On my flight to Miami I was seated next to a big black guy. The resting handles were pulled back to accomodate both of us. He was watching the game on his phone and I was napping. The service trolley came by and I asked for a glass of water. $5 please! Uh oh? Water please, regular in a glass. That will be $5. I was on a short flight and not really thirsty.

I went back to my doing nothing business. I was startled when the flight attendant asked me if I would need ice with my water. I was puzzled and asked if they had changed their mind about charging me for a sip of water. I was told that my neighbour was buying it for me. Oops, I was thrown and I demurred and asked for just some ice to wet my throat. The guy next to me was cutely pudgy and I couldn’t resist almost hugging him. He shyly sipped on his Sprite and went back to his game.

I struck up a conversation and asked him where he was from. He said he was from Texas and going to Miami for dental work. I was stumped and thought I had heard wrong. On asking again he pulled out a video and said he was getting a ceramic coating on his teeth. Aah but why Miami? Cos it was the best in the USA and he would get it done over 3 weeks. It would cost him $9200. He had to repeat it 3 times and spell it out for it to sink in. I was gobsmacked.

Bedecked with gold chains, bracelets, earrings which I thought were faux looked quite real now. I tentatively asked him if he was a musician. A big time rapper? He smiled and mumbled he was an electrician. His parents, i asked cautiously thinking maybe his father was paying the bill They lived in New Orleans and his father was an electrician too.

I was dazed till I reached my friend’s place. My friend laughed and said that electricians and plumbers are highest earners in the USA. I was suitably chastised and am now tickled with amusement.

$9200 to get pearly whites, why not? Anything for the high wattage smile!