Steam lifts from the station’s faded, pockmarked platform
Sweat prickles around my temples
I board
Train movement lethargic on a warm day
Like me
No relief after the storm
I doze
Memories of past times dance with present concerns
It’s a nonsensical mind storyline
Part of me smiles, enjoys the ride
The ride within a ride
My temple taps out a message on the window as we move along on uneven tracks
Voices close,
Behind me
“he can unlock the backdoor, he got the key, remember?”
“Ok”
“he will get what we need and everything will be alright”
The key will make it all ok
Solve the problem
Release the prisoner
The princess
She’s locked in the tower, her hair not long enough to save her
He will get her out and everything will be alright
She looks like my sister
He is my old boss from almost thirty years ago
“Next stop, Ringwood”
My mind is back
The story ends, fading fast.
I gather my things and approach the door to get off
My myki in my pocket?
No- just a key