Three

She soon forgot the day that had been, for she was packed back off to the normal check in, and many more months passed until something else of any value to her life happened.

It began innocently one day, that on a lunch break when it was raining, she found herself stuck inside, unable to go to her favourite grassy area outside, and she was wandering the staff corridor. There were a few of her colleagues talking animatedly by the noticeboard there, and she approached with curiosity.

She picked out one of the girls as Dolly, the young check in stewardess who normally worked on the check in desk next to hers. Today Dolly's face was flush as she scanned the poster on the board. As Jessie came closer the other girl turned and beckoned her closer, "Jessie, guess what's happened?"

"What?" Jessie was agog at the mention of possible gossip – in this job there was a lot of it, and she loved to be the one in the know on the front desk.

" A couple of the stewardesses on the flights are leaving and they don't have enough staff to cover it, so they're looking to train up some of the check in staff as cabin crew. Think of it Jess, all the places you could see in Japan," Dolly gasped in wonder.

Jessie's eyes lit up. Flying halfway around the world seemed like a dream. "That would be so wonderful..." she breathed.

"And just think of the money." Dolly added, "Stewardesses make so much more than normal check in staff."

Jessie nodded, then a thought struck her and she sighed, "But I don't speak any Japanese!"

"So?" Dolly queried. "They're not looking for a fluent Japanese girl. They're looking for someone to do the job, and do it well. And you got this far, and I bet, with your looks, you could get even farther, even if you're not of the right...well, even if your colouring isn't quite right for a Japanese airline. But hey, it didn't stop you before, why should it stop you now? The businessmen on the plane might be more eager to see something different when they fly." She finished tactfully with a giggle.

Jessie punched Dolly on the arm playfully. "Oh be quiet," she giggled, "You know I have no interest in those starchy businessmen!"

"So are you going for it?" Dolly asked excitedly. "I'm thinking of signing up for it, and it would be awesome to have someone I know on the same training course. We could learn so much and have a lot of good chats, Jess. Please!" She paused, "There's not going to be many men there, though, so our chats may be severely limited..." she trailed off as she watched Jessie grab the pen dangling on the string and sign her name under the notice, "Jess! You're so eager," she gasped, grabbing the pen from her friend when she was finished. "Anyone would think you put the idea into –my- head...!"

"Dolly, you really don't know me. Its my DREAM to fly. And seeing the sights, that's worth more than this job can ever put into my pocket. Don't you get it? I don't care about the money, or the people...I care for the job, I've waited a lifetime for a opportunity like this, and now it's here...I'm grabbing it with both hands!" Jessie hadn't noticed she had raised her voice until she saw the shocked looks of the other airline staff in front of the noticeboard. "Oops. Sorry girls..." she murmured, embarrassed. Dolly reached over and linked her arm through Jessie's, leading her away.

"You're definitely passionate about the job, Jessie. I could never say you weren't." She smiled. "I guess next stage, is to wait for the official application process to start up."

Jessie nodded and smiled back at Dolly. The wheels were in motion for a new chapter in her life, and she couldn't wait to get started.