everything to normal.
-Go around the aeroplane and check it well, orders the captain we could have a ball of fire going through the aircraft or...lightening...
Very well, answers Max all ready on his way still in shock.
He goes down the stairs rapidly.
-Josey, he orders, go up stairs and stay there. Have an eye on Youssef.
-Calm down Max, calm down, says Josey frustrated that he always talk to her like this.
She goes up with a lot of difficulties. The turbulence is still shaking the plane tremendously.
-How are you doing?, he ask Tiffany next to the man under the oxygen.
-Fine, she answers. We lost ...
-Yes I know, he says walking rapidly in the cabin observing for any signs of aircraft failure or punctures in the fuselage of the aircraft.
He holds on to the passengers seats trying to get around the aircraft without hurting himself. At the same time, he smiles at the passengers to reassure them a little but terrible jolts are moving them off their seat and you can see the lightening outside almost hitting the aircraft each time. The passengers are traumatise as well as the crew members. The storm is pretty bad out there and when you are in the middle of it at 40,000 feet high, this sensational fire crackers from God is moving you with a tremendous force of hope to stay alive.
-This is your captain speaking. Ladies and gentlemen, we are expecting to have some turbulence for at least a good fifteen minutes more. We are trying with the air traffic controllers to get a better position and to get out of this thunder storm but unfortunately we are in the best position there is at this moment. Try to stay in your seat and avoid circulating in the plane at this moment.
Arriving at 5 L, Max calls the captain right away to give him the information about the cabin.
-Everything is fine captain, I don’t see anything abnormal, sir.
-Very well.
Max goes back to the front and communicates with the rest of his crew to give them and up date.
Ten minutes later.
Ding! Ding!
A red light is illuminating.
-It’s George, we are going to keep the seat belt sign on for the rest of the flight we are going down in a few minutes from now.
-Very well, answers Max. You heard him people. I hope your galleys are all secure and everything is pick up.
For another good twenty minutes, the pilots are trying at the same time that they are going down, to avoid getting hit by lightening. A lot of passengers are being sick and are vomiting every where. The turbulence is very strong. You really have to hold on to the armrest of your seat and pray it will get better soon.
Youssef is sitting in the last row of the upper-deck vomiting still. He doesn’t feel good at all and is not well. He might get dehydrated and Josey is very worry about him but she can not do anything for him at this moment.
In the flight deck, the pilots are busy fallowing their check list for the descent. Change altitude, contacting the air traffic controller, wait for them to answer and than proceed to new operations.
-Change again Air Nation, Take fifteen degree south and go down to 13,000 feet .
Copy A. C. A
-Get the flap out, orders the captain.
-Flap out, confirms Mike.
-Get the landing gear out,
-Landing gear out
“10,000 feet, informs the computer of the aircraft.”
10,000 feet confirm.
Seat belt sign on.
Check.
Take a turn to the left Air Nation and position yourself to 10 degree south, orders the air traffic controller.
-Turn to the left, 10 degree, confirms A. C. A., repeats Mike to the captain.
-I’m taking over, announces the captain.
-Go ahead, it’s yours.
“8,000, feet” informs the computer.
-8,000 feet.
“Pull up Pull up!”
“Ding!”
“5,000 feet.”
The pilots are straightening their seat for a better view of the runway all illuminated with blue lights. They go down slowly and putt the aircraft down without a single bouncing. The captain satisfy of his landing, throws into gear the brakes. He pulls on the last flap slowly and brings up the lever in place. The plane slows down lightly and continues rolling straight ahead on the runway. The captain turns the aircraft to the right and rolls again to the terminal building to door nine.
We can hear Max doing his welcoming announcements to the passenger and wishing them Merry Christmas and an Happy New year.
-Flight attendants, prepare doors for arrival and cross check.
Ding! Ding!
The flight attendants confirm the disarming of their doors.
Louise opens her door.
-Ola!, says the ground agent smiling.
-Ola!, says Louise giving her the manifest.
