(Instant Transit - Part 6)

To be seen and not heard, at least partially    and not seen before could hear the of her ballet flats as ran towards the departure gates of Terminal 1.  As she picked up her pace she started dodging people left and right.  [recalls from a movie running in the airport or train station].  She didn't look back out of fear she might see the ticketing agent running after her.  [maybe more back story here]

[You're crazy Florence.  No one is chasing you.] She stops and turns around.  Nothing.  No one gave her any attention.]. See.  It's all in your head.  She pivoted and barely took one step before she felt the hand on her shoulder.  A big meaty hand.  A police officer emerged from behind the hand. 

"Hold on there."  The officer looked at her with an uninterested curious expression.  "I can't let you pass."  He pointed to a sign that read "ALL PASSENGERS MUST WILL BE SCREENED BEFORE BOARDING THE AIRCRAFT.  AIRCRAFT HIJACKING IS A FEDERAL CRIME PUNISHABLE BY DEATH.  CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT IS PUNISHABLE BY PRISON SENTENCES & FINES."

Florence stepped back from the officer.  Paused and looked back in the direction of the ticketing desk.  Perhaps now was the time to tell the truth.  "But I'm not a passenger you see I'm…"

The office didn't let her finish.  "Doesn't matter Miss. Everyone who wants to go THAT way." His meaty hand pointed down the hallway leading to the gates. "That means all friends and family of passengers.  Everyone must be screened.  Say your goodbyes now or get in line."  His meaty hand moved from her shoulder and pointed towards the crowd lining up at the noisy metal detectors. 

Florence soberly walked passed a group of people queueing up behind a red velvet rope.  [Movie theater flashback while waiting in line. Perhaps on that day she had to fill in for Doris.  It was the opening night for ['Movie Title'].  When Doris decided to leave early with the manager and left her to clean auditorium 1 and 2.  When she was left alone with that lizard faced Leon, the assistant manager.  [movie scene of a man stalking a woman]  Florence recalled that night in her apartment.  Florence recalled the gun.  [Narrator describes another  traumatizing scene] Reader should assume it's from a movie.  But narrator knows its from her own life.]

"Miss?" a hand touched her arm.  [This moment should be somewhat relieving.  Florence should be relieved that she's not living the life in that traumatic movie scene.]

"You can put your bag on the belt now."  The security agent motioned to the X-ray machine. 

Florence felt her heart trying to escape out of her chest. 

"Don't worry dear, your bag will be waiting for you on the other side."

Florence clumsily placed her butterscotch yellow overnight case on the conveyer belt's edge and it fell off.  The agent quickly picked it up and placed it securely on the belt.

"First time flying?" asked the agent?

"Yes." Florence smiled nervously. 

"Come with me." 

The agent walked Florence to the metal detector and stopped the line. 

"Here you go dear.  Just walk through here and collect your bag right over there." 

Florence passed silently through the rectangular gate and the agent moved on to assist other travelers.  She collected her butterscotch yellow overnight case and followed the other travelers.