Inhumanity

Chapter 6

I lean against one of the cabinets as I stare at my notepad which instead of a rousing testimony is just filled with sentences that I started and hated as soon as I read them back resulting in them being scored out. The control room was too noisy and with too much excitement to properly concentrate so I opted to sit in the server room down below. Most people hated the buzzing of all the computers but to me it was reassuring. I pressed against the wall "somethings changing, I hope it's for the better... of all of us" I whisper to her. I decide to give up on actually writing my testimony out, I just have to hope that what I say in the spur of the moment is enough to get the jury to sympathise.

I hoped in the shower and felt myself relax as the hot water hit my stiff limbs. I stood there with my forehead pressed against the tiles enjoying the sensation as water trickled down my nose. I washed my a hair and then lathered on the soap, I water to look perfectly presentable for the trial as I know that these things will help the jury and audience form an opinion of my character. I swallow thickly as I realise I not only represent myself but also Ed. I make a silent promise that I will do my best to show what a waste of life his death was. I step out and dry myself off quickly before wrapping my hair up in a towel. The cabin is empty so I have to decide myself what to wear, I dig around and decide on some navy trousers, my Wilford shirt and a light grey blazer. I carefully get myself dressed and then set to work on my hair. I dry it and the brush it till there's not a single knot, style it with a side parting and then spritz it with hairspray to keep it all in place. I don't have any make up, besides I never understood why you would want to cover up what you truly look like. Lastly I slip on a pair of black heeled shoes, as soon as I put them on I can't wait to take them off. How does Melanie walk around in these all day, she must have a very high pain tolerance.

I glance to the clock and decide I have time to go visit Audrey in the night-car. She stood at the bar in her lingerie and long silk kimono with her hair still how she wore it last night. She's reading over a large book and looking pleased with herself "what's got you looking so pleased?" I ask. She smiles warmly and offers me a cup of tea that I gratefully accept "you'll see" she says mysteriously. I take a closer look at the book which is open "the rule book? But why would-" I am cut off by the clicking of heels. Melanie shakes her head as she approaches "That stunt was beneath you,

Audrey." She says sternly. She shakes her head calmly "No, it really wasn't". I frown "what did you do?" I ask curiously, she takes a triumphant sip "we may or may not have sent a special dish uptrain.... Cockroaches" she stares. I snort, if there's one thing that's brightened up this day it's that first finally got a wake up call as to what the rest of the train thinks of them "you are what you eat" I tease.

Melanie leans against the bar "I'm sorry about Nikki, I am. But one suspect is dead, and the other is standing trial

for murder. What am I missing?" She asks. I shake my head, she knows that it's not even close to justice for third "You know the trial is a joke." Audrey states angrily "It's five miles uptrain, where a jury of First and Second get to judge one of their own for killing three of us." Melanie raises an eyebrow "Us? The Nightcar is supposed to be Switzerland.

Why are you politicizing it?" She questions. I try not to laugh, this whole train is political so why is the night car exempt. Audrey points to a paragraph "Third has the right to petition Wilford
in labor disputes and matters of jurisprudence. We want a new tribunal drawn...One representative from each class and a delegation to observe the trial." She demands firmly. I nod and take a sip of tea, "she's right" I state, I should know I have it memorised. Melanie shakes her head in disbelief, sometimes you have to pity her, she's running this train all by herself and it doesn't get any easier "For Christ's sake, Audrey." Audrey shakes her head "You've grown callous doing Wilford's bidding. You used to try to make a difference, too." Melanie turns and surveys the night car "And I stood right here when you shared your vision of the Nightcar." I shiver at the mention by of his name "Wilford saw a brothel and you saw a higher purpose." She says. Audrey smirks at the memories