Something Tangible

Planes, Trains and Unpredictable Rides

To: Katarina-writing-editing@gmail.com

From: Steven.M.Andrews@AndrewsFundManagement.com

Subject: Smooth ride?

Date: September 15, 2015, 10:11 p.m.

Dear Katarina,

I hope you survived your flight and did not cause too much of a ruckus :) I also hope you left a little vodka behind for the next group of passengers.

I am only kidding. They replenish the drink carts.

In all seriousness, I hope you were at least able to enjoy first class this time around and it took your mind off any turbulence. I see online that your flight has landed safely. I am sorry I could not escort you to the airport, but I could not miss my business side trip to Shanghai, which, in case you were wondering, is not remotely as scenic as Paris.

Email me once you are rested and recovered from your inevitable hangover.

Best,

Steven

Grinning like a loon at her laptop, and indeed recovering from her hangover-induced headache, Katarina tried to come up with a witty reply in her slowed mental state. She was still reeling from her upgrade to a first-class private suite, which Steven assured her was the result of a personal favor that did not cost him a dime. Bullshit. But she didn't protest and went along with his well-rehearsed charade.

If business class was opulent, first class was obscene. How much flatter can a person lie down on a bed, she wondered, marveling at the excessive redundancy of wealth. The added seat pockets and upscale goodie bag were nice and all, but they didn't negate the fact that if the plane crashed, she'd still go down with it. In fact, she'd be among the first passengers to be squished on impact. But even Katarina had to admit that first class took the edge off flying. A hunky hedge fund manager in business class does the trick too, she thought lewdly.

To: Steven.M.Andrews@AndrewsFundManagement.com

From: Katarina-writing-editing@gmail.com

Subject: Smooth talker

Date: September 15, 2015, 10:35 a.m.

Dear Steven,

I did indeed survive — in style — thanks to you. I suspect you have more money than sense but I'll stop giving you grief for your generosity and extend my heartfelt thanks for bestowing it on me. The upgrade — and the pampering that went along with it — were an unexpected treat. I had no idea well-heeled travelers were so coddled, and I'm afraid that you've spoiled me for all other forms of transport :)

Needless to say, I'm home now and, despite the first-class treatment, I look like I just emerged from coach, so I'm off to take a nap and avoid unpacking or grocery shopping for a bit longer. I hope your flight to Shanghai was equally pleasant, despite the change in scenery.

Your eternally grateful travel companion,

Katarina

Grinning like a loon at his phone, Steven ignored the horde of Asian businessmen vying for his attention at the dinner table. Shanghai was insufferable but Katarina's entertaining emails were the highlight of his day — while his memories of their brief time together in Paris kept him warm at night.

Of course he paid for her upgrade — a pretty penny for it, too. It was a small price to pay to give her an experience she'd never had — and to ensure that Henry, who for some inane reason was flying out to D.C. for a blogging convention, was safely out of her way.