Do not approach Mrs. Brooks again. Do not restart this dispute. Richard's jaw tightened. I understand.
Do you? Yes. Clare held his gaze. Good.
She walked toward the front. Richard leaned back. For several moments, he stared at the seat in front of him. He had shown nobody the old reservation.
Evelyn had refused even to look, and somehow that refusal felt worse than losing the original argument. He glanced across the aisle. The passenger there quickly lowered his eyes to his phone. Richard noticed.
What? The man looked up. Sorry, you were staring. I wasn't.
Yes, you were. The man shrugged. I looked over when you stood up. Richard stared at him.
The passenger returned to his phone. That should have ended it. Instead, Richard's thoughts accelerated. Everyone had seen Clare block him.
Everyone had heard Evelyn mention his embarrassment. Everyone had watched him return to his seat again. He looked toward Marcus. Marcus was reading an email and had not even turned around.
That irritated Richard most of all. Marcus had entered the confrontation, contradicted him, revealed that he was an attorney, and then simply gone back to his own business. Richard leaned into the aisle. Mr. Reed.
Marcus did not hear him. Richard spoke louder. Mr. Reed. Marcus turned.
What? You got what you wanted? Marcus frowned. I didn't ask for anything.
You made sure everyone believed her. Marcus looked toward Clare, then back at Richard. The seat was verified before you knew what I did for a living. That isn't what I said.
Then what did I get? Richard paused. He had no clean answer. Marcus waited.
Richard finally said, "You made me look like a liar." Marcus shook his head. I told Clare what I personally witnessed and everything I said became suspicious. I didn't make you change your explanation. Richard's expression tightened.
Marcus continued. I also didn't make you leave your seat just now. Richard went silent. Marcus's voice remained quiet.
You still control what you do next. Clare heard the last sentence as she passed. That's enough conversation. Marcus nodded.
Agreed. He turned forward again. Richard stared at the back of his seat. Clare continued the cabin check.
At the front, Dana noticed Richard was seated again. She waited until Clare reached her. What happened? He got up to show Mrs. Brooks the old reservation.
Did he approach her? Yes, I stopped him before he reached the row. Did you remind him of my instruction? Yes.
Dana looked toward Richard and now he's seated and belted. Dana nodded. If he approaches her again, call me immediately. Clare lowered her voice.
I gave him a final instruction. I made him confirm he understood. Good. They separated.
The cabin settled again. Evelyn looked through the window. She wanted the aircraft door closed and the plane moving. The confrontation had become exhausting precisely because there was nothing left to resolve.