We can hear some musicians playing an air of fiesta inside the terminal.
-Feliz Navidad!, says Louise to the passengers in a hurry to get off.
Fifteen minutes after, almost all the passengers are off the aircraft. Lorenzo is helping the last passenger to get him comfortably seated on his wheel chair with the help of the beautiful ground agent.
-There you go sir. I wish you a good Holiday and some good vacation. Enjoy it. Take good care of him, he says to his wife. He’s a great man your husband.
-Thanks Lorenzo, we can’t wait to see you again on your flight back, says his wife.
-Where is the Unaccompanied minor?, ask Louise on the P.A.
Jade is buttoning up is little vest. She places his back sac on.
-Here he is, says Jade to Louise. Bye, Bye Pierre, have fun with your daddy.
-Yes! Madame Jade. Thank-you! he says jumping on her neck to hug her real good.
-Merry Christmas! Peter, says Jade giving him a big kiss on the cheek.
The rest of the crew goes to the front to rest. Lolitta arrives limping.
-Are there more passengers on board?, asks Louise on the P.A. to make sure everyone is off the aircraft.
-There is nobody left, confirms Victor joining them. Max arrives from the upper deck.
O.K. is everyone here?, he asks. We are going to do a little briefing for the return.
-Listen Max, says Jade. Can we have the briefing inside the airport. We just have a small brake and it’s Christmas. I want to go out and look around.
Jade stands up hoping for him to say yes and looks rapidly at her watch.
-Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!, she wishes to the group. We miss the sound of midnight that’s too bad.
She kisses Youssef when he comes down from up stairs. He is very sick. Everyone looks at him.
-Take care Youssef, says Jade who is going to kiss the others.
Everyone stands up to wishes their best wishes of the Holidays. They kiss themselves.
-Sorry I forgot my bag, says a passengers interrupting the tiny celebration.
-I’m going to get it for you, hurry up to answer Chanel. She goes to the back with the doctor.
-Chanel, he says getting close to her.
He looks at her for a long moment and than kisses her on the cheek. Chanel is stunt.
-Merry Christmas Chanel, he says looking at her.
-Merry Christmas to you too.
She gets close to him to kiss him. He smiles and bends down to take a piece of paper from his pocket.
-Here you go, I wrote you down my phone number. I will be back in Montreal in seven days. Chanel gets up on the seat to take the doctors bag from the upper comportment.
-Here you go, she says to him.
He takes it while holding Chanel’s hand to help her down.
-Listen, I really want to see you.
-I can’t. I’m engage with someone.
He looks at her to see her ring.
-I don’t wear it to work. I wanted to keep it a secret still, she says walking him out the door.
He gets out without saying a word very deceive of her. Chanel looks at him not saying a word either.
-Were you a nurse in your previous life? Ask David to tease her.
-No but don’t worry. Ah and so what!
She bends down to open her purse.
-Look, she says. I’m engage with Patrice.
-Chanel! Congratulations, exclaim all the crew members.
-Thank-you. I want it to keep it a secret for a few days but now....
-You’re quick girl!
-Yes but it’s so beautiful what is happening to me. I was sitting on a stretcher when he ask me in the middle of the ....
The other are listening to her attentively.
-I’m sorry guys to interrupt but I have...
-Wait we are still missing someone, signals Victor. Arlene is not here. I didn’t kiss her to wish her Merry Christmas, he says quite proud of himself but Arlene comes down from the cockpit with Mike behind her. Victor is very sad and everyone looks at him.
-Merry Christmas, says Mike to the crew while getting out the plane to get the flight plan.
-Merry Christmas you guys, says Arlene all happy.
Victor walks toward her no matter what to wish her his best wishes, knowing dam well everyone was watching him to see what he was going to do.
During that time, Lorenzo took advantage of the situation to take Jade by the arm and pull her behind the curtains of the galley.
-Merry Christmas, Jade.
He holds her close to him and looks at her right in the eyes. After a few second, he smiles and bends down to kiss her tenderly on each cheek. He looks at her again and kiss her passionately on the lips. Jade puts her arm around his neck and kisses him back.
