travel, part one

We made it to the airport lickety-split.
At first it seemed that DOZENS of people were flying to Naples.
The line for check-in was long.
But it became clear that most people were flying to Rome.
Everyone was in a good mood, and, when they finally started checking people in - 45 minutes later, the line moved quickly.
When it was our turn, the ticket agent called someone over to take K's passport.
They checked his name in a big book, and then gave us the passport back and the ticket agent scribbled big red S's all over our boarding passes.
I was pretty sure that meant we were special.
THEN, when we went through security, to go to our gate?
IT TURNED OUT WE WERE VERY SPECIAL.
We were brought to a SPECIAL security line and SPECIAL security people FRISKED US.
Our bags were wiped down with a SPECIAL towelette, which was then put in a SPECIAL machine.
After wiping down our shoes,
we were sent on our way.
Feeling slightly less special.

Presently, we are waiting at the gate with an interesting cast of characters.
An Italian John Stamos and his wife emoting wildly over their Euros.
A woman who resembles Cher and her photographer husband.
And lots of people with cartons of cigarettes from the duty free shop.

John Stamos and his wife are the reason god invented iPods.