“Thank you for choosing American Airlines. How may I help you?” the short brunette behind the counter asked as Jack approached the front of the line. She wasn't particularly pretty, but she had a friendly smile, despite the fact that working at the lost baggage center had to be anything but pleasant. Her name tag read "Grace," and Jack was drawing on every bit of that quality he had left to contain the rage he felt at having to report to this particular area of the airport to begin with.

"Hello, my bag was lost on a flight from Cabo San Lucas this morning," Jack said, resting his arm on...