Have comments?
Here is my email address: wjwirth@wjwirth.com

To see other blog entries,
click here

Business Class made the 14+ hour flight bearable, but just barely. I had been dozing for a couple of hours when I felt the plane start its descent. Soon the wheels locked and we made the final approach. I had started to collect my things, amazing how spread out I get when there is no one in the seat beside me, when it struck me. Eddie and Bruce were with me. Muttering a couple of obscenities, I just finished packing my briefcase when the aircraft touched down.

I waited for them at the gate. Soon they came, Eddie, the VP of International and Bruce, the sales guy for East Asia. They had traveled in coach, their decision to come on this trip made last minute and all they could get was coach. Eddie didn’t like traveling coach, after all, he was a VP and he was a bit annoyed at me, probably because I hadn’t offered him my Business Class seat. Who cares. . .? The hi-tech company we worked for had just started its death spiral and I figured, correctly, I didn’t owe anything to anyone.

We walked down the sparkling concourse at Narita airport. They a bit stiff, me a bit sleepy. Reaching the terminal, I started for the Narita Express – the fast train into Tokyo. I could see Eddie stiffen a bit. I stopped, I had done this before and said so to Eddie and Bruce. The train was comfortable, cheap and, above all, fast. Eddie would have none of it. He said he was taking a taxi into town and that was it. The indication was VPs traveled in private, not in public conveyances like trains.

Bruce, a good guy, was caught in the middle. Figuring that Eddie was the one who buttered his bread, he motioned with his eyes towards Eddie and all was set.

I said I would see them at the hotel and maybe we could go get something to eat. Ok, Ok, mumble, mumble, and I was alone, on my way to Narita Express terminal.

$9 later I walked onto the train, picked a nice window seat and watched the Japanese countryside whiz by. This train was really moving, I thought. Soon we were in the middle of the urban congestion that is Tokyo, still moving fast, air conditioned, legs stretched out, soaking in the view. The train came to a halt at Tokyo station and I got off.

Tokyo station was decidedly more crowded. Navigating though the crush, I made my way out to the street. The hotel was a couple of blocks away so I walked, actually needing a bit of exercise. Walking on a Tokyo street is one of life’s great experiences; I have never been able to get enough of it. Soon I arrived at the hotel, checked in, went to my room. I asked if Eddie and Bruce had arrived but the staff could only acknowledge their reservations. They hadn’t arrived.

A long shower felt good after the flight. Turning on the TV, I was soon dozing. Jerking awake, “Why am I sleeping? I am in Tokyo”. I got dressed and was looking out the window, thinking I could go get something to eat when the phone rang. It was Bruce.

He said they had just got in and the annoyance in his voice was palpable. I tried to say I was just going out, did he want to come, but Bruce was not to be denied.

It had taken a long time to find the taxi area, Eddie said he knew where it was, it wasn’t. They finally got in line, and in Japan lines are sacred, and they inched forward. A tiny taxi was offered. Later I found that the Narita taxis were for short local trips. Anyone going to Tokyo took the train. Anyone with common sense that is.

Bruce said they objected but were greeted by the characteristic sucking in through the teeth that is the sign of Japanese distress and concern. Although they are both big men, they took the tiny taxi. Only one bag would go in the trunk, the other bag was in the passenger seat. Eddie and Bruce packed into the back seat, knees up, briefcases on their laps.

“It took two hours to get into town,” Bruce said as I checked the time on the room clock. “I’m crippled. And you know what?” Wittily I replied “What?”

“The driver charged us ¥20,000 – that’s more than $150!”

“Eddie’s a VP, his budget can bear it,” I offered consolingly.

“He wants me to put it on my expense report,” Bruce shot back. “Like I would ever take a taxi!”

Something happens to a guy when he gets to be important, like a VP and Eddie had a severe case of status.

My advice, if you ever find yourself at Narita Airport, take the train.