Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt: “Winter
to spring—a time of transitions. Write a story that takes place in a train
station.”
https://www.amazon.com/Tilting-Windmills-Barrettsport-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B07L5WR948/
*****
by Phil Yeats
I strode toward the train station in the cold drizzle that
passes for spring in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A large banner adorned the columns
supporting the portico of the white marble edifice. It announced the grand
reopening of the hundred-year-old building.
The celebration marked
the completion a major west to east upgrade to the Canadian National Railroad
by its new Chinese owners. The Quingzhu Corporation’s local representative had
invited me to the May Day 2028 festivities.
I presented my
personalized invitation to the security guards controlling the building’s formal
entranceway. I would have avoided this event if I could, but as a consulting
engineer with a business to run, I needed to maintain positive relations with
large firms like the Quingzhu Corporation.
Inside, I noticed the
renovations adhered to the building’s early twentieth century European style.
The newly installed antique display board for arrivals and departures caught my
eye. The numbers of trains at this end-of-line station was limited, so I
anticipated no imminent updates. But I remembered with fondness the clattering
noise I heard as a child when these old-fashioned display boards updated.
I was staring at the
board willing it into action when an old friend from my university days tapped my
shoulder. “Daniel, my old buddy. Long time no see.”
“Jason! How’s the
intrepid investigative reporter?”
“Making a decent
living, but no security.”
I shook my head and
cast my eyes heavenward. “Similar story. Reasonable profit from most contracts,
but without another coming down the pipe…”
“That’s what brings you
here today, searching for your next contract?”
“Exactly. This
company’s been good to me. They’re part of the growing Chinese Mafia, so I must
keep them sweet.”
“If I were you, I’d
approach your contact, do the obligatory glad-handing to line up your next
project and get the hell out.”
“You expecting trouble?
That why you’re here?”
“Yup.”
“Isn’t this a popular
project? Quingzhu’s renovated the system, built up the passenger network and
lowered freight rates. What’s the complaint?”
“The entire rail
system’s in foreign, read Chinese, hands with no guarantee the good times will
last.”
I eyed the bar, and the
tables laden with finger food. “Okay. Long-term worries. They shouldn’t affect
our enjoyment of this little party.”
Jason nodded toward a
cluster of suits standing several metres away. “Investment execs. They’re here
to make trouble because the last independently owned industrial company was
delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange this morning. Our now emasculated
national stock market is reduced to trading the shares of subsidiaries of
foreign companies and the few remaining Canadian companies in banking and other
regulated industries.”
“Come on! That bunch of
stock brokers aren’t planning a riot.”
“Probably not, but a
confrontation between the pro- and anti-Chinese factions is inevitable. It
might occur today. Keep your eyes open when you partake of the treats you’ve
been eying. If a food fight develops, skedaddle, just like we did in university.”
I laughed. “Join me for
a drink?”
“Sorry, you’re on your
own. I’m working, looking for a quote or two from your stock brokers.” Jason
turned away. “I’ll see you around. Good luck with your next contract.”
I smiled as I headed
for the bar but followed Jason’s advice and kept my eyes peeled. When I noticed
security personnel slithering into the room, I positioned himself with my
escape route in mind. Just like the old days.
*****
The Spot Writers—Our
Members:Val Muller: http://www.valmuller.com/blog/
Catherine A. MacKenzie: https://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/
Phil Yeats: https://alankemisterauthor.wordpress.com
Chiara De Giorgi: https://chiaradegiorgi.blogspot.com/
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