Of losing the special treatment she'd grown accustomed to receiving.
Then she disappeared into the jet bridge.
The airline arranged for airport personnel to document the incident and preserve witness information.
Caroline provided her own account, disputing that she intentionally struck the cup. She said she had been promised the seat and believed I was refusing to cooperate with a valid reassignment.
Her statement mattered.
Even when the video appeared unfavorable, she was entitled to have her account considered.
But the decision to remove her from that departure had already been made on the basis of the unresolved confrontation and the need to maintain a safe cabin.
The airline would review whether further travel restrictions were appropriate after examining the evidence.
Meanwhile, a relief senior flight attendant was assigned to the departure.
Marianne was taken off the flight for a formal review of her handling of the incident, with her account and the relevant records preserved.
She looked devastated.
As she left, she stopped near my seat.
For a moment, she seemed uncertain.
Then said quietly, "Mr. Monroe, I'm sorry."
I looked toward her.
She continued.
"I should've intervened."
I took a slow breath.
"Yes."
Her eyes filled.
She nodded.
For several seconds, she didn't speak.
Then she walked toward the jet bridge.
I watched her go.
I didn't know whether she would keep her job.
I didn't know what the investigation would establish about her previous conduct.
And I wasn't going to decide those questions from a first-class seat while my clothes were still damp from spilled coffee.
But I knew that the company needed to examine what she had done.
Not because she failed to recognize me.
Because she had failed to protect a passenger when she understood that something was wrong.
The aircraft eventually departed after a lengthy delay.
I remained in Seat 2A.
Nina asked whether I would prefer to take a later flight.
I considered it.
The experience had left me shaken, and I could have arranged another journey.
But after the medical assessment, I felt able to travel, and I wanted to return to Atlanta.
I also wanted to sit in the seat I'd purchased.
Not to prove a point to Caroline.
Simply because I didn't want the incident to determine what I was allowed to do next.
Before departure, the new senior attendant approached.
She introduced herself, confirmed that my original seat assignment had been restored in the passenger system, and explained how I could submit any additional information about the incident.
Then she asked whether I needed anything.
I looked toward the window.