Chapter 14: Misunderstanding

[Chapter 14: Misunderstanding]

"Put your hands up! Don't move! Don't move!"

That morning, Link finished the outline for his second screenplay. With just a few pieces of luggage, he took the subway as fast as he could to Los Angeles International Airport, where he spent 88 dollars on a ticket for the 11:25 flight to New York.

While going through security, two security guards tackled him to the floor and started searching him, while another pointed a gun at his head.

Feeling bewildered, Link was taken into the airport security office for questioning. The officer asked him why he had taped two notebooks to his waist.

Link explained, "I'm a director and screenwriter. These scripts are really important. Given how many thieves there are in Los Angeles and New York, I worried someone might steal them on the way, so I taped them to my waist for safe-keeping."

He told how, on his last train ride from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles, his backpack had been stolen while he slept.

The security officer flipped through the notebooks and, seeing they were indeed scripts, rolled her eyes. She commented that his scripts were too dark and suggested he try writing some love stories instead, as she enjoyed romantic films.

...

Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Link rushed into the airport, sprinted up the jet bridge, and settled into his seat in the cabin, letting out a sigh of relief. To avoid any similar confusion in New York, this time he chose to keep the scripts in his chest pocket and would pull them out after clearing security.

The flight from Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast to New York on the Atlantic Coast would take about five hours.

As he sat there reviewing his scripts, he began making corrections to misspelled words and grammar mistakes. He wasn't sure if it was the turbulence of the flight or the soft seat, but after revising less than a page, his eyelids started to droop.

He put the scripts under his jacket and reclined in his seat, quickly dozing off.

...

Smack!

"Hey Cracker! Can you not snore so loud when you're sleeping?" a voice barked. "You are so loud, how can our boss sleep?"

"Sorry! Sorry! What did you just call me?!" Link blurted awake, instinctively apologizing before realizing that the guy had used an insulting term. He jumped up, ready to retaliate.

However, facing the guy made him nervous; he was over six feet tall, built like a linebacker, and looking quite intimidating. Sitting next to him were two other guys. One sported a flashy gold chain and chewed gum like he ruled the world, while the other had dreadlocks, wore headphones, and had his feet propped up on the seat in front of him, forcing nearby passengers to cover their noses.

"Cracker, so what?" the big guy sneered.

"I know you want me to insult you back, but I won't do that. I'm an educated person. I won't lower my standards to stoop to your level.

By the way, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is my hero. I love his speech, I Have a Dream, dreaming of a day when people of all colors could sit together in the same classroom, share a meal at the same table, and travel together on the same plane.

Thirty years after Dr. King's death, his dream has come true. You have the right to be here enjoying this, too. But what have you done since then? You're using slurs against another race and showing everyone that Dr. King's dream is still far from realized. Discrimination persists even after you've been granted equality and respect.

I feel sorry for you, and I pity Dr. King. I hope he isn't upset by this up there. Hallelujah!"

"Shut your mouth, you little brat! Don't mention Dr. King!" the big guy growled, clenching his fist angrily.

"If you apologize, I promise I won't mention Dr. King's name again," Link replied, stepping back while adjusting the script in his jacket pocket so it wouldn't fall.

"You want me to apologize? Ha! How about I just beat you up instead?"

"Wallace!" one of the other guys said, trying to hold the big guy back while whispering something into his ear, pointing towards Link's pocket.

The large man looked at Link's hand on his chest, snorted, and prepared to sit back down.

"Wait! God and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are my witnesses, and you haven't apologized yet!" Link said, feeling the heavy weight of the script in his pocket.

"Hey, man, how about I apologize to you on behalf of my buddy?" the guy with the gold chain grinned.

"Alright, you seem like a decent guy. I accept your apology," Link replied, taking the opportunity to cool things down and returning to his seat.

...

"Shh!!"

"Man, that was well-played!"

"Dude, you spoke so well."

After he sat down, some people in the cabin whistled and clapped for him.

Link felt a bit embarrassed, accepting the applause. If he'd had some friends with him, he might have persuaded the big guy and his friends through force, but alone, he was left to argue with words.

Though it felt a bit like putting on a brave face, he was glad he hadn't embarrassed himself.

...

Moments later, a flight attendant came by, checking that everything was alright. After a few minutes, a blonde woman wearing a head attendant badge approached Link and explained that someone reported him for carrying a dangerous weapon. She asked if he would hand it over for safekeeping until they arrived at the airport.

"Dangerous weapon? What are you talking about?" Link asked, puzzled.

"The reporter said it was in your jacket pocket."

"A pen counts as a dangerous weapon?" Link replied, pulling a pen and the two scripts from his pocket and shaking out his jacket.

The weather in Los Angeles this time of year was comfortable, so he only wore a T-shirt, while the East Coast was much colder, under 20 degrees Celsius. He'd specifically worn a lightweight jacket, but it hardly concealed anything.

"Sir, thank you for your cooperation. This could be a misunderstanding, and I apologize for interrupting your rest."

"It's alright. I understand that's your job," Link replied.

"Sir, have a great journey."

With a smile, the attendant walked away, and Link returned to editing his scripts.

...

Bam!

The seatback was kicked from behind.

"Hey! You better watch out! I'll be ready for you when we get to New York," a voice hissed angrily.

Link stayed calm and continued to revise his script, waiting for the plane to land at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. Once it did, he grabbed his backpack and hurried out of the cabin, making his way through the airport. On his way past a convenience store, he grabbed a pair of sunglasses and put them on.

Not far behind him, two men were scanning the area.

After hopping into a cab, Link let out a sigh of relief and told the driver to head to a mixed-use apartment building on 45th Street in downtown Manhattan.

"Hey, man, the ladies there are on point! You coming to New York to meet some girls?" the driver turned his head, revealing his dark face with a broad smile and bright teeth.

*****

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