She travels often. You can tell by how light she packs. A single, mid-sized Coach suitcase trails behind her.

You know nothing about her, but by her professional dress you predict a powerful businesswoman who sits at the top of a glass building, looking over the empire, New York, feeling the power buzz through her veins.



Your mind snaps back to the present as she stops at the snack shop two rows of seats across from you, and pays for a coke. She plops down three seats diagonal from you and pulls out her Black Berry. This scene immediately reminds you of your own father who is always reading e-mails on his Black Berry, while chewing on his thumbnail, eyebrows furrowed.


You wonder about her childhood. Was she a popular, pretty blonde that made a triumphant victory over others who thought she wouldn’t become anything? Like Reese Witherspoon in the movie “Legally Blonde”? Or has she always been hard working, and this was the destiny she knew she would find?

Thinking about her success, even though it came from your imagination, makes you feel lost since you have no idea what you want to do with your own life.


A lady’s voice comes over the PA and the woman looks up. It must be her flight that is being called because she slips her Black Berry into the pocket of her purse. She walks toward the gate and hands her boarding pass to the lady belonging to the overhead voice. Her boarding pass is flashed under a scanner and handed back to her.

Ten years later you’re sitting in the same airport, but this time, instead of visiting family as a teenager, you’re in you’re late twenties and on a business trip. You work for a stable, prospering company, making big bucks, and although you have a job that you like and enough money to buy almost anything you please, you still feel… lost.

The end of high school and going through college was great. You succeeded, kept your grades up, and it all paid off. You are now successful at an age that most still consider fairly young for someone to be doing so well. However, life isn’t as you thought it would be. You wanted to travel and see the world when you were younger, but didn’t even spend junior year abroad. You stayed at college, a safe decision to stay focused, which is why you are now so successful. You dashed right out of college and got that really hot job, but still telling yourself “only until I get settled. Then I’ll quit, and go live that life I dream of.” But nothing happens as you plan your dreams. It seems the job sucked you into a tunnel of work and promotions. Now, it’s been 5 years since you made yourself that promise, the dream slowly fading in your mind.

The man in a navy blue vest at the counter announces that your flight is boarding. Before you stand up, your phone rings. The caller ID shows the face of your best friend who you haven’t seen in years because work has taken up all your time. Excitedly you answer and chat for a few minutes, about work and life; the usual. But then they say “You should visit!” and you’re stuck. You’re friend lives only an hour from the airport. You could rent a car, and spend some days with friends. But that would definitely mean the loss of your job since you’re on your way to make a major presentation. No job means no security or healthcare. You can’t do that. There would be too many risks. But it is always what you wanted to do. Travel, be with friends and make lasting memories. But…you’re job…would it make a difference? They would probably just hire a new person to run around and do what you’re doing now. You realize that if you’re going to accomplish the dream you’ve always had, now is best time to do it. One last time, you glance at the man scanning boarding tickets. It’s time. This is it. You say to yourself. To your friend you say “Definitely. I’ll be there in an hour.”

A Black Berry, abandoned by its owner, buzzes, desolate, and rejected.