The Railroad of The Universe

All Aboard

 (A/N: Oooookay, so I'm trying some sort of sci-fi thing. Just sort of try to forget that Bob's Burgers is an adult comedy that takes place in our reality for a bit. I really like this idea, but I wanted to write it with characters who were established for me and that I know and love dearly.) 

  Linda and Tina dashed out of the door to their apartment, frantically. 

     "Oh, god. Oh, god. Oh, god," Linda cried in between her shallow breaths. "I can't believe we're running late to catch the train!" 

    As they ran, Linda reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She swiped through her contacts and pressed her husband's name, calling him, hurriedly. 

    Bob picked up and she heard his voice on the other line, "Lin? Lin? Where are you and Tina?" he asked.  

    "We're on our way!" Linda affirmed. "Sorry, Bobby. Tina just insisted that she wear her special barrette for her Aunt Gayle's wedding and you know how important that is to her."  

    Bob sounded slightly annoyed, but mostly panicked. "We're on the train, Lin!" he exclaimed. "It's leaving in two minutes. We were already running late before Tina insisted on wearing a different barrette that doesn't even look different than her usual one!"

    "Hey, if it's Tina's happy, then it's worth it!" Linda chided. "We're just a few minutes away from the train station! We can make it."

    Linda was confident in her and Tina's ability to make it to the train station if they ran quickly enough. The train station was merely two minutes away from the location of their small, humble apartment. They walked to the train station as a family frequently, so Linda saw no reason why she and Tina couldn't sprint there. 

    Bob sighed. "I sure hope you're right," he said. 

    Tina was making noises, conveying her anxiety as she ran next to her mother. "I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I just wanted to look nice for Aunt Gayle!" 

     "Oh, don't you apologize, baby," Linda comforted. "Mommy's going to get us there right on time!" 

    Linda's heart raced as she saw the train station in sight right ahead of them. The train that she and Tina needed to climb onto was still there, sparking hope and triumph in her. She grabbed Tina's hand and began to sprint faster, her lungs burning as she raced towards the train. 

     As soon as Linda and Tina reached the train station, the train gave a heart-stopping whistle and began to chug away. Linda's heart sank as she stopped near the railroad tricks, watching the train they needed to climb aboard drive away without them. 

    "Noooooo! Why?!" Linda cried out in defeat.

     Bob was still on the other end and he heard Linda's defeated scream. His heart pounded in concern as he asked, "Linda?! What happened?"

     Linda sighed, an overwhelming feeling of irritation washing over her. "We missed the damn train," she told him. 

     "I'm so sorry, Mom!" Tina exclaimed. "It's all my fault."

      "No, sweetie," Linda reassured. "It's not your fault." 

     "It's okay," Bob assured them. "I'll text Aunt Gayle and tell her that the both of you will be a little late. Then you and Tina can get on the next train here."  

     "Alright, thank you, Bobby," Linda replied, gratefully. "See you in a bit." 

     Linda ended the call with a groan of disappointment. She beckoned for Tina to take her hand. "Come on, Tina. Let's wait for that train."