it was a small airport concourse

                                 though considerably larger than the one it replaced which remained standing next door because a wellknown wateringhole and restaurant operated out of it

one went through Security hold then into an open-air patio before entering it to access the gates

whenever he flew infrequently he made it a point to keep to the patioto the fresh air than mingle with the thin crowd indoors

        decidedly so since Trump virus had taken root he wasnt wearing a mask any more than he had to

                                                                                                               he knew what time his flight boarded so until then he found a chair set his carry-on and bookbag on it he stood before it reading hed be sitting on his ass soon enough and more than he cared so this helped him mitigate the inevitable he also kept a clipboard paper and pen at hand to make notes if he was inclined

                                                                      he usually was

occasionally prerecorded or informational broadcasts were made into the patio via artful PA horns mounted in protected corners their acoustics were obviously assessed the sound was crisp not overwhelming almost conversational

consideration was also made not to pipe canned music into the space elevator music recognising that either personal music or the anticipation of travel was sufficiently stimulating

two people sat directly behind him at a small café table

                                                          he assumed they were together but each was at their smartphone  smatterings of quiet talk into them or otherwise manipulating apps

occasionally they addressed each other in an unfocused warm manner soon theyd be sitting side by side for hours

over the PA a stunning new voice braced themDEMANDED their attention

                                                                             it wanted a passenger precisely enunciating their name  Immediately come to Gate 4 it repeated their name once again  Gate 4

                                                                                          Oh man he thought rather he thought he thought

                    the couple at his back laughed

he turned to them 

                   Said that out loudhuh

they laughed harder 

Yeahwell whoever it is he said he wants to talk to sounds like theyre in big trouble  Sounded exactly like my old man when he meant business first middle last name  I was in trouble

they nodded

Yup no way Id want to be that passenger Sounds like theres going to be hell to pay

they nodded enthusiasticallycontinued laughing

Happy yare following maybe were long lost half brothers an half sister which could possibly be unfortunate for you yare married I think there are laws forbidding thatexcept in the South 

they laughed harder yet

his trip was starting off on the right foot

1142,  Day-between-Two-Ts,  15  9. 21

1044,  Twosday,  5  10. 21

Beatles  Day-Tripper  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IbPn5j2YKk