Traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast of the US with Japanese clients, and finally heading to Europe. It was a corporate assignment, and my mission was to take Japanese clients to visit various Western user companies that had already implemented a new system, as we were considering its introduction.
When we finally reached Boston, I was completely exhausted. That was because—while it would have been nice if everyone were experienced with overseas travel—it was basically everyone's first time, making it quite quite a trial.
Perhaps sensing those hardships, the American company that hired me for the job had booked me a business class ticket all the way from Boston Airport to Charles de Gaulle. What's more, I wasn't told until the very last minute, finding out only when the ticket was issued. I had never flown business class before, so I was deeply moved.
The person sitting next to me was French. She was a female lawyer. She was already drinking cognac and said, "Would you like some too?"—and just like that, the party started. She told me she works as a lawyer for a human rights organization in Africa, and her stories were insanely interesting. She has a house on the banks of the Seine River (amazing!) and playfully invited me to come visit. Eventually, even the flight attendants gathered around, and we all started chatting about various things. Somehow, it felt like a dream-like atmosphere.
However, fun times fly by quickly... Paris is already right in sight. Ahh, what a shame. I wish I could stay on this plane forever... Well, it can't be helped. The plane began pulling up to the boarding gate. The business class passengers immediately unbuckled their seatbelts (getting ready regardless of the announcement), fully prepared to get off. Up front, first-class passengers were already standing and waiting.
Since I was in the very front seat of business class, I was right at the front, facing the first-class passengers while waiting for the cabin door to open.
Wait?? I know this person. Such a person was right at the front. And for some reason, they were also staring at me the whole time (perhaps because I was a rare Asian passenger on this flight?).
Ah, I'm being stared at intensely... It felt like a strange mood. Mainly because I had seen this person before.
Ah yes, in the movies. Many, many times.
Oh, that's right, he was John Malkovich. My first time landing in Paris—every time I watch his movies, I remember that fun time.