(Instant Transit - Part 4)

Florence gazed out at the Sea of people pouring into the main hall of Terminal 1.  A cross current of arrivals from the West Gate converged with the tide departing for the East.  She spotted the ticket counter across main hall, a remote island singing out for someone to stand on its shores.

“I guess I’ll need a boat for this part of the game,” she said to herself.

So with plenty of wind in her sails and her butterscotch yellow overnight case in hand, Florence set off across the crowded waters of Terminal 1.  She tacked back and forth attempting to dodge the oncoming people.  As they passed her, Florence felt a sparkling of stardust in their wake.  She stopped and watched the dust surround her.  It glittered in the morning sunshine and glistened as each particle landed on her skin.  She connected with the travelers in their dust.  She could read its bioluminescent stories and hear its celestial sounds. 

The power of the dust was apparent when Florence noticed a tall brunette who walked to the beat of midnight suede.  Her knee high boots that no other could wear told the tale of hyacinth and vanilla, of being lost in the backstreets of Montmatre, a secret love story that one must only experience to fully understand.

Then there was the sheep-haired boy that nearly tripped Florence when he ran back to pick up his fallen toy, a hand woven leather camel with soft wide inviting eyes, the toy that mommy and daddy bought in that fly laden market in Fez to keep him occupied while on a seven-day desert safari. 

Florence was about to look up when she noticed the flowing habits of the Sisters of Charity.  They passed before her with firm silent grace cradling multicolored retablos adorned with Andean scenes of harvest, feasting and adoration.  Florence had a vision that transcended the altar, that transported her to a Quechua village beyond the Sacred Valley.  She looked on as the elders gave thanks and presented the retablos to the Sisters as a token of gratitude for their service.

The crowd eventually dispersed and the dust began to settle as she made her last few steps to the ticket counter.  She had no sooner put down her butterscotch yellow overnight case, when she noticed a young agent smiling at her.

"Good morning.  How can I help you today?"

Florence looked stunned.  All the game play, daydreams and imagination hadn't prepared her for this.  Is this where I choose, thought Florence.  I'm not ready for this.  I have no idea where I want to go. 

The agent gave her a concerned look.  "Is everything alright Miss?  May I see your ticket?"

"I don't have a ticket" said Florence.

"Oh. Well there's no need to worry.  You can purchase tickets right here.  Where would you like to go?"

“Is anywhere a destination?” asked Florence.

The agent laughed.  "That's a good one.  I've never heard that one before.  Unfortunately, I can only key in actual city names into the terminal."

Florence laughed.  "Of course I know that.  I was just testing you."  She paused for a brief moment and then decided to go for broke.  "Very well then.  Let's start with London to Paris, Paris to Rome and then."  Florence paused again as if she were lost in thought.  Then she turned her head to the split-flap display spinning and updating the arrivals and departure times.

The agents eyes followed Florence, but she couldn't read her.  Her courteous smile disappeared.  She checked if her colleagues were in earshot of their conversation and then looked back at Florence.  Her eyes widened and her smile slowly returned.  “Are you planning a trip around the world?”

Florence spoke with confidence now, "Why of course.  I'm just visiting some friends and family.  They're spread out all over the world and I thought to myself.  Why not!  Make a game out of it."

"Oh boy this is going to be so fun.  I'm still in training so I'll need to get my boss.  There are some codes in the terminal that he hasn't taught me yet.  Just wait here one second and I shall return." 

The agent ducked into a door in the wall behind the ticketing desk.  Florence didn't wait for her to return.  This was enough for now thought Florence.  She picked up her butterscotch yellow overnight case and headed toward the gates of Terminal 1.