The Day Earth Died

8. Coal and Beer

I checked the wristwatch I was handed as a part of my uniform. 12:51 PM.

I hadn't taken a nap in a while and hell was it tempting when Amell peacefully rested against me. Still, I didn't want to miss the scenery that slowly became more and more unfamiliar. It was my first time out of town, hell my first time in a vehicle even. I couldn't just sleep it off, could I? I slid on the seat, inching closer to the wide window. I lowered Amell's head onto my lap.

Outside, the smog faded away into clear, vibrant blue skies. I had never seen a colour so alive up there. The train was passing through the neighbouring Up; the one my childhood friends had told me about. It was like another universe out there. The ground was paved with light clay blocks and twirled into designs under people's feet. And people wore clean, fancy clothing. Not those cheap, torn rags we used as clothes. Women wore lace, silk and muslin while men wore denim, cotton and polyester. I had only seen those in Linea's shop and they never left the shelves because who could afford them anyway? Shops and houses were made of combinations of wood, brick and stone. At every corner stood streetlights which I imagined to require technology similar to the one in the center of our neighbourhood. Inside houses, artificial lights kept rooms bright. It was clear the whole neighbourhood lived for its appearance. Every little detail seemed thought out precisely. Its beauty was stained by pretentiousness too flagrant to be ignored.

I turned away from the window, homesick already. Maybe sleeping a little wouldn't be so wrong after all, I thought, head growing heavy.

∗ ∗ ∗

The train abruptly came to a stop and Amell and I were shaken out of our sleep. We nearly ended up on the ground. Amell stood to go sit across from me in surprise.

"I'm sorry, did I fall asleep on you?"

"You did," I said, peeking outside to hopefully understand why the train had stopped.

My watch read 4:24 PM, so I guessed we were at Brooksville, an Up reputed for its outstanding coal production.

"I—" A polite knock on the door interrupted him.

I stood up and curiously opened the door. A man tapped his foot impatiently, a hand on a shiny, silver cart. He gave me a forced smile and rolled the cart into our cabin with a mechanical "enjoy". A couple of seconds later, he was already serving the next cabin. I closed the door and got back on the seat as Amell investigated the cart. There was a white lace drape over it that mum would have loved to embroider on. I pinched it and put it away, a little scared of staining it. On the metallic surface were laid out utensils for three as well as three plates with a stainless steel dome covering their content. Intrigued by the smell and heat radiating from the plates, we revealed the dishes.

I had no idea what it was, but it looked damn fancy. One third was filled with veggies, another with a puree and topped with a brown sauce, and the last third held a type of food I had never seen before. I supposed it was the main dish from how fragrant it was compared to the other components. It was of a light beige with a nearly stringy texture. The outer part was roasted with some spice specks all over it. I peeked under the cover of the third one. It was the same as the other two.

"Did they accidentally give us an extra?" Amell asked as if I knew any more than he did.

"I guess so."

"I'll tell them," he said, getting up.

I held his wrist.

"I wouldn't mind more food."

"What if it's for someone else?"

"Can't we be selfish for once? They'll make more." Amell frowned in disagreement but sat back down anyway.