The Rails

The train rallied down the tracks through the mountains and Jacks body swayed limply to its rythym. He had been hung over for what seemed like days. The movement nausiated him and he moved in and out of consiousness. It was better to be passed out than feel the way he did. The sun shone bright throught the moving car and burned his eyelids. Jack sat up and slumped against the wall. Back and forth, back and forth. He could feel the sick coming over him and his body instinctively moved to the open door of the moving car. He heaved and heaved. He lay on his belly and for a while he thought he might rest again. But his guts rebuked him. It went on like this in cycles for a few hours as if her were purging weeks of drunkeness all in one afternoon; which he probably was. By evening he passed out again. This time it seemed a calm kind of rest. But it didn't last long. He was awoken to the sound of the sudden screeching of breaks. The constant sway of the train had stopped. He lay still and opened his eyes. Not far off, he heard voices. Train-car slammed open and shut. The sound of hushed voices and rustling grass like people running through it. Jack knew there were other rail riders; other stowe aways, but until now he hadn't heard any. Why were they all leaving? He was about to find out! Then, the flickering lights from lanterns and the sound of loud banging like a baseball bat against the metal. I was getting closer, louder until the sound came from just outside of the train-car Jack lay in. Jack froze in the middle of the floor. Just as the door flug open someone grabbed him and pulled him backward, deeper into the dark and in a moment he was covered in hay. He laid still and passive as did the body that pulled him into the hay. All at once lights covered the interior of the train-car. "No One in here. They all made off in the woods. Check the next one!" The voices and lights moved on. Once they could no longer be heard. Jack knew he was not alone. "Who's there?" He whispered There was no answer. Again and this time louder, "Who's there?" This time there was an answer. "Shut up! You wat to get us both beat?" Suddenly from down a ways there was indeed the sound of a man being beaten. Jack counted the number of clubs to the gut the poor soul was recieving. 9-10-11-12. "Dear God! Are they going to kill him?" Jack whispered. There was a silence. Then finally, "Naw, they ain't gonna kill him. They teaching all the rest of us a lesson!" Jack could gather the gist of it: He reckoned a stowaway had been found and was being beaten. He also gathered that the soul who had pulled him off into the hay before he had been found was the closest thing he had to a friend. So to save his skin and that of his new commerade he bit his toungue and said not a word more until he was spoken to later that night when the nameless stranger lit two smokes and handed him one. "Names Bud." he said. "what's yours?" "Jack. Jack LeGrande" Answered Jack "LeGrande, Huh?" Bud took a look at Jack from top to foot. "We'll see I guess!"

Jonquil flower

Looking out onto the Puget Sound from his table view on the pier, James eagerly awaited Annes arival to their scheduled lunch together. Everthing was as it should be. James had ordered their Luncheon; drinks, salads, entrees. Now he waited for his date to arrive. Anne would make a suitable match. Their families were of similar financial means. People spoke well of her charms and she had the reputation of being something of a novelty... in spite of her eccentricities. She could be refined. Her parents were gone. She had no husband or prospects. He felt a sense of glee in his position; like a strong hand at a card table on the final turn. She could not refuse him, she would not. He had done well for himself; the youngest banker at his firm, he owned his home and car outright. Several of the women at his mothers weekly bridge game inquired of him regularly on behalf of their daughters. But he wanted Anne. There was something about her that excited him. Her focus,he envied her passion. He wanted it for hmself. He doused his soda with whiskey from his hip flask and looked at his watch. She was a bit late, which was not unlike her. He lit a cigarette. The waitress from the bar looked at him. He winked at her and held her gaze a moment before drinking a deep gulp of his drink. She smiled. The sound of high heels on tile, Anne was in a rush as she sat down removing her gloves. "So sorry to be late, dear James. Thank you for the invitation." He noded, "Are you hungry, Anne?" He rose to kiss her and she turned her cheek to his. "No doubt! Something substantial!. I have been working since dawn." She unfolded her napkin placed it on her lap. Making eye contact with the waiter and waiving him over. James interjected before Anne could speak. "I have ordered Lunch and it will be here shortly" Anne caaried on anyway, "Could we please have some bread and butter before the meal? I am famished." The waitter looked at James for approval. James noded and waved the waiter away. Anne raised her eyebrows, irritated. "A ration on bread this week gentlemen?" James maade light, "Nevermind that Anne. How are you?" Anne gushed, "Fine. It's very busy preparing for the October Masquarade. We are forcing Titans bloom Phase and he is not pleased. I'm afraid he wont be in his full glory because of it. These specimines are forced enough growing in an unatural environment." James assured her, "So long as he bloom our patrons will be more than satisfied for the show. Besides eating and drinking is why they truly come! Especially in times like these." Anne dosn't miss a beat, "Times like these James, Whatever do you mean?" Setting his tea down he sits back, "Havn't you heard? The stocks have been down quite consistantly. Up and down really since March. But down for most part since August. Of couse they will recover. But our patrons have collectively lost quite a bit, no doubt." "Annes eyes wander, "Stocks?" Something is occoured to Anne. Her Fathers estate had left something in it about stocks. She recieved a monthly update but it had always accrued intrest and after a while she quite checking the statements. She had to admit, she knew little about the matter and counted it as a secure provision her father and mother had left to her. Still, to keep up with James' conversation, she inquired,"People have lost in the stock market?" James, minimising the topic "Well yes those who have invested. But nevermind about that. How is the Masqurade? Other than Titan of course? "It's going well? No doubt my Mother is driving you and my father half mad." They both chuckle in understanding. Neverthess, Anne is charitable. "She means well by your father. In fact, I envy them both." James pursues the topic. "Do you Anne? How do you mean?" With her chin on her resting on her hand. "They are different but like minded. Both are in favor of the others success. Quite equitable and complimentary all at once." Enthralled by her accuracy, "Do you, desire that for yourself?" "A good match? Of course!"She replies quickly. The basket of bread arrives at the table. She dives in without delay. James presses the subject, "I hope you count me as more than just a collegue, Anne. "I count you as a friend, James. We played as children." Still eating bread. "Yes, we are friends." He pauses, "Still I wonder if there might be a time where you might consider me as...more than a friend." He reaches for her hand, she impulsively reaches for her glass of water. He pulls his hand back and smooths his hair. The food arrives. There is an akward silences as the fish and salad is served. Anne waits for James to begin eating, but instead of eating he continues. "You see Anne, I would like to see you, more than casually. I would like you to know that you can count on me." She catches his meaning but she is hungry and decides not to address the topic head on. "Thank you ,James. I believe I can count on you." She slices into her fish. He looks on and does the same. They eat their lunch in silence.