There are very few things that are enjoyable about air travel. For
me,
it’s the near impossibility of fitting my legs into a space for which
that
specific action is ill-suited, especially when the 5’2″ lady in front of
me
feels the need to recline her seat. But there are a hundred crappy
things
about airplane flights. Yeah, I’d love to write something about the
various travails of flying but unfortunately that territory has already
been covered by more successful comics, most notably Jerry Seinfeld in
his
epic work “What’s the deal with airplanes.”
Fortunately there’s one thing about air travel that I can
occasionally
look forward to, because every once in a while on airplanes you get to
come
into contact with one of the most fascinating segments of the world’s
population: the Easily Pleased. Next time you’re in a plane and it
touches
down, forget about your excitement about the impending opportunities to
stand and go someplace to eat real food and open your ears; it is then
that
you may hear the call of the Easily Pleased.
If you’re lucky, you will hear the smattering of applause signifying
that the Easily Pleased are, well, being what they’re named after.
What’s the deeeeaaaal with these people?
What are they like everywhere else that they go? Do they cheer
every
time someone or something accomplishes the basic task that they set out
to
accomplish?
“My dear Marjorie, it appears that you successfully crossed the
street
and are now on the other side!”
“Hurrah!”
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE
“Come here quick Sigmund, it appears that I pressed the button on
the
remote control and consequently the TV actually turned on!”
“Yippee”
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE
“Percival, although you have completely forgotten the jelly you have
still succeeded in making a peanut-butter sandwich.”
“Yay!”
APPLAUSE, SLIGHTLY LESS THUNDEROUS
So keep your eyes open for the Easily Pleased, for they are a
wonderful
and curious species. And for goodness’ sake, don’t take them to see
any
actual concerts, plays, or any live performances. That’d be like
blowtorching a candle.