One of the perks of National Car Rental’s frequent renter program, the Emerald Club, is that at participating airports there is Emerald Aisle, rows of cars to choose from, no waiting in line, no looking for your assigned car. Choice. Convenience. Comfort. It’s all right there.

Recently, I followed the signs to Emerald Aisle. I looked around, perplexed, thinking I must be in the wrong place. One solitary car was parked there in the National parking lot. I caught the attention of the attendant. “Excuse me, excuse me, where is Emerald Aisle?”

She gave me the look. “Lady, you’re looking at it. Right there.”

“There? That’s one car. That’s not Emerald Aisle, that’s Emerald Island…”