AIR NATION # 4 ROMA ITALIA 06-06-2015

                                                           
                      AIR NATION A FREE TICKET AROUND THE WORLD 

                                                           
                                                           CHAPTER 4

                                                        ROMA ITALIA

After a good hour on the road, the crew gets off to a sumptuous hotel in the heart of Rome. The flight attendants wait for their keys sitting on huge green leather chesterfield in the middle of the lobby admiring the decor. Long velvet curtains are hanged at the very long windows facing a beautiful roman garden. There are painting of old warriors and a big staircase plated in gold is surrounded with four humongous bust of soldiers and of course the entire surface is on dark green marble floor.

The captain arrives with the keys.

-O.K., you are off for the rest of what’s left of the day and tomorrow we leave at three o’clock. Now don’t forget to call every four hours in case we change our departure.  Have a good rest and have fun we deserve it, I think. Max, please give out the keys.

-Who would like to come down town with me?, asks Josey taking her key.

-Me, I will come down in four hours, answers Lolitta pulling her suitcase.

-O.K. let’s meet in four hours, nobody else?, asks Josey.

-Sorry, answers Danyele. I have an invitation for dinner tonight.

-Me too, says Chanel.

-I don’t know darling, answers Tiffany looking at Josey. If I’m not there don’t wait for me O.K.

-Alright, says Josey.

A few flight attendants take place in the elevator.

-What are you doing ? Asks Youssef.

Victor bends his head so he doesn’t have to answer.

--Come on!, says Youssef, am I the only one who wants to go out and party, Louise what about you? Asks Youssef a bit sad.

-Sorry my dear, I’m going to bed for four hours and than I’m coming down to have dinner, here.

Tomorrow morning, I’m leaving very early to visit Rome.

-Can I go up to your room and give you a good massage to help you sleep, asks Victor.

Louise looks at him with a grin on her face.

-It’s too bad you don’t know what you are missing says Victor getting off. Bye, see you tomorrow guys.

-Oh! Louise, you have an admirer among us, says Youssef to tease her.

-He is not my style.

-It’s true, I forgot, I saw you last night with your photograph you were pretty busy kissing if I recall.

-Wo!, says David all surprise looking at the others. Louise you forgot to tell us, important details.

-You most be mistaking me, says Louise to Youssef, in a hurry to get out the elevator but Youssef fallows her behind.

-Wo! Wo! I   don’t think so Louise, would you like me to explain what  I  really saw.

-Ah! You are not better than Victor, Youssef. What  I  do is none of your business.

Four hours later, Lolitta is still sleeping. Her clock rings but Lolitta pushes it back, turns around and goes back to sleep while Josey waits for her in the hotel lobby. She looks at her watch and decides to take a coffee at the little bistro while waiting for her some more.

-You are waiting for someone, asks the man sitting in front of her with his strong Italian accent.

-Yes, for a matter of fact,  I  am.

A young waiter arrives.

-Qué piatché? Asks the waiter to the man.

-Oun cappucino por favor.

The waiter turns around to asks Josey.

- I  don’t understand, explains Josey.

The man turns around to help her.

-He is asking you if you want to drink or eat something. Dué cappucino, says the Italian without waiting for Josey to answer. Is it alright, I order you a good cappuccino.

-Yes, thank you.

-Are you American?, asks the man to start the conversation.

-No,  I  am Canadian, answers Josey.

-Ah!  I  have family in Toronto. He is a little late your boyfriend, it’s not nice to make such a beautiful girl like you waiting.

-No, It’s a stewardess that works with me, she must of passed right through.

-Oh, it’s too bad for you.

-It’s alright,  I  am sure  I  will find some boutiques around here somewhere.

-Listen,  I  wouldn’t like to impose on you but  I  have two tickets for Versace fashion show, would you like to be my guess?

-You are not serious or you try to pull my leg!, asks Josey all excited.

-No, look for yourself, says the man showing her the tickets. My co-worker had to go away for the day. We had some problems with our employees in Milan and he had to go right away to solve the problem. So, What do you think? Does it interest you ? Yes or no?

-Versace! You are not serious! It’s very nice of you  but really!

-Come on Let’s go. My name is Pietro and you?

-Josey.  I  am very please to meet you but  I  don’t think my dress is appropriate to go there.

-You are charming and this dress is rapacious.

Later on, Lorenzo tries to get in touch with Jade to  go for a little walk but he can not get a hold of her. Jade is with Louise at the dining room. The maitre D, all smiling welcome them and the waiter hurry up to come and serve those two beautiful ladies.

-Qué piatché?

-The maitre D is there still, observing them. The waiter waits for an answer. Both of the guys are handsome and very muscular too. Jade looks at them completely stunt. Louise gives her a kick under the table.

-We... are going... to take, starts saying Jade finally...

-Veal parmagiane por favor!, answers Louise.

-And some vino, adds Jade.

-Bueno!, answers the waiter looking at both of them. He smiles and after a few minutes, pushes the maitre D with him and returns to the kitchen to give the order.

-Did you see those two guys ?, asks Jade all excited.

-Yes my dear one, but  I  tough you and Lorenzo...

-Ah! You didn’t see him on board Air Alitalia with the stewardess , ah! A real gigolo! It’s my turn to have fun. And you? Is it true what Youssef said about you?

-Ah!  I  am not married with no one and it will be best if I  change my mind than dream about the impossible.

-You are right so which one do you pick? The waiter or the maitre D.

-There are both good looking, answers Louise smiling.

-Yes I think so too, says Jade so let’s do head or tail to see which one we get and let’s have fun in Italy!

-Yes miss, chin!chin! To our lay over in Italy!

-Yes, let’s hope we have a lay, over in Italy, says Jade laughing. 

In an other restaurant, Danyele is having dinner with the passenger who was sitting next to her on board the flight.

-Bella carrissima!, says the man to her taking her hand to give her a kiss. Musicians are playing at their table a romantic song. Danyele is really happy about her nice evening. She feels like she is in a fairy tale. All night long, he never stops telling her compliments and be attentive to every single world she says. After her nice Tête-à-Tête, they return to the hotel by foot, walking in the streets of Rome, hand in hand, they admirer the Roman architecture. It’s such a beautiful night that Danyele will never forget.

When they arrive at the hotel, he kisses her hand once more like a real gentleman and leaves remembering her that he will come and pick her up tomorrow to visit some more sites of this historic city of Rome. Danyele is ravish and can not wait to see him again.

Chanel is partying. She is in the middle of an extravaganza party in one of those numerous Roman palaces.

-Do you want to dance? asks Giovano proud to be in her company. Without waiting for an answer, he pulls her by the hand and brings her to dance with him but as soon as they arrive on the dance floor the music changes rhythm. Without hesitating a second, Giovano brings her close to him and starts singing the words of the song.

After dancing until dawn they returned to the hotel and made passionate love. Giovano is so manly and his Adonis body is to kill for but with all that, he is still romantic and is a very experimented lover. Chanel can not complain and wants to enjoy it til the very last minute but exhausted they finally fall asleep in the arms of each other.

Like usual, Youssef thinks he had found the rare pearl one more time. He arrives bouquet of flowers in hand at Sabrina’s apartment, the flight attendant who was working the flight on board Air AlItalia.

Sabrina let him in without wasting a second, happy to see him, but poor Youssef , he didn’t expect to spend the night with the entire family either, with Sabrina’s mom and his five years old son. Luckily for him, Sabrina’s mother cooking is exquisite and right after dinner, the little man of the house ended up sleeping in his grand-mother’s  arms who fallow not too long after him. So Youssef was able to enjoy precious moments with the sexy Sabrina.

For a change, our dear friends from the cockpit are again at the bar of the hotel having a drink. The three men are sitting talking between them. A very plump woman, with very given breasts is filling their glass of grappa, leaves the bottle in front of them and gets busy putting dirty glasses away.

-Gratzié!, says Mike to the round Lady.

-There is no one on this crew that  I have work before, start saying the captain, beside Xénia and Max. Don’t you find this strange? Asks the captain to the others.

-Yes, answers George. It’s funny that you came up with this,  I  was just thinking about it too.  I  never flown with them either. He takes a good sip of Grappa, puts the glass down and grins.

-Do you think they are the new flight attendants that the company just hire? Asks Mike.

-It doesn’t make sense, says George. The company would never let new comers to start on the same flight.

- I  wouldn’t be surprise, says the captain, even Max made a comment on them the other day but he didn’t have any thing to say regarding their work.

-So let’s suppose they are new, we are not going to loose the opportunity to initiate them, says Mike filling up their glasses.

- I  agree with you Mike, says George, but they have been through hell to tell you the truth, a fire on board, explosions... I  wonder if we should...

-George, it’s not an excuse, says the captain who give him a path on the back to shake him up a little.

The captain fills up their glasses again.

-It’s part of the job, says Mike and the initiation also. We only have to choose a small one, just to say they have been part of the traditional initiation.

-So, what are we going to do?, asks the captain emptying his glass in one shot.

At the same time, Tiffany enters the bar to join them.

-Ah! Marvellous!,  I  won’t be alone to drink to my health, explains Tiffany. Bring me a glass of champagne, please. No, the bottle instead.  I  am sure my friends are going to join me.

She looks at them but no one seems to enchanted to see her there.

-Listen up, tonight it’s my birthday, she tries explaining. Starting midnight,  I  will be one year older, it’s horrible!

At the same time, the jolly bartender opens up the bottle of champagne.

Pouf!

-Bravo! Bravo! , repeats Tiffany just like a kid. It’s my birthday at midnight, explains Tiffany at the

bartender who is poring the champagne. You are going to drink with me asks Tiffany once more to the pilots turning around to look at them in the eyes.

-I’m all alone for my birthday, says Tiffany sadly.

-No one knows about it?, asks George quite surprised.

-No

She sits down on the stool.

-Let’s drink, Chin! Chin! my darlings!, says Tiffany bringing up her glasses

-Chin! Chin! Tiffany, says the captain kissing her on the cheeks.

-Happy birthday Tiffany, says  Mike kissing her also on the cheek.

-To your birthday Tiffany !, says George a little more dynamic than the others.

-Thank you, says Tiffany finishing  up her glass

The bartender fills up her glass once more and those of the pilots.

-Like  I  was saying it’s silly,  you know with our few days in Bombay, and the hours change and the jet lag,  I  completely forgot my own birthday.  I  lost track of the time and it’s only when  I  was having dinner at the little bistro not too far from here that  I  realized that at midnight,  I  will be older. It’s so terrible,  I  don’t like that at all.

-If you don’t like getting old Tiffany, imagine us says George. At our age...

-Talk for you George,  I’m not in the same dozen!

-Well  I  am getting old too, says the captain,  I’m   going to bed.

-Wait for me, says George. We, the oldest, we are more reasonable, we are going to bed to be in a better shape tomorrow.

-Yeah! Yeah! Guys, you are letting me down, says Mike.

-You’re certainly in better company with Tiffany than us, says the captain signing the bill.

-Happy birthday Tiffany again and  I’m sure Mike is going to take good care of you.

-It’s okay guys , it’s the story of my life.  I’m used to see people giving me the slip.

-Hey Jesus Murphy, says  George, stop having bad toughs on your birthday and wake-up Tiffany, it’s not so dramatic, Mike!, take care of this beautiful lady here, okay.

George and the captain finally leave.

-So it’s only you and me, what a birthday admits Tiffany with sorrow.

-Do you want a bit of champagne?, asks Mike to be nice.

-Yes. You know, starts saying Tiffany to Mike, at home my mother always did grandiose party for my birthday with hundreds of people. Most of the time,  I  only knew a few of them so  I  guess tonight  I  should enjoy  myself. It’s the first time, there is less than two hundred people to celebrate my anniversary. Marvellous! let’s drink to that!, says Tiffany looking straight at Mike.

-Chin! Chin! Tiffany!, says Mike, happy to be with her after all.

-It’s funny, that you are telling me that because  I  always dreamed to have a lot of people at my own birthday but my mother always preferred to have a small family party.  I  never understood why but anyway it’s not important.

He waves at the waitress to bring them another bottle of champagne.

-Hey no! You are crazy, says Tiffany giggling.

-Ah! It’s your birthday so might as well enjoy it to the fullest, he says putting his arm around her shoulder.

The bartender comes back with the bottle , Mike shows her that he wants to open it himself. At the same moment, Danyele comes back from her evening and sees Mike and Tiffany both sitting together at the bar, Mike opens the bottle and pouf the cork flies at Danyele’s feet who is watching them.

-Hey ! Danyele, calls Mike a bit drunk. Come and join us we are celebrating Tiffany’s birthday.

-Danyele come with us! asks Tiffany.

Danyele stays at the door threshold and looks at them.

-No  I’m too tired, thank-you anyway and happy birthday Tiffany, says Danyele a bit sad to see them together. She turns around and leaves.

-It’s okay, we will have more champagne to drink, says Tiffany finishing up her glass.

-We should finish this bottle to my room , suggests Mike to Tiffany who is starting to be drunk.

-Excellent idea!, says Tiffany maybe your couch is more comfortable than these bar stool.

Mike signals to the bartender that he wants to sign the bill and asks her if he can bring the bottle to his room. Tiffany takes care of bringing the two glasses. She walks staggering a little and they leave the bar. They go up the elevator singing.

-Happy birthday Tiffany....

-Happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me....

The elevator doors open and Tiffany continues singing.

-Shut up! We are going to wake up every body, explains Mike in the corridor.

-Ah! Let them go to hell! Tonight it’s my birthday, says Tiffany loud enough so everyone can hear her.

Mike hurries up to open the door but he has difficulty inserting his key in.

-Hurry up come in, get yourself comfortable, says Mike  I’m coming back, he says staggering.  I’m going to get some ice for the bottle.

He closes the door right away. Tiffany takes advantage of the situation and removes all her clothes and slips into bed.

Mike return a few minutes after, with the bucket full of ice.

-Hum! It’s inviting, says Mike looking at her.

-Stop talking Mike and leave your bucket of ice right at once.

-Wait a little.

He puts the bucket and takes an ice cube in his hand and let it slide down Tiffany’s throat. She is groaning. Than Mike takes some champagne and starts poring it on her body boiling hot of desire for him.

-Come on Mike!...Mike you are so cruel! Come,  I  can not wait any longer! Darling...

-Wait, let me watch you at the moon light.

He pulls the curtain completely, pulls off his clothes rapidly and jumps on Tiffany like a feline on his prey. They are both very excited. They pass the night in the arm of each other trying to satisfied all their desires. More than once, Tiffany will ask him to do it again and again.

Louise and Jade are still at the restaurant sitting drinking cappuccino with the waiter and the maitre D. The restaurant is close and they are talking together.

-Domani! Louisa and Jade. We will come and pick you up with our motorcycle. We will take you around to visit Rome.

-Si, a la ocho Johnny, says Jade.

-Perfect, says Louise.

-Ciao Bella!

-Ciao Bella!

-It’s wonderful, says Jade to Louise taking the elevator together still excited by their evening with  the Italians. They are both very nice. We are going to have a great day tomorrow.

-Yes indeed,  I’m counting on it for sure.  

Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock   

Johnny the waiter arrives on his motorcycle at the hotel fallow by Carlo the maitre D. Their bikes makes a lot of noise. A lot of the hotel guesses are at their windows to see what’s going on, including Lorenzo who sees  Jade going out the hotel with Louise. He looks at her running to join those two great guys on motorcycle. Lorenzo is furious.

“Hum!  I  though Jade...Ah!  I  prefer not to think about it.”

He bangs on the side of the windows and returns to bed.

Johnny removes his helmet and bends down to kiss Louise who is waiting for him than he gives her a helmet to put on. Louise sits behind him and both of them wait for Jade and Carlo to finish kissing before they leave.

