LJ Idol Chapter 9: The Better Half
Andrea and I are in the airport by Monday morning. Our flight is in the afternoon.
Eight years ago, a man snuck explosives onto an airplane in his shoe. Since then, we have to remove our shoes whenever we go through airport security. Eight days ago, a man snuck explosives onto an airplane in his underwear. I plan my attire in case I need to strip.
I don't like going to Omaha. I don't like leaving my area of town. I don't like all these bright lights and close scrutiny. I don't like emptying my pockets, taking off my belt and shoes, and most of all leaving my ambiance behind.
I sit in the airport. I feel strangely conspicuous.
My better half, on the other hand, is treating this like a vacation. She has travel brochures and matching luggage and is telling security to hand check her briefcase.
Andrea hired me to find her friend Carol, who seems to have flown to Omaha to meet an internet boyfriend of hers. The thing is, I'm not certain that the picture Carol had of her boyfriend is accurate, and I'm not certain Carol was interested in boyfriends from Omaha. The only thing I am certain of is that Carol had a plane ticket, and according to one of Flash's friends, that ticket was used.
I didn't ask how he knew, and he didn't tell. Sometimes, you just gotta trust your friends.
Andrea, on the other hand, isn't a friend. She is a client. She hired me, and now is acting like my supervisor. You don't go into McDonald's and tell them how to cook your burger. And, you don't follow a private eye around while he is working on your case. You pay them and accept disappointment.
I work alone. I don't have a partner. I don't have a Girl Friday. I have me, Jack. I can depend on me to watch my back, and I can depend on me not to get captured and used as leverage.
I look over at Andrea while she argues with the security guard. I realize that I'm glad we have round trip tickets. If someone jumps us and holds a gun to her head, at least I'll still be able to get home.
This is my entry for Week 9 of LiveJournal Idol, Season 6. To read the other entries in the contest, click here.
Eight years ago, a man snuck explosives onto an airplane in his shoe. Since then, we have to remove our shoes whenever we go through airport security. Eight days ago, a man snuck explosives onto an airplane in his underwear. I plan my attire in case I need to strip.
I don't like going to Omaha. I don't like leaving my area of town. I don't like all these bright lights and close scrutiny. I don't like emptying my pockets, taking off my belt and shoes, and most of all leaving my ambiance behind.
I sit in the airport. I feel strangely conspicuous.
My better half, on the other hand, is treating this like a vacation. She has travel brochures and matching luggage and is telling security to hand check her briefcase.
Andrea hired me to find her friend Carol, who seems to have flown to Omaha to meet an internet boyfriend of hers. The thing is, I'm not certain that the picture Carol had of her boyfriend is accurate, and I'm not certain Carol was interested in boyfriends from Omaha. The only thing I am certain of is that Carol had a plane ticket, and according to one of Flash's friends, that ticket was used.
I didn't ask how he knew, and he didn't tell. Sometimes, you just gotta trust your friends.
Andrea, on the other hand, isn't a friend. She is a client. She hired me, and now is acting like my supervisor. You don't go into McDonald's and tell them how to cook your burger. And, you don't follow a private eye around while he is working on your case. You pay them and accept disappointment.
I work alone. I don't have a partner. I don't have a Girl Friday. I have me, Jack. I can depend on me to watch my back, and I can depend on me not to get captured and used as leverage.
I look over at Andrea while she argues with the security guard. I realize that I'm glad we have round trip tickets. If someone jumps us and holds a gun to her head, at least I'll still be able to get home.
This is my entry for Week 9 of LiveJournal Idol, Season 6. To read the other entries in the contest, click here.