But to revenge himself, Victor pulls the curtains to surprised them.
-Here they are the two love birds!, he exclaims to embarrass them at their turn.
-Ah you guys, says Jade going out of the galley furious.
She rages and decides too go out of the aircraft.
-Minute Jade!, orders Max. I’m not finish, I didn’t even start yet!
Jade crosses her arms and waits near the door for Max to start his briefing. Max waits for the captain to come and explain them what really happen on board when they got the electric failure but the captain is still up stair.
“It must be serious” says Max to himself but he doesn’t talk about it to any one.
-Well, Lolitta and Youssef won’t be working the way back. So you two, you stay on board while we go out and make sure no one is stealing our stuff for the flight back.
Tiffany will replace Youssef and David will replace Lolitta. You go now, you have fifteen minutes.
They hurry to go inside the terminal to go smoke a cigarette or to do some window-shopping just to change their mind off for a few minutes before going back to work the other half of this very long day.
Twenty minutes after, time to give to the groomers to clean up the aircraft and to bring up the food from the cargo to the galley ovens, that the passengers are already there to board the plane.
-Mike, ask the flight director when he sees him coming back with the flight plan. You are not going to take a few minutes to explain us what happen earlier.
-The E. P. U. shut down on us. That’s all, he says going up.
“Yes but....” says Max to himself. “I would like to know a lot more about this.”
He phones the captain.
-If it’s urgent go ahead if not we will talk on flight. We need to prepare our flight for the returns, he says hanging up.
At the same time, three guys working on the ground go up to the upper deck walking the stairs two by two.
“Good Lord! I’m going to note this in my report. I don’t like this at all. I never heard about this in my entire life. I still have the chill in my back. The cabin was completely out God Lord!”
At door 2L, Louise welcome the new passengers. Tiredness is showing on her face but even extremely tired she still smile at each and everyone of them.
-Good evening!, she says or should I say good morning!
She examines the boarding card and gives them back to the wife.
-What’s the weather like in Montreal my little woman? Ask the man.
-Sir, if you go out side wearing your shorts I don’t guaranty your battery will function, explains Louise laughing.. I meant...
She tries to excuse herself from saying this funny comments but the woman is laughing.
-Ah! Ah! Ah! You got your answer my big teddy bear. Ah! Ah! Ah!
Louise is laughing too.
-I met the battery of your car sir.
Max looks at her and can’t stop laughing too.
-Ah! It’s serious it’s minus 30 degrees Celsius and with the wind factor it’s almost minus 40 degrees.
-You are not killing me, asks the woman. I can not believe it.
-Oh no madam, it’s true.
-Well come on, says the man. The little one needs to let the others in. Come on, move.
-Merry Christmas, wishes them Max.
A man enters alone presenting his card. He wears a big sombrero on his head.
-Good night. Your seat number is 24 A. You know sir, remarks Louise that you have to remove your sombrero before take off in case it will fly away.
The passenger removes it right away and a few seconds after realises what she just said and starts laughing.
Half an hour later, the boarding is over and we can hear Max doing his welcoming announcement. He finishes his speech asking the crew to arm their doors for departure.
In the flight deck, the captain makes an announcement.
-Ladies and gentlemen, it’s your captain speaking. The air traffic controller just inform me that there is a short-circuit on the runway and all the signalization lights are not functioning at this time like you can see if you look through the windows. We need to wait for a new departure.
Minutes after, the bells ring again.
Ding! Ding!
The red light is flashing at the same time.
-Yes, I just receive another message, explains the captain. We are going to deplane all the passengers off the aircraft. We can be here for a good hour and more so Max please inform the passengers.
“Ladies ands gentlemen the captain inform me that we need to deplane the aircraft. We are going to leave in an hour from now only or more. We are sorry about this inconvenient. Flight attendants disarm doors for and cross check.”