Danyele gets out the hotel as well. She talks to them a little while waiting for Juliano who is picking her up. A Lamborghini arrives in the parking lot. Louise turns to look at Danyele but she is already running to meet Juliano . He gets out the car to meet her and kisses her on the cheeks. He than takes the pick-nick basket that was on the front seat to put it in on the floor so Danyele can sit.

-Nice car, he says but never enough place. He than asks Danyele to take place. As soon as she is sitting she waves at her sister goodbye so excited to be in this amazing car with an amazing good looking guy too.

Youssef arrives at the hotel on board a taxi and looks at Danyele leaving.

-She doesn’t waist any time your sister, says Youssef getting off. And you two what are you doing?

-We are having fun, yell  Jade. There is nothing wrong with that!

Youssef  pay the taxi driver. He is enrage to see the female crew members like this and enters the hotel. He has a hang over. After his night with Sabrina, he went to a club where he party all night with two beautiful Italian girls who invited him afterwards to share their bed. 

Youssef decides to stop at the coffee shop before going to bed and sees Chanel is there with his Giovano all dress up in uniform. Youssef sits trying not to be seen by them and signals at the waiter to bring him an espresso.

“I  think  I  miss a hell of a party here last night or else those girls are hard to fallow,” asks Youssef to himself. “Really, it’s not a life style for the girls. They should stay at the hotel. Look at her. She really has some guts to show up with him at the bistro like this in company of a man. Really!”

He doesn’t believe it.

-I  had a wonderful time Giovano, says Chanel.

-Me too, Chanel.  I  have to do a small flight to Florence and than Brindisi.  I  will come back to say goodbye to you.

He takes a last sip of coffee and stands up.

-Ah! Chanel! Mamamia!  I  would love so much to stay with you and make love to you all day but  I  have to go, Bella. Don’t leave without seeing goodbye, alright.

- I  promise.

He kisses her goodbye like you wouldn’t believe it and leaves. Chanel turns around to wave at him and sees at the same time Youssef sitting there. Giovano passes in front of him. Youssef looks at him with an arrogant look

-Don’t worry the Italian,  I  will look after her.

He stands up to join Chanel at her table. Giovano looks at him furious.

-Don’t listen to him Giovano, says  Chanel sending him a flying kiss. He leaves, walks a few steps and turns around to look at her once more. He smiles at her and finally leave.

-So, tell me what you did last night Chanel and after  I  will tell you what  I  did, says Youssef trying to be nice now to her.

- Garcon!, bring us two more espresso please, asks Youssef.

- I  think you are a little too arrogant for me, it’s none of your business, Youssef.

-What! I  think you are letting yourself go a little bit too much, all of you, all the girl from the crew. You are not giving us a good image, you know!

-And what about you? You have the right to do what you want and we do too mister. We are not in your country, where the men have the right to do everything and the women can only watch, no, we are as free as you yes or no Youssef?

-Hum! But  I  think...

-No, there is no but Youssef!

She takes a sip of espresso and looks at him.

-Tell me your side of the story if you feel like it but  I  don’t need you to tell me what to do. Do you understand.

-Very well, don’t be angry my beautiful Chanel.

He takes a sip of espresso, puts his cup on the table and smile.

-Imagine, I  had dinner with a girl, her son and her mother.

-Oh! It’s not true?

Yes,  I’m telling you.

-Ah! But from the look you have this morning,  I  am sure you were able to distract yourself better than that or else you wouldn’t arrive at this time of day, smelling alcohol...

-Yeah you are right.  I  discover a little place very friendly where all the girls are beautiful, all of them so it was quite difficult to choose with who to leave and by luck,  I  guess it’s my charming face, anyway,  I  had a proposal to leave with two beautiful ladies.  I  even had breakfast in bed.

-That’s enough Youssef, spare me the details.

-Yes because , hum!...it will be difficult indeed to explain it to you. Tell me...you and your Italian?

-He is very friendly, and we went to ...

-Ah!,  I  don’t want to know where you went but more like how he was...

- I  am positive he is one hundred times better than you, says Chanel standing up, ready to leave.

-How can you say something like that, asks Youssef joining her.

- I  talk to a certain Adji in Bombay, she says pressing on the button of the elevator.

-Yeah and what...asks Youssef curious to know what she was going to tell him.

-Well,  I  don’t think you want to know it, Youssef so move yourself and let me get in the elevator.

She finally gets in and both decide not to say anything more.

-Come on, asks Youssef finally after a few minutes.

The doors open, Chanel tries to get out. He grabs her by the arm.

-Let me go, Youssef!

-Not before you tell me what did the beautiful Adji told you about me.

-Alright Youssef, if you insist. You should do a little more research on Kama Sutra, it seems to be a gap on your part. Kama Sutra is the ultimo necessity if you want to perform and satisfy your women so...

Youssef stands there unable to answer her back.

-Goodnight Youssef, says Chanel jubilating.

-Good morning you mean, and there is not only Kama Sutra in life Chanel, screams Youssef so she can hear him before the doors close. Hum! Kama Sutra!  I’m going to show her one day some Kama Sutra!

At three thirty in front of the hotel, the crew is ready to go. Tiffany wears some sun glasses and has no intention to remove them. Mike gets close to her.

-Well,  I  hope...

-No, don’t say a word, she eagerly answers. Yesterday is yesterday, today is today.

-So,  I  guess everything is alright... I  suppose, says Mike.

-Yes, very well, answers Tiffany.

He bends down to whisper in her ears.

-Listen, you forgot your bra in my room so  I  was wondering if you wanted it back.

She whispers at her turn.

-Keep it as a souvenir this is not an item missing in my wardrobe. Thanks, she says getting in the bus.

Jade and Louise are kissing their dates goodbye. Danyele is standing in front of Juliano that just give her a nice red velvet jewellery box. Danyele surprise opens her gift.

-No, no don’t open it yet. Wait alright.

Juliano crosses his arms in front of him and leans on his Lamborghini. He looks at Danyele a moment than take her by the shoulders and kisses her tenderly on the lips. He takes her suitcase and puts it in his car. Danyele starts laughing nervously and she is so sensitive that she starts crying. Juliano hugs her very tightly and kisses her passionately for the last time.

-Bella!

He bends down to take the suitcase back and gives it to the bus driver. Danyele looks at him once more and gets in. Youssef gets on behind her and looks at the captain.

-We should avoid Italy next time, captain. Look at this portrait. Look at the girls they look so sad...

-Sit down Youssef, orders Lolitta.  I’m sad because   I  didn’t wake up at all carramba!  I  miss everything and  I spend the entire night up.

-Yes it’s really too bad, says Josey to Lolitta, you  miss Versace fashion show.

-What!, exclaims Lolitta, you are making fun of me or what?

-No senora! Look!  I  kept the two invitations, and look what  I  receive as a gift.

-It’s a Versace scarf! Says Lolitta  who can not believe her eyes

-Woa!, exclaim the rest of the crew.

-Carramba!,  I  miss everything.  I  though  I  could wake up, malhor dé malhor!

-Well, that’s what happen when you leave someone waiting for you for nothing, well too bad, says Josey laughing.

-It’s a real Versace, ascertains Tiffany the expert a little jealous, herself not to have gone either.

-Well girls, says Xénia. You talk like you never been here before.

The pilots look at each other confirming what they had said about the crew the night before. Now they were holding the truth.

- Get over it girls, says Xénia, signalling at the same time to the bus driver to go.

-Yes you are right,  I  can not wait to come back here, says Danyele with a soft voice. Look at this!

-Ah!, screams Arlène sitting next to her. It’s not true. A pearl necklace. Ah! It is so beautiful!

-Yes,  I  don’t know if they are real pearls, but anyway it is very nice coming from him, no!

-Give it to me, darling! You don’t know yet how to distinguish real than false pearls. Let me look at it, so like this you will have your heart set or no. Lesson number one...Tiffany takes a pearl between her teeth and cracks on it, than she examines the pearl attentively to see if the pearl is still intact.

-Hum! He has class. These are real pearls, darling!

-No! exclaims Danyele. Give me back my pearls but the girls are passing the necklace among them to admire it a little bit closer.

Max decides to do his briefing in the bus since the road is really jammed. As soon as the briefing is complete, the entire crew go back talking between each other. They are all excited about their lay over except for Lolitta and Lorenzo. He is sitting in the back of the bus listening to Jade telling all her story about the Italians they met. Lorenzo is jealous and furious.

-Ah! They had a calash ride too...ah!..

Rome Airport.

-Chanel! Chanel!, screams Giovano who is waiting for her with a nice rose.

-Chanel! Chanel!, scuza Bella!, our aeroplane had a mechanical and  I  decided to wait for you here instead of risking myself in the traffic so  I  had better chance of seeing you before you left. Listen, perhaps  I  will join you in Montreal pretty soon.  I  ask a friend of mine to exchange one of his flight with mine.

-It’s great!, says Chanel.

Giovano kisses her a last time. Go on! Go bellissima! Ciao!

-Goodbye Giovano!, says Chanel walking away. Goodbye and thank-you for the rose...

Back to reality, the ground agent are already ready to board the plane with the passengers.

-Can we board, asks the agent eager to get red of the passengers.

-Give us five minutes please, answers Max nervously. We just arrive. Hurry up everyone, verify your equipment as soon as possible, he asks on the P.A.

During the boarding, the captain asks Youssef to get Max. Naturally, Max all nervous arrives in the cockpit all worry.

-Max, says the captain. Come in and close the door please.

-Yes, my captain.

-Max, you are going to advise every crew members, that for the safety demonstration they have to wear their life vest and to keep it on and right after the signal of the engineer, not to scare the passengers, they are going to jump in the aisle to help us release the cargo door that is stock. When the cargo door will be free and that we can close it, George will give another signal. We don’t have the choice, or else we are going to take a major delay for that.

Max looks at him a moment and thinks it is all too  peculiar to be real. He looks at the other pilots to see if he really understood the procedure or it’s a set up. Thinking about it for a few minutes, he than starts laughing.

-You want to initiate them, isn’t it?

-Yes exactly, also asks Xénia to be replace and to go verify at 5L if the door is really releasing and tell her about the entire situation.

-Alright guys.  I  wish we are going to have them good.

Max returns downstairs to finish the boarding.

Fifteen minutes later, when all the passengers are on board, the engineer is placing a conference call.

-Listen up everybody, starts explaining George. We have a little problem with the baggage cargo door in the back. We try to close it at a few times already but the door seems jammed, so  the ground personal asks us if you can stand in the middle of the aisle to jump all at the same time while Xénia will go in the back to check it out. She can see if the lights goes off. It could be possible that it’s just all it takes to disengage the door.  If not we might be in for a very long delay because of that.. Max start your safety demo and when you will be at the ditching explanation,  I  want everyone  to jump at the same time so like this none of the passengers will notice there is something wrong, okay. So, let’s go and Xenia please call right away to tell me if you see any changes.

-Alright George.

-Demo position, asks Max not wasting any seconds.

Max speeds up to recite his safety demonstration so no one can have any suspicion about this plot. Everything is going like they plan. Max starts explaining the ditching part. Right away the flight attendants put on their life vest. They look at Xénia

going to the back of the aircraft. A few members look at each other wondering if they were going to do it or not but unfortunately Max goes on and doesn’t leave them much time to think about it. Xenia turns around and signals them to jump. Lolitta starts jumping and the others fallow. The passengers are surprised to see them jump in the middle of the cabin. David takes this very seriously and jumps really hard. The passengers look on both side of the aisle, in front and behind them, just to realize that the entire crew is jumping in the aisle. They never saw something like that. The captain finally interrupts the demonstration. The two other pilots are still laughing at Youssef who is jumping.

-Ladies and gentlemen, says the captain, your attention please. This is your captain speaking. Ladies and gentlemen, you have been witness of an initiation of our new flight attendants who just started flying with us for the last week. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome them at Air Nation. Thank you and have a nice flight.

The passengers applaud. The flight attendants are blushing but Max doesn’t give them the chance to hide themselves and continues his safety demonstration with the safety card.

After reaching the cruising altitude, the captain places a conference call.

-This is your captain speaking.  I  think in the name of Mike, George, Max and Xénia, we would like to wish you good luck with the company. You were quite initiated with your first flight already, and also with your stay in Bombay, hopefully this will not discourage you from continuing with us. You have kept your secret pretty well however you are dealing will old foxes like us. You are a super team and your work is excellent. Keep it up and congratulations to all of you. Have a nice flight!

After a very long time away from home, eight hours of flying, here they are finally back home at the base in Mirabel. One after another, they get off the bus, tired but happy to be home. They enter the base to do their check-out.

After each pairing ( a group of flights) the flight attendants have to give their names to the one in charge of the operation that day. After, they are inform on the time allow to rest before their next flight.

-O.K., says Victoria to the group. Since you had quite a lot of changes on your schedule, we made you a special block for the rest of the month.  In consequences to that, you are off for 24 hours only, and  than you are going to operate Port-au-Prince flight. It’s a turn around. So, have a nice day off everyone.

Discourage by this news, they kiss each other goodbye without too much emotion, sad to see they only have a day to recuperate before going back to work.

Danyele and Louise arrive one after another at home. Their mother  killed by anxiety for them, is welcoming her daughters with her arms wide open. They come in the house. Their father look at them without saying a word.

-Do you want a coffee?, he finally asks after a long moment of silence.

-Papa, we want to sleep, so why don’t you give us a good hot chocolate like you know very well to prepare, asks Danyele laying down on the couch with her bibi still on her head.

-I’m so tired, confirms Louise, that it wouldn’t change a thing.  I  could drink an espresso right now and still go to bed after that.

-So, tell me all about your first flight, asks their mother impatient to know all about the events that happen to them with all the details.

But their father hurries to talk the first one.

-I’m not for this, that you leave like that and risk your lives. Didn’t you read the news paper?

-Ah! Daddy!, says Louise, you always spoil the moment. Be happy for us instead. Come and sit with us.   I  was so excited to come back and tell you all about it. It is so exciting and at the same time very nerve wrecking too.  I  like to do this kind of work. There is never a dull moment and none of the days are alike except for the service. We meet a lot of people and we see very interesting things as well. Don’t you think so, Danyele?

But Danyele is already sleeping. Louise stands-up and starts shaking her up a little.

-Wake-up Danyele, daddy did a nice hot chocolate just for you.

Tired but happy of their little adventures the two sisters spend the afternoon telling their stories to their parents.

Lolitta finally arrives home after driving at low speed in the traffic all the way downtown Montreal. She is exhausted but happy to be back home. She can not wait to tell her side of the story. She arrives home with her suitcase and her arms full of little gifts to give to all of them and come in the apartment. There is no one to welcome her. She looks in the living-room, in the kitchen, than her mothers bedroom. Lolitta with her arms still full of gifts arrives at the door, all smiling thinking they were hiding from her than suddenly, she screams like hell, let all her gifts fall on the floor and runs to her mom bed side crying her heart out. She is panicking to see what is going on.

Her mother is laying down in her bed with her eyes close. Her brothers and sisters are beside their poor mother. The younger one is crying non stop and the other are praying.

-Qué cé passa? Qué cé passa?, scream Lolitta paranoïd.

Her mother moves her hand a little and opens her eyes to see her. Lolitta gets on her knees close to her and holds her hand. Her mother is very exhausted and doesn’t have the strength to talk to her.

-Chut! Chut!  Madré!, says Lolitta taking her other hand. The tears are sliding down her cheeks. She takes a big breath and starts praying as well.

The door bell rings.

-Henrietta, go open the door, orders Lolitta.

-Mother, qué cé passa?, asks again Lolitta, very worry.

-I .... says her mother with a lot of difficulties. I... don’t feel... good... my daughter.

-It’s been two days she is like this, confirms her brother. We wanted to bring her to the hospital but she doesn’t want to go.  I  found her on the floor of the living room, explains Miguel.

-Lolitta!, screams Henrietta, it’s mister the priest.

