Bullet Train to Murder | ONC novella

6: an allegory of popcorn

⚠ DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS EXPERIMENT AT HOME ⚠

"Did I do it right?"

"Popcorns are supposed to pop, not explode."

"I was supposed to be making popcorn?"

"What in the world did you put in the pot, Mr. Bingo?"

"Co-"

Molly didn't allow him a chance to finish his sentence and immediately grabbed him by his shirt collar.

"Not under my roof."

"I was kidding, breeze!" Mr. Bingo attempted to lighten the mood with a small smile but it only led to her letting out a snarl, "If you'd let me go..."

"Fine," Molly said as she pulled her hands away from him, "But what did you put in there anyway?"

"Baking soda?"

"You're not even sure what you put in there?!"

Molly sighed in resignation.

"I didn't know I was dealing with a psychopath here." she exasperated and looked at the black countertop of her kitchen.

Mr. Bingo volunteered to prepare a snack for all of them after dinner but Molly decided to follow his suit, knowing he can't be trusted with cooking.

"Dry ice." He said at last, trying to wonder what he had exactly put in there.

"Where did you even find dry ice?!"

"Uh... basement?"

"I will deal with this later," Molly groaned and tasted the popcorn, "Tastes good to me... But, wait, why does it tingle? Mr. Bingo I tell you—"

She couldn't finish her sentence as she coughed up, releasing smokes in the air.

'Dry ice.' she concluded.

"Before you get mad at me," Mr. Bingo started, "Dry ice with popcorn makes the effects of popcorn last longer. You can have a few of them and still feel its taste for hours."

"No one wants to be coughing up blood when eating popcorn, Mr. Bingo." A voice said.

They looked around to find Miguel who had decided to come in and check what was the commotion about.

"Well..." Molly said as she regained her posture, "I do still taste the popcorn in the mouth. I guess its a little trade-off. The taste of popcorn to relish, for a little... coughing."

"Not you taking his side, Molly." He challenged her.

Mr. Bingo felt at ease at her support. It was however, short lived because a punch landed on his arms.

"What's with you and punching me?"

"You look like a punching bag to me." Molly cheekily said with a smirk.

"Not an eye candy? Oh my heart!" He feigned a heartbreak, making her want to punch him even more, "You've already broken my heart, Juliet. Please don't break my bones too."

"Dramatic to the flair." Miguel said in exasperation.

"Your existence gives me a headache. Go stand over there." Molly said as she turned to face Mr. Bingo.

She pointed towards the kitchen cabinet that had various cups for storing food.

"Inside?" He asked nervously.

"No. Out. You don't have access to kitchen anymore."

"But—"

"Please get out or I will have to yeet you out of the window myself."