Railway Alive: Full Steam Ahead (Rewritten)

Chapter Three: The World We Live In

Madeline made her way up the stairs of the switch tower. With Daylight's flier in her hand and her words echoing in her head, she made her way to the door. The door to the switch tower was left open and she heard yelling from inside. Operator Jane sounded very annoyed with the person she was arguing with. Rather than interrupt she stayed outside the voice was somewhat familiar to her but she couldn't put her finger on it. Though she wasn't one to eavesdrop she couldn't help but peek through the window.

"I SAID NO!" Jane yelled and groaned pacing around the office. "This is the third time in the last few months RailCo has sent you to bully me." She yelled at a tall man dressed in a dark blue three-piece suit, around his neck was a red tie with a white undershirt. A RailCo logo enamel pin was on his breast pocket. Madeline couldn't see his face very well though if she were to describe it, he was tired. The man had a large silver suitcase handcuffed to his wrist.

Hearing Jane angrily talking about RailCo right now after her little talk with Daylight about leaving to go to RailCo made Madeline's heart sink. She should probably talk about this at another time when her operator is in a good mood.

"If they want my deed, they can take it from my cold dead hands, and even then, I would have glued it to them!" Jane snarled and slammed a desk. The businessman cleared his throat. Attempting to talk professionally and calmly but it was obvious he was tired of the same song and dance. 

"Miss Doe, Railco has offered a very generous offer." The man said. "I've talked to town hall and you are way behind on your bills. Duck's Peak would benefit from RailCo and..." He was cut off.

"You will address me as Jane. Cut the Corpo speak and talk to me like you don't have a gun to your head." Jane said sitting back down to her desk. "They only send you here 'cause you grew up here "Suit".

The man called "Suit" sighed and leaned on the wall. Every RailCo employee was called a "Suit". A faceless name for a faceless man part of a faceless company. 

"Look...Jane I don't like coming back home to do this either. You didn't respond to RailCo's Emails, letters, phone calls, or even telegrams!" Suit said. "I've tried telling them you won't sell but they want this town."

"Why do they wanna ruin my cute little mountain town with their disgusting business practices so damn bad?" Jane said tapping her fingers in rhythm on the desk. "They already own a whole state, every politician, and a patent on life itself. Are they trying to own the world too?"

"I'm not sure what the higher-ups want. I'm handcuffed to a suitcase full of money like some sort of drug kingpin." Suit said. "I do know RailCo is watching me to make sure they get it back. even if it's chump change in their eyes."

"I'm gonna be known as the lady who turned down five million dollars because I have morals." Jane said staring daggers at Suit. "And fuck town hall and that idiot mayor McDonough for telling RailCo about my money troubles."

"The whole town has been struggling for a while now. The lumber mill is the only thing running and fishing has been on a decline. Everyone is just getting too old to work or dead." Suit said. "I'm trying to convince my mother to leave and live in the city with me. Duck's Peak is dying."

"You think I don't know that...I can't just up and leave." Jane said. "I have Madeline to watch over."

Suit gulped audibly.

"What," Jane said leaning over.

"RailCo is aware of Madeline and she is overdue for several standard RailCo medical checkups and kit upgrades. They have offered to..." Suit tried to say these next parts very carefully before giving up. "They offered to...take her off your hands."