-Oh!, what can  I  do for you father?, asks Lolitta.

- I  didn’t see your mother for the last two days. You know my child, your mother prays every day so since she didn’t come to church,  I  thought  I  could pass by to see if she was alright.

-Come, says simply Lolitta still in shock of this very bad news.

-But Mrs Cordoba...., says the priest very surprised to see her like this. Are you sick?

-It’s okay...it’s okay...

Lolitta looks at her mother again very worry.

- I  don’t think so mother, says Lolitta seriously. We are going to take you to the hospital. The doctor will tell you if you are well or not. Come madré, we have to take you.

-Is she going to get better madré, asks the little Mimi who starts crying again.

-Yes Mimi, don’t worry, answers Lolitta taking her in her arms.  I’m here now don’t worry.

- I  think your daughter is right, says the priest to Mrs Cordoba. You should fallow her advise.  I  will come with you, if you don’t have any problems with that, asks father Perron to Lolitta.

-No!, No!,  I’m certain that my mother will feel safe if you come with us.

-I’m going to go and wait for you in the living room.

-Miguel!, offer a coffee to father Perron while the girls are going to help me to prepare madré.

-Madré!, madré!, why didn’t you go see a doctor right away?  I  need you and the others as well, more than me. Mama!. She takes her in her arms and hugs her real close to her.  I  know... I  know....why you didn’t go but you have to go see a doctor. You have no choice.  Dad is a doctor and he betrayed us and hurt us too but that is not all the doctors you know. She brushes her hair and puts her shoes on. Okay that will do. Miguel!, screams Lolitta, come and help us. We are going to lift her up very slowly and we are going to lay her down on the back seat. You will come with me father Perron can you bring the children with you? Asks Lolitta.

-But of course, come children.

-We are going to go to St-Luc Hospital, it’s the nearest one. Lolitta looks in her mother’s bag and pulls out her mother’s health card. Here, take this and go wait for us in line.  I  don’t want to rush her and we will save a lot of time.

-Excellent idea. Come along children!

After waiting five hours at the emergency, a doctor finally comes to examine her mother. Lolitta exhausted is asleep next to her mom. The priest is taking care of the children.

-Miss, says the doctor talking to Lolitta.

She looks at him all sleepy.

-We have to bring your mother to the cardiology floor to pass her some test and to get some blood sample.  I’m afraid that your mother...might of have a heart attack.

-What! Says Lolitta completely  astonish by this bad news.

-You don’t have to worry miss, you can wait for us here, says the doctor.

-My mother is suffering for the last two days. She could of died. Carramba!

-We are going to do everything we can to put her back on her feet, explains the doctor.

A nurse comes in to take Mrs. Cordoba. Lolitta gets out of the emergency stall to inform the others.

-Madré...has to pass some test. We have to wait again. Are you hungry?, she asks.

- I  took care of that already, answers the priest. Go and have a bite, Lolitta. It’s going to make you feel better. We are going to stay here. Don’t  worry.

-Yes, thank-you.  I  am going to have a coffee.  I  am so tired.

Three hours later, the doctor comes back with the results.

-We have to keep your mother under supervision.  I  am afraid we might have to operate her if the medication is not doing the result we are expecting.  I’m...afraid, he says taking a big breath, that she might have another heart failure, miss Cordoba.

-But...my mother is so young, it’s impossible. No es possiblé!

-We can not take a chance, we are going to keep her here under very good care in the intensive  unit.

-Alright, doctor, but tell me what are her chances of ...

- I  really don’t know, for the moment, answers the doctor. The nurse is going to take care of you Mrs Cordoba, explains doctor Deslongchamps. Nurse Finch is going to inject you a solution that,  I  hope will make you feel better. You are going to want to sleep. It’s normal you need it too.  I  will be back in the middle of the night to see how you react to the medication. Goodbye Mrs Cordoba. Goodbye Miss.

-Oh! Mama!, exclaims Lolitta, completely banish by this catastrophic news.

-Miss, says the nurse rudely. Get a grip of yourself. Your mother needs your moral support don’t agitate her with your useless problems at this time.

Lolitta looks at her extremely enrage by her comments than look at her poor mother, laying down on the bed without any strength and decides not to say anything to that nurse. She sits next to her and takes her hand while the nurse injects a solution. Her poor mother turns around not to look at it. Lolitta smiles with her eyes full of tears.

-We are going to take good care of you, dear mama and soon you will be back home, with us. Don’t worry,  I’m staying with you.

-Lolitta, says her mother with burden.  I...don’t need you here. You...are so tired. You didn’t sleep yet. Go,...have some rest at home...and come back...later. The young ones...can not stay here all that time, my daughter.

-Si! Si!  I  will go when you will fall asleep, is that okay with you.

-Mmm! answers her mother closing her eyes.

Miguel and Henrietta, the oldest push the curtains to enter. They can not wait any longer.

-No, no! forbids the nurse. Get out of here, your mother needs to rest.

The kids deceived push back the curtains.

-Bueno, madré.  I’m going to go home, at least to take a shower, and I will be back later.

Her mother taps her hands in sign of approbation. Lolitta kisses her on the cheeks and leaves the room a moment but decides to stay beside her. She asks the priest to take care of the kids at home while she stays with Miguel the oldest.

After many attempts to reach her father’s chauffeur, Tiffany finally resigns herself to go home by bus. Disenchanted by this inconvenient, she swears to herself that she will go shopping for a car right first thing in the morning.

Two hours and half later, Tiffany arrives finally home, happy to see her little dog but it seems that it is the only creature that is happy to see her. The house is empty. There isn’t even a house-maid in. She goes upstairs to take a nice bubble bath to relax.

After a great rest in the bathtub, Tiffany decides to listen to her messages on her answering machine. All her old friends are making fun of her.

“Hey, Tiffany, did you had a nice trip in the third world country? It’s Alex.  I  heard the news from your parents. It’s quite a shock, Isn't it ?”

“Call me back Tiffany, it’s Stéphanie. If you want a job at Holt Renfrew it will be my pleasure to help you out, hoping your little escape give you a good lesson. Ciao!”

“Tiffany, it’s Hans. For the sixteen, listen, it’s cancel.  I  couldn’t take the risk to go alone.  I  ask someone else to come with me. Bye!”

“Tiffany, it’s your mother. You are still not at home. Your father and  I  are gone in Banff to pass a few days at the spa. We hope that when we return,  you will have change your mind for your career.  I  kiss you ...Oh!  I  forgot, the night we come back, we will have a business dinner and your dad insists that you be there. He will like to present you someone. We arrive tonight.”

-Yes, mother but which night?, asks Tiffany to herself. Come Bijou, she says to her furry white Terrier. Come Bijou.

She bends down to take it in her arms and brings it on her bed.

-We are now only two. You and me. That’s all. My parents don’t agree with the choice  I  have made, my friends have been brain wash by them, and  I’m  sure of that. So, there is only you and me. That’s all Bijou. I’m going to sleep and after  I  will think seriously on what am I going to do afterwards. How about coming and live with me my little Bijou? We could have a nice little apartment in Outremont...or....

She closes her eyes and falls asleep right away.

At the end of the afternoon, in St-Sauveur village, that is situated 20 minutes away from Mirabel airport, Mike is at the bank to go pay all his bills and on his way out he sees Arlene.

-Arlene!, you stay here in St-Sauveur?, Do you have time for a beer?

-Yes, why not, answers Arlene.  I  have my clothes at the laundry machine and it’s going to be ready only in half and hour.

-Ah! What a coincidence!  I  brought my clothes there too. We were met to see each other. My washing-machine is broken.

-Let’s go to Bentley’s, it’s across.

They leave the bank to go across the street. Arlene passes her arms under Mike’s. She is enchanted to have met him.

-You could come over for dinner, proposes Arlene.  I  made delicious linguini with pesto, and  I  bought a great bottle of wine when we were in Rome. What do you think?

-It’s seems to be an invitation  I  can not refuse and on top of it I  don’t have the kids tonight. It’s there mother’s turn this week, answers Mike while opening the door for Arlene.

-Very well. We will have a wonderful evening you and  I. 

-Yes, it’s promising, answers Mike passing his hands in her beautiful well place hair.

Arlene is no longer sure about having so much fun with him. He just spoil everything by admitting he had children of his own.

The telephone  rings but Chanel is sleeping profoundly. She finally wakes up in a flesh.

-Yes! hello!

-Chanel! it’s Giovano de Roma.  I  just arrive in Mirabel.  I  decided to take one of my passes.

-Who? What time is it?

-It’s sixteen hundred. Don’t you remember me?

-Yes, yes,  I’m coming. Give me half an hour. Be at the last gate Giovano.

-Ciao Bella!  I  can’t wait to see you.

-Me too, see you later, says Chanel hanging up. “Ah! But What am I  going to do with him? Idiot? Little beast! That will teach me to flirt with flight attendants. They all have the ways to get to you. Conclusion, this is a first lesson that  I  will never forget,” says Chanel to herself while turning the faucet of the bathtub. “I  have no choice. Well maybe but let’s put it that way, he is not bad that Giovano. Yes he is quite good in bed,  I  have to admit, so occasions like this doesn’t present itself every day...  I  must admit...Italians are pretty good in this domain.”

She closes the tap and puts her foot in the bathtub.

-Aie!, there is no hot water or what? Shit!  I forgot to turn on the hot water faucet. Ah! This Giovano is making loose my head.

She turns the hot faucet and waits.

David is still sleeping. He opens his eyes to see her girl friend coming.

-Ah! You are still beautiful.

-Very nice talker but a very little doer, says her girlfriend rudely. Me,  I  wake up every morning to go to work and you, you leave for a few days to go and have fun. You call this work! When are you going to wake up David and find yourself  a real job? Let me recall you that it is five o clock at night and you are still in bed.

David stretches and tries to catch her. He takes her in his arms and kisses her but she pushes him back.

-But what’s the matter with you?, asks David a bit upset. You are jealous or what?

-Listen, you leave at impossible hours and you come back  I  don’t know when.  I will not pass my time waiting for you, David. And what do you do when you are over there?

-But what is wrong with you? Everything was fine until now between you and me so why are you looking to destroy us with your jealousy?

-It’s you who says it but me  I  stay home all by my self, left behind waiting for your return from your escapade.

- I  will remind you that I go to work like you but if you want to spoil our time together do as you please. I’m here for 24 hours.

He waits a moment and continues.

-Come on my love, kiss me and stop wasting our beautiful time together.

-If you think you can get me just by saying this Oh no David! A relationship doesn’t work like this.  I  need to think about all this.

She closes the bedroom door behind her to leave him all by himself.

-Shit! Says David out loud. You ‘re the one missing a good time, that’s all!

At the Bakers

-Oh my darling!, exclaims Tiffany’s mother opening up the curtains of her room.

She kisses her on the two cheeks and sits on her bed.

-We had a wonderful trip your dad and  I. It’s too bad you couldn’t make it. We missed you my darling. Oh! Look at yourself, you look so tired,  I  am going to run you a nice hot bath.

-Mother!

-No, let me do it.

She goes in the bathroom and continues talking to her raising her voice so she can hear her better. You don’t have much time, the guesses are soon to arrive. The dinner is set for seven o’clock. It’s already six and with the look you have you are going to have to apply yourself very carefully if you want to look at your best tonight.

Tiffany takes her table mirror and kisses her little dog on the way.

“What’s wrong with my head, my dear Bijou?  I  even find myself in pretty good shape actually.  I  slept so long.”

Her mother comes back in the room.

-Look at you Tiffany!

She takes the mirror off her hands.

-Look! you must have gain at least three to four wrinkles since you started this miserable job.

She stands up, go right away in the walking-closet of Tiffany and tries to find her a proper dress for tonight.

-You are not made for this kind of work, darling!.

The Bakers have never been stewardess, my daughter.  I  wish that this will pass and in a few months from now, you will have recover all your sanity my daughter.

She picks a black satin dress cut at the waist than she goes to her jewellery box to pick her black pearls necklace and the earrings that match.

She sits on the chair next to the Louis xv commode and looks at her seriously.

-Tiffany, she starts saying very softly.  I  didn’t raise you and send you to the best private schools in Montreal to....

She stops 

for a moment discourage to see no reaction from Tiffany’s part and continues her speech raising her voice.

-For you...to become a little stewardess! You can not do that to us! The Bakers are from a line of the best lawyers of Canada. You can not do that to us! It’s enough!, orders her mother very upset. Hurry up to take your bath before the water runs off the tub. We will talk about it at breakfast tomorrow morning. Tonight is not the appropriate time or the place to talk about this do you understand me. Your dad is receiving very important people tonight.

Tiffany stretches herself without looking at her mother and goes hide in the bathroom banging the door behind her.

-Ouf! Ouf!

Tiffany lets her dog in.

-Come Bijou, come!  I’m going to take another bath.

She changes her voice to make fun of her mother.

-We are meeting important people.

Mrs Baker furious leaves the room.

At the hospital, Lolitta  is trying to get a hold of Louise.

-Hello! May  I  speak to Louise, Mrs.Tremblay?

-One moment, Lolitta. Louise! she screams, it’s Lolitta on the phone. So, tell me Lolitta, how did you like your first experience?, asks Mrs. Tremblay.

-Madame Tremblay, my mother is seriously ill, says Lolitta with a weary voice.

-One moment,  I  give you Louise right away. Hurry Louise! It’s urgent!

Louise takes the phone.

-Louise, says Lolitta who starts crying.

-Lolitta what is going on?

-It’s my mother, Louisa, she is in the hospital.

-Which one?

-St-Luc.

-I’m coming right away, Bye!

Louise hangs up.

-Danyele!, she screams. Get down, hurry! Do you want to come with me at the hospital? Lolitta’s mother is very ill.

-Alright,  I’m coming, answers her sister.

Forty minutes later, they arrive at the hospital.

-Lolitta!, screams Louise when she sees her.

-Louisa, Daniela!

Lolitta tells them how she found her mother when she arrives from the airport and since that moment she is been waiting and doesn’t know what to do.

-The doctor just told me a few minutes ago that the medications they give her didn’t do much.  I  don’t know what to think. My mother is going to die....

She starts crying.

Louise and Danyele are very concerned.

-Listen, let’s go have a cup of coffee, proposes Danyele while Miguel stays with your mom.

They go to the cafeteria.

-But what am  I  going to do without my mother? My brothers, my sisters.... I  won’t be able to work like a flight attendant no more. Someone is going to have to care of my family.  I  won’t be able to do it myself.

Lolitta is desperate.

-Lolitta, says Louise, you can not look at things this way. Be positive. Your mother is going to be okay.  I  know her,  I  never saw her sick.

-It is not the subject Louise, says Danyele. Lolitta is right, we have to think of the youngest one and look at a spare situation if anything goes wrong. Lolitta is right. Who is taking care of them now? Asks Danyele who is taking control of the situation.

-Father Perron, he is very nice. You know my mother is very religious and he is like a friend to her explains Lolitta.

-So..., starts saying Danyele, for the moment, this problem is solve. You cannot become their mother Lolitta. You are going to think of calling your father, their father.

-No never, this is out of the question, says Lolitta standing up. He left us, so for us he no longer exist.

-Well, says Louise, we have to find another solution. Sit down. I’m going to get the coffees but tell me something Lolitta, you will not leave your job. Your mother is to proud to have her daughter as a flight attendant so forget that right now, says Louise leaving to get the coffee finally.

Red alert! Red Alert!, announces a nurse on the speaker.

-Carramba!

Lolitta stands up right away.

-It could be my mother.

-The girls look at each other and hurry up to fallow Lolitta who is running in the hallway to go back to her mother.

-My god! Says Louise to Danyele when they arrive after, it’s her mother’s room! Call at her house, ah! Forget it, I know the number by heart, I will come back, Take care of Miguel!

-Madré!, screams Lolitta!, stay with me, madré!

