Cherry recounts her experience boarding the Hobart-to-Sydney flight. She had hoped that once she was on the plane, the strange phenomenon she experienced at the airport—where everyone seemed to remind her of someone or symbolize something personal—would end. She planned to distract herself with a sudoku puzzle book.

While boarding, she noticed a very tall young man in blue tracksuit pants and a white T-shirt, who reminded her of a tall young man she once loved. She reflected on the vulnerability of young men's necks and the contrast between their broad shoulders and boyish hairlines. Other passengers commented on his height, asking if he was a basketball player. Cherry thought about how the tall young man from her past once boarded a plane for the first time, not knowing about exit rows, and felt overwhelmed by a "giant river of memory."

She showed her boarding pass to a stunningly beautiful female flight attendant, who directed her to seat 4D. Cherry was relieved that this woman reminded her of no one. However, she then noticed the male flight attendant—a fair-haired, green-eyed young man—and experienced a visceral shock, feeling certain she recognized him. She was stunned that he did not seem to recognize her in return. Despite her shock, she continued moving down the aisle without stopping.

At her seat, a man with the demeanor of an army general helped her stow her bag overhead, though she may have forgotten to thank him. A woman in a bejeweled caftan struck Cherry's temple with her elbow without apologizing. A well-dressed, worried-looking man with curly gray hair took the aisle seat beside her. He carried a magazine called Construction Engineering Australia but didn't open it, and tapped his foot impatiently while wearing what Cherry identified as possibly Armani suede boots. He was seated next to a couple who reminded Cherry of her friends Jill and Bert, radiating friendliness and joie de vivre. Cherry noticed an advertisement in the seat pocket asking, "What are you waiting for? Book your Jewels of Europe River Cruise today!"