The Wrong Train Chp. 21

Lady and Tramp were in the Roundhouse tending to “97” when they heard a large crashing sound. They hurried outside to what had happened; they ran past an idle locomotive and a few cars when they came upon the GFRR switcher “Yuma”. She was coupled headfirst to a string of three ore cars and one of the couplers had broke, hence the noise. The mounting bolts had fractured and sheared and the coupler was pulled right out of the pocket!

“Well that isn’t good!”

Tramp said as he and Lady watched the crew scramble about to find the problem. Also, off to the side of the tracks, was heard a sudden burst of profanity followed by the laughter of a familiar voice. Lady and Tramp turned to see A.J. falling off some crates crying from laughter and Aleu with steam practically coming out of her ears. They hurried over to their friends, but by the time they had reached them Aleu had clamed down.

Aleu looked up to see Lady and Tramp approach.

“Lady, Tramp! What are you guys doing here?”

Aleu said surprised.

“Well, due to the recent weather we’ve been kinda’ stuck.”

Said Tramp followed by Lady.

“Yeah, after the slide was cleared the only traffic allowed to pass are late trains! Right now we’re barley on standby or helper service! Until we’re assigned a train we’re not going anywhere.”

Aleu sighed.

“I guess I wasn’t the only one affected by the storm”

Aleu then sat down on some of the crates, yawned, and stretched her arms.

“God I’m bushed! I hope there’s a caboose available soon.”

She said tiredly. Lady and Tramp, being that there wasn’t anything much else to do, sat down with Aleu and A.J. and they began talking of their stories and Aleu told them her “Blizzard Adventure”. They continued on and on and on.

Meanwhile across town, Ashia and David made they’re way to one of the Classier Hotels in town. As they walked towards the entrance Ashia read the sign and raised an eyebrow.

“Are you sure this is the place?”

David pulled a letter out of his pocket and opened it. He skimmed over it and replied.

“Yeah, this is the place. It says to meet him at the Palace Hotel in room 26.”

Ashia shrugged her shoulders in an annoyed manner.

“The Palace Saloon, The Palace Hotel, Palace this, Palace that. God! Can’t they come up with something more original! Why does every Saloon and Hotel HAVE to be called “The Palace”!? Sheesh, Gim’me a brake!”

Ashia groaned as they entered the Hotel. They walked through the Lobby and approached the clerk. The Desk Clerk was a tall burly Grizzly and despite his looks was rather kind and gentle.

“Excuse Me…”

David said to the bear.

“We have a meeting with a Mr. Logan Faux. Is he in at the moment?”

The bear turned to greet them and answered they’re question.

“No he is not, but he did say he was expecting guests. Are you Ashia Roberts and David White?”

“Uh yeah, who else would we be?”

Ashia said. Then David spoke up.

“Uh, yes, that’s us. Here is the letter he sent us.”

David handed the Grizzly the sheet of paper signed by Mr. Faux. The clerk looked it over and verified its credibility.

“Mr. Faux has instructed me to tell you he will not be meeting you here but at the Railroad Depot in the Station Master’s Office. He apologizes for any inconvenience.”

Said the Clerk, handing the letter back to David. He then thanked the clerk and they left the Hotel.

“Sorry for the inconvenience!”

Ashia mocked in a naizily voice. Then she continued.

“Why couldn’t he just say to meet us at the Depot in the first place!?”

David looked over to her as they walked down the street.

“Well, judging by how much he’s offered to pay us, this all sound pretty big. He probably doesn’t want anyone to know of, well, what ever it is.”

Ashia tilted her head and sighed.

“Yeah, I know. I just hate walk’in all over God’s creation for a client.”

Back at the yard A.J. was telling of an encounter he had a long time ago with a Saloon girl. Tramp and Aleu were laughing hysterically, Lady was too though slightly embarrassed of the topic.

“NO WAY, ARE YOU SERIOUS!”

Aleu shouted, barely able to speak.

“Yep, after the incident with the robbery she nursed me back to health in her room. And when I finally came to she told me she had me now! All my clothes were gone and she said that there was no way I’d leave without them.”

Lady, blushing, asked;

“So, what did you do?”

A.J. whipped a tear from his eye and attempted to speak without laughing too much.

“Well, I looked at Marianna and told her “WATCH ME”. I then pulled off the sheets from the bed, wrapped them around me and walked right out the door!”

Nearly busting their guts, Aleu and Tramp laughed hysterically and tears poured from their eyes!

“Well Done!”

Said Tramp patting A.J. on the back and Lady to was laughing.

“A.J., how on earth do you get into these situations!?”

She said. A.J. looked up to her and smiled.

“I don’t know, but my life would be awfully boring without them! Marianna has a heart of Gold and has always had a thing for me ever since we met. But after all that and then my marriage with Sakura she ceased her pursuit. We’re still good friends and I still visit her every now and then when I’m in Clear Creek. But one thing is for certain, that is one day we will NEVER forget!”

A.J., Aleu, Lady, and Tramp were having such a time that neither of them noticed a gentleman approaching the Depot. It was the Gentleman Fox from the day of A.J.’s arrival at Wolf Creek. He was dressed in a dark green suit with tails and Brass buttons. His vest was black and also had Brass buttons with a red handkerchief folded in his left pocket. He also wore a Top Hat of Victorian styling that was also green with a brown band at the base.

He entered the depot and approached the Station Master. The Fox spoke to him and requested to speak with and engineer. He showed the Station Master a letter and pointed to a name. The station Master recognized it immediately and left to fetch the Railroader. As he opened the door to leave Ashia and David were standing out front about to enter.

“Let them in, they are here to see me.”

Said the Fox. The Station Master obliged and let the pair into his office. Then he continued to find the Fox’s quarry. He approached A.J. and tapped him on his left shoulder.

“Excuse me for interrupting but there’s a Gentleman looking for you.”

A.J. turned his head and looked up at the Station Master.

“Alright, show him over.” Said A.J.

“He wishes to speak with you in private.”

The Station Master said with a little sternness in his voice.

“Oh, ah, ok.”

A.J. said looking back towards his friends.

“Sorry guys, I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Well be waiting!”

Tramp said as A.J. rose to his feet and walked over to the Depot. Lady looked a bit concerned.

“Do you he’s alright?” She said.

Aleu stood up and looked to her.

“Yeah, he’s fine. But I feel that what ever it is its pretty big.”

Aleu carefully walked towards the Depot, Lady and tramp soon followed. A.J. was escorted by the Station Master into the Depot and then into the Station Master’s office. Then the three carefully walked up to a window looking into the office.

As A.J. entered the office a slight feeling of surprise was in the air. A.J. was surprised to see Ashia and David. And they were surprised to see A.J. The Fox too was a bit startled. He turned to the Station Master with a surprised look on his face.

“This is Mr. Davis?” He asked.

The Station Master replied.

“Yes, is there something wrong?”

The Fox, still in awe, said; “No, not at all! This man saved my life a few days ago! I just imagined that he’d be, well, older!”

A.J. looked at the Fox and raised an eyebrow.

“Gee, thanks.”

A.J. said as he walked over to a chair and sat down. Aleu, Lady, and Tramp were outside the window trying to hear the conversation.

“Aleu, can you hear what they’re saying?” Lady asked.

“Shush!” Aleu whispered trying to listen.

After A.J., Ashia, and David had made themselves comfortable the Fox started the conversation.

“Hello, my name is Logan Faux. And I’m a representative of the US government. I deal mostly with Fanatical situations and the shipment of valuable cargo. And I believe we have some business to talk about.”