The passengers gets off the aircraft enrage. It’s hell. No one understand that the entire crew can not do any thing about this situation and it’s not their fault either and the company as nothing to do with this delay.
Louise is at the door receiving all the complaints. Max of course is not there. He is hiding.
-Who is going to pick me up at the airport?, ask a passenger enrage.
-Who is going to pay for the long distance I have to do? ask another one.
-What kind of shitty company is this?, says a woman furious.
-If you think I am going to fly with you again, you are wrong, says a passenger pointing at her with his middle finger.
-You are a bunch of incompetent!
-My family is waiting for me at the airport. You don’t have any idea how long it’s going to take? ask a passenger to Louise.
-Hum!, I’m sorry Miss, I have no idea what so ever.
Me too, my family is expecting me for Christmas, you know, it’s out of our power. I’m sorry.
A nice looking man is passing in front of Danyele and looks at her and stops.
-I think I will finally have my Christmas gift after all if it’s you who are serving me tonight.
Danyle smiles at him.
-You are not too demanding, remarks Danyele.
“It’s promising” says Danyele to herself. He is the only one with a head on his shoulder or what! All the others are historical. They are all leaving completely furious.”
The passengers are going out but the man decides to stay near Danyele and watch her. He sits in front of her jump seat and waits patiently for the passengers to get out than he signals her to come and sits next to her.
“Why not” she says to herself. If someone wants to smile at me tonight at the point where we are it will certainly make me feel good.”
-Thank -you for your kindness, I’m Danyele, she says showing her hand.
She sits down.
-Carlos Desivilla.
Danyele smiles.
-You are Mexican and you are going to spend a vacation in Quebec.
-Si, si I’m from Mexico but I leave in France. I’m passing by Mirabel to go to Paris. I’m returning to Paris to celebrate with my mother and my father who leaves with me in Paris. I’m their only son, so you know.
Danyle is completely stunt by this man. He has a perfect skin, he is tall and quite charming.
He takes her hand and looks at her.
-Hum! You are still free like the wind. It’s good.
Danyele looks at him right in the eyes.
-Very observing Carlos.
The rest of the crew is back up front one more time. Mike comes down the stairs and sits.
-One more time! I’m not there for Christmas !, he says quite deceive. I will never get back in time to wake up my kids on the morning of Christmas. For once, it could of work. Now my ex-wife is going to remind me again why she divorce me. There is nothing I can do.
Arlene looks at him but choose not to say a word in this circumstance. Josey arrives from her galley with orange juice mix with Perrier water. She distributes drinks to everyone.
-How many kids do you have?, ask Josey.
-Two, answers Arlene for him and to show Josey she knew more about Mike than she did.
-Yes exactly. I have two wonderful children. Two boys.
-How old are they?
-Jonathan is five and Lucas is six. Since my divorce I never spend Christmas with them not even the night before or Christmas day. She didn’t ask for divorce for nothing.
The captain comes down with the engineer. Mike looks at him.
-Well, I still haven’t receive more information, announces the captain. I only hope we are going to be legal to operate this flight. Max you are in charge to calculate the time, o.k.
He doesn’t wait for and answer and goes up right away. While George decides to drink the juice and to stay to talk a little with the others. David dims the light of the cabin. Victor starts singing a Christmas song and the others hum the tune. They all are nostalgic.
At door 3-L, Danyele is still in the back with Carlos.
-Ah!, he says stopping the conversation. I forgot to wish you Merry Christmas.
He takes her by the hand to help her stand up.
-Merry Christmas, Danyela! Feliz Navidad!
He looks at her right in the eyes and kisses her on both cheek. He looks at her again, take her by the shoulders and kisses her on the lips.
Danyele didn’t expect that at all and actually didn’t mind it either. She is very please of him.
-Eeh! I didn’t kiss you Merry Christmas either Oh! I met Wish you Merry Christmas. Embarrass by what she just said Danyele hurries to sit down without looking at him.
He smiles and gets close to her and sits next to Danyele. He waits. She bends down her head and wonders for a moment than rapidly stands up.
