Surprise Melody Flintkote. Part Two
Copyright© 2019 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 3
I’m sure you’ve heard this before: No plan survives first contact. In our plan, we were nonstop from BNE, 11 The Circuit, Brisbane Airport QLD 4008, Australia to Hong Kong International, 1 Sky Plaza Rd. Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong. It would have been oh so convenient ... Hong Kong International is in Aberdeen, Hong Kong ... damn near walking distance to Starship.
“No,” said the man behind the counter. “We don’t fly direct to Hong Kong. We fly to Singapore or Manila.”
“But, my tickets ... paid in full.”
“Travel Agency?”
“Adams.”
“Credit Card scam. They’re not even in Australia. Let me guess ... you paid with a card.”
“Oh Shit!”
“That’s a yes. You should call your banking partner and cancel it?”
They’re Number 3 on my speed dial.
“National Australia Bank. How may I direct your call?”
“You people own the National Bank of New Zealand?”
“We do. How may I direct your call?”
“I may have problems with my credit card.”
“I’ll ring through.”
“Visa MasterCard. Please listen carefully to the following options:
“I don’t want a machine I want a human.”
When I shut up the phone said: “To register a complaint about possible illegal use press 4.”
I pressed 4.
“Your call is important to us. Due to the high volume of calls, your call will be answered by the next available operator.” Muzak took over.
I asked the man behind the counter, “Jerry? Is there a National Australia Bank branch in the airport?”
He pointed right. “Second right, second left.”
“Thank you, Jerry.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
That came with the first genuine smile I’d seen since we’d arrived.
Second right, second left ... NAB ... first kiosk for arrivals after leaving Security.
“National Australia Bank.”
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