one-hundred-fifty-nine-word story

Herman looked at the many people queued in front of him with their boarding passes and passports in hand. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes.

“The line’s moving,” Vic said, nudging Herman with his laptop bag.

Herman nodded and quickly closed the gap.

“First time flying?”, Vic asked.

Herman nodded again stiffly and turned around.

“Better hope we don’t crash, hey!”, Vic chuckled with a mischievous grin.

Norah drove her elbow sharply into Vic’s ribs, knocking him to the side.

“Please excuse my husband for being an ass,” she apologized.

Vic rubbed his side, grinning as he whimpered.

“Quit being an ass!”, she snapped.

“It’s okay, ma’am,” Herman stammered quietly. “He’s right. It’d be a shame if we crashed.”

Norah maintained her husband’s silence with a stern look.

“Well, talk like that doesn’t help anyone. Just relax, you’ll be fine.”

Herman nodded and pulled his carry-on baggage along. The ticking inside was too quiet for anyone to hear.

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