PREFACE
When multiple events are independent, the probability of all
occurring is the product of the probabilities of the individual events. Example
if events A,B, and C are independent, then the probability of an event D occurring
is the probability of A times the probability of B times the
probability of C.
United Airlines has 15 daily flights from Los Angles (LAX)
to New York City (JFK). LAX has 183,561 passengers boarding some 692 domestic
flights and a few hundred international flights each day. United flies non-stop
from LAX to JFK in 5 and ½ hours via the 747-400 aircraft that can accommodate
374 passengers.
This fictional story is about two high school classmates
from Ohio that have not seen each other in over 30 years. Both board the same
United 747 from LAX to JFK and find themselves seated next to each other. Their
chance meeting was against all odds.
"Jenny Masterson, is that really you?"
"I'm flattered Gerald Allison you could recognize me after so many years"
"Wow! You look as great as you did back in Ohio in good old Patterson High."
"I must admit unless I heard your voice Gerald I would never have recognized you. Hope that doesn't hurt your feelings."
"Hey, 30 plus years lets Father Time and Mother Nature do its unstoppable work on some of us."
"Where are you headed after we get to that City that never sleeps?"
"Jenny, I'll catch a prop job to Hartford where we live. What about you?"
"A cab will get me to Queens where we live in a three-story brownstone"
Almost on cue, the conversation among all passengers ended as the flight attendant nearest Jenny and Gerald started the briefing on emergency exits, loss of pressurization, use of seat cushion as a life preserver. She started to sound like a mother when she was admonishing her children to clean up their rooms---"make sure all carry on luggage is stored securely in the overhead bins and keep seat belts buckled until the captain turns the unbuckle light on. There are six lavatories on this aircraft so don't create any lines in the aisles. Have a nice flight."
Just as she ended, Captain Benson came on and gave a short briefing on weather in Gotham and winds aloft. "We will be flying at 43,000 feet and we have a strong tailwind and may arrive as much as 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. Thank you for choosing United. Settle back and enjoy your non-stop flight on this Big Bird to the Big Apple!" A few passengers chuckled.
The forced hiatus in their conversation caused both Jenny and Gerald to reflect on their seemingly impossible meeting and in what direction the forthcoming long conversation might take.
Jenny was glad to see an old classmate. She perused the aircraft safety card and hoped Gerald could help fill in the gaps about other classmates she had seen or heard about in decades. In a very strong, yet empowering way, she felt embolden to talk about subjects that 30 years ago would be embarrassing to say the least. For example, she had always been curious some of Gerald's dating relationships in high school. He seemed to go through girlfriends like Sherman through Atlanta. Also, what did Gerald's late mother really think about her? She was prepared, up to a point, to talk about her family and experiences. No way would she ever discuss the horrible abusive behavior of her first husband. Likewise, her daughter who was serving 10-20 years in prison for attempting to hire a hit man to kill her cheating husband was too painful for her to think about much less discuss. As she looked out the window during takeoff she wondered how do you telescope 30 plus years into 5 plus hours? Lastly, was her makeup on correctly?
Gerald's protected list was front and center in his thinking. He had spent the last three months in the Betty Ford Clinic and was on his way home. He was a long way from being able to discuss his addiction with people who knew nothing about the pain he was experiencing. Shame wears a very long and thick mask. Meeting Jenny was already a bitter-sweet situation.
