The man left.
The woman who had been recording paused too.
“I recorded from when she asked what you do.”
The CEO looked at her phone.
“Keep the original.”
The passenger frowned.
“You want me to send it?”
“Not yet.”
The woman understood.
Evidence.
Not content.
She nodded.
Then deplaned.
Within eight minutes, the cabin emptied except for crew, security, and three corporate officials who had arrived from the terminal.
The CEO stood near seat 2A.
The Senior Flight Attendant sat two rows away.
Her hands trembled.
The Junior Flight Attendant stood near the galley.
The Captain spoke with airport police outside.
The Operations Executive was separated from everyone.
His phone had been placed inside an evidence sleeve.
The CEO looked toward the Senior Flight Attendant.
The woman stared at the floor.
The CEO walked closer.
The attendant looked up.
“I’m sorry.”
The CEO sat across the aisle.
“For what?”
The woman’s eyes filled.
“Everything.”
“That is not specific enough.”
The attendant closed her eyes.
“I shouldn’t have questioned you that way.”
“Correct.”
“I shouldn’t have asked your occupation.”
“Correct.”
“I should have checked the manifest.”
“Yes.”
The woman wiped one eye.
“I thought…”
She stopped.
The CEO waited.
The attendant tried again.
“I thought you didn’t look like the passenger profile.”
The CEO’s face remained neutral.
“What does that mean?”
The attendant looked ashamed.
“I don’t know anymore.”
The CEO nodded.
“Then start there.”
The Senior Flight Attendant looked toward the galley.
“I’m going to lose my job.”
“Possibly.”
The woman looked surprised by the direct answer.
The CEO continued:
“I will not decide that today.”
“HR will review facts.”
“Your history.”
“Other complaints.”
“Crew statements.”
“Policy.”
“The incident.”
The attendant swallowed.
“You could fire me right now.”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you?”
The CEO looked toward the empty cabin.
“Because humiliation is not a disciplinary system.”
The attendant’s face crumpled slightly.
The CEO continued:
“And because I am angry.”
“That makes me less qualified to make your employment decision, not more.”
The woman whispered:
“I thought powerful people liked revenge.”
The CEO almost smiled.
“Some do.”
A pause.
“Power makes bad instincts easier to execute.”
The Senior Flight Attendant looked at her.
“Is that what I did?”
The CEO answered:
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then:
“Do you know anything about the note?”
The woman looked toward her.
Fear returned.
“No.”