- 1 -
Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this flight to Eden!
For too long have we craved after you, desert beauties in long veils, and since we cannot become your lovers, we shall prove villains and take your idle chastity. At last a rare opportunity has come. June 15th, Crown Prince Air, long-distance flight, a newly assembled crew, inexperienced stewardesses, many still maidens. The pilots are tipped off. Take out the purser and the whole cabin shall be our bedchamber. The odds are greatly in our favor.
Amen! Here comes our call to board.
- 2 -
Maryam is alone in the empty cabin, on a last-minute check, but really she is checking out her own uniform. Brand new, freshly laundered, everything speaks of taste, even the hosiery is of top quality. Farewell to cheap no-label tights; here everyone is entitled to a pair of French luxury beige stockings, along with the garter belt to keep them from slipping. And don't even mention her Italian designer brand stilettos!
She is quite satisfied to say the least. At first she had been uneasy about this moving back home. Once upon a time she left there to chase greener pasture in Europe, but it was a different time and a different country. Back then there simply was no place for aspiring women like her. Now things have changed, considerably so, and mostly for the better.
She has already made a home in London, has two kids still in grade school, and works hard to gain a respectful life. It was no easy decision moving back alone without her family. But the minister of tourism and travel called her personally for the job. Said they need a veteran and a symbol of this country's latest progress, and the pay is simply magic. They told her she's a top candidate. She'd be a fool to refuse it. It's now or never, as she was told.
She will soon be 42. Not young but not old either. Her beauty is quite apparent if not enhanced. The golden age of womanhood: the girls here all call her "madam" without a thought and she is much flattered. A lot of nervous first-timers. She's been there before. Time to join them at the gate. Stop fidgeting, honey, your hijab is fine! They are all wearing the hijabs she gifted them a little earlier, finest handcrafts from her hometown, and they all look so beautiful. Young and beautiful! Now, girls, do put on our warmest smiles for our guests, for here they come.
- 3 -
Allah be praised! The takeoff goes smoothly. Through the oval windows the sunset lingers askew, the deep blue sky at its rear almost purple. Seatbelt signs are off and lavatories are now in use. Soon the many bellies in this giant iron bird will need to be fed and tended.
Naturally the flight attendants are ready for the challenge. They hurry out in their dark green hijabs, onto the aisles, with their metal carts clinking and their hips swaying in wine-red pencil skirts. The new uniform strikes a nice balance between daring and modesty, the female curves teased out but not over done and made indecent. Like nimble forest nymphs they navigate the narrow paths with ease, stoping and going at a natural flow. Behind the meal cart their heels follow right on cue and soon, rows after rows, the passengers' cups are filled with their choices of refreshment.
Maryam marvels at the diverse crowd she is serving tonight. People from every corner of the world seem to have found a spot on this plane! She also notices that they are all men: not a single woman onboard except for the flight attendants themselves. A bit odd and baffling, but she has no time to overthink such trifle matters, for the next row are already looking at her expectantly.
What can I get you today, sir?
Why, an excellent choice, sir!
Right away, sir!
Oops, we've just emptied of this one, allow me to fetch another, sir.
The purser squats down behind her cart to search for the replacement. As she does that, her skirt tightens around her ample behind, which contrasts nicely with her narrow waist. Many heads immediately tilt that way to enjoy the naughty little show which the unaware purser has put on. Maryam on her part never feels anything funny, as her work at hand demands full attention, the passengers' satisfaction being the only thing on her mind.
Now she stands up again holding a spare box of berries mix, the men then shift their gaze down the stewardess's legs in leather stilettos. Under the smooth glowing stockings the veins on the backs of her feet converge in a beautiful pattern, her cute toes hidden under the shoe boxes. How her feet form arches so perfect in the stilettos! How savvy and aggressive those sharp heels make her look! Her time to be trained will soon come.
Next, meals are dispensed in their little lunchboxes, along with desserts and fruit. A large quantity of ice-cream and other desserts are also available on demand. But by far the passengers seem most interested in getting more drink, and their choices are overwhelmingly on the hard side. A battle for filling and refilling hundreds of polyester cups ensues.
Fatimah, go and see what that gentleman needs over there!
Fetch me that can and let me open it for you -- watch out Sana, coming behind!
Take a breath, Nadia and Mona, don't wear yourselves out too early!
Somebody please tell me how the second deck is doing!
In a graceful bow Maryam bends forward with the wine bottle in her hands; as the man raises his cup he try to catch a glimpse of her bras through the little gaps in her blouse. She then pours another shot of brandy for a bearded white man whose face is already red like a lobster. She is so busy and can't catch a single breath.