Teamwork on a Runaway Train

What !

Clickity clack, clickity clack . Just what in tarnation is that and why does my head hurt ? As my eyes focus I set up while hanging on to this shiny pole. In looking around there are a number of people with me in this box. Why are we moving?

The Team:

We are seated about six feet apart, with a variety of people represented. On my far right across the isle (of what appears to be a railroad car with no windows) is a big fella , middle forties dressed like a laborer in a blue long sleeved shirt, jeans and logger boots. (I'm gonna call him Mr. Blue.) Beside him is a hippy lookin' dude, complete with long hair and buckskin jacket. ( He will be Hippy.) Directly across from me is an older Hispanic grandma (Granny) dressed in a green print dress and as I looked at her, her eyes said "Help Me" . To her right was a young man in his early twenties with his hands together at the little fingers, as if he was reading or playing a video game at the time of his incarceration. (So Brainy seemed appropriate.) It was then I noticed the tattooed symbol in the middle of the crease of his right arm. It looked like a seven pointed asterick or star. Did I have one ? Nothing on the left arm, but sure enough there it was on my right. What does that mean ? Across the isle on my far left was a black gentleman in a suit with matching tie, slowly turning his head wondering much the same as I, what is going on? (His label would be Mr. Suit). The only other person in this box of thunder rolling to nowhere, was seated to my left. She was about my age with red hair and she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. ( Her nickname would obviously be Red.) Then I noticed the star on her arm as well.

The Challenge:

In struggling to get to my feet because of the platform learching below me, it was reinforced that we were on a moving train car. I forceably grabbed the rail above my head and gingerly walked toward Mr. Suit while excusing myself when passing in front of Red. About one step from the door the red light above it came on and it said CLOSED. I tried it anyway and it was locked. Still utilizing the rail on my side of this moving coffin, I scooted one hand forward, then the other up against it in an effort to keep my balance. Like before when I approached the exit at the other end the red CLOSED light came on, but what was that? The green OPEN light appeared at the other end of the car ! By this time everybody was conscience enough to have as many questions as I did. Now I don't consider myself a leader, but it was time something got done, so I walked like a drunk holding on to the rails hanging from both sides of the ceiling, headed to the far side of the rail car again. Each step I took reinforced the seriousness of the situation. It was then a still small voice reminded me to stay calm by relaxing my butt cheeks and taking deep breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth. By the time I reached the other end of the car the light indicated it was closed again. So that’s how this game is played . At this point I asked Mr. Suit to please stand close enough to the door to push it open when instructed. I then shouted to Mr. Blue indicating for him to step toward the door. Success – The door beyond Mr. Suit opened and he first put his foot in it, then pushed it open and stood guard allowing us to see what was beyond our enclosure.

As we looked at the narrow platform between the two rail cars we realized that jumping off the train would be certain death at the speed we were going. Everybody was wondering what to do next, when I realized that Hippy had not left his seat. As I went back to see why, he explained that his life wasn’t worth the trouble and he would just as soon stay right there. After considerable discussion with everyone either commiserating or cajoling him, it was Red that shouted “Enough” and gave the kid a stare that sent a shiver down all our spines. She then leaned over and whispered in his ear “Please”. He rose and we all headed for the door that Mr. Suit was still securing for us. Was this train getting faster ?

The door to the next car was closed but had a huge lock on it that could be opened with a key. This time it was Granny to the rescue who took a bobby pin from the heavenly white hair on top of her head and skillfully began to work the lock. She held tension on the bottom portion while working the top up and down, up and down. We all sighed with relief when we heard the lock click open. It was then Mr. Blue who provided peace of mind, by securing the door.

As we shuffled into the next compartment it looked exactly like the last one. We then gathered around the door at the opposite end of this car. To our dismay, this door did not have a visible lock, only a keypad. A couple of us tried a variety of numbers with no success. Brainy was the next one to offer his contribution to our plight. He took a dime out of his pocket and removed the keypad cover while explaining that the different wires were all color coded for a reason. He then used the dime to loosen the screws holding the wires and connected all the green ones together, then the red, black and yellow and Wa-La. The lock withdrew into the door jam and Red pushed it open. No doubt this train was picking up speed.

The door to the next car was defended with seven bolts. In trying the individual bolts they would not budge. However, when two of us tried accidently tried two bolts at once, they moved open. We looked at each other and instinctively everybody grabbed a latch. Somebody shouted on the count of three. One, Two, THREE E E. We almost fell through the door as it opened.

We quickly hustled to the next door because this metal box on steel wheels was going really fast. We then stopped and stared. This door had a microphone mounted at the top and a saying printed on the door. “ Cry and shout as you may, it isn’t the way. Only a song from the heart will end your dismay.” Needless to say, we all began singing our favorite song at the same time. Again it was Red who took control by shouting “ STOP” with a look that told you to obey. It was then that Hippy began to sing a song that he composed on the spot echoing the many talents we had exhibited in times of need. In the last verse he ended with a sincere Thank You as the last door opened and the train began to slow down. My thought was, “ I’m glad we didn’t leave him behind.”

Even before the tons of potential death came to a stop we were jumping off both sides of the platform. Each person making sure the next made it off safe. In gathering at the side of the train we realized that there was no engine ! Just rail cars ! We looked at each other with big smiles just happy to be alive. Then it hit us.

Now what ?