-Get her out of here!, orders the doctor.

Danyele enters the room and takes Lolitta out.   Lolitta tries to stay and wrestles with Danyele and suddenly she crawls down on the floor crying.

-Danyele pulls her out of there and sits next to her to try to comfort her.

Louise comes back running.

-Okay I reach your family, father Perron is coming with the children.

Louise looks at Lolitta and doesn’t know what to do to help her. She looks at her sister discourage.

-Lolitta make a prayer, says finally Louise who really doesn’t know how to comfort her.

-Madré Maria!....starts Lolitta but her pain is too immense and can no longer pray. She cries.

Danyele takes her hand and recites the Ave Maria. After two long hours of reanimation, the doctor comes back to announce unfortunately the bad news to Lolitta that her mother had died.

Lolitta screams out her pain and no one at this moment can help her. She is drawn by her grieve. Nothing could replace her mother. She  was everything for her; a mother both most of all her dearest friend....

Miguel cries in Danyele’s arm. They call the other crew members to tell them the bad news.

The Bakers dinner is turning out to be a total fiasco.

-Are you as good of a lawyer as your dad?, asks a guess.

-No, but I adore my new job as a flight attendant.

She than told the nightmare that happen to her in India.

Her father is very angry at her and her mother tries to change the subject of the conversation but the guesses are taking real pleasure in listening to Tiffany’s stories. She is very happy but her parents

don’t realize it at all.

They are ashamed that their daughter is liking this stupid disoriented job of hers. Tiffany drinks double scotch all night and can no longer stand the stuffy atmosphere. She tries with the help of the guesses to have her parents change their mind about it but they are still revolted by it.

Luckily for her, Louise phones her to tell her the bad news. Tiffany hurries up to excused herself to run comfort her dearest friend rather than staying and fight all night long with her parents.

The next morning, at six o’clock, Tiffany prefers to avoid her parents and decides to have breakfast at Betty’s with her little doggy. She is savouring her hot coffee and reads the news paper to look for an apartment. After long hours of searching, she finally finds a little apartment with three rooms, very nice on de la Montagne street with a large balcony looking over a spectacular view of the city of Montreal. She pays the rent for six months and leaves. Very satisfied of herself she starts walking.

“It’s not really big my little Bijou but it’s a start, my darling. Well, let’s go now and buy a car. Oh! My feet are killing me.”

She calls a taxi with her cellular and phones her mother to invite her at the Hotel de la Montagne for lunch. Even though, her mother is very busy at work, she accepts the invitation.

-So, I wait for you at noon, says Tiffany hanging up. Right away, she signals the taxi passing in front of her to stop. Tiffany gets in. She talks to her dog out loud. The driver looks at her with a grin on his face and waits for her to give her the indications where to go to.

“We have to take advantage of the situation right now before daddy cuts my credit card and realizes that I put six months of down payments on for the rent and that I’m going to put a car on top of it.”

She strokes her dog who is sitting on her knees.

-Mister, she finally says to the taxi driver, if you had to buy a car, witch one would you buy?

-Oh! You know miss, I always was inclined towards the Fiat convertible.

-So, very  well, can you bring me to the closest Fiat dealer in town, please.

She enters the Fiat dealer on Ste-Catherine street.

-Hello miss.

-Hello sir, I would like a convertible, I would like it now, I don’t have a car at the moment. I’m going to sit here with my dog and smoke a cigarette while you prepare the car.

-Yes, yes, very well Miss, but it doesn’t go as fast as you imagine.

-Ah!, she says ready to leave.

-No, wait.

-Mister, listen to me. I need a car now. I don’t really care about the brand, I really don’t care but I really need a car now.

-Well, very well miss, the fastest I can do is...

He takes some times to think.

-It will be...

-I understand. I’m going to take a few hours for lunch and do some shopping for my new apartment and I will be back at the end of the afternoon. I really need the car without further delay. You understand.

-Come in my office, we are going to do the paper work and see how you are going to pay this car.

-Take this card, I pay with this credit card, American Express Gold. Is that alright with you?

-Yes Miss, just let me verify. After a few calculations, and a few calls, he looks at Tiffany.

-Fine, everything is fine... So...he says after calculating and doing a few phone calls, Miss, would like a car like this one?

-Yes exactly like this, it’s quite cute don’t you think?

-Yes of course Miss, it’s an Alpha Romeo. Hum!

What colour would you like?

-Exactly like this one, black with the inside in beige leather, it’s quite luxurious.

-Perfect Miss, we will have your car ready around five thirty this afternoon. Can we drive you some where in the mean time?

-Of course, I am going for lunch with my mother at the hotel de la Montagne, thanks.

She is at the hotel for a good hour already but her mother is still not there.

-Can I bring you another Martini Miss?, asks the waiter.

-A double please.

-Yes, Miss Baker.

She phones a third time to her mom’s office.

-Yes, may I speak To Mrs. Baker, please.

-Is it her daughter?

-Yes it’s correct.

-Mrs. Baker told me to transmit you a message

that she had to leave for a last minute meeting, quite important and she won’t be able to make it for lunch.   

 -Very well, thank-you.

She hangs up.

“Ah! Bijou,” says Tiffany out loud, “my dear mother like usual never has the time for a daughter; that is the story of my life. Ah! Don’t worry my Bijou this time is over now. I turn the page. It’s over, for now on I’m going to take care of me.”

A good looking young man is sitting next to her watching her talk to her dog.

-Would you like to join me? He asks politely, standing up, waiting for her to sit with him but Tiffany doesn’t answer.

-Please, he insists.

-Alright, says Tiffany.

-My name is Charles Brofman, I’m a lawyer for the firm Brofman and Brofman.

-Tiffany, Tiffany Baker, I’m a flight attendant.

-I’m a big traveller myself.

-So you are winning some points because right this moment, I’m having an indigestion of lawyers.

-Ah! That’s it. Bakers and Associates. The biggest law firm in Montreal beside mine.

-Yes, that’s it we can not escape from it, I’m afraid so I would like you to change the subject.

-Of course, why don’t you tell me about your last trip. First, let’s order lunch.

He signals the waiter to come and take their orders.

After three hours talking together, Charles leaves his phone number to Tiffany.

-There, you can call me anytime you want and now I’m talking to the new and beautiful Tiffany... I will come and visit you in your new apartment. You can count on me, it was a real pleasure to meet you Tiffany. Good bye!

-The pleasure was all mine, Charles, she says  waving at him goodbye.

Tiffany walks away and decides to go shopping to the chic Ogilvy store on Ste Catherine. She enters by the revolving doors and suddenly stop.

“I understand...”she says to her dog, “why my dearest mother didn’t come. Charles is a lawyer send by my her of course!  Ah!”, she pushes back the doors furious.

“Ah!”, she can not believe it. “What a dirty trick! Ah! It’s a trap from my own mother!” She says out loud.

Everyone is looking at her. The sales clerk are

making grins on their faces, embarrass by this low class customer. She doesn’t care about them, she kisses her dog and goes directly to the Chanel counter but the girl continue to look at her disgusted by her behaviour, and to show her that she doesn’t belong in this big store, she goes and  serves another customer.

“Oh! Well!, if it’s like this,” says Tiffany enraged by her attitude, “I will go somewhere else.”

She turns around to leave but she realizes she really need a new lips-stick so she looks at the Mac counter and smiles.

“Perfect!, it’s today or never. I’m really changing my life for good and after only after of course, I will brake the news to my parents. It won’t be easy but I’m tired of leaving at their expenses. They only think about their prestige. I’m sick of it. It’s over. I’m moving out!”

-I will take this colour, Miss, please.

Air Nation base

Mirabel, Québec, Canada

24 hours later

On the bulletin board we can read the fallowing information.

Lolitta is replace by Louis.

Capitaine Champagne is replace by Capt. Bass.

Mike is replace by Rick Rochon

George replace by Peter Foley.

Additional member on board for a verification: P. Lacroix.

Flight number 675.

Port au Prince, Haïti.

E. T. D. 04:30

-Hello! Everyone, hurry up, this morning we have 520 passengers, 12 babies, a  blind passenger with his dog and a V.I.P. with his family.

-Who is it?, asks Lorenzo curious.

-The minister of external affairs of Haiti with his family. They are going to take the upper deck.

-Woa!, says David who is the upper deck gigolo this time?

-It’s me, my dear one do you want to change place with mine, answers the reserve flight attendant.

-No!, I’m sorry, I thought it was one of us.

-Well, let’s continue the briefing.

The captain arrives in the briefing room.

-John!, exclaims Arlene completely stunt to see him on her flight.

The captain looks at her but doesn’t say anything.

-Max, let’s go.

-Yes captain we are going.

They stand up in a hurry and leave to take the bus.

Danyele walks beside Arlene.

-Arlene, who is John? Do you know him?

-Yes and don’t ask me anything about him. He is an opportunist and a fucking big liar!

On the plane, everyone is busy to do their checks.

-Max, asks the captain, where is Arlene working?

-Hum!..., says Max taking his time to answer just to let him wait a bit.

She works at 4-R.

Max doesn’t like this captain. He is rude and impatient.

-Thank-you, says the captain going upstairs right away.

Josey arrives at Max jumpseat.

-Max, the seat at 11-A is broken.

-Eeeee...go tell the mechanic on board. He is upstairs fixing the video.

Josey runs upstairs. The mechanic is looking at the video.

-Excuse-me, says Josey.

-Yes, answers the mechanic without lifting his head to look at her. What can I do for you? My dear one?

-The seat at 11-A is broken. We need to replace it.

-I’m coming right away, answers the guy turning around to look at her. I’m Peter and you?

-Josey, she says going down the stairs.

In the flight deck, Rick the new co-pilot, looks at the flying route. The engineer verifies the log book and the captain is calling at 4-R.

-Arlene, 4 R

-Arlene. It’s the captain. I didn’t have time to excuse myself....I was very busy, you know.

-John, listen, I don’t want your excuses. That night  I was drunk just like you and I got cut up by your stupid gossips. You are just a pig! You are married son of a bitch! should I recall it to you? she asks yelling at him and  hanging up right away.

She starts to verify her equipment in her section pretending nothing happen.

Cockpit

-Captain we are ready to board, says Max entering the cockpit.

-You could of use the phone, answers archly the captain.

Max gets out the cockpit insulted by the commandant’s comment.

-Be careful with this captain, Louis, says Max. He is to be taking with white gloves this one.

-Not another one that doesn’t like to be serve by men.

Max looks at him and signals yes with his head, and goes downstairs.

He takes the interphone and makes a P.A.

-Flight attendants, to your doors.

Galley 2

Jade is getting ready in the galley and hurries up to bring two casseroles in one of the ovens but when she opens the door she lets the three safety bags fall on the floor.

-Hurry Jade! Pick them up, the passengers are coming. Hurry!, explains Louise.

Jade picks up the bags and tries to put them in order.

-Hello!, says Louise, to the first passenger.

A blind passenger enters with his German shepherd. The man gives her his ticket.

Louise takes the ticket and waves at Tiffany to come and assist the blind man to his seat..

-Sir, Tiffany is going to guide you to your place.

-Yes thank-you.

-One A, says Louise.

-Hello sir, welcome a board, says Tiffany taking his bag. I will walk in front of you and I’m sure your beautiful dog is going to fallow me to your seat. You can perhaps touch all the seats on your way to your place to give you an idea on how far you are from the exit. The doors that you just came in will be the one you will use in case of an emergency there is another one just across. Do you want to give me your bag, I will place it in the comportment above you. During the flight if you need it, you can bring it down.

The passengers are boarding one after another without any problem. Most of them, are from Haiti. A lot of the women are wearing a hat, the men are dress in general with dark suit and the children have their hair beautifully comb to perfection.

-Hello Madame! How are you?, asks Louise.

A very tall Haitian woman wearing a very large red hat and a red dress, enters without answering  Louise. Surprised by her attitude, she takes her  ticket and signals the way to her seat without saying a word. A slim man with a grey beard comes behind her and shows his ticket right away.

-I’m going to answer you my little lady. I’m very fine I’m going to see my daughter that I didn’t see for ten years!

Louise smiles and shows him the way to the front.

In the back of the aircraft

Xénia calls David at 3 R. Chanel is standing up next to her and welcomes the passengers.

-So, David you are going to be spoil today. There are many beautiful black women like me on board.

-Yes I know but they are not as beautiful as you Xénia, answers David.

-Is it a compliment?, asks Xénia but she doesn’t give him the time to answer back and hangs up right away.

-My god!, says Chanel after showing the way to the last passengers. To whom were you talking? You should see your face?

-Tell me Chanel... Are you aware if David is still with his girl friend?

-Why are you asking me that?

-Sorry, where are the washroom? asks a passenger

coming towards them.

-Come, answers Xénia right away, I will show you.

-Save by the bell, says Chanel. Go, I’m going to check the door for you.

A few late passengers arrive out of breath.

-Hello Miss.

-Hello sir. Welcome a board Air Nation, says Chanel all smiling.

The big three guys bend down to enter the plane fallow by the ground agent and two R.C.M.P.

-They are the last one, he says giving her their

passports. They are not dangerous, nothing to worry. Their passports are expire, that’s all.

-Okay, thank-you, answers Chanel closing the door behind him.

-”Prepare doors for departure, announces Max on the P.A.”

-The flight attendants arm the doors and get ready for the safety demonstration.

Danyele fallows the directives of Max like usual, she puts her oxygen mask around her face and places the elastic band tightly. She takes the tube and places it  under the oxygen panel above the passengers, and waits for Max to finish his explanations before removing her mask. She takes  it off rapidly to take her life vest. Suddenly, all the passengers sitting in her section are laughing. She is really angry because for her this is a crucial moment and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

David who is on the other side of the aisle, looks at Danyele and tries to see what’s wrong with her but as soon as he sees her, he starts laughing too. He tries to tell her that she has the face all covered up with lips-stick but he can’t, he’s laughing as well.

They go on with their life vest demonstration. Danyele puts it and turns around to show the back of the vest to show the passengers how to cross the straps too tie them together.

Louise is just behind her at 1 L, looks at her sister and starts laughing as well. She tells her to wipe up her face. Danyele finally figures it out. She passes her hand on her face and sees that her hand is completely red. She tries to remove the lips-stick around her mouth but instead of doing so, she spores it all over her face. She turns around to take her safety card but the passenger are just out of it, having a blast. She signals them to look at the card and finally gives up and hides in the galley.

The passengers applaud her performance. Danyele is furious. She looks at herself in the mirror on top of the galley counter.

“Ah! It’s not true, who did this? Shit! I got some all over my face!”

She takes a towel to remove the lips-stick that they had put on the oxygen mask and at the same time,  Max enters the galley really mad but Danyele doesn’t see him because she is looking at herself in the mirror removing the lips-stick.

-Hey!, yells Max. What happen Danyele? You know dam well that a safety demonstration is to be done seriously, Good Lord!

She turns around to look at him, surprised to see him there but Max bursts into laugh as soon as he sees her.

-Good Lord!, who did this to you? You are not very pretty to see my sweetie, laughing at her still.

-What kind of question is this? Anyway Max, I don’t know who did this but I sure am going to find out, you can count on me!

- “Cabin crew, sit down, announces the engineer on the P.A.”

In the cockpit

The crew is busy with the flying manoeuvre of this huge bird.

In galley 1

After the signal of the seat belt is off, the flight attendants rush in their respective galley to prepare the trays of head sets to distribute them to the passengers.

-Who could of play a trick like this to Danyele?, asks Josey to the others who are with her in the galley. Is it you Louise, who did this terrible trick to your sister?

-Never in one hundred years! Danyele enjoys to revenge herself way too much. I wouldn’t take that risk at all and especially on board a plane where you can not escape, but to the one who did it, I have to give them my respect, it was very funny no!

