The line shuffled slowly forward. Flight 296 was filled. There would be no seats for the hopeful standbys.
Biff had checked his heavier bag through earlier, when he had presented his ticket. Now he carried only a small, light dispatch case. Accidentally, as the person directly in front of him stopped suddenly, Biff’s dispatch case swung forward, striking the person on the calf of one leg.
The person turned around. Startled, Biff stopped quickly. He even backed up a step in his amazement.
“Am I seeing things?” Biff asked himself, giving his head a shake and blinking. “Am I asleep? It can’t be. It just can’t be.”
The person Biff stared at returned his stare. The same astonishment spread over the face of the boy he had bumped.
Biff’s own mirror at home couldn’t have reflected his image better. He might have been looking at himself!
Neither boy spoke, so startled were they by their striking resemblance to one another.
“This can’t be,” Biff said, half aloud. “That boy is—is—ME!”
The other lad must have been thinking the same.
“Step forward, please,” the gate attendant called out sharply. “Keep the line moving.”
In their astonishment, Biff and his double had stopped in their tracks.
Dazedly, Biff and the other boy reached the gate. They presented their tickets. The attendant looked from one to the other.
Still apparently unable to speak, the boys shook their heads.
They walked across the apron leading to the waiting aircraft. As they walked along, side by side, each cast quick, questioning glances at one another.
The boys were the same height. Both were broad of shoulder. Both carried their well-muscled bodies with the grace and posture of the trained athlete.
The only immediately noticeable difference distinguishing the boys was their clothing. Biff was hatless, as always. The other boy wore a hat. Biff wore light gray slacks, a soft sleeveless sweater, and a loose sports coat. His double wore a tight-fitting, dark-blue suit and a white, high-collared shirt. His clothes were as formal as Biff’s were informal.
They mounted the loading ramp and entered the plane. The stewardess gave them the same interested, friendly look the gate attendant had given them.
“I’m sure you two will want to sit together,” she said. “You’re twins, aren’t you?”