6. JFK International Airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport is located in Jamaica, Queens, in southeastern New York City. It is about 19 kilometers from Lower Manhattan. It was known as the Idlewild Airport, before it was renamed in 1963 in memory of the late President John F. Kennedy. People usually refer to it as "Kennedy" or "JFK" airport.


The JFK caters to almost 20 million passengers each year. The biggest number is during the holidays when the weary workers of New York flock to the airports for well deserved vacations.

Among the would be passengers is Jeffrey Junco, a naturalized American born in Tarlac, Philippines. His friends from college calls him JJ using the first letter of his first name and family name. He finished his biology course from a state-run university and took up medicine right after graduation. Since his mom has retired from being a nurse in UK, JJ aspired to work abroad like his mother. He immediately took up additional subjects in nursing after passing the medical board exam. He applied for and got a job at the New York University Medical Center. It is where he met his wife Katrina, a nurse working in the same shift as he is.

"O, Albert, stay with your mama," JJ called at his six year old son as the boy started to walk away towards the kiosk selling toys while his mother let go of him to check their passports on her purse.

"But I want toy," Albert told his father while twiddling his fingers and looking cute.

"We'll get you one once we arrive in Manila," reassured Katrina now holding their passports as they fall in line to check-in for their flight to the Philippines.

"I can't believe I will be home again after almost ten years," sighed JJ. "I can still imagine what it feels like to be in the Philippines."

"Well unlike you, mister I-need-to-do-this-first," upbraided Katrina pressing her index finger at JJ's chest, "I try to call my parents every now and then," she said smiling.

JJ has always loved the way Katrina smiled at him. Her dimples and her mole above her right eye is what attracted him to her. They were married in the US since they were still starting up then and are not able to return to the Philippines. Only Katrina's parents were present. At that time JJ could not afford yet to have his mother with them. But some of JJ's college and high school friends who are based there were able to join. His uncle and auntie served as a proxy to his parents.

"I can still remember the time when I was about to board a flight from Manila," JJ muses. "I was so excited. And I can feel that same excitement now," he said smiling at Katrina.

"I am sure you do my dear," she lovingly told him.

They are now three persons away from the check-in counter. Katrina, with Albert in tow, is carrying a large shoulder bag with all their essential needs -- food, change of clothes, toiletries, and some reading materials. Albert has a backpack with his toys while JJ is pulling behind him a rolling traveling luggage and his laptop bag strapped on his back. They will have to have the luggage check-in and hand carry the rest.

"Mr. Junco," interrupted a muscular American wearing a dark pinstriped suite and pants. He was standing with his feet about shoulder-width apart and his left hand over his right casually placed in front of him. He has a clean-shaven face and is wearing dark glasses.

"Yes?" replied JJ turning to his left where the caller stands about a meter away from him. With the muscular American is an African-American with the same build and wearing a suit and pants identical to his companion. The African-American also wears dark glasses but displays a thin lined mustache connected to his beard forming a shape around his mouth and chin. He kept on scanning the area as if there will be a threat somewhere else.

"What is it honey?" asked Katrina a little worried.

"Daddy, are those the Men in Black from the movie?" asked JJ who was then pulled aside by his mother to put herself between the two men and the boy.

"It's okay honey," JJ said trying to assure his wife.

"Is there a problem?" he asked the two men now turning his attention from his wife to them.

"Sir, if you could step aside please," requested the clean shaven suit.

JJ took two steps forward leaving the luggage standing on its own while holding his wife back in line saying, "Just go ahead and check us in. This may be just a little misunderstanding," referring to the recent reports about mysterious killings in the New York area involving victims mostly of Filipino ancestry.

"Is there a problem -- ah -- sir?" asked JJ somewhat confident that he has nothing to worry about.

"I am Federal Agent Nigel Smith and with me is Federal Agent Lucas Jorgen," said the clean-shaven agent introducing himself and his companion both flashing their badges. "We wish to speak with you for a minute regarding some matters we would like to discuss in private. And don't worry, we will assist you through check-in and hold the plane for you if we find everything in order."

This statement caused some whispered comments among the other lined up passengers. Nobody would dare question a federal agent lest they would attract suspicion on themselves.

JJ looked back at his wife and nodded. Katrina, now left to hold Albert and the luggage with both hands, nodded back then looked from one federal agent to the next.

"This way please," ushered the clean-shaven agent motioning JJ to the side and starting to take a step forward. JJ followed him and the thin bearded agent trailing behind him.

They walked across other lines of passengers waiting to be checked-in toward the far side of the airport's departure lobby.

JJ's mind was wondering what the problem could be. He had been a good citizen, paid their taxes on time, no payments missed on his credit cards and their loans. He had surfed some websites on terrorist organizations but that was merely for information and not for any other purposes that may be considered a threat to national security. JJ kept on looking back to see his wife and son. She has now reached the check-in counter and presented their passports and tickets to the attendant. She seemed to be explaining why she is holding three passports since there are only two of them there. JJ could see his son staring after him standing idly beside his mom.

When they reached the far side, the clean shaven agent opened a door.

"But this is the exit door," protested JJ.

The clean shaven agent opened his suit to reveal his Glock-19 semi automatic pistol and said, "Please, if you will cooperate, no one else will get hurt."

"No one else?" asked JJ now beginning to feel panic. "What do you mean no one else?"

The thin bearded agent then clamped JJ's mouth with his massive right hand, pulling JJ towards his body while his left hand bent JJ's left arm toward his back.

The agent then pushed JJ toward the open door and the clean shaven agent looked around before following them inside.

Katrina has finished the check-in procedure and is now holding their boarding passes except that of JJ whose passport was withheld at the counter. She tried to look at the direction JJ and the two agents took but could not see them anywhere.

"Please follow me," a woman with blond hair whispered as she brushed by Katrina.

"What?" Katrina asked but the woman continued walking away without looking back.

Puzzled and alarmed, Katrina followed the blond woman.