-Merry Christmas Carlos!
He takes her hand so she stays next to him but Danyele let go and walks towards the front
.
-You are so ravishing, he says fallowing her in the aisle.
She stops for a second and turns around to look at him. He touches her face gently with the back of his hand and kisses her once more.
-Carlos you know I’m working.
-Yes I know. I will be very quiet and very obedient now. I will go out and smoke a cigarette. How is this Bonita?
-Yes, that’s perfect. Hasta la vista Carlos!
-Maybe you will have to bring me to your house tonight if I miss my plane for Paris, says Carlos.
-At my place with all the family, my parents, my sister...
-Why not? I will met all the person you love, it’s wonderful.
“I want to see everyone up front,” ask Max on the P.A. “Hurry up, please”.
He signals the same message to the pilots as well.
-Well, everyone is here. We need to take a decision. We pass the time of legality so you decide what you want to do. You have the choice to stay and take the chance to sleep on a bench at the airport or to go with two crew members not working and to go back in a snow storm. One way or another, Christmas is fuck if you want to excuse my expression. So you choose.
-Max is right, says the captain. Don’t look at me. It’s to you to decide. It will be difficult to work the flight back in those conditions I don’t want to hid that but in the other part it’s sure enough that we will not find a place to sleep tonight and again that goes for the passengers too they will, like us, have to sleep at the airport.
-Well let’s vote. Raise your hand those who want to stay?, ask Max looking at them.
-Good Lord! I think it’s pretty clear captain, answers Max observing the result.
-You are quite a crew. It’s one for all and all for one on this crew. Don’t forget to explain the situation to the passengers that it is because of this wonderful crew that they are all going home tonight.
-Very well, sir. However I will have to cut the service to the minimum and allow the crew members to rest for fifteen minutes my captain.
-That’s good Max and courage to you all, he says going up again.
-Oh!, exclaims Jade. I would of love to stay but can you imagine placing all these passengers at the hotel
on Christmas eve well night now. They would of have to stay at the airport, I’m sure of that, she says standing up.
-The adults can always get by but the infants and the elderly that would of been cruel, says Xénia.
-Don’t be shy to come and rest for a few moments in the cockpit, suggests Mike. A good ten minutes away from them sometimes can avoid a lot of dispute. See you later guys, he says going up.
-Good news, says the captain when he sees him. We just receive the confirmation that the runway will be open in fifteen minutes for departure flight. Advise the rest of the crew that we can start the boarding and that a little coffee will do us some good.
-Great idea captain, answers the engineer putting back his head sets on to fallow the directives of the traffic controller and to call Max down stairs.
The flight back is long and very painful. The crew members are completely dead beat. The passengers are asking them drinks constantly. They keep on harassing the entire crew all night long. Some are screaming at them, calling them bitches or dick heads, really they all think that the delay is there fault and they should work like slaves and be call names like animals. There is no respect whatsoever tonight. The crew really win their place in the sky on this night of Christmas.
-We came across hell one more time explains Max to the bus driver who was taking them to the base. We had the stereotype of the perfect ass hole. The most unpleasant passengers in 476 examples. Selfish little bastards, just thinking of themselves, their little comfort their little vital space, their little caprice, and not to forget their bloody attitude of the Holidays. Nothing to catholic really if you know what I mean.
-They are really bizarre, says the chauffeur. Every year, in all the airlines, the flight attendants are stock, facing the horrifying typical traveller of the holiday. They are very villains, he says driving his bus, They forgot their manners and they seem to blame you for all the problems they had all year, isn’t true? It seems that it is suddenly all your fault. One of the flight attendant from another airline receive a punch right on her eye. It’s the same problem on every airline, trust me.
-It’s true, confirms Xénia. The passengers are becoming every year more and more irritable. The sausage is not to their taste it’s the flight attendant fault. The croissant is a little bit dry, it’s the fault of the flight attendant. There is no more ice on board it’s the fault of the flight attendant, there is no more blanket, it’s the flight attendant fault.
