A/N – This story is inspired by the 1952 movie “The Narrow Margin,” which was shot almost entirely on a passenger train (real and stage set) and it is famous for having no music other than some overheard radio broadcasts and a smattering of records played on a portable phonograph. Even the opening credits had no music under them, just a series of locomotive noises. If you’d like to read about it, you can learn more at IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes (which gave the film a rare 100% rating) I tried to capture the tension and subtext in the movie, though the story line of my tale takes a somewhat different tone and direction. And it isn’t necessary to have watched this movie to understand or enjoy my latest tale. (Hope not, anyway.)

The toys start out somewhat bent, but they’re straighter and shinier by the end. Not perfect, but better.


Life isn't a support system for writing. It's the other way around.

- Stephen King, from On Writing