A New Train Travel Experience

A new train travel experience.

All characters are over the age of 18.

A pure fantasy of what might be possible with the use of suggestion and increases in certain bodily chemicals.

Yes this is a flight of fantasy and the correct procedure in the situations might not be correct but it is a story not fact.

**** **** **** ****

It had been a strange experience all told since receiving the e-mail invitation yesterday from the rail company.

OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE OLD FASHIONED LUXURY, WHILST FOLLOWING A MODERN TRAVEL SCHEDULE. Was the subject line, which in itself was intriguing but didn’t give much detail, without reading what could just be advertising bumf.

Chloe, having the time as she sat waiting for her washing to finish its cycle decided it was better to read this weird correspondence than just stare out of the window.

**** **** **** ****

We would like to offer you the opportunity to experience the comfort and service that has only been available to those who have access to their own private rail carriages.

Back in the early days of the railways when engines were steam driven and therefore extremely slow compared to modern standards, 10 days to make the journey across country that we can offer you in just over 2 days now, for those with the funds it was possible to travel in relative comfort with access to not just sleeping compartments but carriages with comfy armchairs and sofas to sit in whilst reading a book or just gazing at the countryside passing by, even fully equipped bars often with a piano for entertainment.

Yes we still offer private sleeping compartments and much of the seating is comfortable but the ‘Finer’ elements have been lost….. We have dining rooms and café bars on our modern trains but all too often we know it is a hurried affair to eat and make room for other passengers.

So we would like to make you an offer to ‘Upgrade’ Free of Charge, for your cross country journey you are undertaking starting tomorrow, to an experimental service we are trialling. To avail yourself of this offer you will need to come to the Customer Relations office, next to the departure hall, at 9.30 am, show this email and register your desire to partake in this service. It is on a First Come basis and has limited customer availability. Should you be successful you will be given special ‘Check-in’ details.

We hope you feel able and are successful in securing a place in this experiment.

**** **** **** ****

Having arrived at 9.27 and registered her desire Chloe was extremely pleased to find she had been successful, but was surprised that more people were not clamouring for this offer…..she had only seen 3 others step up to the desk and be guided to the private cubicles to complete the process.

Given her boarding details which involved checking her luggage at a special desk just outside the door to a private lounge, her luggage then being moved to her own allocated bed chamber on the train instead of being loaded into the baggage car like everyone else’s luggage.

All food and beverages were to be included in the upgrade including the buffet style offerings available in the lounge that she found herself in now with just 5 other people.

‘We are waiting on 3 more passengers and then we will transport you down to trackside in a buggy that will pull up outside this door.’ The uniformed steward informed them.

Looking around Chloe can see 2 of the people she saw earlier a lady in her late 60’s Chloe guessed and a gentleman who she estimated was mid 50’s……. There was also a very attractive woman that Chloe thought she recognised as being on TV, if it was her she was 31 but looked much younger and the gents that she had already spoken to, Andy who was very friendly and had told her he was going home to celebrate his 40^th birthday in 3 days, finally there was Rory, who had told her he was 21, mainly because she was obviously the next youngest to himself, she being 25. Rory had confided he wouldn’t have upgraded if he had realised he would be travelling with so many ‘Oldies.’ Chloe had already decided Rory was going to be a thorn in her side, she was looking forward to the adventure and was still intrigued by the mystery.

Heading off to the toilets but asking the Lady at the counter if she could possibly have a Vanilla Latte on her return.

Chloe touches up her make-up and quickly spritzes herself before stepping back out into the room to see a gorgeous guy just entering the room, checking out the other occupants his eyes linger first on the TV star and then focuses on herself.

‘Hi everyone, my name is Mike, what have we signed up for I wonder?’ He happily calls out, as he begins to circulate amongst the other travellers.

Chloe collects her latte and takes her seat, taking her phone out to check it whilst casually watching his progress towards her and trying to catch the names as he stops and speaks to the others. She doesn’t notice the other two passengers as they arrive…….. Taking a sip from her coffee and being quite surprised at how smooth and creamy it was. She had experienced the coffee on this service before and it was very good to keep you awake but not the best if you were looking for flavour and smoothness.

‘Hiya, we have a real mix of people here don’t we?’ Mike chuckles as he offers his hand to shake. ‘What can I call you?…….. I am Mike by the way.’

