A Question Of Honour

The man who was behind Katherine stands up. 

He walks to the front of the aircraft.

May I help you, sir? asks a flight attendant.

It may be nothing, says the man, but I feel I should report it.

Yes? asks the flight attendant.

Total annihilation, says the man. In an hour.

The flight attendant looks at her watch.

You heard someone say that? she asks. 

Yes, says the man.

Your name sir? 

Max, says the man.

And who said it? asks the flight attendant. Could you point to their seat?

Max points.

Oh, them, says the flight attendant. The cute guy that was sleeping and the woman reading the book about Proust?

It didn't sound like a woman, says Max. Or the cute guy. It sounded like a seasoned French sailor

Now I'm intrigued, says the flight attendant. What else did you notice about him?

A scent of doughnuts, says Max. 

That probably came from their lunch boxes, says the flight attendant. They were ex-doughnut boxes with lobsters inside.

Lobsters? says Max. Why would lobsters want to do that?

Do what? asks the flight attendant.

I don't know. Blow us up? says Max. Do the French have a bone to pick with New Zealand?

Of course not, says the flight attendant. But I'll pass your concern on to the head of cabin crew. And please don't spread panic. Go back to your seat now.

Max goes back to his seat, avoiding the eyes of Katherine and Arthur.

The flight attendant disappears behind a grey curtain. 

Minutes later she comes back down the aisle and stops beside Katherine.

May I borrow your lobsters for a moment? asks the flight attendant.

For what purpose? asks Katherine.

The head of crew wants to ask them some questions, says the flight attendant. It seems they are travelling as lunch, but have not yet been eaten.

Surely one eats one's lunch when one feels hungry, says Katherine. The fact is, we ate too many doughnuts before boarding.

Nevertheless, says the flight attendant. The lobsters must come with me.

Baudin and Dufresne stand to attention, in their separate boxes.

D'accord! C'est un question d'honneur. 

The flight attendant takes them away.