-I don’t think this it’s funny at all darling, says  Tiffany. I find this very childish, if you want my opinion darling!

-Well, go now, get out of here, says Josey we have work to do.

Galley 2.

No one dares to say something. Jade and David are looking at each other and can not get a word out. Finally before going out with the headsets, Danyele pulls the curtains but instead of getting out she stops and looks at them both.

-Which one of you did that ridiculous trick?

-It’s not me and it’s not David either, explains Jade. I have no idea who did that but let me explain something to you. When I open the oven doors earlier on when we were on the ground, I drop the demo bags on the floor by mistake, conclusion the trick was for one of us but who? I don’t know. Let’s go now, get out, we are going to be late.

Galley 3

Arlene and Chanel come back with the head sets. Xénia gives her their tray.

-I know who did it, admits Arlene getting closer to Xénia and Chanel. It’s Victor! He told me, but to tell you the truth really... I think he wanted to get Jade.

-No it’s not true!, exclaim the two girls.

-I was really thinking of him too, explains  Xénia showing them the way out. Hurry up ! Hurry up girls!

-Hey! Victor!, says Lorenzo coming in the galley, You are going to get kill my man. Danyele will never let this happen without doing anything. You didn’t pick the right girl to play a trick like this.

-Ah! She is so wonderful when she gets mad this Danyele but between you and me I had plan this trick for Jade, admits Victor.

Youssef comes in to get more head sets.

-Shit! Guys! I don’t have enough head sets and by the way Victor, it’s true that Jade is very pretty but she is not your type and to play a trick at Danyele you better be on your guards. Be ready brother. I’m sure she will get to you!

Lorenzo gets out the galley without saying a word. He distributes the head sets thinking of what Victor had told him.

“ If he thinks, this guy, that he is going to have Jade, man! Who does he thinks he is? He better go play somewhere else, man! Jade is mine that’s it that’s all he better get off my turf this one or ...

Galley 1

Peter the mechanic pushes the curtains and looks at Josey getting busy to do the drinks.

-Hello! Could I had a coffees miss, Josey?

He comes in the galley, closes the curtains behind him and starts observing Josey.

-You didn’t get off the plane?, remarks Josey, surprise to see him on board.

-No, says Peter smiling. We are doing a verification of the aircraft before we bring it to the hangar for a C-check.

-I hope it’s nothing serious, says Josey a bit worry.

She gives him his coffee. He looks at her at the same time she does. She bends her head down a bit timid.

-Don’t worry, it’s not serious, I wouldn’t be on board if it was, he explains taking a sip of coffee.

-Wait!, she says touching his arm. Don’t you take  sugar?

-No, thanks. I was often told that I taste very sweet even... too sweet, Ah!, he says laughing. I take it black, thanks for the great service, fast and very enjoyable.

He gets out the galley at the same time the girls come back from the cabin.

-Well Josey, who is this handsome fellow? He is not bad looking at all!

-He is a mechanic for the company.

-Well it doesn’t stop you to have an old rich man if you want too to take you shopping darling, but a mechanic to take care of your pipes once and a while, you can not refuse that.

-Tiffany!, exclaim the girls laughing.

-Why are you laughing like this?, asks Max curious coming in the galley.

-Josey..., says Louise, was telling us how she was going to turn the screwdriver of the nice mechanic that is on board.

They laugh some more.

-No! No! No! I wanted to say that she was wondering how she was going to return her screwdriver. 

-Yes of course darling, he forgot it here in the galley, says Tiffany showing him the screwdriver.

-Ya sure! Have fun without me girls.

Tiffany takes Max by the shoulders.

-Listen Max, the nice meccano is flirting with Josey here while we are working.

-Who Peter! Yes, yes he could be perfect for you. Well, I have to start the boutique.

He pulls the trolley out in the aisle and Xénia arrives with the other trolley. Louise gets out the galley. Max places the stuff on top of the trolley. A passenger comes in the galley pushing Max a little without excusing himself and asks if he could get a coffee. The man looks bizarre but Max decides not to aggravate the situation and prefers not to mention anything to him and gives him his coffee.

-Xénia, says Max, you are going to do the boutique with David and I’m going with Jade.

-What! Says Xénia a bit surprise.

-What’s the matter Xénia?, asks Max surprise.

-Oh! Nothing, says Xénia avoiding to look at him.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The light panel is flashing announcing a depressurisation of the cabin.

Max rushes to make the announcement. The flight attendants get out the galley and move quickly to grab a mask but none of them are falling. The interphone is ringing. Max takes the call.

-Yes

-The engineer pushed on the wrong button. Nothing to worry Max. It is  only a turbulence zone.

Max hang up and makes a message on the P.A.

-Ladies and gentlemen please return to your seat and fasten your seat belt. We are going trough a turbulence area. Please make sure to fallow the instructions of your captain. Thank You. Mesdames et messieurs....

After having made his announcement, Max instead of sitting down walks towards the back of the cabin and passes next to Danyele.

-Danyele fallow me please in the galley, he orders seriously.

They rush in. David is putting away the trolleys.

-Clap my hands, asks Max to Danyele.

-Why are you doing this?, ask David who stops working.

-Why?, asks Danyele laughing.

Max is standing and waiting for Danyele to do it but Danyele is having a hard time clapping in his hands.

-Oops! I almost miss it, she says.

David looks at Max and decides to try it himself.

-Shit!, be serious guys, asks Max. I think the engineer didn’t push the button by mistake. I detect a slow decompression. What do you think? Be alert, please. I’m going to see the other one in the back. Make sure all the stuff is put away for now.

After observing his crew, Max goes up in the cockpit.

Flight deck

-Captain!, he says with a firm voice. If we had any pressurisation problems, I’m the flight director and I would like my flight attendants to know about it too.

-Hey! Max, says the captain, turning back looking at Max like he didn’t know what he is talking about.

-Listen, I went around the cabin, and half the crew is suffering of light symptoms of euphoria, and those who are working at the far back are having head aches and stomach pain. So, how do you call this, captain?

The co-pilot and the engineer listen to him very carefully.

-What are you saying Max?, asks the captain a little more captive this time. Jo did a mistake before but just wait, we are going to verify again, if what you are saying is true, better be safe than sorry, we don’t want to take this matter lightly, I consider your observation very important. Well, Jo what do you think?

-My opinion is the bell didn’t go by itself either. Let’s pull the breaker. This one could be defective. Well Jo, change me this breaker immediately.

-Very well captain. They wait two minutes before putting the new one in.

-Effectively captain we ...just hold on...yes we did have a minor problem of depressurisation.

-Let’s ask to go down to 25,000 feet, orders the captain to Rick the first officer. Max, you were right to come and talk to us about it. Go down now and tell us as soon as the situation changes. But in a few minutes, everything should be back to normal. Don’t worry, but be alert. Have an eye open. Let’s verify another time to be more sure, asks the captain to his co-pilots.

Max goes down and makes a conference call to advise the rest of his crew. He goes back to join Jade to do the boutique. She gives a passenger a bag and tries to turn a piece of paper for the receipt but can not do it . She tries it with another booklet but can not do it still. Max looks at her and suspects once more that the problem is still existing.

-Can you write up the bill for a bottle of Bailey for me, asks Jade. I must have a hand full of thumbs today I can not flip the pages.

Max tries at his turns and is also having some difficulties. He looks around him and at the same time almost everyone in the cabin is yawning and try to unplug their ears.

-Jade, continue the boutique without me, please. I will be back, says  Max. He calls the captain right away.

-Captain, says Max nervously.

-Max, answers the captain. Yes, I know. We have a problem, so please, stow all your stuff away and sit down, I’m going to put the seat belt signs on until further notice.

-Alright captain.

Max calls everyone to inform them.

In the cockpit, the captain is contacting the air controller and asks the first officer to go down.

Peter the mechanic comes in the cockpit, with a worry grin on his face.

-Peter, asks the captain, go downstairs, and discretely verify all the door seals on every single door, verify the passengers, the flight attendants especially, they are the first one to suffer from  pressurisation problems and since you were sitting up here you will be more capable in detecting if there is a problem or not. Try not to stay too long down there either.

Peter goes down right away and looks around the cabin, checking all the doors one by one. He passes in front of galley one before returning upstairs.

 

-Hey! Josey, how are you ? Asks Peter. Did I forgot my screwdriver here by any chance?

Josey gives him back his tool and starts laughing. She tries to give it to him but misses her shot, she looses her balance and finds herself in his arms. At the same time Lorenzo passes by and looks at Josey with Peter and smiles. He looks at Josey again and pretends playing the violin and leaves to go to the other galley.

The curtains are open and Lorenzo stops a moment to observes Jade putting bag of sugar in a small container.

-How are you, Jade? You look so serious. Are you feeling alright, Jade? You know...

-Yes, yes, everything is fine, thanks, answers Jade. It’s very nice of you to found out about me. It’s nice to know that someone worries about you , you know.

-Listen Jade, after the service, come and meet me in the back, I have something to ask you, he says looking at her seriously.

He takes her hand very smoothly hoping for a positive answer.

-I will think about it, she says removing her hand from his.

She takes the sugar container to put it away.

Max arrives a few seconds after.

-Lorenzo, why don’t you make yourself useful in the back instead of flirting with the girls? We will start the service in two minutes.

-This is not what I was doing Max, answers Lorenzo frustrated by his remarks.

He looks at Jade again and leaves.

-What did I miss here?, asks David entering the galley with the special meals.

-Absolutely nothing, answers Max going to his jumpseat to make the call for the meal. Jade looks at David and waves at him not to worry.

-Listen Victor, says Danyele who went as well to get the special meals in the back.

He stops to listen to her, knowing very well what she is going to tell him.

-I know it’s you that played the trick on me. You are not finish with me my dear Victor.

He gets close to her and places his two hands on her hips.

-My dear Danyele, with beautiful curves and attractive body you are still mad...says Victor with a sarcastic way. Come on...

He brings her closer to him but she pulls back.

At the same time, Youssef enters in the galley from the other side but Victor can not see him since he has is back turn. He stops and waits to see what is going to happen next.

-Hey Victor! Says Danyele enrage. Your hands! Keep them in your pocket and don’t you dare touch me one more time. Is it clear? God dam macho! You don’t interest me one bit so be advise before someone else from the office does it for me. Capicce! Give me my special meals, that’s it that’s all.

-Well, well, calm down, you are not my type anyway, so stay calm alright. Here are your special meals that’s all I have for you.

Danyele takes her meals without adding anything else and returns in her galley. Victor turns around to fill up the trolleys and realizes Youssef presence.

-I hope, it’s quite clear for you Victor. If you want my advise you have to change your strategies to conquer the heart of those beautiful ladies.

A female passenger very elegant comes in the galley at the same time.

-Excuse me sir, my niece is not feeling very well. She has a headache. Would you have something to offer her?

Youssef looks at her and smiles.

The passenger smiles back.. Youssef gives her a glass of water and some Tylenol.

-Here you go, Madame. You are so ravishing, you know that?

-Thank- you, she answers still smiling.

Victor looks at Youssef and blows a kiss to the passenger and makes a big grin to Youssef.

-Lesson number one, courtesy and flattery charmed the women so if you get to familiar with them and that you dare touch them without their permission...this of course, they don’t appreciate at all, capitch!, he says on the same ton as Danyele telling him that he too understood the conversation he had with her and saw dam well what happen. He gets out the galley pushing his trolley in the aisle.

Victor looks at him and starts swearing in Italian.

-What does he know this black foot about Romanticism? He comes from a country where all the women are veil. He can really talk that one mamma mia!

Victor is furious that someone dare gives him lesson on women.

-Hello everyone, says Tiffany entering the cockpit. Would it be possible to bring up the temperature in zone A and B. The passengers are really cold.

-And so what!, answers the captain without even turning himself to look at her.

Tiffany stays there, discourage by his attitude.

-Well, it’s not just the passengers that are cold but we are too, she  precise.

-We are going to take care of this matter, my dear, answers Jo.

He looks at Tiffany to reassure her since it was not all the crew members of the cockpit who are  thinking like the captain.

-Thank you Jo, answers Tiffany smiling.

Rick looks at her moving his shoulder up, a bit uncomfortable by the captain’s remark.

She closes the door very softly and stays there, still shock by the captain answer.

Louis, the flight attendant on reserve, places the trays on the counter and comes and take her by the arm before she goes down.

-He is rude this captain, isn’t he? Don’t worry, he has been like this since we left Montreal.

Tiffany looks at him and moves her head positively and goes down finishing her service.

A few moments after, the captain makes a conference call right in the middle of the service. All the crew rush to answer their phone knowing it’s from the captain since it always rings with the red light flashing.

-This is the captain talking. I don’t want to be disturb anymore in the cockpit for stupid request of yours. Interdiction to come to the cockpit for now on. You have a phone use it, he says raising his voice. Use it or else go trough your flight director at all time. Is it clear?

-Understood captain, answers Max immediately. For now everything will go by me.

The captain hangs up right away. The flight attendants go back to finish their service not knowing quite well what on earth happen with the captain.

Zone B

-Would you like chicken or fish, sir?, asks Louise serving a passenger sitting in the last row of her cabin.

She waits for him to answers but the man still has his headsets on and doesn’t answer her back. He looks at her pretending he didn’t hear her.

“Ah! What an idiot!”, says Louise to herself. “Remove your god dam headsets you could hear what I have to say to you! It’s the least you can do and it is simply a sign of politeness to do so. Oh! Gee! My mother raised me so well compare to the rest of the world. We cannot say the same for everyone, I guess”.

Louise is still waiting. She decides to pick his meal for him. She waits for him to bring down his table but he shows her to put it on top of his briefcase. Louise looks at him enlarging her eyes widely to tell him to bring down his table once more but the man insists and she finally gives up on him and puts  the tray on the briefcase.

-”Is he ever fuck up this one, she says to herself returning to the galley”.

Max helps with the service in zone D. He distributes some trays. Arlene waves at him to come on her side. He shows her two seconds with his fingers. She turns around to give a tray and almost hit a man going to the washroom.

“Ouf! I’m lucky”, she says to herself.

-Miss, screams a woman passenger. Could you give us our meal? You forgot us.

-I’m sorry madam, answers Arlene but...she says to herself “ I’m not even there yet idiot! who do you think you are”

-Would you like chicken or fish madam, she asks politely even tho she felt like saying something else to her.

-Give me the fish and for my son give him the chicken, orders the woman with an attitude.

The little boy yawn, he just woke up. Arlene puts the trays on the tables. Max arrives finally on her side. Arlene shows him to fallow her so they can discuss away from the passengers but suddenly turbulence starts. She tries very hard to hang on to Max.

-I’m sorry Max, I almost drag you with me on the floor, she says trying as fast as she could to sit down

and fasten her seat belt

-Don’t excuse yourself Arlene, if this imbecile he whispers to her ears, was putting the seat belt sign on when it’s the appropriate time, none of this would happen.

The turbulence is very strong. Big gap of air is shaking the air plane in every ways. Finally, Max is getting mad not to see the seat belt sign on and calls the cockpit. 

-Can we have ...starts saying Max, but right away the sign lights up.

Max hangs up not daring to say something more.

-He did it in purpose, I’m sure of that. I flew with him many times before he is always like that.

-That’s why I wanted to talk to you about.

-Yes, I thought there was something going on between the two of you when he ask me where you were working before we started the boarding process. I thought that...you and him...

-Yes we had an affair before I started with the company. It’s him that told me that the company was hiring new flight attendants. We pass the evening together and the night of course but the next morning, I pick up his wedding band on the floor. I understood right away. But he really told me he wasn’t  married, so that morning, I ask him again and he answered the same thing that pig! So to make a long story short, when we got on board, during the verification of the equipment, he calls me and I told him how I felt.

While she continue explaining her story, the plane is shaken by very strong wind. Arlene stops so Max can repeat his message to the passengers.

