Of Prohibited Items

Short Story Day 127 of 365

“Tell me again why we’re going to that French bakery before we get to the airport,” Janice said.

“Pretty simple really,” said Nicole. “My brother wanted me to bring back a few Cuban cigars since Canada sells them and the U.S. doesn’t. If I get some freshly baked bread, I can put the Cubans in between the bread and there’s no way the drug dogs will be able to smell them through the bread aroma.”

“That’s an interesting way to do it, but if you say so…”

Nicole and Janice got to Trudeau Airport with more than two hours to spare. According to the marquee signs, the security line was a 45-minute wait.

“Now I’m getting a bit nervous, Janice,” Nicole said barely above a whisper. “I mean, what if they detain me and then I don’t get on this flight? I’ve got to get home this afternoon. Today’s Rick’s birthday and I promised I would go out with him. Of course, when he heard about me buying those Cubans for my brother, he wanted one. Glad I got three total. But Janice, what if…”

“Girl, what if what if what if. If you’re uncomfortable and it would ease your mind, pass ‘em over. They’re not gonna say anything. It’s your treat at a coffee shop when we get back if I do this, okay?”

“Deal.”

Nicole looked around and rifled through her bag and handed the Cubans to Janice, trying to cover over the cigars with both hands.

“Bread too to mask the smell?” Nicole asked.

“Naa. I don’t need them. You worry too much, Nicky.”

The line moved faster than the sign indicated and Janice was the first to get through Customs. She waited for Nicole at the end.

“Anything to declare?”

“No,” Nicole said.

The agent opened Nicole’s handbag and called the dogs over.

“Miss, um, Miss Bloomberg, transporting baked items across the border from Canada to the United States is restricted. That includes bread, cookies, cakes, and other assorted pastries. Are you aware of that?”

“I, uh, no, I wasn’t.

“Often people bring it to mask the smell of other restricted items such as cheeses and cigars. Do you have any of those items in your possession you’d like to declare?”

“Uh, no. No I don’t.”

“Thank you for your honesty. However, because we found one restricted item, we are required by Canadian law to perform a full search of your possessions prior to passage through to the gates. Please stand aside and my colleague will do a search of your baggage and you can be on your way. Sorry for the inconvenience.”