He was not angry that other passengers received good service.
He was glad they did.
What troubled him was the difference in treatment.
When the attendant reached his seat, she placed a tray down without introducing the meal.
Then she left.
He looked at it.
At first, he thought the bread had been dusted with an unusual herb.
He leaned closer.
The discolored patches were unmistakable.
Mold.
He lifted the sealed side package.
Its date had passed.
Then he examined the chicken.
An unpleasant odor rose from the tray.
He immediately set the package down.
The CEO looked toward the galley.
He pressed his call button.
No one came.
He waited several minutes.
The senior attendant passed his seat while carrying a fresh dessert to another passenger.
She glanced at the illuminated call indicator.
Then she continued walking.
The CEO lowered his eyes to the meal.
He photographed the bread.
He waited again.
A man seated two rows behind him leaned into the aisle.
“Excuse me, miss,” he called as the senior attendant passed. “The gentleman up front has been waiting.”
She forced a smile.
“I know.”
She kept moving.
The CEO photographed the expiration label.
The elderly teacher across the aisle looked toward his tray.
Her expression changed immediately.
“Oh, my goodness.”
He raised his eyes.
She leaned closer.
“Is that mold?”
“Yes.”
“On an airline meal?”
“Apparently.”
She looked outraged.
“You need to tell someone.”
“I've requested assistance.”
The woman reached for her call button.
He raised one hand gently.
“That's kind, but I've already called.”
She lowered her hand.
Then she looked toward the galley.
“I've taught children for thirty-four years. I've never seen an adult deliberately ignore someone quite so openly.”
The CEO offered a faint smile.
“I hope it turns out to be a misunderstanding.”
The teacher studied him.
“I hope so too.”
Several more minutes passed.
Finally, the younger attendant approached.
“May I help you, sir?”
He gestured toward the tray.
“I believe there's a problem with the meal.”
She looked down.
Her face lost color.
The CEO noticed immediately.
She stared at the mold-covered bread.
Then at the chicken.
Then at the expired package.
Her hands tightened around the service cloth she was carrying.
“Sir, please don't eat anything.”
“I haven't.”
She looked toward the galley.
“I need to remove this.”
Before she could lift the tray, the senior attendant appeared.
“What are you doing?”
The junior woman froze.
“This meal is unsafe.”
The senior attendant's expression hardened.
“Go handle your section.”
“But—”
“Now.”
The younger attendant looked at the CEO.