Tyler hadn't ever used this rail line before, it wasn't a direction that he travelled by train very often, and usually he would of course drive. Although he had only got his license a couple of years ago, he was used to driving out of state to visit his girlfriend at university. Unfortunately, this time he was forced to take the train due to the fact that the car was at the garage for some repairs, and had not been ready in time. It wasn't so bad he thought as the beautiful green countryside blurred past the windows. It was early June, and it was nice and warm, but not yet aircon weather. At least he would be able to take a nap along the way if he wanted to as well.
He looked around at his fellow travellers, noting that there weren't that many other people besides himself in this carriage today. He idly wondered if that was normal, and put it down to the fact that it was the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, and out of vacation season.
He liked to people watch sometimes, and was seated about halfway along one side of the car, just to the side of the doors to his right. Seated beside him, on his left was a rather serious looking woman who he guessed was in her late 30's, perhaps 40. She was dressed like a rich wife out for a day of shopping in the city. Everything perfectly in place down to the smallest details like her nails and hair. She wasn't particularly pretty, though one might have said she had the presence of class. Her lipstick probably cost what he got paid a day at work. She was wearing an expensive looking leather skirt and a soft fluffy roll necked sweater. He didn't think that she'd be walking too far around the city in those heels though.
Several people were standing, which seemed a little unusual. Unless they were getting off at the next stop, but that wasn't for a little while yet. Tyler didn't think too much of it. To his right standing against one of the chromed poles was another slightly older woman who also seemed to be in her mid 40's. She too was in expensive heels, with a smart lightweight jacket over what looked like a silk blouse and knee length lightweight skirt. She was facing him, holding onto the pole beside her.
Behind her was a younger black man who appeared to be a footballer, or someone who spends a lot of time in a gym. He was taller than the woman by over a foot in height, and probably weighed twice what she did. Tyler thought of him as a younger version of BA from The A Team - maybe not quite so big, but certainly very muscular.
Opposite the woman to Tyler's left sat a younger girl with long straight blonde hair who was wearing a uniform of some kind. It consisted of a blazer with a crest of gold on the breast pocket, a knee length skirt with a chequered pattern on it, and laced plain black leather shoes. The overall colour scheme was a dark green and grey. He guessed that she was around 18 to 20 years old, so possibly at a boarding school. She had earbuds in and seemed miles away, staring out of the windows.
To the left of the girl was a smartly dressed man in his 40's. He looked just like a stereotypical Wall Street banker. His suit was crisp, modest and very neatly fitted. He had a briefcase on the floor by his feet, and seemed very relaxed, as if he made this trip regularly. His short tidy dark hair and chiselled jawline made him a good candidate for a part time model thought Tyler.
On the other side of the businessman sat another woman, maybe 25. Most definitely a Goth, she was obviously proud of her look, and had spent some time and effort perfecting it. She also had very straight jet black hair, cut in a very precise bob down to her shoulders. She wore striking blood red lipstick, and might have shares in a mascara and eyeshadow company! Added to this were her piercing green eyes. She was wearing a black velvet dungaree shaped outfit that was actually a summery tight fitting dress stopping above the knee. She had bare arms and shoulders, but was wearing fishnet tights or stockings that slightly darkened her very pale skin. Her shoes were similar to the other girl's, but had a thicker sole. She had a piece of green ribbon tied in her hair to match her eyes for effect. Overall Tyler thought the 'look' was both striking and well put together.
Further to the left of the three sitting opposite, was another pole. Standing easily against this one was an older gentleman. At least in his 50's, he looked very fit for his age, and his grey hair was still abundant. He wore a summer linen jacket over a smart pair of corduroy trousers. He wore a classic black polo shirt under the jacket. His shoes looked expensive too, maybe the kind of guy who has a truckload of money, but doesn't boast about it.
At the far left end of the carriage was another full row of seats, almost all filled with various other characters that Tyler was assessing in his imagination. Among them were two younger men who were clearly in the construction industry, and could have been travelling to a new site. They had workman's clothing on, but it was so clean it looked like they hadn't seen any work just yet. Even their boots looked brand new. They were chatting easily as colleagues do.
The row had an empty seat, and then there was a woman with striking auburn coloured hair who looked rather ordinary in a bored kind of way. A housewife in her 30's maybe going to visit a relative? She looked a little nervous, thought Tyler. Maybe a doctor's appointment?
To her left was another woman who looked a similar age to the grey haired man standing at the pole. Her hair was big and bold, and still blonde, probably from a bottle, like a fading actress might have. She was slender and carried herself with a demeanour that said 'Fame and money - once upon a time'.
Beside her was the last in the row - another man in his 50's who looked like a teacher or lecturer of some kind. He was reading a paperback book and looked as though he hadn't bought any new clothes for at least a decade. Regardless of this fact, he was clean and tidy just as a teacher is expected to be. His hair was starting to thin, and was a little grey too. He wore steel rimmed spectacles to complete the picture.
The train had left the station over an hour ago now, and Tyler was getting used to the gentle sway and hum of the line as they rolled along. They had another two hours or so to go before their destination.
There was a sliding sound, and Tyler looked to his right to see a young couple in their 20's enter through the blacked out steel framed glass doors. They were happy and chatting - seemingly excited about everything as young lovers are. They looked around the carriage, and then took seats in the far corner beside the door they came through. They continued their hushed conversation in private.
Another quarter of an hour passed, the sun was starting to warm the air nicely now.
The tannoy chimed, and a very pleasant female voice announced 'We are now travelling at one hundred miles per hour, and the club car is now private for one hour.'
