Alice and Brian have struck up a conversation on a flight to Frankfurt.
Alice: Do you travel a lot?
Brian: Well, my wife would say I do. She says I’m never around when she needs me.
Do you?
Alice: Yeah, quite a bit. So does my husband, though, so he can’t complain. What do you do?
Brian: I work in publishing.
Alice: I thought so when I saw that manuscript
in your seat pocket. So do I!
Brian: So you’re on your way to the book fair, too?
Alice: That’s right. I’m a scout. I specialize in children’s books.
Brian: Do you? I did an internship at Bluebird Publications. Do you know them?
Alice: Yes, I do. They make books for toddlers,
don’t they?
Brian: Yes. I don’t work there any more, though.
Do you enjoy scouting?
Alice: I love it. I like meeting agents and publishers from all over the world. And I enjoy reading, of course. It does tend to take over evenings and weekends, though. Brian: You work freelance, do you?
Alice: No, I work for an agency. But I rarely have time to do any reading in the office.
Flight announcement: Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to start our descent into Frankfurt airport…
Brian: How long are you staying in Frankfurt? Maybe we could do lunch some time. Alice: That would be nice... Here, don’t forget your manuscript. It wouldn’t do to leave that behind!