And him? What about him? He gets to accuse me and then sit there like nothing happened. Marcus spoke before Dana could.
I didn't accuse you of anything beyond what I witnessed. Richard shook his head. You made me look dishonest. Marcus paused.
I didn't control what you said before I stood up. Richard looked away. Dana pointed toward his seat belt. Mr. Hail, do you understand my instructions?
Richard did not respond immediately. Do you understand them? Yes. Will you follow them?
Richard looked toward Evelyn. Yes. Thank you. Dana stepped away.
Clare followed her toward the front. Marcus also turned forward.
For the first time in several minutes, nobody was talking to Richard. The cabin returned to ordinary departure sounds. Overhead bins clicked shut, seat belts fastened. A child whispered to his mother across the aisle.
Evelyn took a slow breath and rested her hands in her lap. Marcus opened an email on his phone. He had no reason to remain involved. Richard had been given his answer.
For almost a minute, he stayed still. Then he noticed the passenger across the aisle looking at him. The man quickly looked away. Richard glanced toward another row.
A woman who had witnessed part of the dispute leaned toward her companion and whispered something. Richard could not hear the words. He didn't need to. He imagined them.
That was enough. He leaned toward Clare as she passed. Can I speak with you? Clare stopped briefly.
Richard held up his phone. I want something included in your report. What? that this seat was originally mine.
We'll document the previous assignment and that I wasn't targeting Mrs. Brooks. Clare paused. I'll document what happened. I'm not going to assign motives to you.
Richard frowned. Then document that she misunderstood me. I can't document that as a fact. Why not?
Because Mrs. Brooks hasn't said she misunderstood you. Richard lowered his voice. Everyone now thinks I picked an elderly woman and tried to throw her out of her seat. Clare looked at him.
I can't control what other passengers think. You can correct the record. The factual record is what I'm documenting. Richard looked toward Evelyn.
She could clear this up in 10 seconds. Clare's expression changed. No. Richard looked back.
No. Mrs. Brooks does not owe you a statement about your intentions. I'm not asking for an apology. You're asking her to repair how you believe other people see you.
Richard stared at Clare. I just want her to admit there was a reason I approached her. There was. Richard seemed surprised.
Clare continued. You wanted a seat that had previously been assigned to you. Exactly. And she was still allowed to refuse.
Richard's relief disappeared. Clare lowered her voice. This issue can end right now, Mr. Hail. Let it.
She walked away. Richard watched her go. Then he opened his airline app. He scrolled through his trip history until the older reservation appeared.