Gate D7

(Gate D7 at Schiphol airport. The flight to Lagos has been delayed for two hours.)

Astrid: Excuse me — has anyone come from the desk? I’ve lost my bag.

Nkem: The small one? No, nobody’s come. What’s in it?

Astrid: My passport. And my phone.

Nkem: Okay. Don’t panic. Where have you been since you arrived?

Astrid: The train. The security line. That café near the shops.

Nkem: Then it’s probably at the café. I’ll watch your seat. Go and look.

Astrid: But they’re going to board any minute.

Nkem: They’re not. Unfortunately, the screen says three hours now.

Astrid: Three? That’s terrible.

Nkem: It might be terrible for me. I’m flying to a meeting at nine.

(Astrid runs. She comes back after ten minutes with a small blue bag.)

Astrid: It was under the table. The woman at the café kept it for me.

Nkem: Good. Sit down. You’re shaking.

Astrid: I know. You’ve been really helpful.

Nkem: Everybody at this gate hates this delay.

Astrid: Not me. My passport is here because of it.