“I’m trying to get payment for the food and drinks you ordered.”
Cassandra stood.
“I need to board.”
Lena’s posture changed.
“Ma’am, you can’t leave without settling the tab.”
Cassandra picked up her handbag.
“I’m not leaving the airport.”
“You’re leaving the restaurant.”
“My gate is right there.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Cassandra pointed toward her phone.
“I am trying to pay.”
“Then let’s finish that first.”
“I said I’m trying.”
“Okay.”
“Stop saying okay like that.”
Lena stared at her.
Cassandra slung the handbag over her shoulder.
“I’ll deal with it from the gate.”
“How?”
“I’ll call my bank.”
“You need to settle the bill before leaving.”
Cassandra took two steps.
Lena came around the bar.
“Ma’am.”
Cassandra stopped.
People were watching.
That instantly made everything worse.
She lowered her sunglasses onto her face.
“Do not follow me.”
“I’m not trying to cause a scene.”
“Then don’t.”
“You have an unpaid bill.”
“I am aware.”
“You can’t leave.”
Cassandra turned fully toward her.
“Are you physically detaining me?”
“No.”
“Then move.”
Lena stopped.
She did not know whether she was legally permitted to block Cassandra.
She was not going to find out by touching her.
Instead, she called for the restaurant manager.
Cassandra walked toward the entrance.
“Unbelievable.”
Lena followed several feet behind.
“Ms. Vale.”
Cassandra kept walking.
“Ms. Vale.”
Cassandra reached the concourse.
A restaurant supervisor named Mark stepped into the hallway.
“What’s happening?”
“She hasn’t paid.”
Cassandra turned.
“I am paying.”
Mark looked at Lena.
“She tried two cards and Apple Pay. Nothing went through.”
Cassandra raised her voice.
“That is not the same thing as refusing to pay.”
Mark kept his tone neutral.
“Okay. Let’s come back inside and figure it out.”
“I have a flight.”
“We’ll help you as quickly as possible.”
“My boarding starts in thirty minutes.”
“That should be enough time.”
Cassandra looked around.
Travelers were passing.
Some were watching.
She hated the idea that anyone might think she could not afford sixty dollars.
“You people are humiliating me over nothing.”
Mark said, “No one is trying to humiliate you.”
“Then let me go.”
“We need payment.”
“I said I will handle it.”
“How?”
“I have people who can transfer money.”
“Great.”
Cassandra stared.
“Great?”
“Call them.”
The word felt insulting.
“You think I need someone to send me sixty dollars?”
Mark shook his head.
“I don’t know your financial situation.”
“You don’t know who I am.”
Mark almost answered.