Check-In Nazi

I arrived in New Zealand today, barely. New fact I learned this morning: check-in for International flights ends one hour prior to departure. One whole hour! I learned this the hard way, by Evil Check-in Lady telling me that I could, in no way possible, get on this flight; it was only 55 minutes until it took off, and was therefore closed. But she could put my on a flight TEN hours later for a $70 service charge. Check-In Bitch did not respond to my arguments, my pleas, nor my breasts ("How about now? Now can I get on the flight?")

As I was about to give up, an elderly, hearing-impaired couple arrived to try and get on the same flight. They were late because they were old, disabled and confused and had gone to the wrong counter (unlike me, who was simply irresponsible and did not read the small print on my ticket). Even the Check-In Nazi couldn't turn these poor, deaf, senior citizens away, so she let them check in.

I watched jealously while she phoned the gate.

"Hello, I need some one to come to the check-in counter to escort a hearing-impaired couple to the gate... well I can't do it, I have to stay up here. No one is free? Listen, I just don't have time to...."

This is when I saw my chance and interrupted.

"Excuse me, I'd be happy to escort them to the gate." I gave her my sweetest, most helpful smile as she eyed me suspiciously. "I mean, we're on the same flight, it would be no problem. Oh wait, to get past security and customs, I'd have to be checked-in. Hmmm..."

20 minutes later, I was happily accompanying the sweet elderly couple on to the plane. It just goes to show you that there is such a thing as karma, only sometimes it needs a little help.

It was an eventful journey through the airport, full of hand gestures, lip-reading, and lots of pen to paper, but we made it. I wished I could remember the sign language I learned in third grade music class, but I think Australian sign language is different. Besides, the airport didn't have any occasion that required me to explain that "I believe the children are our future."