I get assigned the middle seat on flight to the Midwest.
The Window and Aisle seats are occupied. (< 2 hour flight. No reason to work oneself up. Last post on similar topic was titled Think Small and it came rushing to mind.)
WSM (Window Seat Mate) asks how “the big guy was so lucky to get stuck in the jump seat.” I reply that I’ve had back-to-back storms to thank for the rescheduling. No reaction from WSM.
Our Flight is grounded for a “quick repair.”
I pull out my PC to grind through some emails.
WSM steals one glance at my screen. And then another. And another. And another. And then just stares. (I need to invest in a screen protector to keep out prying eyes. Yet, we can all be forgiven to steal a one quick glance to knock out the curiosity…) However, there has to be an Emily Post rule where 4-5 side glances followed by a protracted stare is over the line.)
I stare back. Caught in the act, WSM doesn’t avert his stare. Doesn’t smile. He turns away after a few seconds (I don’t want or need a confrontation. DK, an ISTJ, customarily avoids most communication on air flights. And most non-work situations for that matter. Mantra – No talking. This would be an unrecognizable DK in work situations. Who are you?)
Pilot announces that we are ready to take off. It’s wheels up and electronics off. I pull out my paperback: Jose Saramago’s “Raised from the Ground Up.” (I’m trying to re-engage in “real” reading after in inexcusable absence for months.)
WSM glances over again. And asks: “YOU reading Saramago.” (Did he just say “YOU reading Saramago?” No, he couldn’t have just said “YOU reading Saramago?” He might have said “You reading SARAMAGO!” No, I’m quite certain that he emphasized the “YOU” and not the “SARAMAGO.” Amygdala screeching. I must have not heard him correctly. Let it go. Let it go. Let. It. Go. Pal.)
I reply after a few seconds. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” (Mr. Ever Polite.)
WSM repeats: “YOU reading Saramago.” I offer “Yes.” And show him the cover. He smiles but doesn’t respond. (I’ve concluded that he believes that Saramago is over my head. Too deep for the Suit. Too cerebral for the ex-jock. Must have noticed the scars on the nose. The cuts on the chin. Or noticed in one of his stolen glances that I was 100 points behind in my Words-With-Friends game with Susan.)
DK ponders his 2 way-forward options and takes one…
Path 1: DK lets it go. Normal path in non-work environment. Avoid non-essential communication and contact. ISTJ plugs in his headphones (Universal Symbol of Leave Me Alone), drops his head and buries it in his work. DK forces in peace, zen and solitude upstairs. Correction, DK tries to force it in and absorbs wave upon wave of a low hum of self criticism. (Move the work. Take the hill. Block it out.)
Path 2: DK moves in position for intellectual combat to shake up the little Napoleon. (A most uncomfortable zone for non-work-DK. Anxiety level is sure to climb. Treading in waters where victory is far from certain.) DK asks: “What did you think of White Blindness?” WSM: “I hadn’t read that one. I like his writing style.” DK, The Great White, smells blood in water and circles his prey…with the jaws yawning open: “Well, what did you think about “All the Names? And what is it about his writing style you like?” WSM: “I like his English writing style” (and avoids DK’s other query). The shark now bearing his teeth: “English writing style. Yes. I see. Very good.”
WSM grabs his pillow, turns his back and falls asleep.
Nothing but dry earth, killing heat, deathly cold…
On his father’s side, he comes from tradesmen’s stock, his father a shoemaker, his grandfather a carpenter, but see how destinies are forged, there is no bradawl here, no plane, nothing but dry earth, killing heat, deathly cold, the great droughts of summer, the bone-deep chill of winter, the hard morning frost, lace, Dona Clemencia calls it, cracked, bloody, purple chilblains, and if that swollen hand rubs against a tree trunk or a stone, the soft skin opens, and who can say what misery and pain lies underneath. Is there no other life than this drudgery, an animal living on earth alongside other animals, the domestic, the wild, the useful and the harmful, and he himself, along with his human brothers, is treated as either harmful or useful, depending on the needs of the latifundio, now I want, now I don’t.
~ Jose Saramago in “Raised From The Ground”
Image Credit: Empti-ed
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OMG, thanks David for making me smile…and then LAUGH! lol!!! So completely entertaining.
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🙂 Thank you Carol.
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Path Number 2 – with a slightly smug smile as you close your eyes. And a whispered “Gotcha!”
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Path Number 2. Is so you Pal. So you.
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Laughing – you know me well.
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Hilarious, Dave. I loved it like anything. From your two way forward options I would love to see you going for the first one :p Mr. Ever Polite. Just amazing!
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🙂 Smiling. Thanks Sonia.
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You are always welcome, Dave.
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To be able to report these details of your life is impressive, David. Your silent prayer was answered when WSM fell asleep, yes? There is nothing like business travel these days to screw up a perfectly good day. The trick is — don’t let it. Before I retired I would travel with a Robert Parker Spenser For Hire book and just lose myself in it. For me it usually worked even in a middle seat.
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Yes, Frank. Smiling. My prayer was answered. Never heard of Robert Parker Spenser. My medicine early on was usually anything by Murakami, Updike or Steinbeck. But, never could get comfortable in middle seat, especially on long journeys.
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Robert Parker’s book are so readable I found it easy to get lost in them. He was a detective novelist who had a PHD in English lit — made for a great read.
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BTW — I love Steinbeck and just discovered Murakami — more ambitious than Parker by far.
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Murakami has a of bit dreamy writing style and can challenging to follow but once you get comfortable he has a unique and mesmerizing writing style.
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I don’t relish the idea of flying after reading this. You were SO patient. Or is that, YOU were so patient? Or, you were so PATIENT? Oh this English language. It’s not so easy.
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Laughing. Exactly.
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Classic DK. The scene you paint is so vivid. Enthralling. And to tease us by leaving the ending open. So cruel!
You have me fired up for my repeat flight to San Fran in January, in which I have again booked 28D, ready to do battle with any couple with a young child who may have omitted to forgo the free seat allocation option to couples wishing to use the aircraft cot, and thus find themselves separated at check in. Bring it on! The natural Accommodator is ready to put his boxing gloves and do battle with you. 2 months to get myself fully fired up – should be enough even for me.
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:). Thank you Michael. I can’t wait to hear about Michael’s adventures on seat assignments. The natural Accommodator will persevere! Fire up the engines…
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You ARE good enough…..whatever the path…….
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That is why I bring old copies of MAD Magazine to read on the plane…I can mount that challenge …”Yea, Alfred E. Newman was decades ahead of his time..working to achieve that self-actualization thing, ya know?”
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Read this yesterday. Laughed then. Still laughing now. Thanks for sharing Ray
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Bravo (golf clap)
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Thank you Leonard
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Love the post. LAUGHING OUT LOUD.
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Thanks LaDona
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That nosy seat mate really met his match. 😆
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:), Thank you Sylvia
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Bravo!
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🙂 Thanks Bonnie.
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