Taking his hand and lightly shaking it Chloe looks up ‘I am Chloe, yes we do have a real mix…… Like you said, I wonder what we have signed up for.’

‘The lady over there……. Lettie.’ He indicates the older lady, ‘is hoping it is like her parents told her their train travel used to be like…….her Father was a planner for the railways…… she is looking good for 71 isn’t she?’ He whispers as he leans a bit closer after sitting down. ‘So Chloe, what’s your story?……. let me guess….. you’re off to chase fame and fortune.’ He chuckles again.

‘Nah, I am just heading home to see the family.’ Chloe responds smiling…. ‘What about you?’

‘My little brother is getting married next week so I thought I would pop out West and see him before the parents fly out on the weekend…… try and talk sense into him.’

‘I take it from that you don’t believe in marriage then?’ Carefully checking to see if there is a ring or a mark from where there was one.

‘Not against it….. I just don’t want him to make the same mistake I did……. 24 is still too young in my mind….. I was married at 22 and divorced by 28 so now I am working on maybe 40 is a good time to plunge in again if I decide to do it again……. 4 more years of freedom lol.’

‘Fair comment…… I am gonna live before settling…… 40 is about right for me as well…….. I have a bit more time than you to enjoy my freedom though.’ Chloe smirks.

‘Oh you have 5 years eh?’

‘You cheeky bugger.’ Chloe squeals as she swats him on the arm.

‘I am kidding…….. you must have nearly 20 years left yet.’

‘Oooo you are a smooth one……… no only 15 sadly.’

‘So Miss Chloe, you are’ making a show of counting on his fingers ’25 years young……… you’ll still be blossoming like Lettie at 71……. can’t say the same for Amber though.’

‘Amber??’

Indicating the girl Chloe thought was a TV person ‘She is chasing fame and fortune by all accounts…… a secretary at the moment but wants to be a model…….. said she is 31 but with all that make-up on looks 41.’

‘Oh, I thought she was on TV.’

‘She is, but only when her boss is doing press conferences……… He is the guy doing all that building down on the waterfront……. She stands behind him giving him all the paperwork he needs…….. or as she put it…. (Making quotation marks)”I am the power behind his throne”……… I recognised her myself but couldn’t think from where.’

‘OK then Mr Know Everyone…….. Lettie, that is a strange name.’

‘Letitia, is her name but likes to be called Lettie.’

‘Who else is there then?…….. I have spoken to Andy and Rory.’

‘Andy is a nice bloke….. I teased him about the big 40…….. Rory is a miserable git, with a chip on each shoulder……..then there is Gary, going home to close his Mother’s Estate….. a nice bloke but says he is feeling his 58 years now.’

Looking around they both notice that there are two new occupants in the room both chatting as they collect coffees and sandwiches from the buffet one being the other lady from this morning.

‘Ladies and Gentlemen….. I am Howard and will be your Chief Steward on this journey…….. Shortly the buggy will pull around to the door to transport you all trackside. Your cases have all been placed on your beds in your rooms. My colleagues and I will be pleased to show you to your rooms and then once we get underway if you could all please spare us 20 minutes of your time we will inform you of how things will proceed……. Thank you for travelling with us.’

**** **** **** ****

Having arrived trackside after being driven through the station in an open sided buggy all 9 passengers are greeted at the door of their carriage which is so different from all the others that make up the train, their carriage actually being made up of two cars which, although made of steel and glass like the others are made to look more picturesque and inviting with a colourful livery and windows that look black from the outside but are as clear as clear can be once inside.

After having their tickets checked and being shown to their rooms. They are rooms as well, not just bunks….. Small but functional ‘Wet Room’ type Bathrooms with shower heads in the ceiling, also a sink and mirror. Then in the room a hanging rack inside a small wardrobe, pull down table and a comfy armchair with room for another one to be placed alongside it and completing the set-up a 3/4 size double bed, which could be a tight fit for two but as they are all individual travellers isn’t likely to be an issue.

The train leaves the station bang on time and one by one they all congregate in the front of the two cars, this one laid out as a luxurious Living Room cum Dining Room with functional tables and chairs for eating, alongside a bar and food preparation area and comfy chairs and sofas dotted around….. a piano is available and is in an area with a TV/DVD configuration.