I awakened startled. I hadn’t realized that I’d drifted off. “What was that?” I said, straightening in my seat. “Mr. Blevin has invited everyone to the club car for a welcoming cocktail, courtesy of the Track and Rail Club,” Jenna said. “I’m sorry to wake you, but he asked specifically that you come, too.” The two-way radio she had clipped to her waist crackled with static. “Excuse me,” she said, as she pulled it off her belt and walked in the direction of the dining car. I stood and patted the back of my hair, which had gotten mussed when I slept. The coach was empty. All the club members had heeded the call to assembly. I stepped into the aisle and touched the tops of the seats to maintain my balance as I made my way past the lavatories to the club car. A small but efficient bar divided the club car into two spaces, but it seemed that everyone had crowded into the front half. All the seats were occupied, and the rest of the club members were standing and chatting animatedly by the time I arrived.
