Nicole took a slow, deep breath, forcing her customer-service mask back into place. Instead of arguing further or escalating the situation in front of the cabin, she gave Sam a tight, rigid nod. “Please calm down sir, I understand your position,” she said, her voice completely stripped of its previous edge, sounding oddly hollow. “Please remain in your seat for now. I need to consult with the lead purser regarding row availability.”
She turned on her heel and walked calmly toward the forward galley. Sam watched her go, feeling a lingering tension but glad the confrontation hadn’t exploded. He leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes as the plane finally began its final taxi toward the active runway.
Through the gaps in the cabin seats, he could see her standing in the forward galley, frantically whispering into the cockpit phone while casting anxious, furtive glances back toward row 12.