You also said she didn't know where she was supposed to sit. She didn't. Evelyn stared at him. That is not true.
Richard looked at Clare. She was stopping in the aisle, looking around, checking her ticket over and over. I checked the row number, Evelyn said. Richard continued.
She didn't seem sure. Clare asked. Did she actually tell you she didn't know her seat? Richard paused.
She said something like that. Marcus's expression changed. Clare noticed. What did she say?
Richard hesitated. I don't remember every word. Evelyn shook her head because I never said it. Richard looked at her.
You may not remember. The words landed harder than his earlier accusations. Evelyn stared at him. You're telling me what I remember now?
I said you may not remember one sentence during boarding. Marcus stepped slightly closer. Clare raised a hand to keep the conversation controlled. She looked at Marcus.
You heard their first exchange? Yes. Did Mrs. Brooks say she didn't know where she was supposed to sit? No.
Richard laughed under his breath. Of course you'd say that. Marcus remained calm. When we entered the cabin, Mrs. Brooks stopped at the row marker and checked her boarding pass.
Mr. Hail asked which seat she had. Clare asked, "What did she say?" Marcus answered.
She said, "This one." "The aisle seat." Evelyn nodded. "Yes," Marcus continued.
Then Mr. Hail asked whether she would switch with him. Clare looked at Richard. So before the seat request, Mrs. Brooks had already identified her seat. Richard looked away.
I suppose. Evelyn's eyebrows rose. You suppose? Richard turned toward her.
You checked your ticket. Fine. Clare stepped in. Mr. Hail, this matters because you specifically claimed Mrs. Brooks didn't know where she was supposed to sit.
Richard's voice sharpened. I said she seemed confused. You also said she told you she wasn't sure. Richard fell silent.
Clare continued. Now you're saying you don't remember the words. Richard rubbed his jaw. You're picking apart everything I say.
I'm checking the claims you raised. Evelyn looked at him. And every time one fails, you replace it with another. Richard's face reddened.
That's not what I'm doing. Clare looked toward Evelyn. Mrs. Brooks, after Mr. Hail asked you to switch. What happened?
I told him I preferred this seat. Why? I chose an aisle seat closer to the front because my knee gets stiff. I wanted less walking through the cabin.
Clare nodded. And then he said the seat farther back was just as good. Richard interrupted. It is another aisle seat.
Evelyn looked at him. For you maybe? Clare asked. "Then came the money offer." "Yes, $50 first." Evelyn nodded.
"Then 100." Richard sighed. "We established this already." Clare looked at him.
"I'm establishing the sequence," she continued. "When you offered Mrs. Brooks $50, did you believe she understood what you were asking?" "Yes."