The sound was sharp.
RIP.
The boarding pass split cleanly in two.
One half landed on the counter.
The other remained in Emily's hand.
Monica froze.
Her eyes dropped to the torn paper.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Emily crossed her arms.
“Because it wasn't valid.”
Monica slowly raised her eyes.
“You tore my ticket?”
Emily didn't answer immediately.
Then she said:
“Yes.”
Monica breathed in.
Slowly.
Her jaw tightened.
Her fingers curled once beside the counter.
Then relaxed.
“You tore my ticket.”
Emily looked almost annoyed by the repetition.
“I already told you.”
Monica stared at her.
The anger in her face was not loud.
It was controlled.
Contained.
Almost frighteningly calm.
She leaned slightly forward.
“Do you know who I am?”
Emily gave a tiny dismissive smile.
“No.”
Monica held her gaze.
Emily opened her mouth.
Before she could answer, a male voice came from somewhere beyond the visible counter.
“Ms. Hayes?”
Emily froze.
Her face changed instantly.
The confidence vanished.
The voice continued.
“Ms. Hayes, I'm terribly sorry. What happened?”
Monica didn't answer.
She simply looked at Emily.
Emily's eyes widened.
The torn ticket remained between them.
Then—
CUT TO BLACK.