The air conditioning stopped. The heat is growing unbearable. Mahana is so tired of waiting for people to pass. The line keeps getting longer. Her legs hurt. The little girl grumbles. Why is everyone so slow?

Plane travelers must comply with a strict regulation. First, the suitcases are meticulously inspected. Each object is photographed. Then, people have to swap their clothes for a company uniform. Finally, security carries out a digital body search using a pod where cameras scan every passenger from head to toe.

After landing, someone drops the luggage in a numbered locker. On this point more than ever, the type of ticket determines the quality of service. It’s not unusual for an economy class customer to receive his belongings in the mail, a few days after their arrival.

« Attention, please remove all jewelry for inspection! All passengers looking to keep their electronic equipment on board must present their authorization to a security guard. »

A young woman goes through the crowd, repeating the same thing in a different language each time.

« Next! »

The family moves towards the attendant. Mahana gives him a hostile look. She holds him responsible for her ordeal.

« You are all together? »

« Yes, my wife and my two kids. »

« Very well, go ahead. »

They enter the corridor leading to a large locker room. The curtains give an illusion of privacy. This is only a trick; the surveillance camera films the entire room. A security guard hands them some plastic bags.

« Slip the receipt on your ticket inside the bag with your clothes, then drop everything in the basket while leaving. Don’t forget to keep your passports! »

The father approaches and holds out a piece of paper. The man almost tears it out of his hands:

« This authorization is only valid for your phone. Show it to me! »

He takes it out of his bag. His interlocutor examines it carefully then produces a roll of stickers. He slaps a barcode on it:

« Proceed! »

« I will take care of Mahana and Ashton. » The mother whispers, drawing a curtain.

They reemerge shortly afterwards. Their clothes are now in plastic bags. The receipt is clearly visible inside. The family leaves everything in the intended bin. The employee points them towards the only way out, and they follow the path to the scanner.

Another attendant comes up to them. He looks nicer than his colleagues:

« Your children can go together! »

The little girl finds her uniform disgusting. It smells bad and itches. She already misses her dress. She didn’t make as much of a fuss as when they first arrived, but it doesn’t annoy her any less. They enter the transparent pod. Laser lights indicate where one should place their feet. An image appears on the glass to signal where to place hands. The operator must be in his fifties. His eyes are cold. The doors close, the cameras move all around, whizzing past. The pod opens on the other side. The two children are greeted by a smiling young woman, who waits for their mother with them:

« Your flight is at the end of the terminal, gate 62. »

The father, too, emerges from the scanner. They continue their journey past the shopping area. The travelers all wear a uniform, the color of which varies according to the airline. Some have a QR-code stamp on the hand. They are first class passengers.

« Don’t wander off, kids! »

They stop near a booth to get some refreshments. Mahana does not take her eyes off the janitor. He is sitting on a cleaning machine. The man notices her and gives her a huge smile that terrifies her. She spits out her drink.

« Mahana! Can’t you drink normally? » Her mother scolds.

« We still have time before boarding. » The husband notes. He takes Ashton's hand to make him stay on his feet.

« I can’t wait to get on the plane. I'm so tired of all this! » Someone approaches the family. He wears a magnificent suit. It's probably a staff member:

« Dr. Georges Miriana? »

« Yes, that’s me. »

« I am the manager of the airport. Sosuke Yamashiro spoke of you in such high terms! Allow me to shake your hand before you leave! »

He wears a gold badge on his chest and does not look very reassuring. The two men shake hands. The manager walks away and beckons some of his employees forward. They bow and speak in unison:

« We wish you a good trip! We await your return! »

Their French isn’t very good. He awkwardly answers in kind, in Japanese. This demonstration makes him blush. His wife whispers to him sarcastically:

« Don’t forget that you’re only a man, darling! »

« I won’t. »

They finally reach their boarding gate and settle on a bench. A hundred people are waiting. It's dark outside. The runway lights illuminate the planes there. Mahana can feel herself dying of boredom. Why is time going by so slowly? It must be doing that on purpose! Her parents are talking. Ashton is tapping his foot.

The little girl notices a young boy sitting down. His hair is shining blond. He has great skin. It looks like porcelain. She feels a blow in her chest. It feels like she’s known him forever, like an old friend suddenly reappearing. How is it possible to feel such a thing for someone she has never seen before? The poor little girl can no longer look away from him. Could this be love? The more she stares at him, the more stupid questions accumulate. Is he a prince charming or a knight in shining armor? Finally, she decides on a « prince charming in shining armor ». That way everyone’s happy.

The boy notices her. Mahana looks away. The « exit » sign becomes her new passion. She stares at it. She hopes the boy looks away soon. Curiosity gets the better of her and she looks at him again. He is still watching. She feels uncomfortable. A large plane is approaching outside. It doesn’t look like it’s in good shape. It stops in front of the great windows. The mother bends down and whispers in her ear:

« It's the king of planes, but your dad doesn’t like it. »

« Dad doesn’t like the king of lanes? » She answers innocently. Her father is seized with uncontrollable laughter:

« My God! That'll stick with me for months!” he warns them as he laughs. The little girl blushes with embarrassment. What did she say that was so funny? Ashton also bursts out laughing. He doesn’t know why, he’s just trying to be like his dad. A huge line starts to form in front of the gates.

« Attention, the flight AF680 to Paris has just been diverted. It will now make a stop in Montreal. »

Some unhappy whispers arise, but nothing more. It is not uncommon for a plane to be diverted, often because the company won’t fly over a certain area. Passengers cross the gate to meet the flight attendants. They get their tickets checked and walk into a corridor. Mahana goes through. A young Asian woman with an affectionate smile takes her ticket. She scans it in a machine. Her mother is waiting on the other side. She takes the little girl’s hand, guiding her along the corridor to the nose of the plane. The posters on the wall praise the qualities of a renowned bank. A stewardess waits at the entrance of the aircraft:

« Hello, are you traveling with your family? »

« Yes, my husband and my son are behind us. »

« Let me see your ticket. Economy. Follow the corridor in that direction! »

The young woman points her finger at the crowd. People are shoving forward. Their journey in the aircraft is as long as it is painful. Yet the girl is surprised to see her brother and father. They got there before them! She turns around immediately, feeling amazed. How did they do it? The other passengers are packed so tight!

« Ashton, you're sitting by the window. »

« Great! » He cries out, rejoicing.

« But... but... why him? » Mahana protests.

« That’s how it is, it’s written that way on the ticket. »

« But... That's not fair! » She insists with a nasal tone.

« Your brother asked for it a week ago. I asked you the same question, but as Your Highness did not deign to answer, she’ll have to sit on the aisle seat. »

She would like to say something to mark her displeasure, but her mother's face is scary. It's better not to say anything. It's more adult-like. She’ll have to settle for pouting, and she snubs her brother as she sits down. The little girl is already feeling more mature. It’s something to be proud of!

Twenty minutes go by. Passengers keep coming. Mahana would like to fall asleep, but all this noise won’t let her close her eyes. Her heart starts pounding. The young boy from before just sat down right in front of her! Her cheeks flush hot. Why did he come here? What does he want? She doesn’t know what to do with herself. She burrows under a blanket.

The plane is finally moving. It begins a slow progression on the runway, with regular stops. Mahana doesn’t dare to move. Her heart is beating so hard she’s shaking with it. The mother fastens the little girl’s seatbelt before tightening up her own.

« I hate this moment the most! » The husband admits. His hands firmly grip the armrests. His face is very pale.

The engines roar. Everybody can feel the plane going faster. Finally, it leaves the ground. The little girl shivers and drifts off, lulled to sleep by the buzz of the engines.