I tossed the cup gently to the man on the opposite side of the aisle, who caught it with a wide grin. With exaggerated care, he tossed it to the woman with the scarf, who caught it effortlessly. Each toss brought laughter and camaraderie, the cabin filling with an atmosphere of playful rebellion.

The young woman in front, now the center of attention, watched the game unfold with growing discomfort. Her foot wavered, and after a few more passes of the cup, she finally withdrew it back to her seating area, crossing her arms with a huff.

Melissa, the flight attendant, returned to witness the conclusion of our impromptu activity. She smiled, nodding approvingly as she realized that the situation had been resolved without further escalation.

“Thank you all for your cooperation,” she said, her voice carrying a blend of amusement and gratitude.