-There is turbulence in the air, says the engineer, it’s the pilots fault.
Ah!, exclaims every body at the same time.
-For once, says Mike let us take the blame, he says laughing.
Amen!, says Max.
-Amen!, repeat the others.
-There is no more cognac on board, it’s the flight attendant fault, says Arlene.
-Amen!, sings Lorenzo standing up. We are not even the masters on our own aeroplane....when it’s Christmaaaaassssss....
-There is no more pillow on board, it’s the flight attendant fault, says Danyele.
-Someone as smelly feet on board it’s the flight attendant’s fault, says Louise.
-Amen!
-We are late, it’s the pilots fault, says the captain.
-Amen!, sing everyone. We are not the master on our own aeroplane...when it’s Christmaaaaaasssssss!...
They get out the bus singing. No matter their longs hours of flight, a nightmare of a flight, horrible passengers they still manage to laugh about their problems together.
-Yaou!, it’s over, screams Jade. Merry Christmas everyone!
They hug and kiss each other good bye for a last time than leave to celebrate at home.
-So Danyele!, is Youssef coming ? Ask Louise.
-No come on he is so sick.
-So are we picking up your Mexican good looking muchacho?, ask Louise getting in her sister’s car.
-No, he is taking Air France that leaves in two hours this morning.
-Ah, that’s too bad. Put some heat on Danyele. I’m freezing! Arrrrr!
-Yes, it’s too bad but he got time to take my phone number. He is really handsome and very romantic. Each time, I was passing in the aisle he was smiling at me and was trying to catch my hand to kiss it. At least, he thank-me each time I was bringing him something. The passengers tonight didn’t have any manners. Not even a thank-you or please. Arrrr...It’s so cold, I wonder if the heater is working or not.
-Hum, answers Louise. At least when we were in Kuwait, the passengers were polite. And the worst in all this is we were serving them water or soft drinks, juices, tea but I soon people start to drink that’s it, we are just piece of shit. Really it was terrible tonight.
-You are right. As soon as they start drinking they loose it and have no respect for us. We are human been you know.
-Yes but I don’t think it’s only the booze did you heard a kid say thank-you ?
-No, you are right people have no manners these days and even less during Christmas.
They drive for a long moment in silence after that.
-Are you excited about tomorrow?, ask Danyele.
-Oh yes, I can no longer leave in this cold weather. The heat is at the maximum in the car and I can not warm myself up. So anywhere where I can get some heat it will be perfect Saudi or not I don’t care.
-A little bit of heat!, says Danyele. Ah! think about it Louise. How hot is going to be there. And on top of it we are going to wear a black abbaya. We certainly can not talk about it to dad tonight well this morning. He wouldn’t understand our infatuation for adventure...I think he does it in purpose to always be against us so one more time or one more less it won’t change a thing to my life but for mom we better not talk about it. The most important thing at this moment is to love our job, the rest I don’t care and what my father think about it is irrelevant to me too.
-I know, I know, explains Louise, He always give us a hard time, there is nothing we can do, it’s always like this. And guess what my golden photograph is there tonight with them and he is not in favour about us going to Saudi either. He told me unbelievable stories.
-Well it’s to us to go and see what is really going on in this country. There are women leaving there in this bloody country! So we will find out. We will see when we will be there my little sister. Do you really think your kid Kodak is there. He is really nice to have install you his black room, says Danyele accelerating a little.
-Yes, but don’t fool yourself, he is not crazy you know it’s a good excuse to come to my cottage to develop his pictures.
-So tell me about the other night with your charming prince? Did you do the raclette like you were suppose to do?
-Ah yes, I melted it just like the Swiss do on the charcoal. It was divine!
-In your wooden stove!, says Danyele surprise.
-Yes. He had brought a nice Chateau Neuf du Pape bottle and I had nice raclette cheese, some grison, prosciutto, sausages, little potatoes, some pickles... We really had a nice evening. He is so great! He went around the world, I don’t know how many times so it’s really interesting to be with a man who knows the world the culture the customs... Ah! A cultivated man. Finally, I think I found one.
