> [Originally posted on Medium](https://medium.com/@its_josh/the-last-room-in-the-hotel-a01b53e7346a?source=friends_link&sk=d5839516fba4909c1fd126955e047cbb) (“Friends link” not behind a paywall)
“So, say… what do you think the odds of us making it back to New York tonight are?”
I lift my head and quickly recognize the source of that familiar voice.
“Oh hi, Alice… didn’t know you were on this flight too!” I respond, finding some comfort in the sight of an acquaintance, even if the current circumstances aren’t the most ideal.
Alice joined my company about six months ago, starting in a junior role right after completing grad school. Although we work in separate teams, we often run into each other at the office and happily chat. Alice is in her mid-20s, wickedly smart. She’s not very tall: in fact, she’s over one foot shorter than me; but, with blonde hair, a skinny and fit body, and a charming smile, most people would describe her as a rather good looking young woman. Personally, I have always enjoyed her presence (such as that time at the company’s last holiday part where we got teamed up for trivia and won) and the energy she brings with her youth. She herself does not seem to mind being around me either, despite being close to 20 year her senior.