The Smoking Man (Completed)

Chapter 2 - My Arrival In Paris Leads To A Strange Encounter

The Smoking Man Chapter 2 - My Arrival In Paris leads to a strange encounter

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No sooner had I returned to my cabin than a signal was audible from the tannoy system which was followed by a female voice announcing that the train was about to arrive in Paris.

We were instructed to make our own way to the luggage carriage and take responsibility for our cases.

I was thrilled that the real journey was about to commence and looked forward to boarding "The Orient Express".

It was only a 2 minute walk from platform 5b which eventually brought me to the rear of the train as I quickly collected my suitcase and rolled it along the platform.

"Gare Du Nord" was huge and a very impressive structure,it was almost impossible to view anything from the outside looking in.

I was now well on my way to platform 11c which I was informed by one of the other passengers was where I needed to be in order to board "The Orient Express".

At first the whole station confused me due to it's size and all of the noise being generated from other trains arriving and departing,not to mention the loud tannoy system which created quite a din give the acoustics of this location.

Eventually I found where I needed to be and I was greeted by a lady representative of the holiday company whom I had booked the holiday with.

She seemed to have her work cut out given the enormity or volume of passengers who were queueing near to the train's rear.

Within a few minutes of chatting to one or two of the other passengers I could distinctly hear the sound of a brass band striking up.

Then this was followed by a large group of very well dressed people who looked like they had stepped out of a set from a murder mystery drama,then I thought of role play and laughed to myself.

I had read up about the history of "The Orient Express" which dates back to the 1920's,this was an age of romance,sophistication,flamboyance,panache and no little self indulgence.

I began to chat with a smartly dressed man who was wearing a tuxedo jacked and looked a dead ringer for James Bond.

He was quickly joined by his partner who wore a rather skimpy black dress with shoulder straps revealing her bare shoulders and a flapper or feather like object in her hair.

There was a smell of expensive perfume and strong eau de toilette in the air though I couldn't decipher which brands were being worn by whom,though I knew my own which was "Channel Antaeus".

After what seemed an eternity the first class passengers had boarded their carriage and been introduced to a "Cabin Maitre D".
There were 9 cabins in each of the carriages and each passenger was assigned their own.

This lady was responsible for outlining the procedures for health & safety and provide information for the traveller about the services which were provided on board the train during the journey from Paris to Venice.

She was also responsible for changing the bed and other minor housekeeping laundry duties,she would be like the passengers personal aid.

Each traveller would have his or her own "Cabin Maitre D" but there was a limit to the time they were available.

It was now time for me to step on board this luxurious train and leave all of troubles behind as I made my way speedily towards my allocated cabin which was 7b.

The luggage was being loaded by hand onto the end carriage so this would take at least another half an hour before we were ready to leave the station and begin our journey.