Emily turned away for a second.
She looked toward the empty terminal.
Then back at Monica.
“You need to step aside.”
Monica didn't move.
“I've paid for my seat.”
“I don't believe that.”
“You don't have to believe it.”
Emily frowned.
“What?”
“The system does.”
Emily stared at her.
Monica pointed gently toward the scanner.
“Check it.”
Emily looked at the machine.
Then at the ticket.
Then back at Monica.
A long silence followed.
Finally, Emily said:
“I'm not going to waste more time.”
Monica's expression became colder.
“Time?”
“Yes.”
“You've spent more time arguing with me than it would take to verify the ticket.”
Emily's eyes narrowed.
“You're being difficult.”
“No.”
Monica leaned forward slightly.
“You're being careless.”
Emily inhaled sharply.
That sentence crossed a line in her mind.
She picked up the boarding pass.
Her voice became colder.
“We're done with this.”
Monica's eyes moved to the ticket.
“Put it down.”
Emily ignored her.
“Ma'am.”
“Put it down.”
Emily's fingers tightened.
Monica's voice remained quiet.
But the warning was unmistakable.
“Do not damage my ticket.”
Emily looked directly at her.
Then she tore it.