Blake peered out the aircraft window at bloodshot clouds backlit bright by the falling sun, eyes locked on the variant reds, appreciating their brevity. Soon, only pale pink wisps remained. Within the soaring tube of steel, furnished with composite walls, flooring and upholstery, he considered his fellow travelers.
All were united in this ocean crossing, yet each soul unique, following its own flight path. To his left was a middle-aged man in a tailored gray suit, whose white shirt cuff was tinted pink by the residual twilight. Since boarding, the man hadn’t spoken a word, or even made eye contact. But neither had Blake.
Blake said to him, “Heading out or returning home?”
The man hesitated, looked up, and said, “Are transient acquaintances of any value?”
Blake said, “Do you ever admire a sunset?”
George sets a beautiful picture. We’ve all been there – on a plane that is – wondering who that stranger is sitting next to us…….