I boarded the plane, huffing and sweating but beyond relieved to have my “entertainment bag” back on my person, squinting my way along the length of the aircraft. I found my seat only to discover someone already sitting in it. It was a rotund, moon-faced woman wearing a knit cap that was too small for her head. “Excuse me,” I said, tapping her on the shoulder, very gently. It was obvious that the woman was faking sleep, her eyes shut tight as she no doubt prayed to her gods with all her might that I–the window-seat occupant–would not show up…