A Strapping Young Man Appears

“Uhhh... hello?” the young man said, glancing back at the room number on the door uncertainly. He couldn’t be more than 19 or 20 years old.

Aria and Richard stared at him in mutual confusion. “Hi there. Can we help you?” Aria asked.

The man looked at his swipe card. “I... I think this is my room...” He looked at them apologetically. He pulled out his itinerary from his back pocket to re-read the details, mouthing the words. His earnest demeanor immediately put the couple at ease.

“That... can’t be right,” Richard said as he stepped closer to help, hesitating for a moment after months of practiced social distancing. They compared information and came to the same conclusion. They looked at Aria together. “No, he’s right.” The three of them looked to the capsule bed in the wall.

“Is that going to work?” Aria wondered aloud. Their plan to start their vacation off with a quick romp would have to wait.

The fresh faced young man looked to Richard for an answer. “Well, I can talk to the captain about this, but in the meantime...” he says, not quite hiding his displeasure at the inconvenience, “make yourself comfortable, at least as comfortable as that will allow.” He gestured to the built-in bed.

“Okay, thanks. I-I don’t want to get in your way.” He walked to the narrow cubby and slid the privacy divider to the side, revealing a backpack. “Yeah, that’s my stuff.” He started to open it, then stopped himself and turned around, showcasing a handsome smile. “Oh, friends call me Ted.” He stuck his hand out to Richard, then Aria, each completing their initial introductions.

Ted noticed the formal attire on the couple’s bed. “Those are some fancy outfits! Is this a honeymoon for you two?”

“No, just a much needed vacation. These came with the room, actually.”

“No kidding?” He looked back to his sleeping cubby for surprise gifts. Sure enough, he finds a gift box behind his backpack.