When the Arab lady walked onto the plane I was not the only one to notice.
In a long blue dress with a blue sheer wrap that went over her head she was hard to miss.
Another Arab, a man, strode onto the plane. He was unsmiling, with dark hollowed out eyes, and stiff black hair. A hush descended when yet another swarthy man, younger, entered the cabin.
I was buckling my seatbelt but I kept one eye cocked. Husband, wife and son, I hoped, rather than suicide squad.
When the lady in blue and the two men started down the aisle passengers all around noticeably swiveled, audible as wind riffling autumn leaves, as most of us couldn’t help ourselves from staring at the profiled personages.
The plane took off and our fate was sealed. Screens descended from the ceiling and a movie flicked on, distracting and lulling us. Until, that is, the pilot crackled through the speakers.
“Howdy folks, can I have your attention please, nothing to be concerned about, we’re gonna make an unscheduled stop. Gonna let some folks off.”
The aircraft dipped and swooped to the right, tracking west. Faces swished around, eyes darting as we caught each others worried looks. No doubt about it I felt the thrum of panic.
Flight crew emerged, ostentatiously calm. “Everything’s fine,” they murmured, patting headrests as they passed, “Nothing to worry about.” This had the exact opposite effect with everyone suddenly twitching.
The captain was back at the i

ntercom, “Sorry about this, the new plan is we’re going back to the original plan, we’re heading for our original destination. Sorry for any confusion. When we land I’m going to ask you all to remain seated until the police have removed someone. Thank you for your cooperation.”
The movie was all but forgotten now passengers were whispering loudly, practically hissing. Many of us were flashing knowing looks in the direction of the Arabs. I could barely see them but they looked guilty to me, they were staring at the floor and keeping quiet.
Until the landing gears were engaged, the wings flicking their little extra flaps, the flight crew strapped into their jump seats, the atmosphere was charged.
“Folks, please remain seated,” the captain oozed over the PA, as the plane bumped and noisily slowed down the runway.
The cabin door opened and we all craned. Chilly air scented with gasoline preceded a team of gun-toting uniformed police hustling aboard.
“Are you the lady who was causing trouble?” The lead policeman said. Except, oddly, he was not addressing the blue-frocked Arab lady. He was speaking to a diminutive caucasian female.
“I don’t care,” the girl said, and began to sob. After some back and forth the police were escorting the tiny, sobbing figure away.
Befuddled relief permeated as we learned she had, allegedly, picked a fight with a passenger in first class.
I forgot about the Arabs in the commotion to exit.