-Listen, it’s not a reason to put the lives of passengers and us at risk and to make us live a nightmare of a flight.

-Wait a second, Arlene.

The passengers are standing up and are not listening. Max calls the flight deck.

-Excuse me captain, it’s Max, I was wondering if you could make a message to the passengers to stay seated while there is turbulence still. I made one but...

-What a bunch of imbeciles those passengers can’t they see we are going through turbulence.

He hangs up.

-This is your captain speaking, please stay seated with your seat belt fasten. Like you can see we are going thru  a  perturbation zone. So, stay seated it’s an order.

The plane is moving in all the directions. Max looks at Arlene and taps on her lap.

-It’s good that you talked to me Arlene. Don’t worry with this. They are worst one than him you will see. You know we are going to hurry up after this. In the front they are almost finish.

-Yes, I know. One of our oven is not working to well.

Max takes the interphone to call Xénia.

-Xénia, how come I was not aware of the situation in the back with your oven...

-Yes you are right we have a problem, Max but we fixed it.

-You could of told us we could of delay the loading of the trolleys up front.

-Listen Max, if you were coming up here ounce and a while to give us a hand in the back where there is more passengers, you would of known, but unfortunately, it’s not the case!

-Xénia...

-I’m not finish Max. Second of all, when we call you up front, you don’t answer and third of all, I’m in charge of the service so it’s me that give the order to load the trolleys not you. Am I right or not?

-We will talk about this later Xénia, no...I will simply write it in my report and you will find out for yourself what I think of this, but for the moment I have more important problems to solve.

Max hang up furious. Xénia satisfied rubs her hands together in sign of victory.

-If he thinks that he scares me that little Max, says Xénia  to herself well, I’m right and he knows it it’s non sens report don’t scare me either. Hum! What a waist of time. Instead of filling up report, or counting the bloody money of the duty-free, he could give a better service to the passenger by helping us and make the flight more enjoyable to them. Helping us serving the passenger rapidly and in an efficient way. Ah!....

Front of the cabin

Right as soon as the captain remove the seat belt sign, one of the passenger rings the bell repeatedly.

Tiffany gets out the galley like a speeding bullet.

She arrives with her coffees pot in her hand.

-Yes Mr. Martin, what is the matter?

-My dog is very excited. I don’t understand. What’s going on?, asks the blind passenger. He is not like that usually.

Tiffany looks around to see what could annoy the dog and looks at the dog sitting in front of his master just like a porcelain statue not moving an inch.

-I don’t see anything that could disturb your dog sir. Maybe he was afraid of the jerking from the turbulence or he simply doesn’t won’t to fly today your big pooch!

The dog moves his head from one side to another.   

-While you are here miss, could you indicate me the way to the washroom, again. I forgot how many seats there were to get there.

-Oh! No problem sir, answers Tiffany politely.

The dog is agitated again and starts barking.

Behind them, a few rows back, the man with the briefcase pushes an old lady in the aisle and doesn’t even stop to excuses himself.

The dog starts to grunt when he sees him. Tiffany looks at the dog but doesn’t understand what is wrong with him.

-Rrrr.

- What’s the matter with you Sunshine?, Stay calm, orders Mr. Martin.

-Sir, put your hand on my shoulder, I’m going to guide you. The passenger stands up and points to the dog.

-Sunshine stay! Good dogThe dog looks at him without moving and finally lays down. Tiffany is moving slowly towards the washroom fallowed by the blind passenger. She passes in front of the galley and deposits her coffee pot on the counter without really stopping to do so. The dog is creeping on the floors behind them very slowly. The passengers are astound by this dog but also afraid to see him too. The blind man stops and asks what is going on but at the same time the dog stops as well.

-Sunshine!, I’m sure you are fallowing me. Go back to your place, it’s an order Sunshine, big bad beast!

Tiffany turns around and sees the dog in the aisle.

-He is quite something your dog, she says.

-Are you certain Miss that everything is fine?, asks the passenger ounce more. It’s not in his habits to disobey.

-Everything is okay Mister Martin. Don’t worry!

They arrive finally at the washroom but there is a long line up. Tiffany signals to the passengers in line that there are also six washrooms in the back of the aircraft and three more in the middle of the cabin as well. One woman gets out the washroom and another one rushes in to enter. The other passengers look at each other, afraid to see a dog, they finally decide to go to the back without any argumentations.

-I think I scared them all, comments the blind passenger.

-I don’t think they are afraid of blinds, it’s more about the popular song of Bob Marley Mr. Martin.

-Oh! No!, it’s not true, I’m blind but this animal is death! What a nice pair we do. He never listens this hard headed dog!

The dog backs up.

-I think he understood, says Tiffany.

A passenger gets out the washroom and let the door open. Mr Martin goes in.

-You will find to your left the flight attendant button to press in case you need some help, all right, explains Tiffany.

-Thank- you, I think I can manage by myself, he says closing the door.

Tiffany hesitates to leave him alone and decides to stay and wait for him to help him go back to his seat.

The dog is hiding behind the wall that separates the washroom with the rest of the cabin  and waits for his master as well.

Max is dimming the lights in the cabin and the flight attendants are passing through the cabin  asking the passengers to lower the blinds while Max is making his announcement to tell them that the movie will start momentarily. The passengers are putting on their headsets and try to sit comfortably to watch the movie ... if there is such a thing on an aircraft but still they try to find a better position.

On the other side of the aisle, a passenger arrives with his briefcase, but the two washrooms are occupied but he still tries to open them. The dog slowly shows up behind Tiffany to wait for Mr. Martin.

-You always work with your dog?, asks nervously the passenger surprise to see a flight attendant there.

-Very funny, remarks Tiffany. And how about you? You always work in the washrooms or you are scare that someone can still your briefcase? Don’t you have a secret code to lock it?

-Non! He says rudely. You know Miss, he says trembling a little, my toiletry case is in my briefcase, it might sound ridiculous to you but I like to feel fresh and ready before I get off the air plane.

The dog gets closer to Tiffany.

-She smiles and bends down to talk to the dog.

-You didn’t listen to your master, it’s not nice you know.

The passenger starts getting very nervous. The dog places himself between Tiffany and the passenger and starts grunting after him.

-Come on Sunshine, your master is in the washroom, he won’t hurt him. There... my good dog, stay calm.

The passenger backs up and starts laughing nervously and presents his hand to Tiffany to calm the situation.

-I’m Michel Lacroix, by the way.

But the dog keeps grunting more and more. Tiffany looks at the dog, than bends down to pat the dog to comfort him.

-Oh! What’s the matter with you today? You travel a lot so come on, go back to your seat before your master realizes you are here.

The passenger with the briefcase is still shaking the handles of the door to hurry the other passengers to get out of there.

The dog leeks her face and instead of leaving he sits next to Tiffany. He bends his head and gives His paw to Tiffany like he was asking her to stay there. Tiffany stands up again and raises her shoulders.

-I can not do anything. I guess I’m only good with small dog and not the big ones. I have one you know and he listens much more than you Sunshine!

-How long have you been a flight attendant?, asks Mr. Lacroix knocking on the doors nervously.

-For a while, she answers.

The man gets closer to talk to her but the dog starts barking at him right away.

At the same time, a passengers gets out the washroom. Mr Lacroix tries to get in as soon as he can to hide himself but the dog enters before him and starts barking after him.

-Miserable dog!, you win. I’m going to use the washroom in the back. Are you happy with that stupid dog? Go on, go to the washroom, if you insist so much. I give up!

-I’m sorry, explains Tiffany, this dog belong to a   blind passenger. Wait, I’m going to get him out of there. Sunshine, would you please come here right this minute, orders Tiffany to the dog. Sunshine! Stop!

But the dog doesn’t listen to her. He gets out the washroom and jumps towards Lacroix and grabs the bottom of his pants with his big jaw and grunts.

-Tell this dog to stop immediately, to leave me alone! screams Lacroix quiet scared or else I’m going to kick his face off ! Leave me alone stupid beast!

When he tries to get red of the dog Mr.Martin almost drop his suitcase.

-Ah! I’m going to sue your company if it continues like this! Stop this dog all at ounce!

-Sunshine, screams Tiffany, live him alone! She says knocking on Mr. Martin’s door for him to get out of there before it’s too late. Get out Mr. Martin, your dog is aggressing a passenger! Come and calm your dog Mister Martin!

At the same time, Mr Martin gets out.

-Position! He orders to his dog.

The dog let go.

-Position Sunshine! Repeats Mr. Martin removing his sunglasses off.

Mr. Lacroix tries to go away but the dog jumps on him. Tiffany can not believe her eyes and is wondering now if Mr. Martin is really a blind man or not like he let them suppose he was.

Without hesitation Mr. Lacroix bangs on the dog’s head with his briefcase but the dog doesn’t let go at all. He grabs him with his teeth and he’s grunting.

-Good work! Sunshine, shouts Mr. Martin. Turn around Lacroix. Martin, federal agent, I’m arresting you.

-No!, screams Lacroix who is trying to go away.

He hits the dog and grabs Tiffany by the arm and pulls her near him, but the dog jumps on him right off . Tiffany tries to releases herself and backs up in the aisle tumbling on a passenger but this one so nervous to see a dog returns to his seats immediately without helping Tiffany at all.

Mr. Martin pulls out his gun and points it in direction of Lacroix. He pushes him towards the washroom doors and manages to pass him the handcuffs.

-Listen!, screams Tiffany quite scared. What are you doing? I have to tell my captain. We could of been told about your intrigue. You had put the life of passengers at risk and mine too! Show me your batch Mr. Martin, right this minute!, she orders.

The dog jumps on his master and stands on his two legs and with his mouth pulls out his master’s badge from his suit pocket. While Martin is putting on the handcuffs, Sunshine gives the badge to Tiffany who can not believe it.

-But it’s completely insane this circus!

The dog starts to cry a little shaking his head on both side. Sunshine gets closer to Tiffany and pushes her hand with his nose so she can pat him some more.

-Very good, you have a very good dog, who makes some nice little tricks but what proves me that this badge is not false, she asks to put him back to his place this agent.

-Listen, sweet lady, everything is fine, so go back to your work and let me do mine.

-Oh! You bastards!, she screams, it’s you, who is going to listen to me mister! orders Tiffany completely out of her senses. The security of the passengers is part of my work and the service on board is the last of my worry so don’t give me this shit Mr. Martin! You are going to tell me right this minute why you are arresting this man?

-For possession of narcotics.

Tiffany trembles nervously. She wants to keep the control of the situation. She raises her shoulders, takes a big breath and tries to calm herself down. She looks at Martin, right in the eyes.

-Fine, she says rudely. Give me this briefcase than.

-No!, this belong now to the government, he says trying to calm Lacroix down.

-Will see about that you are on Air Nation aircraft sir and let me tell that you that your work should of stop at the airport and not on board a plane transporting hundreds of people. Now, you go back to your seat, orders Tiffany and sit down, discretely, don’t move from there or you will answer to me if you dare worry the passengers with your monkey and your stupid dog!

-Calm down Tiffany, Miss, it’s finish.

-Shot the fuck up mister or else I will take care myself of your own little nuts Mr. Martin! It’s me the authority on board this plane and as I can see you didn’t do your job while you were on the ground so in my point of view you are not that good, luckily for you, you have a dog who does the job.

Lacroix starts laughing. His arrest doesn’t seem to bother him one bit.

The dog takes the suitcase and fallows Martin and Lacroix. Tiffany gets out the other way and rushes up to tell the captain. She goes up the stair three by three. The tears are sliding down he cheek. She enters   the cockpit tripping on the little step. She is completely excited, out of breath and very shaken by all this.

The engineer looks at her, surprise to see her like this, he tells her to sit down. Tiffany stays up. She tries to breath normally. The captain turns around upset that someone had dare ounce more to disturb them.

-I told you...not to come up here!

Tiffany furious is drying her tears. She wants to kill him.

-Listen up captain, she says with an authoritative voice. Your heart stories or your sex stories or your fucking private life!  I don’t give a dam about it at this moment. Do you hear me?, she asks raising her voice. You are going to listen to me for a change until I’m finish, darling! You are going to call the police in Montreal and ask them some information regarding a passenger name Martin, a suppose federal agent with his partner Sunshine.  Than, you are going to call the authorities in Haiti, for some help. We are going to need it for the disembarkation of the passengers.

-It’s not a little flight attendant who is going to tell me what to do on board my aircraft and make me loose my time with stupidities like this.

Tiffany looks at Jo and Rick.

-I ask you, she orders,  to listen to me all the way. Soooo...she breaths in and continues, so, let me finish. The blind man on board with his dog is a federal agent. He just arrested a man. Passenger Lacroix for possession of narcotic. He is armed for god sake! He has a gun! A real one!

The pilots look at each other stunt by this news.

-The federal agent is arm, repeat the first officer.

-But what on earth are you telling us, reply the captain who doesn’t believe her one bit. He tries to reach his passenger form to check it out.

-Well, she screams, if it’s like this and if you don’t take me seriously, you will have a serious report and the three of you will loose your flying license. Don’t you realize that this is serious!

-Calm down Tiffany and sit down, asks Rick the first officer. We believe you. We are going to contact Montreal, immediately, sit down, Tiffany.

She finally sits and starts crying.

Louise enters the cockpit rushing in and sees Tiffany crying.

-Oh my God!, I forgot to call, she says surprise. With captain Champagne, it was different...you know, I’m sorry.

She looks at Tiffany and is wondering why is she crying like this. She puts her hand on her shoulder to comfort her and decides to leave the cockpit.

-Come on, get  to the point, rushes the captain.

-Oh, yes indeed, says Louise turning around to look at him. It’s quite bizarre captain what’s happening.

-Close the door, orders the captain.

-Louise surprised, closes the door and continues.

-At the beginning of the flight, I had this passenger who was insisting of keeping his briefcases for take off, he made a big fuss about it, he even insisted in putting the tray meal on his suitcase, but now, I can not find him and the briefcase is not at his seat either. I’m starting to wonder what is in this briefcase, really and where the hell is he?

Tiffany dries up her tears once more.

-It’s a briefcase full of narcotics or maybe money or even explosive? Do you believe me now captain?, asks Tiffany relieved.

-Rick, Did you reach Montreal yet?, asks the captain, seriously.

-I’m still waiting for contact, my captain.

-Tiffany, would you like to continue your story please, asks the captain.

-I guided the blind passenger to the washroom, I mean the federal agent. His dog fallowed him...

Max enters the cockpit.

-Josey is starting the service, she is getting  impatient. Go down stair all at once both of you, you need to do the sandwich service, he says very stressed out.

-Max, shot up, close the door behind you and stay here, orders the captain changing the tone of his voice.

Tiffany continue.

-The dog fallowed us to the washroom, he didn’t want to listen. I decided to wait for Martin just in case and than Mr. Lacroix, the drug dealer arrived

to use the washroom but it is at this moment that the dog started to be very nervous and stopped the dealer from using the washroom. The agent got out the washroom, at the same time the drug dealer took my arm and than the dog jumped on him trying to save me. The agent jumped on the dealer too and than I try to get as much information as possible and came to tell you even though I was scared like shit.

-Well this is what we are going to do. Max,  and Jo are going to take the briefcase and bring it as far as possible, away from the cockpit in a plastic bag in the back washroom. Asks Lorenzo to supervise the washroom at all time in case this guy is not alone. Take the handcuffs in case you need it too and in case that federal agent is an imposture we better not take any chances. After that, wait for my orders for the moments, go downstairs,  try to stay calm and try to be in zone A to supervise these two men. I want the others to be in their respective cabin. Try not to panic the passengers. As soon as we have some information on this individual, we will call you and if not, we will proceed to plan B.

-Captain, says Rick we have the Haitian authorities. They will be there when we arrive.

-Max, think in replacing passengers but wait for us to call you. Be vigilant, asks the captain. This man might not be alone and forget the second service. I want the cabin to be ready to land. Tiffany you can stay here if you want, you have done enough for today.

