“Okay.”
She handed me a fresh boarding pass.
It still displayed 2A.
I thanked her.
Then walked down the jet bridge.
For a moment, I thought the problem was finished.
I had no reason to believe someone was deliberately manipulating my reservation.
Airlines made mistakes.
Computer systems sometimes produced conflicting records.
And even experienced employees could have trouble resolving complicated upgrades or reassignments.
I wasn't going to assume bad intent simply because the situation was inconvenient.
Then I entered the aircraft.
Emma stood near the forward galley.
She smiled professionally.
“Good morning, Mr. Cole. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you.”
She glanced at my boarding pass.
Then looked toward the seat number.
For a fraction of a second, her expression changed.
“Seat 2A?”
“Yes.”
She looked toward the cabin.
Then back at me.
“Would you mind waiting one moment while I verify something?”
I nodded.
“Of course.”
She approached the forward station.
I stood near the entrance.
A few passengers moved around me.
Then a white man in his sixties approached carrying a designer bag.
He looked at my boarding pass.
Then toward the cabin.
“Are you in 2A?”
“Yes.”
He frowned.
“That's my seat.”
I glanced toward his ticket.
It also said 2A.
I looked toward Emma.
“Seems there's a duplicate assignment.”
She nodded.
“I'm trying to resolve it.”
The man smiled faintly.
“I'm Martin Ellsworth.”
“Adrian Cole.”
We shook hands.
He seemed perfectly pleasant.
Then he glanced toward the cabin.
“Executive operations moved me this morning. I was originally in 3C.”
I nodded.
“Maybe they can return you to 3C while sorting this out.”
He considered that.
“I'd be fine with it.”
For a moment, I felt relieved.
Two passengers.
One duplicate seat.
A straightforward solution might be possible.
Then Richard Halden appeared.
He looked at Martin.
His face immediately brightened.
“Martin!”
The consultant smiled.
“Richard.”
The two men shook hands warmly.
Halden turned toward me.
His expression changed.
“What's going on here?”
Emma stepped forward.
“Sir, both passengers have boarding passes for seat 2A. Mr. Cole's original reservation remains confirmed, and Mr. Ellsworth has indicated he's willing to return to his previous seat if necessary.”
Halden stared at her.
Then looked toward me.
“So you're the passenger causing the problem.”
I blinked.
“I'm sorry?”
He folded his arms.