-He went to Saudi that’s what you told me earlier, she asks parking the car in front of their parents house.
-Yes, she answers getting out the car but don’t say a word, because dad is going to have someone on his side, I’m telling you. He is against it too. Oh! he came, she says all excited to see his jeep. Incredible!
She looks at her sister seriously.
-Apparently he saw some atrocity, it was disgusting. They chop your head there and if you are a woman they make you suffer before and roll you under a big asphalt roller...stuff like that he saw with his very own eyes.
She turns around to take her suitcase.
-Hey wait, ask Danyele. You better not change your mind on this. We are going there together, understand. So don’t let yourself tempted to change your decision by your kid Kodak here.
Louise stops walking and looks at her sister again.
She thinks out loud.
-Imagine the picture I’m going to take there!, she says dreaming. Listen, Danyele you have to live your own experience in life or else it’s not worth living my dear, don’t you think so?
-We have to stick together over there more than ever. I can wait to go but I really don’t know how dangerous it’s going to be really. But let’s go sister! Together we will see Saudi!, she says kissing her on the front head. Merry Christmas! Do you know how lucky we are to do this job! It’s incredible we have a unique occasion and perhaps it will never happen again so let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest. It’s not when we are going to be old and incapable of walking that we will visit the world! No we have to do it when we are young and alive!
-You are right Danyele.
-Hey girls! Hurry up, screams their mother impatient to see them. We waited enough. It’s seven o’clock in the morning. You have two hours late you know girls and we have a very good looking guess. Hurry up! Merry Christmas my sweeties. You are so lucky to have Christmas off at home. I cannot believe it.
-Today, they are lucky but tomorrow Ah!, says their dad on a sour ton of voice. Going to Saudi Arabia, I don’t call this lucky! It’s really running after the bad luck, isn’t it true McCoy. What’s your little name again?
-Liam, sir. Liam McCoy.
-Oh no, daddy you are not going to talk about this again. Let’s celebrate a little, implores Danyele getting red of her coat.
-You have the right to drink a little glass of champagne? Ask Mrs. Tremblay to change the subject.
-Of course, answers Danyele we are leaving only tomorrow night.
-Let me help you Mrs. Tremblay, suggests Liam who had spend all that time kissing Louise.
-You are late? he remarks.
-Well what do you expect, exclaims Mr. Tremblay. There is never a big aircraft like this arriving on time. They are always late the girls, delay after another. It’s not knew son, you better get used to it. Anyway, you should know better, you travel as much as they do.
-Ah daddy, says Danyele discourage. You are not going to start again. Here, why don’t you open your present.
-Oh! Danyele, says her mother all excited for her.
She bends down to whispers in her hears.
-Look under the Christmas tree. Puralator brought this package for you.
Her dad knows dam well what is her mother telling her. So he says.
-It must be from your Muslim, I’m sure of this, he says proud of himself.
-Yes and so what? Anyway dad, you are never happy. I wonder why I kill myself to find you a nice present, says Danyele raising her voice and getting up to get her own gift.
-Come on dad, are you going to open your gift yes or no?, asks Louise because I have some to give too.
He finishes by opening up his gift without adding anything unpleasant.
They stay up until the afternoon. After a good long nap, Mrs. Tremblay was waiting for them again for a wonderful Holiday dinner she cook for her daughters so they can eat all the good stuff from Quebec before leaving for the unknown.
She prepared a nice oyster soup, truffles, foie gras, a succulent tourtiere, a pig stew with an enormous turkey with cranberry jelly, an asparagus covered with cheese and for dessert Mrs Tremblay must have bake a lot of days in advance for sure. She had apple tarts, sugar pie, lemon pie, sucre à la crème, and of course a Christmas log with a raspberry coulis. The girls wouldn’t forget that beautiful feast with their family even though their brother David and Josey weren’t there with them.
Not even 24 hours at home, that the flight attendants are already on their way to the base.
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