Episode 13: The Conductor

I found out later that I had been conked by the butt of a rifle. Where the rifle came from, I had no idea--the men weren't carrying them when they yanked us off the train. Unless Sarah lied later... but that didn't make much sense.

I groggily came to in a room not unlike the one that the attendant had awoken me in with the snap of his fingers. This time, though, as the fluorescent lights blinded my bleary eyes, the rhythmic snapping before me burned like a nail being hammered into my skull. When I crashed back to reality and was able to focus, I was surprised that the snapping was not coming from the attendant, but a heavyset man wearing a conductor's hat and overalls.

There was no clipboard this time, though. No stopwatch, either.

"This is new to both of us so let's just cut the shit," he said gruffly. "I've never had to do this before. You and your little band of renegades have really screwed things up. You know that?

I was trying to understand what he meant, and I guess the blank stare on my face hinted at that. He cut himself off mid-ramble, muttered a curse under his breath, shook his head. He drew his hand down his face, rubbing his eyes, then took a deep breath.

"I'm here to make sure everything goes smoothly," he started again, slowing his speech. "The stunt you pulled in your train car--well, that's not as smooth. And so here we are. Dealing with it." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Do you have any idea why you're here?"

I started to say something, then stopped. I had thought I was onto it, but the truth was, I had no idea. I frowned. Tried again to say something.

Nothing.

"You're here because... well, you don't belong anywhere else. You're not supposed to be able to figure this out... and I'm going to have to talk to the big man to see how to handle this. I've never had to deal with this kind of thing before, and Christ be damned if I'm looking forward to it."

He cut himself off again with a start, blushing as he took in his own words. Ears hot, he stood up from the chair, which creaked as if saying a thankful goodbye. He paused before he went out the door.

"If you've never been a praying man, I'd suggest probably starting now."