The Zephyr .2
He decided to make sure she was traveling without a companion. It should be easy to tell if he could be sure he had the right person. Ah, one more clue, he knew the rough age to look for.
He had miscalculated. The seat in the front of the car allowed him easy vision of only the passengers in the front half. Restrooms were not at the rear of the car as he had thought, but instead were downstairs, with access mid-car. As the Dining Car staff made low announcements over the PA, he realized that he would easily be able to go forward, but would have few excuses to go toward the rear. He had already glimpsed the faces and clothes of most of the travelers in the front of the car, and knew she was not there.
It was the matter of a moment to gather his small suitcase, coat, and carry-on bag and stuff the tiny pillow and train blanket under his arm. He walked quietly through the aisle, not wishing to wake the sleeping passengers. He chose a seat to the rear that allowed a much better view of all the travelers in the car. From here he would be able to watch and observe with ease. He made a point of stating to the Conductor on his next rounds that he had moved to be able to sit farther from the families with small children in the front half of the car.
Again he settled into his seat, satisfied this time. There were few conversations going on. Most of the passengers appeared to be traveling solo, but it was hard to tell if any were simply making use of empty seats to be able to spread out to sleep. Finally it dawned on him that there was only one row of seats showing double ticket stubs on the overhead bag storage, which meant only one couple/ two travelers officially sitting together in the back half of the car.
He had miscalculated. The seat in the front of the car allowed him easy vision of only the passengers in the front half. Restrooms were not at the rear of the car as he had thought, but instead were downstairs, with access mid-car. As the Dining Car staff made low announcements over the PA, he realized that he would easily be able to go forward, but would have few excuses to go toward the rear. He had already glimpsed the faces and clothes of most of the travelers in the front of the car, and knew she was not there.
It was the matter of a moment to gather his small suitcase, coat, and carry-on bag and stuff the tiny pillow and train blanket under his arm. He walked quietly through the aisle, not wishing to wake the sleeping passengers. He chose a seat to the rear that allowed a much better view of all the travelers in the car. From here he would be able to watch and observe with ease. He made a point of stating to the Conductor on his next rounds that he had moved to be able to sit farther from the families with small children in the front half of the car.
Again he settled into his seat, satisfied this time. There were few conversations going on. Most of the passengers appeared to be traveling solo, but it was hard to tell if any were simply making use of empty seats to be able to spread out to sleep. Finally it dawned on him that there was only one row of seats showing double ticket stubs on the overhead bag storage, which meant only one couple/ two travelers officially sitting together in the back half of the car.
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