One-Way Ticket

Shuffling noises worked its way around the cubicles as one by one coworkers packed up and headed out for the weekend. Most were gone by 4 without a second thought. Philip listened to coworkers filter out with chatter of weekend plans. It was after 5 by the time Philip blinked into the early evening sun. The parking lot was clear except for his car, he also usually got to work an hour before anyone else. Not because he was particularly good or devoted to his job; but because he had nothing else to do. On Friday’s he would take the long route home by the airport, he liked to roll his window down and listen to the planes take off while he drove down the back road.

This Friday was a little different. Philip found himself walking up the entrance stairs to consider available flights. He rubbed his hands together, thinking of the possibilities. Thinking of what he could do with a life somewhere else. Somewhere without a grey office or a beige living room. He took his wallet out of his pocket, thumbed the cash and the credit cards. After an hour of studying the flights and the contents of his wallet, the possibilities became too great. Philip tucked his wallet away and walked out to his car.

“Who was that?” A young trainee behind the counter asked when Philip left.

“Oh, you’ll get used to him, shows up about every two months, stares at flights then leaves.”