I boarded the plane hoping for a calm flight. Everything was fine at first, until I spotted a young woman sitting right in front of me. She was dressed very jazzy and certainly thought the world should twist around her.

Right after takeoff, she took off her shoes, put one foot on the empty seat next to her, and the other go straight the aisle.

Her foot was blocking everyone who wanted to go to the bathroom or just extend their legs. At first, people politely asked her to move it, but only got nasty looks and bugged hissing in return.

Then she started deliberately neglecting the requests. One man trying to pass got a loud reply:

— What, can’t you go around?!

But going around was hopeless — she had stretched herself out as if she wanted to assume the entire row.

The worst part was the strong smell from her foot. So pungent that a woman across the aisle hid behind her scarf, and a child behind me asked his mother:

— Mom, why does it smell like someone never alters their socks?.. I pressed the call button for the flight attendant.

— Excuse me, — I said, — this passenger is blocking the aisle and refuses to move her foot.

Maybe she should pay for this seat, since she’s using it?

She was reprimanded by the flight attendant in a courteous but forceful manner.

The woman mumbled and rolled her eyes:

I’m not sitting here, though.

I will not make the payment. I am entitled to certain privileges.

Then, after hearing everything, the traveler beside her said:

You cannot simply steal someone else’s seat in that manner.

We may formally announce the payment. If she doesn’t want to, I can record it. The woman’s face went white.

The flight attendant used the occasion to give the purser a call.

In the end, she was actually required to pay the current fee for the additional seat. It nearly matched the cost of her own ticket.

Then she sat down normally for the first time. The back of the cabin gave a courteous round of applause when the flight attendant departed.

As everyone grinned and looked at one another, the woman across from me mutely uttered:

I’m grateful.

I was also growing impatient.