Dana raced to the ticket counter, throwing out her arms to brace herself as she nearly ran into it.  “I need a ticket to Boston,” she announced breathlessly.

The ticket agent eyed her a moment and then typed something into the computer.  “What time?”

“Now!” Dana exclaimed, her heart pounding.  Hurry.

“There’s a flight leaving inno, you couldn’t make that one,” the agent said, frowning and clicking with her mouse.

“The American Airlines one?” Dana demanded, her heart in her throat.  That’s Alice’s flight.

“Yes, that’s the one.  You’d never make it to the gate, ma’am,” the agent explained.

Dana slammed her fists on the counter.  “*****!” she shouted, drawing startled looks for the other people around her.  “Sorry,” she mumbled, reddening.  “When’s the next flight?”

The agent’s fingers flew across the keyboard again.  “The next American Airlines flight to Boston isn’t for another three hours.”

Dana dropped her head to the counter.  This can’t be happening.  She knew she could buy another ticket for any flight to anywhere, because she didn’t plan on actually using it, but she had been counting on getting a ticket to Alice’s flight so that she could have an easier time finding her.  Dana took a deep breath and pulled herself together.  “Okay, when’s the next flight on any airline?”

“To Boston?” the agent asked, her fingers poised over the keyboard.

“To anywhere.  Or Boston.  Wherever.  I just need to get to the gate area,” Dana replied.

The agent looked at her strangely, her brow wrinkled, before typing again.  “Well, let’s just assume Boston then.  I’ve got a Delta flight leaving in twenty minutes.  Since you don’t seem to have any luggage,” the ticket agent remarked, raising her eyebrows, “you might make it if you run.”

“I’ll take it,” Dana declared, fumbling in her pocket for her credit card.

“The total will come to – ” the agent began.

“I don’t care.  The price means nothing.  Just charge it,” Dana said desperately, nearly flinging her Visa at the ticket agent.

Moments later, ticket clutched securely in her hand, Dana pushed her way through the crowd and once again reached the security checkpoint.  The same screener and security guard were waiting for her.  “Here,” she proclaimed, shoving her ticket and driver’s license at them.  “I have a ticket this time.”  Her tone was almost smug, similar to that of a taunting child.