Ch. 10. Black Train Blues

[Bullfrog]

"Seems to be the only option, unless one of you want to volunteer first to go search this entire train from front to back." Lawrence decides.

[HoneyDog]

"Let's just wait in the compartment" says Howard. "I'm getting off at the first station we come to. I suggest you join me."

[Philulhu]

Another hour or so passed, with no sign of the conductor or any fellow passengers, even though Thomas had left the compartment doors open, so no one could have passed unnoticed. Outside, the bright spring sunshine shone upon sharecroppers working in the fields alongside the moving train.

As the clock approached 3.00pm, the train whistle sounded and the train began to slow. A minute or so later, it came to a halt next to a sun-bleached provincial station. There was no one on the platform and nothing around, save for fields and one road, leading away to the horizon.

[HoneyDog]

"Maybe we won't be getting off, after all" says Howard in dismay. "This is a station?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I wouldn't call it that,' says William. "Let's not get off here. Who knows when the next train will come by?"

[HoneyDog]

Howard sinks back in his seat.

[Philulhu]

There was a whistle from an unseen source on the platform, a ‘huff’ of steam and the carriage shunted forward, which caused everyone to shuffle forwards on their seats. The train slowly gathered pace as it left the station behind and was soon travelling steadily though the fields again.

There was a low, grumbling noise from Thomas’ direction. He looked embarrassed and said, ”Can we try the salon car again? I’m starving!”

[Bullfrog]

"May as well, seeing as we won't be seeing another station for a while." Lawrence sighs, none too keen on the oddities of the present situation.

[Mr. Handy]

"It's worth a try," says William. "We've got nothing better to do anyway."

[Philulhu]

Friday March 7th, 1930 15.10pm.
Baton Rouge to Boston Train

The four men made their way back to the salon car, where everything was as they had left it. The young man dozed on the settee, the woman was sat talking to her children, and the older man they had spoken to was sat studying his book, his unlit pipe twitching slightly as he read to himself.

The Steward stood behind the bar like a mannequin, tall and dark haired, with unwashed flecks curling out from underneath his cap. He slowly turned to look at them as they approached, tracking them until they stood in front him. ”Can I help you?” he said haltingly.

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, thank you," says William. "We never got any lunch, and we were hoping we could get something to eat now that it's not so busy."

[Philulhu]

”The dining car will open at 7.00pm for first class passengers,” the Steward replied robotically, with a slightly puzzled look upon his face as if he didn’t quite understand the question.

[Mr. Handy]

"Can't we get a small snack now to tide us over?" asks William. "We'd be willing to pay extra."

[Bullfrog]

"What harm could it do? It can't be that much of a hassle to get us something." Lawrence advocated to the steward.

[Philulhu]

The Steward looked at them for a moment then, without breaking eye contact, reached below the counter and pulled out four packets of salted nuts. ”No charge,” he croaked.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Wiliam, distributing the nuts. "Could we please trouble you for some water as well?"

[Philulhu]

Wordlessly, the Steward produced four glasses from behind the bar, along with ice cubes and water, so that they could help themselves.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you again," says Wiliam. He pours the water and gives out the glasses to his friends before helping himself.

[Bullfrog]

Lawrence has a sip of water and eats a few nuts, looking about the room; it seemed that the occupants were still doing the same thing as they had several hours ago, which Lawrence was beginning to find a little odd.

[Philulhu]

”That guy’s been asleep since we got on the train,” said Thomas quietly, indicating the young man sleeping next to the bar. As he spoke, the man’s eyes flicked open and he stared at them in horror! He fell from the bench seat and scrambled in the direction of the sleeping car, his hand over his mouth as if trying not to be sick...