T-Line

T-Line
Chapter 1

Her eyes flickered open and shut like a shutter on an old camera. Eyelids heavy. How long had she been asleep? She didnt even remember falling asleep. In fact she could recall no memories up to her current position. Once her eyes were fully open, focused and able to take in input to make sense of it she became aware of her body in the space. She wiggled her toes. She had to remember how to stand and walk for a brief moment before attempting the feat. She must have been sitting upright in this pedestrian carrier seat for hours.

There was a deep imprint creating a mold of her backside in the seat. The seat was a grey woven utility material, the type used on trains or airplane seats with sections of a blue vinyl and white cording border and stitching. A simple red logo on each side of the seat. The logo read T-Line.
She went to the window. scenery moved by at a constant rate, but not so fast it couldn't be viewed or recognized from a blur. Scenery of hills with flowers, birds, and a bluish grey sky. She was on a train. She had been on a train once, but it was for a school novelty trip. Ah a memory. "okay so things are coming back to me", she said in her head to herself. Becoming aware that she may or may not be the only one on this train. She had zero memory of purchasing a ticket and no recollection of hearing the brand T-Line. She went to find a pocket on the back of the seat or side. Planning to rummaged through the pocket looking for a safety brochure or something. Nothing, Except a small paper pad with the T-line logo and a sentence that reads Time is on your side when you travel T-Line. Tracks everywhere you need to be. Where did she need to be? She thought. Did she have luggage? Luggage. What a concept. If she had willingly gotten on a train she definitely wouldn't have negated packing. The search began, high and low for compartments for holding luggage. Nothing, except a small travel purse under her seat with her I.D , $1000 and a toothbrush and small toothpaste. Odd although the toothbrush and toothpaste was very like her to grab even if in a hurry. But the bag. The bag she didnt feel she recognized and why the single cash and I.D. . Why not her wallet?. She had had a wallet, she remembered. An eerie fear began to gather inside her only sequestered by the mystery of the situation and now the search for another or other travelers or employees aboard this train.

As she walked the fear subsided. A man in a suit, a woman with two children, and train employees. Making way to the dinning car the smells mixed and coalesce together causing an audible borborygmus sound to resonate. She ordered a gin and tonic and a sandwich meal. "Here you go Mrs. Thomplmay". Thomplmay? She looked down at her I.D. Clare Thomplmay. Clare Thomplmay? She repeated it. Is everything alright?, the man asked. "Yes, perfect, thank you". "Id like one more thing and to pay now if thats alright". "Yes of course, Ill be right back".
She went to her travelers purse once more. She had missed a compartment on her first look. She unzipped the compartment. A phone and 2 credit cards. Ease snaked through her body. All read Clare Thomplmay. How could her name not feel familiar to her, her own name. She looked at her I.D. She did the math, she was 40yrs old. How could her name that she would have had for 40yrs not be familiar. She welcomed the name, it flowed off her tongue and out her mouth when she spoke it, as well as others when they spoke it. It had its own unique rhythm then ended in calm. Well until she could remember another Clare Thomplmay wouldnt be argued.

