Florence collected her butterscotch yellow overnight case and began walking away from the security line.  She heard the voice of the man in the business suit behind her.  She slowed her pace but didn't turn around.   

"I don't know where it came from officer. You have to believe me.  It's not my gun!  I've never seen it in my life!" 

Then she heard another voice.  It was the police officer. 

A slight smile grew Florence’s face as she followed the other travelers.  For a split second, a minuscule moment, she felt just like the ones who get to leave this place.  She, who was trapped by the circumstances of her life, held prisoner in that tiny apartment and meaningless job, got a free pass.  She got to walk away from a federal crime. 

She wasn’t too worried about that man in the business suit.  He probably had a good lawyer, she thought to herself.  in fact, his lawyer will make the police look like fools once they realize his fingerprints weren’t even on the gun.  He’ll probably work out some deal and get a police escort back to the airport the next day.

“Just enjoy yourself Florence,” she said under her breath.  “How often do you get to walk down such a grand and beautiful pearlescent hallway.”  Florence took in the majesty of the moment.  She felt like a queen with each soft step of her ballet flats.  And she held her gaze all the way down the hallway.  She could feel people smiling as she passed them.  I wonder if this is what Heaven is like, Florence thought to herself.