Clementina and Dale are whisked from the lobby of the office building to a waiting limousine, and then to a corporate jet idling on a runway. Onboard, the cabin is set up like a lounge with leather seating and low tables.
One end of the cabin contains a self-serve bar with fruit and sandwiches in a chilled glass display case.
“Is this for real?” Dale asks, incredulously. “This is just like in the movies.”
“Does that mean that I should show you to your seat, mix you a martini and ask you all about your life as a secret agent?” Clementina says with a sarcastic twirl of her hair and a grin.
“Well, the life of a secret agent can’t be nearly as interesting as my first day as a jet-setting personal assistant to a Sumo wrestler. Man, is that even going to fit on a business card?” Dale lets out a laugh; the reality of the day’s events beginning to sink in. “How about I get the drinks? What’ll you have?”
Through the take-off and well into the flight, Dale and Clementina get to know each other. They talk about their childhoods, family and hobbies; they share stories about past relationships and dreams for the future.
‘I feel so comfortable with you, Dale. It’s as though I knew that when I first opened my eyes on the bus.”
Sitting close, with their faces just inches apart, Dale closes his eyes and leans in to kiss Clementina. Just as their lips are about to touch, the plane lurches to one side and one of the engines begins to whine.
Dale rushes to the cockpit and throws open the door. Inside, the pilot and co-pilot are talking frantically over the beeps of warning signals and alarms. They are clearly struggling to keep control of the small plane as it continues to tilt to the left.
“You’d better get strapped in back there. We’re going to have to drop to a lower altitude and attempt an emergency landing anywhere we can. Most likely a field or highway.” The co-pilot shouts over his shoulder while the pilot shouts emergency codes to someone over the radio.
“What’s happening up there? Is everything okay?” Clementina asks Dale worriedly when he returns.
Does Dale…
…lie and say everything’s under control?
…tell the truth and warn her that the plane is in serious trouble?
