Crooks.net

I expected this. Remember mumbling parka woman? She mumbled “mm bmmm mmm 41 next car mm blm”. I walked ahead and the next car had a sign that said 41. Sounded good.

The conductor just told me I was supposed to go upstairs and that I was in a reserved seat. First: upstairs? I had no idea there was an upstairs! Second: I thought what I bought was a reserved seat.

I was supposed to go to my assigned seat, 41. This was TOTALLY unapparent.

No matter. He said I could stay there until they need the seat.

1 minute later he told me they needed the seat.

Upstairs is different. No tent people. Many more seats. Most rows occupied by a person. Still got a row to myself. Still got power outlets. Still deathly quiet.

I was told to find a seat with a blank white card. I realize now that he didn’t tell me to go to 41, which is good because I can see that there’s someone sleeping across it and 42. Not sure how it got reassigned. I don’t care because my seat is fine. And now the white card has been replaced by the conductor with the little yellow tab mumbly woman gave me. Freaky system for a newbie.

Now I can see a door to the next car and a sign that says “please proceed this way to the lounge car”. Tempting, but later. Downstairs that was the bulkhead I sat by with no door.

Wish I didn’t have to sleep more. May be a challenge now that I’m up. I’m going to be tempted by the $200 upgrade to a “sleeper” room on the way back. I’m afraid it’ll be a done deal if they tell me I won’t have to share it.