The speaker is a Palestinian-American traveler who possesses a working, if halting, knowledge of Arabic. She pauses momentarily upon hearing the airport page, acutely aware of the suspicion placed on Arabic speakers in contemporary society. Overcoming this brief hesitation, she volunteers to help and uses her language skills to comfort a stranger in distress. She proves highly compassionate, putting her own airport routines on hold to make phone calls and foster a welcoming environment for everyone at the gate.

An older traveler dressed in traditional Palestinian embroidered clothing, she is en route to El Paso for an urgent medical appointment the following day. Isolated by a language barrier, she mistakenly believes her delayed flight has been canceled entirely. Once comforted in her native language, her distress evaporates and she reveals a generous, hospitable personality. She shares her homemade *mamool* cookies with the other women at the gate, completely changing the mood of the waiting area.

A Palestinian man who shares a cultural background with the older traveler stranded at the airport. He speaks to the distressed woman over the phone in Arabic. During their lengthy conversation, they realize they share ten mutual friends, an interaction that brings a comforting piece of home to the distant airport terminal.

The son of the older Palestinian traveler, currently living in Texas where his mother is traveling for a medical appointment. He speaks English with the speaker, who reassures him about his mother's delayed flight and promises to sit next to her on the plane.

Two young travelers waiting at Gate A4 with the rest of the delayed passengers. After partaking in the shared *mamool*, they end up covered in powdered sugar. They eagerly help distribute drinks to the waiting passengers, acting as symbols of untainted joy and innocent community spirit in a mundane setting.

An airline employee working at the Albuquerque International Airport who issues the call for an Arabic speaker. The agent explains that the Palestinian woman began wailing the moment they announced the flight delay, setting up the necessary context for the speaker to step in and clear up the misunderstanding.