Cabin Conversations

The hum of the airplane’s engines filled the cabin, a constant white noise that seemed to encourage sleep. Yet Adam barely noticed it. He adjusted his seatbelt, leaned back slightly, and stared out the window at the endless expanse of clouds. A six-hour flight from Boston to Seattle stretched before him, and the prospect of boredom loomed large like a life-threatening tsunami after a devastating 6.4 magnitude earthquake. 

“You look like you’re dreading this flight as much as I am,” a voice said beside him. 

Adam turned to see a man in his late thirties, maybe early forties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a five o’clock shadow. He wore a well-worn leather jacket and had a book in his lap — The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman. 

“Yeah,” Adam chuckled. “Dreading it like a dental appointment. Flights are always long when you don’t have anyone to talk to. Plus, I hate turbulence.” 

“Well,” the man grinned, “sounds like we’ve just solved that problem. Or at least the talking part.” He extended a hand. “Name’s Nick.” 

“Adam.” They shook hands. “That’s a great book you’ve got there.” 

“You’ve read it?” 

“More than once,” Adam replied. “I’m a bit of a history buff.” 

Nick’s face lit up. “Same here! Tuchman’s writing is phenomenal. She makes it feel like you’re watching the war unfold right in front of you.” 

The conversation took off from there. They discussed military strategy, the intricate web of alliances that had sparked World War I, and the technological advances that changed the battlefield forever. The Wright brothers came up, which led naturally to aviation. Before long, they were deep in a discussion about modern science and technology. 

“I still can’t believe we’ve got rovers driving around on Mars,” Adam said. “It’s like something out of The Martian.” 

“Oh, don’t even get me started!” Nick laughed. “That movie was great, but the book? Way better. Andy Weir really nailed the science.” 

“Absolutely,” Adam agreed. “The book is always better than the movie. You know, speaking of science fiction... are you a Star Trek guy?” 

Nick grinned. “More of a Next Generation fan myself, but I’ll never say no to Deep Space Nine. You?” 

“I’m a Voyager guy,” Adam said proudly. “Captain Janeway’s one of my favorites. Firm, fair, and doesn’t take nonsense from anyone.” 

“Good call,” Nick said. “But if we’re talking captains, I’ve gotta go with Picard. Captain Sisko would be my second choice.” 

They spent the next twenty minutes arguing, good-naturedly, about the merits of Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway. The conversation drifted to music (Adam was a huge Pink Floyd fan while Nick was more of a Maroon 5 kind of guy) and then to comic book heroes. 

“Favorite?” Nick asked. 

“Spider-Man,” Adam answered without hesitation. “He’s got the quips, the heart, and the whole ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ thing. You?” 

Nick smirked. “Doctor Strange.” 

“Ah, going for the Sorcerer Supreme!” 

“Can’t help it,” Nick said. “I love a guy who blends science and magic — plus, Benedict Cumberbatch nailed that role.” 

Their conversation bounced from topic to topic — the philosophies of stoicism and existentialism, the nuances of various political ideologies, and their shared belief that few things were as frustrating as social media arguments. They also agreed that Communism and Socialism sound really great on paper but terrible in practice. That's why such a flawed system of government should never be implemented.

Eventually, the conversation turned to religion. 

“I grew up Catholic,” Nick said. “But now I’d say I’m more… I don’t know... spiritual? Our new parish priest is cool though. He's not too pushy. He invites me to church but doesn't force me—says I can come when I like. His name is Father Greene. Great guy.” 

“Yeah,” Adam nodded thoughtfully. “I was raised Jewish. Still practice, but honestly, I’m more about community than dogma. Our synagogue’s a second family to me.” 

“I get that,” Nick said. “I think that’s what I miss the most — the sense of belonging.” 

“Honestly,” Adam said, “I’ve always felt like the best parts of faith are the parts where you’re doing life with other people — showing up for each other.” 

Nick smiled. “Yeah… yeah, that’s the good stuff.” 

The conversation paused as the flight attendants brought snacks and drinks. Adam sipped his ginger ale while Nick munched on pretzels. 

“Ever watch Fool Us?” Adam asked after a few minutes. 

Nick’s face lit up. “Penn & Teller’s Fool Us?” 

“That’s the one.” 

“Are you kidding?” Nick grinned. “I love that show. Do you have a favorite?” 

“Oh yeah,” Adam said. “Shin Lim. The way he manipulates cards — it’s like sorcery.” 

“Shin’s a legend,” Nick agreed. “But for me, it’s Eric Chien. The guy practically rewrote what close-up magic could look like.” 

“Good pick,” Adam nodded. “What gets me about those guys — Shin, Eric, even guys like Kostya Kimlat — they make you forget that magic isn’t real.” 

“Exactly!” Nick said. “It’s not just sleight of hand — they’re telling a story.” 

“Right?” Adam laughed. “I feel like that’s what draws me to magic — it’s the same thing that makes me love books and movies. It’s about stepping into something impossible, just for a moment.” 

“Couldn’t agree more,” Nick said. 

The hum of the engines seemed softer now, less intrusive. Time was flying by, the hours folding like a magician’s deck of cards. 

“You know,” Nick said, leaning back in his seat, “I wasn’t exactly looking forward to this flight. But honestly? This has been the best flight I’ve had in years.” 

“Yeah,” Adam grinned. “Same here.” 

As the plane began its descent into Seattle, Adam felt a strange sense of gratitude. Six hours earlier, he’d braced for boredom. Instead, he’d found a conversation he hadn’t even realized he needed — one that touched on everything from the trenches of World War I to the sleight of hand of modern illusionists. 

“You live in Seattle?” Nick asked as they collected their things. 

“Visiting family,” Adam replied. “You?” 

“Same.” 

“Well,” Adam said, “maybe we’ll run into each other again.” 

“I hope so,” Nick said. “Maybe next time we’ll debate Kirk versus Janeway properly.” 

Adam grinned. “You’re on.”