The early morning voice of the American Airlines rep

Gives me the details of the cost of getting home early.

Yes you are confirmed on standby Sir,

“Does that mean I can get on?”

“ ‘No, it means you can wait, and see if you can get on;

If you want to get on, you can buy another ticket and I will charge you for changing your ticket’ ”

So, I am dreaming of another world,

One where someone didn’t want to rob me because I wanted to see the wife sooner that evening,

The dog’s wagging tail,

A log fire on a cool fall evening.

So wake up Michael, and head for the airport,

Your punishment awaits you.

Or is it penance?