[A busy train leaving from New York to upstate. The train has pulled out the station and people are arranging too many bags into a small area.]
–a man sighs
-Excuse me
-I’ll do it
-I’m doing it, Cindy!
-Fine
-Sit down. Over there
-Martin!
-Save me a seat
-Excuse me
-Coming through
-Excuse
-Sorry, madam
-Thank you
–someone sighs
-Here, let me help you
-It’s fine
-Thank you
-EXCUSE ME
-We’re sorting the bags
-I would like to get to my seat
-Jeez
-Don’t put that down there
-I don’t want mine at the bottom; I’m getting off at Albany
-So am I
-Can I put my case down?
-Excuse me!
–another sigh
-Careful
-Can I put my bag here?
-This is only small
-Excuse me
-You put yours first
-what?
-you put yours first
-oh right
-thank you
-EXCUSE ME!
-Could you wait please?
–sighs
-This one
-Take this one
-Perfect
-Please be careful
-Whoa
-Oh God
-Watch out for that one!
[A bag is slipping from the luggage area. Its owner is too far away to catch it and no one else does.]
-PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
-Oh my god
-My bag!
-Sir!
-What?
-Look out
-CAREFUL!!
[It falls.]
-It’s very fragile. The contents.
[Someone tries to pick it up.]
-PUT THAT BAG DOWN!
[He does and some passengers leave to find seats.]
-Sorry, sir.
-Just leave it.
[He picks it up and leaves out of earshot.]
[It is very quiet, compared to the cacophony before.]
-Is it someone’s head?
[The man sits.]
ENDS
PHILIPPA MANNION 