Heck, that's sure the best story I've heard all day. Expect to get more drink offers in airport bars from now on.

Ha! Still thinking about Jackie...

Yes. There are stories every where but it takes a writer to tell or in this case re-tell them. This is one helluva short short story. Even has a 'kicker', the next traveler with the Palm Springs line. Excellent work.

Sometimes life presents us with stories which just lay out right there in front of you. I've had several people tell me this would make a good short film. The most surreal aspect of it was finding myself on Face Time on Jackie's phone with his friend calling from Mongolia. He must have been thinking, "Who the hell is this long-haired freak?" while I'm thinking, "Did I ever in my life think I'd be talking to someone in Mongolia.

Loved the Jackie story. I've been digging around the concept of empathy as a core story theme so your response to Jackie's predicament really hit home. Jackie really lucked out sitting next to you!

Good to hear the story resonated with you, Caliann. Empathy is a good thing. The world needs more of it.