"But that doesn't explain how you got first class," Jessica interjected. "Those seats cost $800. You probably used miles or some upgrade trick."
"I paid full price," Marcus replied. "This morning. At 6:43 a.m."
Morrison felt something cold settle in his stomach. The specificity was unsettling. Most passengers could not remember the exact minute they had booked a flight.
"Nine minutes to departure."
"Captain," Jessica said, "other passengers are complaining. They paid good money for a comfortable flight. This situation is making everyone uncomfortable."
She was right that people were staring. The businessman in 1C openly watched them now. The woman in 3D had her phone out. The tension in the cabin was palpable.
"Sir," Morrison said, "I'm going to ask you to deplane voluntarily. We can sort this out at the gate with customer service."
"No."
The word cut through the cabin like a blade.
Morrison had heard that tone before from passengers who eventually ended up in handcuffs.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I said no, Captain Morrison. I'm not deplaning. I'm not moving. I'm staying in my assigned seat until this aircraft reaches Phoenix."
Jessica's face went red. "That's it. I'm calling security. You're trespassing."
"Eight minutes to departure."
"Jessica, make the call," Morrison said.
He had had enough. In his mind, the calm passenger had become unstable, perhaps even dangerous, simply because he had refused the captain's direction.
Marcus checked his watch again, the Patek Philippe on his wrist worth more than Morrison's annual salary.
"Captain, before you do that, I have a question. Are you familiar with Federal Aviation Regulation 91.11?"
Morrison paused. That was specific. Very specific.
"It deals with interference with crew members during flight operations."
"Then you understand there is a legal framework governing what happens here."
"Sir, are you threatening legal action?"
"I'm asking whether you understand the legal framework you're currently operating under."
Emma's livestream exploded past 30,000 viewers. The comments blurred into outrage.
This is 2024 and we're still doing this?
Get this racist crew fired.
I'm recording this for the news.
"Seven minutes to departure."
Morrison's radio crackled.
"Captain Morrison, this is ground security. We're boarding for a passenger removal."
"Copy that," Morrison replied, but something in Marcus's expression made him hesitate.
"Captain," Marcus said softly, "I think you should know something before those officers arrive."
"Why?"
"This conversation is being recorded by at least 12 devices. Your crew member has made several statements that could be construed as discriminatory under federal law. And in about 30 seconds, you're going to receive a phone call that will change everything."