Take Off

The engines roared into life, shaking the entire cabin along with its contents, rattling the passengers and loosening teeth both permanent and false alike. Once the seatbelt sign was extinguished, the idea of reclining the seat to slumber was interrupted by a disconcerting crack. I felt what was probably not intended as a lumbar support, displace several disks. Sleep was now a luxury that would elude me on this journey.

The cabin lights dimmed. I pulled a muscle stretching to reach the overhead light, discovering that the honeycomb-like formation produces an effect akin to an eclipse, with equally devastating effects on the retina. There is now a large black spot where I once had vision. The light conveniently illuminated the top of my head instead of the tray table.

Unheard of are the subtleties of controlling the light from the convenience of the armrest or, indeed, beckoning a stewardess from the confines of the galley. I was grateful that I had the presence of mind to stock up on Tiger Balm at Changi, as another muscle succumbed to my endeavour to summon the stewardess.