"There you are!" always sneaking off away for quiet indulgent moments. "Oh and youve read my mind food and drinks" "Hey violet, she's over here, already started without us". Frank and I are trying to be good traveling companions", violet said slyly. "We got caught up speaking with the owner"."What a novelty these trains are. The old merged with the new of today. Did you know these are the fastest, most efficient in history. built next to most major roads. Thats why they are so narrow and snake like. The only way they could build next to roads. The idea came to the man one day when his car broke down on a hwy and he still needed to get to a meeting. He wished there was a cross between a bus and a train. He made it. Did you know the cars can seperate so if there is a pick up spot not scheduled for pick up but there are stranded or needy pedestrians that pushed the help/need a ride button it can accommodate them, but still deliver those on a strict time schedule to a given location on time. They send a message to the cars that those worried about time move to the front cars and those with a more flexible schedule of 20min give or take stay in back cars. kind of nice for those who allowed too much time the paranoid early goers. Novel idea right? Took some structural planning in the beginning, but I guess its taken off. Received a huge grant that allowed for its establishment from caltrans and others. I guess he also agreed to help maintain some of the paths by clearing trash and debris. He is some genius engineer I guess."
"Whats his name?", she asked.
"Oh his name is Lionel Jr. I guess Professionally he would be Mr. Lionel Clarence Jr. Nothing like Mr. Lionel Sr."
"Oh really", she added although she had no idea who either were in the slightest. But it seemed they must be a well known upper echelon business savvy family so she didnt want to seem ignorant. Possibly the type written about in the economists or business insider etc.
I just texted him, he's going to come meet us here. He rides the T-Line a lot a guess. Likes to see how its running, talk to customers, and its efficient and cheaper than a personal driver and he doesnt like driving, see's it as a waste of time. Time he could be reading or working. Can you believe that. He owns a car, but never really uses it. Lets others use it. Must be how he stays rich. Less purchase of gas and car parts/maintenance, plus he gets free rides on this being the owner I'm sure." Violet elbowed Frank hard while saying. Hello again Lionel. Frank was laughing nodding his head whispering I bet so to me, but shifted to his professional demeanor once Lionel Jr. was close. This is our friend we mentioned, Claire. She owns a blueberry farm and it distributes the most flavorful blueberries all over the west coast of America. A blueberry farm owner?! distributing all over the west coast?!, she screamed in her head. Frank went on, "Sweet Babby Blue Bubbles, maybe you have heard of them. They make a jam and syrup as well as well as a few other products in collaboration with other companies".
Mr. Lionel looked dignified and pleasant. A very pleasant face that seemed to put her at ease and hid his intimidating intelligence. "I think I have some at home right now actually, I love blueberries in yogurt, cereal, ice cream. I dont bake, but I do love bluberry muffins. Maybe the ones I eat have your berries, but to be honest Im not sure."
"Oh Thats okay if you eat another brand, I wont hold it against you, but after a taste test I'm not sure you'd go back after. Ours our the sweetest", she said with a cute smile. Why did she say that so confidently she thought to herself. Her product could be generic crap for all she knew, but she wanted to believe the opposite. She thinks she always took pride in her work. Plus she had to stand by her product, she didnt want to hurt the business she had obviously spent a lot of time cultivating. Mr.Lionel smiled. "Hmmmm okay, we will have to do this taste test at some point. Do you bake or is there a bakery you know of that makes the best muffin with your product."
"Both",she answered. Hoping this was true and that she had a nice home with a wonderful kitchen somewhere since she was a thriving business owner, or so she has heard.
"well now we have multiple test. We will have to meet for breakfast or brunch a couple times and resove these."
He seemed serious, not just joking or saying something witty in a moment.
"Maybe next week or something if you have time?"
"Sure, that could be considered business research, so I'm sure I can find a time".
"Good"
"How is your trip traveling by T-Line going today?"
"satisfactory in the areas of comfort, efficiency and productivity? always need feedback from customers especially from other businesses professionals."
"all happy travelers here", Frank added.
"very comfortable and it provided us all a comfortable workable space while traveling, violet stated, "and so affordable my time seems worth more"
Lionel laughed, "You should say that in our next commercial or promo online"
"I'd be happy too", she said
"Okay next week, you meet me at my office with Claire and we will get brunch after the promo is recorded and shot. Deal?
"Deal." violet responded.
Both turned to Claire. Deal, she felt herself say.
"Well are you satisfied with your trip today?"
"Yes, more than satisfied, I even have a new friend." she smiled at Mr.Lionel Jr.
"That you do", he said.
They sat talking until Violet said, "isn't this your stop Claire?"
"Oh, I think you're right".

Chapter 2