Look at that guy.

What guy?

That guy, over there, by the door.

Jacob, we’re on the train. There are eight doors…

The one where I’m looking.

Oh.

Yes.

I don’t get that.

Me either. This train goes above ground for maybe two minutes. At this one stop. What can be gained by trying to make a phone call now?

Maybe it was so urgent that he couldn’t wait?

But you know he didn’t complete the call. Chances are he dialed, it rang, someone picked up and we were back below ground without signal before he had a chance to say anything.

Well, maybe that was all he needed. Just set the phone off to let them know he’s on the way.

Wouldn’t a text make more sense then?

Truth’s. If he has texting on that phone.

There are people who don’t?

There are! Gloria doesn’t.

Gloria?

Waitress? At Cleo’s?

Oh that Gloria. She doesn’t? Why not?

Well, I suppose because she has no need for it.

That’s absurd. Texting is so… it makes everything so much…

Yes, but we went a long time without it and were fine. I’m sure she’s all right.

It’s unnatural.

So why are we going this far uptown?

To go to Crystal’s house warming party?

Do we like Crystal this much?

What’s wrong with going uptown?

It’s long.

You’re not a fan of long?

Nice try, Jacob, but I will not sink to your simplistic humor levels.

Yes, you will.

Well, yes. But shush.

Seriously? It’s just over the river. It’s not that far from you. Less than an hour.

I suppose. Except it is far more than an hour. It is an hour and a half at least.

Only if you take the waiting for a train into account. And the walking. And stuff.

Which I do.

Then, sure, it’s more like an hour and a half.

Thank you.

Don’t thank me. Thank my watch. Come on, are we there yet?

Didn’t you just tell me it wasn’t far?

That was before you reminded me how far it was.

So we really do like Crystal, don’t we?

We like her enough for this.

Is everyone else going to be there?

Pretty much.

Why didn’t we go as a group?

Because… wait what? Seriously?

It would be more fun, would it not?

Uhm, sure. Except we’re all coming from different parts of the city and gathering up would’ve have cost us even more time.

I suppose. Are we there yet?

Almost. Another couple of stops.

Do you think everyone on this train is just thinking about how soon they can get off of it?

Except for the guys asking for money, or sleeping. Probably.

Oh, good idea. Wake me when we get to our stop.

Aww, man.

‘Tashi. don’t fall asleep on me.

‘Tashi…

…