She was sitting at the front of the carriage,
with a little lapdog on a folded blanket
upon the seat next to her.
The train jerked to a halt
at the country station of Ivybridge.
The Ticket Inspector
stooped and picked up the travel bag
from down by her feet,
banged the lit-up ‘Open’ button
by the top side of the door,
stepped out and put it down
upon the platform, returning instantly.
“You need to exit the train, madam,
and wait for the next one,
it’ll be here in 45 minutes.
Or call someone and arrange
an alternative mode of transportation.
Maybe the intervening time
will give you a chance to compose yourself.”
“I don’t understand? What have I done?”
“You are obviously distraught
and upset about something…
but, your ‘Misery’ is unsettling
and bothering the other passengers.
It’s a Bank Holiday weekend
and most people have picnics
and sandcastle building to be looking forward to.”
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