On 31 Oct 2016 19:37, "C. Berry" <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> There are few things more unnerving than a snag when trying to return home from a foreign country.
>
> I was at Narita returning from my first visit to Japan earlier this year. I presented my reservation information and passport to the young woman at the JAL counter, who typed a few characters, then frowned a little, then typed some more, then frowned more, then beckoned over another woman, clearly her supervisor. I asked if something was wrong, and she smiled and assured me, in broken English, that everything was fine. The supervisor arrived, typed something, frowned, typed something else, then had a brief conversation with the agent before stepping over to a desk and picking up a phone. I again asked if everything was okay, trying to hide the tremor in my voice. Oh, yes, yes, everything is fine, she replied. I asked what was wrong. Everything is fine. Big smile. The supervisor came back over, had another conversation with the agent, then walked back to the desk to continue the phone call. Then that happened again. And again.
>
> This went on for about 15 minutes, giving me time to plan my new life as a refugee in Tokyo in some detail. Then suddenly, and with no explanation, I was handed my boarding pass and directed to the customs and immigration area, where I sailed through without further incident. I still have no idea whatsoever what happened at the JAL counter.
>

Oh no! I was dying to know what they'd seen. Maybe they were just amused you shared the same birthday as clerk and supervisor.

But all the same, a nice detail to throw at players.

"Well, they never said what the furrowed brows were about..."