Quick Change

I was waiting to board my commute flight to work when I saw him. In fact, he could not be missed. Before I even reached the gate, I knew of his presence. He was a classic "Kenny Tarmac." You know the type. That booming voice blabbing on and on about some market research program and a customer somewhere in need of the latest software upgrade, the upcoming golf game, the excessive laughter, etc. He's Mr. Important, making sure that all of us get to hear about what he's involved in because after all, he's important. He's the kind of guy you dream of beating the hell out of during the entire flight. You stare at the overhead bin above his seat, willing it to break free of it's mountings and come crashing down on top of his overinflated head. You pray for a freak spot of turbulence perfectly timed so that the flight attendant might spill a pot of hot coffee on his nutsack. His cologne is excessive. His watch is expensive and he wants you to know it. He's always chewing gum too.

Just as soon as we clear the runway after landing, that all too familiar voice echoes through the cabin, "Hey, Bill! It's Kenny! Yeah! We just landed! Listen, I was thinking about that telecon last week, we really need to add some value to that New York deal. I know! I know! Listen, tell Dave to get a coversheet on that TPS report! Hahahahaaaa! I know! I know! Alright, shooter... we'll catch ya back in ATL! Right!" Even the 84 year old woman sitting in 8A is wanting to stomp him with her walker.

Sure enough, after deplaning, I'm walking behind Kenny for a while. He was on his cellphone the entire time. I just couldn't get over how much of a self-absorbed, arrogant assbag this guy was. As we walked on a soldier stood by herself off to the left, perhaps waiting for someone. Army. She was in her BDUs.

What happened next, I simply was not prepared for. Kenny said to his phone, "Hold on a second..." He walked a few steps over then extended his right hand and said, "Thanks for your service!" After shaking his hand and stated both thanks and your welcome. I attempted to keep walking, however, I found myself stepping on my own jaw.

Never in a billion years would I have expected this guy to do something like that. I'd have bet any sum of money against it. I was sure this guy was a complete and total douche right down to the core. However, with one small gesture that didn't cost him a dime, I was proven wrong. All the anger and distaste I had for this man, which had been built up over the last couple of hours, started to come apart. Sure, the guy might still be a dick, but there was certainly some hint of a decent person hiding under it all. I guess you really can't judge a book by it's cover. And even when you're sure you know, maybe you don't.