-No, no I’m fine.

They leave the cockpit.

-Captain, can I ask you a question, asks Rick as soon as they went out the door.

-Hum!, answers the captain preoccupied.

-What is plan B?

-Oh!, I haven’t the slightest idea at this moment, let’s whish for the best.

-I hope so.

Ding! Ding!

Ding! Ding!

We can hear the phone ring with a red light flashing. Everyone is on the panic switch.

-It’s the second time the captain call today, remarks Chanel to Arlene.

Front of the cabin A

Peter and Tiffany are hiding in the galley. Louise passes in the aisle. Max and Josey are sitting together at their jumpseat. Max answers the call.

-It’s the captain speaking. We had the information from Montreal. We have an agent who is really a federal agent with his dog. He is not blind and he is arm. He handcuff a passenger who is a drug dealer. So Max and Peter go get the briefcase and tell the federal agent that you have to secure the cabin.

Max hang up and explains the situation to Peter. They get there fallowed by Louise and Tiffany who bends down to path the dog. Josey and David are standing up on the other side of the aisle, Max without saying a word, bends down and takes the briefcase. Mr. Martin tries to stop him, and the dog stands up to jump on Max.

-Sunshine stay! orders Mr. Martin to his dog.

The dog for a change listen to him right away.

Without wasting any precious second, Max passes the briefcase to Peter who walks right away to the back with it.

-Sir, explains Max. We are taking the briefcase to put it in security, since we all don’t know for sure what’s inside the briefcase... better stow it as far away as possible from the cockpit. Am I right, sir?

He looks at them.

-You may be right, answers Martin. We could open it to see what’s inside but I’m sure Lacroix is not wise enough to put a bomb, or to make one, so there is no way to be alarm.

-We have procedures to fallow, sir, so please put your seat in the upright position and the one of your man and make sure he has his seat belt fasten too, thank you.

Max returns to the galley quiet shaken by this and very nervous.

-You were not scare? asks Josey to Max.

 -Why should I be? The K-9 are raised  to fallow their master’s order, explains Max all confident, but to tell you the truth, all this make me quite nervous. Good Lord!

-You should of seen the dog before, Max darling, you would of been the witness of the least obedient dog in the entire police force, trust me. This agent didn’t stop ordering him to stay at his seat, to return to his seat but the dog is way too stubborn.

-Are you serious?, says Max, who passes his hand in his hair. Good Lord! I wish I was home in bed!

He gets out the galley and calls the captain.

-We have taken the briefcase, sir.

-Very well, Max. However, we have still some light problems with the pressurization of the aircraft so prepare the cabin for the descent. We are going to change altitude quite fast.

DING! DING! DING!

Red light flashing

Conference call

-It’s the captain ounce more. Don’t worry everything is going to be find. Have an eye open for other suspects. The authorities will come on board and position themselves in zone A and at every single door of the aircraft in case someone will try to escape. We also have a minor problem with the pressurization of the cabin so don’t hesitate to get a bit of oxygen if you feel you need it at this moment. We are going to descent in ten minutes.

After preparing the cabin for landing, the flight attendants pass in the cabin with a tray of candies and making sure everything is stowed and well secured. While the pilots are doing a rapid descent they still manage to land the big aircraft on the ground safely in Port-au-Prince.

Outside on the tarmac,

Numerous jeeps full of policemen are rolling on each side of the aircraft escorting the Boeing 747. The pilots immobilize the plane away from the terminal. The ground personal is putting a stairway to let the passengers deplane and as soon as the door open, policemen are entering the plane positioning themselves at every doors.

Max explains the situation to the passenger and the deplaning of the aircraft was a lot faster than it usually is on the island. They all disappear under ten minutes. The federal agent, with his partner and their prisoner get out last.

-Max, says Rick the first officer coming downstairs. You can go out of the aircraft, we have to fill up a lot of paper work and without computers...you have time to enjoy a little rest.

He goes upstairs right away.

-O.k. everyone, announces Max on the P.A., we have forty minutes on the ground. You can go out!

The crew can’t believe it. They go out in a rush. Danyele runs to the terminal.

At the airport,

-Please fallow me, orders a guard man to Victor. -Listen, sir, complains Victor. You must be mistaken. I’m a flight attendant with Air Nation. Look at my card ( it’ s an airport card given to every employee of all airports in the world)

-We will see this in my office, sir. They told us that this drug dealer didn’t operate by himself and he could have an alibi.

At the same time, David and Xénia arrive.

-What is going on, Victor?, asks Xénia worry for him.

Victor stops walking and tries to explain her.

-Sir please go on, orders the guard man.

-I have no idea, I have to fallow him, says Victor concern.

-We will advise the captain, informs Xénia. Don’t worry.

Danyele arrives next to them. Victor goes in the office.

-Vengeance is very sweet to an Indian heart. You don’t have to tell the captain.

She looks at Victor, happy to have accomplish her trick. Xénia and David look at her surprised by her comment.

-No!, exclaims Xénia, two seconds later. It’s not true, it’s not what I think, Danyele.

-Humm!, trust me it won’t be necessary.

David can’t believe it either.

-You are not serious, Danyele.

-Everything is under control, don’t worry. I fixed everything with them so they can help me scare him a little.

Danyele moves on the side to see if she could see Victor in the guardian office. David and Xénia gets closer to see it too.

-Do you have your passport?, demands one of the man inside the office.

-I don’t have it on me. It is in my suitcase, but my identity card as a crew member should be sufficient and what about my uniform

-Give me your card, please. We have to do a verification. Someone saw you with the drug dealer on board.

-But it’s a complete non sense, arguments Victor enrage.

-Please check your language with us, sir.

Max and Louis arrive next to the group.

-What are you doing?, asks Max. You are not going to sit down?

-Max, says Danyele. I’m play a trick on Victor, look for yourself.

Victor is still in the officer’s office. We can see him quite nervous about the entire situation and now we can see him going to sit to calm himself up.

-Stand up, orders  the guardian.

-He stands up right away.

-Alright, don’t panic, my captain is going to come and talk to you. I’m sure you are making a big mistake.

-How long has he been there?, asks Max smiling.

-A good ten minutes, answers Danyele.

-O.K. I’m going to scare him a little too, he says.

-Hey! Victor!, they decide to do the boarding earlier and we are waiting for you to start it. We look for you everywhere. I’m going to have to write you a report and you will be suspended to have delay an entire aircraft.

The guardian tries to place a word but he can’t. He doesn’t know what to do and he doesn’t know either that Max is playing the trick too. He feels a bit ashamed now and worries that the trick is going to far and could of cause him to loose his job too. Danyele finally enters the office.

-Max, the captain says he will no longer wait. We have to go.

-Sir, starts saying Max shaking the hands of all  the guardians, I’ m Max Parker, for Air Nation company, I came in the name of my captain to ask him to let him go.

Max winks at them at the same time. The men relief, to see that Max is playing the trick too answers.

-Yes very well, at one condition, that he returns immediately to the plane.

-Go Victor, what are you waiting for?, asks Max.

Victor gets out all at ounce furious like hell about this interference with the law enforcement.

-Miss, says the man to Danyele. It was a real pleasure to had fun a little. I’m sure for now, he will never play a trick on you. You are most welcome in our country.

Max and Danyele after a long salutation to their new Haitians friends get out the office laughing. Danyele turns around and sends flying kisses goodbye to all the guardsmen.

They join the rest of the group that was hiding behind a palm tree to pretend that no one was still at the airport.

-Well, I think that he will never play a trick that quick. I’m going to have myself a good cup of Blue Mountain coffee. It’s so good, says Max.

-I’m going to leave you and look around, says Danyele, proud to have trick Victor.

-Are you coming Louis?, asks Max all smiling.

-Yes, I’m fallowing you. I don’t know where to go here? Would you like to go for dinner tonight?, asks Louis walking beside him.

-Yes, why not. It’s a date Oh! No, I forgot. I can’t . We have to go to the funeral of one of the flight attendants mother.

-We could go for a drink after if you want to.

-Let’s meet at Alexandre is that okay with you, asks Max.

-Perfect!

Xénia and David are walking together and look at  Haitian’s crafts.

-Tell me Xénia...how was it when you return home from Bombay? You know...with your boy friend.

-It was not a party for sure, nothing like I imagine it will be. Colder than my boy friend you died! I was asking myself if  he was aware of what really happen to me in India. I would of love to see some compassion, comfort, to feel like he had miss me a lot and was really worry for me but no!  And on top of it, I realize that I don’t even have any common hobbies with him or even share the same interest. I really wonder if I do have something in common with him at all. When I arrive at the apartment I felt like I was getting on his nerve! Really! Ouf!

-I don’t know what to do either, admits David sadly. I love Joëlle. At first, she really didn’t approved my decision when I decided to become a flight attendant, I though that will pass you know but no, it’s getting worst. She says that I pass my entire time having fun and that she is all alone. She really think I’m a waiter in the air. No joke! My own girl friend doesn’t realize the work I do.

They stop walking and go up the stairs to go admirer the view. They sit together under a nice umbrella to discuss some more.

-I told you David, my boyfriend though the same thing as your girl friend  when I started, six months ago and he still think the same. When I arrived the other day, the first thing he ask me listen to that David, the first thing he ask me was when are you leaving again? Really! I didn’t need that at all I needed lots of comforting and hugging. He could of ask me how I felt after what we went through over there, and the fire on board. No! Nothing. I did call him up in Paris to tell him what happen and I talk to him also when I was in India. It cost me a fortune. No, no, no, I did not  even have a single question on how I felt. How do you feel baby she says softly, it doesn’t hurt anybody, no!

She stands up, furious just to talked about him and goes accost herself on the balustrade of the balcony. David stands up to continue the conversation and to get closer to her.

-I understand very well, you don’t have to say no more. My girlfriend all she had to say was to criticize me because I was still in bed when she arrived. Does she know that when I was in India I couldn’t sleep one bit I couldn’t close my eyes afraid that another bomb will explode. That I was worry that perhaps I wouldn’t see her again. No, she just think I had fun all the time. It’s getting to get on my nerves these little disobliging remarks of hers. I think she is jealous?

-Gee, we should return to the aircraft, look the ground agent is bringing the passengers in wheelchairs already.

-Yes, you are right, let’s  go. Let’s go and have fun, like my girlfriend would say.

David grabs her hand and starts running all the way to the aircraft.

During that time on the plane,

Rick is coming down from the upper deck. Tiffany is sitting near the door looking outside.

-You didn’t go out?, asks the first officer who is stretching is back.

-No, no, I need to put all my thoughts together after what happen on board.

-You got scared, didn’t you?

He sits next to her. The captain comes down at his turn but stay further away to listen to their conversation.

-Scare me!, she says, no. No, I just pass at one inch to have become an hostage god damn it! Nothing more than that, routine I must had,  you are right. Luckily, there was this dog. This man was holding  me by my arm. When I think of all that, I realizes, that you can only count on yourself since I can not even count on my own crew. I come upstairs and I get shit by the front end. Very nice indeed!

She starts crying again in big tears. Rick takes her in his arms and comfort her. The captain stays there speechless not able to fix his mistakes.

-You are right to cry, admits Rick. You must of been really scared. But don’t blame the captain today, he is not like this usually.

The captain decides to leave without daring to say a word.

On the tarmac

He goes down talking to the security of Port-Au-Prince.  Lacroix is still tied up with the hand cuffs and under high supervision.

-Yes, I understand, says the captain. We will take him back on Canadian ground. Understood.

He turns around to go back inside the aircraft.

-Hey! Martin, come over here. Take back your bandit, orders the captain. Take him back and make sure he keeps his hand cuffs on at all time and you and your pet will go and sit in the back of the aircraft this time. I don’t have to recall that you could go to jail at the same time as your prisoner since you were in possession of a weapon without legal papers and without my authorisation it’s consider a big crime.

Lacroix starts laughing. Martin pushes him to walk faster.

-All this will be solve as soon as we arrive in Montreal, you’ll see.

My supervisors had advise your company about this two weeks ago when Lacroix had made his reservation, so your company didn’t advise you, there is nothing I can do, precises Martin who is taking back the briefcase with him.

-One moment, asks the captain. We’re going to see what’s inside this briefcase if it’s really drug inside. Misters, can you open this,  orders the captain seriously to one of the custom officer.

-We all ready verified the content, captain, confirms the policeman.

-Yes, but my job is to make sure of it, says  the captain.

-Very well, says the policeman.

After a second verification, the captain takes back the briefcase to bring it upstairs in the cockpit.

-Aie!, be careful, asks Lacroix. You are hurting me.

 The captain shakes the hand of the policemen and leaves walking rapidly, trying to join Arlene who was coming back from the airport.

-Arlene!

She doesn’t stop.

-Arlene! Wait!

He goes up the stairs behind her.

-I would like to give you my apologies.

She turns around finally and stops.

-I accept them at one condition that you stop being rude with every one.

They go in.

-Alright, that’s fine. However, I would like you to be careful for the return. We have to bring back the prisoner.

-Ah! It’s serious!

-Yes, the agent is armed and he has his dog with him. So check them very closely and make sure the federal agent doesn’t fall asleep. Wait! A moment. I would like to say...that my wife and I...it’s over. I would explain it to you later, and to tell you, that the night we have met...well, she had just announce me that she was leaving me, So since I had a lot to drink that night...I was desperate and since you are very attractive... I couldn’t resist you. Well, I’m sure I was wrong by doing this, and that I lye saying I was not married when I was but well...my marriage is now dissolve. So, I have to go back to the cockpit. You still have a good five minutes to get a bit of the Haitian sunshine before we go back in the cold. It’s snowing in Montreal changing into ice rain later on tonight.

Arlene stays on the stairways and sits down to look at the view.

When Rick sees the captain he stands up right away to leave Tiffany.

-You should change position Tiffany, suggests the captain and come and work upstairs.  It will be  more quiet.

-No, I will be fine, I rather be downstairs than working in the upper deck thinking about what happen again and again. I'd rather be very busy down stair.

-That’ s fine but if you need to get away you are welcome in the cockpit at all time. I think you had enough problem for today to over come. You were very courageous Tiffany and I would like to congratulate you for what you have done. Thank you.

He hurries to go up before she had the time to add anything. Rick looks at her, please to see that the captain had change his humour.

Peter finishes the inspection out side and comes in Josey’s galley, where she is poring a glass of mango juice for herself. Peter closes the curtains behind him and looks at Josey right in the eyes.

-Tell me, beautiful Josey, you most have a lot of admirers?

Josey looks at him and starts laughing. She tries to look somewhere else to answer him but he takes her face in his hand so she will look at him and waits for her to answer.

-No...she finally answers and anyway, I don’t want any.

He gets close to her.

-So, who take care of you when you come back from work, tired?

He pushes a fringe from her hair and continue.

-No one is giving you a nice massage, or prepare you a nice bubble bath.

She takes a sip of her juice.

-No, I’m fine like I’m. I arrive home, and I talk to my cat or I play my flute to relax. If not, I go see a great movie or I do some sport.

-Hum! I would love to hear you play. I could also prepare you a nice dinner at my place, in front of the fire place and than you could play your flute, suggests Peter.

-No, you would loose your time.. There is no way I will get involve in another relationship in my life.

He gets closer to her to take her arm gently.

-Ah! There, he says wondering his fingers on her arm to caress her a little. A broken bird! Hum! That’s sad. I’m going to give you some time to think about it. I do wonderful linguini a la Vongole and a great Caesar salad...

He pushes the curtains to leave and turn around.

-Tonight, I will take you with me.

He kisses her on the cheek and leaves the galley happy of himself.

-Hum!, she says finishing up her glass of mango....he ...I don’t know.. I ...well he is not bad at all actually, hum!...what! Well! why not....Ah! No! I had swear to myself that I was done with love stories...

