[ WP ] `` You , sir , clearly do not understand my current predicament . ''

He straightened his tie and cleared his throat. `` I'm sorry?'' 
 
 `` I said you do n't seem to really be grasping the issue at hand here,'' the man repeated. `` I've only got about 25 minutes -- well 23 now thanks to you -- to get through this gate, board that plane, hit my mark, and take that baggage trolley over there to my car over at terminal D.'' 
 
 He looked at the window at the baggage trolley the man had been pointing at. It was nearly finished loading its contents into the belly of the great steel beast parked just outside the window. `` I mean... Um... So you do n't have a boarding pass but you want me to let you through so you can um...'' he leaned in closer to the man and whispered `` *assassinate? * --'' 
 
 `` By George I think he's got it!'' the man erupted. The passengers in line behind the man were beginning to look more annoyed now. `` Yes, I would like you to please let me on this plane so that I may do my work and get on with my day. I've got a very busy schedule and that car leaves in 20 minutes. Do you see my problem?'' 
 
 He suddenly became very aware of how hot it was in this terminal and hooked his fingers around the knot in his tie, jerking it away from his throat. `` I do n't... Erm... That is really not allowed, sir.'' 
 
 `` So you *do* see my predicament then! Yes I *know* that's not really allowed, sir, which is why I am asking you ever so kindly to please just let me through!'' The man adjusted his incredibly well-tailored suit jacket and buttoned the top button. 
 
 People were starting to get impatient and began yelling from the back of the line. One of the flight attendants had come through the walkway out to the gate and was now standing at the desk. 
 
 `` Is everything alright?'' She asked him. 
 
 `` Just fine, love,'' the man replied. `` Just a little mix up with the boarding pass situation.'' 
 
 `` Ben, would you mind stepping aside with this gentleman? I'll take care of the line while you work this issue out. Next please!'' She chirped to the woman with the bright pink suitcase behind the man. 
 
 `` For God's sake man, you're causing a scene now. Just let me the hell through! I'll be in and out before you know it!'' The man was smiling broadly, giving Ben his toothiest grin. `` And if you let me through now, there still wo n't be so many people on the plane! Think about it, you'll be a hero for saving so many innocent lives, and you'll also be doing you're new pal here a big favor by keeping the number of witnesses to a minimum.'' 
 
 Ben sighed. The man was not going to take no for an answer. Or, more accurately, he was refusing to take `` No, sir, I'm afraid that is completely against the law, have you gone completely bonkers?'' as an answer. `` Well...'' 
 
 `` Thatta boy, Ben. Just let your dear old friend John Smith through!'' The man began to bend over and pick up his bag that Ben could only assume was full of guns or knives or both. 
 
 `` Now hold on,'' Ben began. `` Why should I let you through? Who is this man you're after? How do I know you're not just some raging looney trying to get revenge on a cheating ex wife or something?'' He blurted this last part out without much forethought, and for a moment was panicked that the man might pull his weapon of choice out and assassinate him here on the spot for being so brash. John Smith signed, set his small leather case on the counter between the two men, and looked Ben straight in the eyes. 
 
 `` Ben, old friend, do n't you worry your pretty head one bit about that,'' he crooned as he began to unzip the case. `` Would a raging looney have credentials like this?'' He pulled back the top flap of the case just enough so Ben could see inside. It was mostly empty, except for a few small pockets and an elastic band holding the few select items in place. There was a hypodermic needle with a small vial in the bag, and nothing else. Ben supposed that no, a raging looney would probably not have these credentials. He was relieved, too, to see that the bag was not full of knives and guns that might be used to eliminate gate agents that got in this man's way. 
 
 Ben heaved a sigh. `` Alright...'' He said. `` Let me just key this in really fast and you'll be clear to board.'' 
 
 `` Tsk tsk tsk, Ben. Do n't be silly. I thought we were past all this!'' The man said, zipping up his bag. `` Do n't key me in. When this lovely bird over here scans the next pass,'' he said sticking his thumb out in the direction of the flight attendant that was boarding the still annoyed passengers, `` I'll just slip through with a tip of my hat. You just *tell* her that everything is fine. That's how we'll do it.'' 
 
 `` Okay,'' Ben agreed. `` But this ca n't come back to me at all,'' he said, dropping his tone to sub-audible levels. `` I do n't want to be an accessory to anything, I do n't want my name on this at all. Can you promise me that?'' 
 
 The man chuckled a bit as he put his cap back onto his head. With a tip of his brim, he ducked into the walkway and out of sight.
