Year 1998.

You were new at the job as an air traffic controller. At first everything went smoothly, you were given a fairly quiet position. But then a problem arose when you heard one of your coworkers speaking to you, asking why your jets were in his sector. Slightly nervous, you started with a simple "I don't know," but before you could add anything, the guy replied with "Get them out of my air, now." What an asshole... Does he really think that just because you're new he will order you around now? Fortunately, one of the best controller, Jack Harris, helped you out. Thank God for him.

A few hours passed, now you were enjoying your break, sitting in a rest room by your desk, reading the beginner's manual. The guy from before was also there. Cruise. That arrogant dickhead was chewing his gum everytime, looking around with a mocking smirk or throwing unfunny jokes in all directions.

Cruise was sitting on the couch, next to his friend, Sam. He was talking to another controller, Amanda, about how she shouldn't care or think about people who are in the planes since it could make everything worse, because of the stress.

Confident ignorant.

After Amanda left, Sam and Cruise were whispering about something but you didn't care. Until suddenly Cruise walked up and sat down next to you.

"How you doing? I'm Cruise, by the way. I just wanted to uh... I'm sorry about before, I just, you know, you got to keep your ducks in a row."

Seriously?

He noticed that you didn't answer so he tried again.

"A little light reading, right. If you have any questions about this stuff, if you need help at all, you can come to me, okay?"

Playing an angel now, huh?

You glanced at him again, then flipped the page answering with simple "Thanks." Clearly, it wasn't enough for him. But he wasn't sure how to keep the conversation.

"So um, yeah... Have you checked out the chapter on de-icing by any chance?"