She starts putting the frozen casseroles in the oven.

The return flight is long and very painful for everyone. The flight attendants have merit their rest. But the entire crew, without exception, is doing a very big effort to go and pay their last regards to Lolitta’s mother. Max with the help of the others had organize it so they could all go together. They also spend a bit of money to pay the bus driver and in Haiti, Chanel went to buy a nice bouquet of bird of paradise and Jade had bought a card made in Haiti to give to Lolitta.

When they arrive at the Hall, there was only Lolitta, her brothers and sisters, and the priest. Captain Champagne, Mike and George hade made it as well. Together they pray on their knees in front of the thumbs of the dead one. Lolitta is very emotional to see the crew there tonight. Each and everyone offer their condolences to the family.

A little later, in the evening Lorenzo talks to Lolitta and the others are listening.

-Lolitta, starts explaining Lorenzo. My mother told me that there is a woman of a certain age who works at the hospital with her and she will volunteer to come and help you out while you figure out all this.

-Oh! Lorenzo, says Lolitta jumping at his neck, how sweet it is to have tough of me but I will be fine. I will find another job that will give me a more stable schedule for my family.

-It’s not a good solution, Lolitta. You keep your work and one or three months from now, if you really want to change job than you will but now you are not able to take a decision like this. It’s sad but it’s like this.

-There is no way you will leave us down, says David putting his arm around her waist.

-Yes, that’s it Lolitta darling! One for all, and all   for one! If you don’t fly with us than you are going to take care of all of us too, says Tiffany.

-They are right, listen to them, tells Max. I think that your mother even though I didn’t know her, wouldn’t like you to stay home. I think it’s the last thing she would of want you to do. Think about it and take your time. I thought the same thing when my ex boyfriend died and trust me I have been through this myself. Poor Lolitta, I understand you very well, he says giving her a big hug.

-Don’t worry for her, says the priest. I told her I was going to take care of the children for a little while but I will sure appreciate the help from the lady you mention earlier.

-Well, it’s getting late, announces  the bus driver and I have to be back before eleven o’clock to pick up another crew and to top it up, it’s getting stormy out there.

-Alright, thanks, says Max. Let’s go.

-Listen Lolitta, tomorrow night we are going for a long pairing, you should come that will give you the chance to win a lot of money and to think about all this.

-Thank- you, thank- you for coming.

They hug and kiss each other good bye and go back on the bus.

It’s snowing a lot.

Peter is there waving at Josey and asking her to take place in his car. She thinks about it for a moment, Tiffany pushes her to go and she finally decides to go with him.

-Hello!, says Peter proud of his little surprise.

-Hello! Who told you where to find me?, asks Josey who couldn’t believe it.

-It’s Tiffany who told me you were all coming here tonight. So, are you hungry? I already prepare the dinner, I hope you will join me.

-Yes, but I left my car in Mirabel.

-Don’t worry. I work tomorrow night and you to so what do you think?

-Well, I don’t have the choice if I understand. I won’t stay too long Peter I’m quite exhausted.

-Yes, yes I know, I saw you at your best on board this very long flight. Don’t worry and wait to see what I prepared for you.

Fifteen minutes later

They arrive at his place. He opens the car door to let her out.

-Thanks.

-It’s the last apartment right on top, over there, he points to her. Come let’s go.

-Here we are. This is my home, he says entering the large hallway. It’s not big but it’s quite comfortable.

-It’s amazing! Are you sick or what! I always dreamed to have a loft like yours in the Old part of Montreal with walls in rocks like these one! And...you also have direct access to the roof ,wow! It’s genius.

He helps her remove her coat and boots than go on to puts some Pavarotti for some romantic music. He than grabs two glasses of wine and puts them on an ebony table in the living room.

-I’m glad you came.

He slides his hands on her arms and takes her two hands to bring them to his mouth to softly kisses each one. She looks at him smiling.

He returns to get the wine and offers her a glass.

-To both of us!

-To both of us!

-Come, fallow me, asks Peter. We are going to eat up there.

-But it’s the middle of winter.

-Yeah! But you didn’t see everything. I built a little place, just right here, look!

-Oh! Wow! It’s like a greenhouse that brings you directly to the roof but we are still inside the house. Very wise, very  wise Peter. You like flowers too. Oh! Gee, the snow is changing into rain, she remarks.

Peter had set up a small table with a red and white table clothe and placed two covers.

-Sit, I will be right back.

Josey very amaze to see Peter who went to all that trouble to prepare that beautiful evening and to cook a very nice dinner was quite charmed by all this. She admires the view of the St-Lawrence river and thinks.

-So, Madame, says Peter very happy of her being there. You are not too disappointed I hope, you look so serious for a moment there.

He deposits a large wooden bowl on the table.

-No...not at all I’m quite astonish by all you did for me tonight. Chin! Chin!!

-Chin! Chin! Madame. To your health! Do you like Caesar salad?

-Yes, I love it, she says all enthusiastic.

He rubs the bowl with a garlic, pours olive oil, and mix everything together, than he adds wine vinegar and brakes an egg in the bowl. He adds the croutons and the fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Josey looks at him very stunt by his culinary skills.

-I’m ravish and very impress, she says to him smiling. She right away takes a sip of wine so he doesn’t look at her right in the eyes. She takes another sip of wine and than gives him his glass so he can take a sip as well.

-Wait! It’s only the beginning, says Peter. Wait, let me explain. It could always be like this if you wanted me too, he says seriously. Come! He orders suddenly very excited. Oh I’m so stupid! I forgot the most important part. Come, hurry, I hope it’s not too late.

He takes her by the hand and bring her behind a big Chinese folding-screen that he installed at the far back of the apartment.

-Oh!, she says amazed. You ...you had prepare everything. I...I...can not believe it!

Peter had made a big bubble bath and placed candles all around it. It is just awesome.

-We arrive just in time, he said. The water could of leak, but now...he says a bit sad, I think it’s way to cold. Ah! Let’s go eat, I will make another one for you in the mean time.

-Hum! Wait, says  Josey. She touches the water. No, it’s going to be fine. Here, help me with my zipper. She turns around and waits.

-Is this an invitation?

He kisses her in the neck.

He bring down the zipper of her dress and whispers in her ears:

-I really don’t know how am I going to resist you any longer...

-Take all the time that you need Peter, she says turning around to kiss him.

They kiss each other madly and undress themselves rapidly to slide into that old red bath tub full of mousse with an aromatic smell of Jasmin...

Unfortunately, captain Champagne doesn’t have the same chance as Josey.

-Good evening everyone, he screams coming in the door.

He puts his suitcase on the floor and his flight satchel and goes check in the kitchen. He puts on the light

-Daddy is here!, he screams but no one is answering.

He puts his keys on the table and sees an envelop on the table with his name on it. He turns the envelop, looks at it for a long moment before opening it. He knows that this could be quite serious but he doesn’t have the courage to read it. He takes a bottle of Jack Daniel from the top cupboard and pours himself a large glass. He takes a real good sip of it while at the same time he unlooses his tie. He takes the letter with him to the second floor. He undresses himself ,finishes his glass and enters the shower. He is extremely tired, him, Mike  and George had made a trip to Acapulco and back, the same tiresome trip as the rest of the crew who went to Haiti.

After a good fifteen minutes under the shower, he wraps himself with a green towel around his waist and goes downstairs to grab the bottle of Jack Daniel. He fills up his glass full of ice, looks at the rest of his stuff and judges that everything could wait until tomorrow. He goes back up and lays down comfortably on his bed. He puts on the television than puts it off right away. He finishes his second glass of scotch and finally takes his courage to read the letter.

Dear,

No, captain,

As you can see, we remove the anchor. Since there is never anyone at the port, we decided to leave at high tied to look for someone who could pass more time with us. Just for the sake of it. We are at my father’s place in the country, if you want to see your children. For my concern, it as been a while that I understood that you do not have any more interest for me. We don’t have to take orders from you anymore. However, I order you to visit your children. You are the only one responsible for this ship to have capsized. You have let this ship drift away. For now on, I won’t be there to take care of your business: your apartment building, the rent to collect, the renovations....Starting today, you could take care of it. I finish to wipe all your old and new projects. I never had the need to get myself busy when you were gone...

I will also remind you that I raise your children all by myself. To make you happy, I left my job as a teacher, and I engaged myself voluntarily by love for you to help you in your business. Luckily, your children give me back the respect I deserve. I can not say the same thing about you!

Sign: the mother of your children

P.S: Your wife... it’s been many years ago that she doesn’t exist anymore.

Captain Champagne tears in his eyes don’t know what to think or do. He pours himself another glass of scotch. All night long, he drinks and reads his letters and finally falls asleep at the early hours of the morning.

The night is full of deception. Xénia arrives home not making any noise like usual. She knows that his big teddy bear of boyfriend doesn’t like to be disturb late at night. She removes her uniform and goes down to the basement to take a shower. Tired she hurries up to go nestle herself in the arms of her future husband. She is surprised to see that her boyfriend let the light of the kitchen on but 

doesn’t get angry at him, all naked she goes true the living room to close it. She enters the kitchen and finally decides to have a nice chocolate cookie and a good glass of milk.  

While having her late night snack, she hears a noise than a few minutes after, she realizes it’s her little cat that is scratching the back door.

-Ah! It’s you Pistache, what are you doing outside at this time of night? Hurry!, little villain, come in. It’s so cold outside and it’s raining on top of it... well ice raining, now. Oh! it’s awful. You are going to be all wet! Ah! Brrrr!

Xénia locks her door and goes up to sleep rapidly to warm up herself close to her fiancé. She goes up the stairs but as soon as she gets closer to the top floor, she ears some laughs coming from the bedroom. The light is still on. She pushes the door very slowly not  and than closes it back right away, shaken by the revolting scene that she saw. 

She takes her suitcase in a hurry and puts on her jogging suit. She opens up her suitcase to put her uniform not even taking the time to fold it properly. Pistache is mewing beside her. She takes him with her and goes out under the rain without even a jacket on.

She gets in her car and spins her wheels starting her car in reverse. Xénia cries. The wipers makes a terrible noise, she decides to put the music on very loud. His fiancé is at the window with a tall blond girl on his side. Xénia has difficulties looking outside, her eyes are full of tears and the ice-rain is obstructing her view. Pistache is mewing as much as she is crying. She drives full speed. It’s raining like hell. The roads are all fill with big holes of slush. A few times, she almost lost control of her car. She forgets to stop and continues to drive very fast. She doesn’t even know where she is going. Zz-top music is playing full blast. Xénia drives way too fast. She is troublesome by what she just saw and doesn’t see the red light in front of her, and suddenly a car is coming in her direction. She ears the horn but she takes too much time to react. She dries her tears off and tries to see in front of her but screams, horrifying to see the car coming towards her.

She moves the wheel abruptly trying to avoid the worst but her car is rolling into a big crevice. She moves the wheel once more on the other direction to avoid falling into it but her car ends up not to far in the hole, in the more narrow part where her car is now suspended in the air holding barely up there.

The car is immobile and it’s holding by a thread almost. The mirror fell off on her head and Xénia is propel roughly on the wheel activating the horn of her car. Her cat Pistache is laying down on the carpet.

The passenger of the other vehicle gets out of his car right at ounce to come and help her.

-Miss! Miss!, screams the old man who almost didn’t made it either.

Xénia is not responding. Her car is really crashed and is suspended between the sides of the crevasse and Xénia seems to have lost consciousness.  She is hurt, her total body is broken in the wheel and the music is still playing.

A few curious, and brave people stop their car on the side of the slippery road to come and help her. But no one can get to her car. They have to wait for the police and the firemen.

After a long moment, Xénia comes back to her senses and tries to releases herself from there. But she is hanging about three metres up in the air.

-Wait!, screams the old man. Rescuers are on their way.

She rubs her head and looks at her hand full of blood.

-Hum!, what a hit  my dear Pistache!

She looks for her cat and sees him not moving a inch.

-Ah!, she screams horrify. Not you Pistache, not you!

She bends down to pick him up in her arms. We can hear the sirens of the police. Xénia takes her cat and rocks him, crying without mercy.

-Pistache!, not you, why not him, my little cat!

-Miss!, screams a policeman. Is everything alright?

-No, not really, what a stupid question? You can leave me here. I will be fine, really. I’m very well and I have no place to go anyway!

-We are going to get you out of there!

-What!

-Bring down the volume of the radio, asks the  policeman.

She turns the volume off.

-I was saying that it’s going to take some time. We have call the firemen to come with their ladder to get you out of there. Don’t worry.

-No, but really, how much longer do you think the car is going to hold like this? It’s gone come down, shit! Let me died, anyway! I don’t care I want to die!

She starts back crying holding her dead cat much harder and rocking herself some more.

Two fire trucks arrive on the scene. One of the fireman deploy the ladder to come and rescue her as soon as possible. While the others install a cable on each side of the ravine to try to get her out of there. They have to hook her to the cable and have her slide her way down.

-Hold down, I’m coming, says the fireman climbing to her. Nothing broken? Can you move, miss? What’s your name? Asks the fireman examining the situation.

Xénia is not answering, she is still crying.

- Oh!, that’s fine, I will find you a name. Let me think, I will call you... Miss Daisy.

After a long moment, Xénia stops crying. 

-Xénia, she answers finally. My name is Xénia.

-Oh! That’s better, give me your cat I would take him out first.

Xénia is not listening. She is still rocking herself with the cat in her arm.

-Come on, give it to me, I would take good care of him. The fireman removes the cat slowly from her arms. Xénia is in shock and can not move at all.

-Hey! Oliver!, come closer, I’m going to give you the cat. Did you tied up the cable yet? I’m afraid this car is going to go down momentarily.

-Everything is fine Enoch, you can go on.

-O.k. that’s it. I have your cat, miss.

-Come, now! screams the second fireman to them.

-Good, I’m going to go down first, and all you have to do is turn around slowly. I’m going to tied this up around you, so you can be well tied up. I ...have ....the impression that your car could go down quite fast when you are going to get out. So, better not take a chance, Xénia. Come, hurry pretty woman.

-Hum!

-When I says go, you go out and I will wait for you just here, to slide you down the cable, than I will help you go down the lather.

-Hum!

Xénia after a long moment finally gets out the car.

-O.k. everything is fine Xénia, yes, that’s it, put your foot right there, I’m holding it. The other one now, perfect, we continue. We are almost there. You are lucky to be stuck there instead of down below, you know. O.k. once more, move just a little more,  than I will be able to tied you up and hook you. Very good. Are you ready for the slide now? Here we go people!

-Slow down Enoch!, screams the other fireman. You are going to fast.

-We are almost there. Perfect! Release us, please.

Xénia turns around and jumps in his arms to cry again. Enoch, the fireman, stays there a long moments, and holds her tight.

-Thank you, says Xénia after a while. Did I hurt anyone?, asks Xénia afraid.

-No.

An ambulance arrives on the scene. It is still ice raining out there and so cold that the roads are just a mess they are so slippery that even the ambulance had a hard time to stop properly.

-Xénia! It’s your name, asks the policeman. We are going to transport you to the hospital for a verification and to make sure you don’t have anything serious beside a few good bruises.

-No I will be fine.

-It’s more sure this way, suggests Enoch. Oliver, where is Xénia’s cat?

-Here, he received a rough hit. He is dead your little cat Miss. I’m sorry.

She takes him in her arms for a last time and gives it back to Oliver.

-I’m going to take care of it. O.k. Go with Enoch, it will be more safe. O.k.

-But my car..., says Xénia.

-A tow truck will take care of pulling it, it out of there, explains the policeman and I will fallow you to the hospital to fill up the papers.

Four hours later, Xénia gets out the hospital and goes to her mother who is very worry to see her like this at a time like that.

-My poor Xénia, what happen?

Xénia tells her the story and finishes to fall asleep on the couch.