'First Class' at any cost

In desperation I contacted my travel agent Barbara in Seattle about upgrading me to First Class. Whatever it takes, I told her. She informed me that every single seat has one of those boxes under the seat that plaqued me on the way over. It is in fact the A/V equipment for the individual screens in the seats. She said I could pay an additional sum of money for her to book the seat now or I could take my chances at the aiport that day for 1/3 the price. I could barely respond fast enough, "Book it now!" So it would appear that my problems are solved for my return flight. What a huge relief.