The Man Who Asked Too Much

There's always one...

Lacy had a bad feeling about the man in 15C when he asked for a magazine while everyone was still boarding. No one ever asks for a magazine on flights these days. There was just something about him that screamed trouble.

When she and Midge brought the rolling beverage cart down the aisle and asked for drink and snack orders, 15C said, “Yes, I’ll have three cookies and five pretzel packets please.”

“Sorry sir,” Lacy said. “But only one pretzel and one cookie packet per passenger.”

“Ok, thanks,” said 15C. “I’ll take three of each then.”

“Sir, I’m not able to do that. If I did it for you, I’d have to do it for everyone.”

“Okay, so what’s the problem?” 15C asked.

“The problem is you’re being greedy and you’re not the only one on board this aircraft.”

“Ok then, two cookies and two pretzels it is then. Thanks.”

Lacy handed the man one packet of each and he seemed satisfied.

Seemed.

After Midge and Lacy finished their beverage service, 15C pressed the Call button and the blue light above his row lit.

When Lacy went to see what the problem was, the man in 15C said, “Uh, Miss. Since you’ve completed your rounds, I’ll have those extra packs of pretzels and cookies please. Three of each. You probably have some left over, don’t you?”

Lacy stared at the man, trying to come up with something witty or sarcastic or clever that wouldn’t get her fired. Nothing came to mind.

“No,” Lacy said and walked away.

In the back Lacy discussed the passenger with Midge in hushes.

“Just be thankful he didn’t ask for all the possible drink choices,” said Midge.

Ding.

The blue light over Row 15 lit up.