PART I - Amtrak's Southwest Chief (Los Angeles to Chicago)
The coach seat reclined about 135 degrees, had a calf extender and a foot rest. I rolled up something to stuff the gap for support of my back, and it was like stretching out full length. That was good for about the first half of the 43 hours. For the second half, I resolved to use a roll of toilet paper as a pillow to cushion my head against the window and tried other ingenuities to maximize tolerability of the limitations. Restrooms and my luggage were at the lower deck, so I went up and down several times day and night, mostly at odd hours to beat the crowd. Fellow riders and myself, none, except the children and a young Amish family, were pretty. I slept well and ate good, because I was thrilled anyhow.
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| Alburquerque Station - good tortilla soup and tamale |
PART II A - Chicago
INT. RED LINE ATJACKSON
A BLIND MAN strums guitar and sings a Jim Croce tune. An increasing overpowering noise of an approaching train makes him stop. A lady drops some coins in the can before boarding the train. He scours the can round and round feeling just the few coins. He pockets them leaving the can empty.
The subway is quiet again. He plays a Christian song. Another lady drops a $5 bill, and then more people give dollar bills. A MUSICIAN arrives to unpack and set up across from him. Another train comes and goes taking and dropping off people. Blind Man fingers the dollar bills in the can and pockets them leaving the can empty.
BLIND MAN
Blind Man picks up the guitar and sings "Imagine."
INT. HOSTEL DORM ROOM
I am laying in the lower bunk. In comes a BIG LADY hauling a medium size luggage and looking worned out. She settles down on the opposite lower bunk.
BIG LADY
BIG LADY 
INT. HOSTEL DINING HALL
An Australian YOUNG MAN, a few days short of 21.
PART II B - Chicago
INT. RED LINE AT
A BLIND MAN strums guitar and sings a Jim Croce tune. An increasing overpowering noise of an approaching train makes him stop. A lady drops some coins in the can before boarding the train. He scours the can round and round feeling just the few coins. He pockets them leaving the can empty.
The subway is quiet again. He plays a Christian song. Another lady drops a $5 bill, and then more people give dollar bills. A MUSICIAN arrives to unpack and set up across from him. Another train comes and goes taking and dropping off people. Blind Man fingers the dollar bills in the can and pockets them leaving the can empty.
BLIND MAN
Have you seen Joe lately? Where's he working?
MUSICIAN
Don't know, man. Not here, that I know. I'm
taking his spot.
BLIND MAN
Why don't he come here no more?
MUSICIAN
'Cause you're here.
INT. HOSTEL DORM ROOM
I am laying in the lower bunk. In comes a BIG LADY hauling a medium size luggage and looking worned out. She settles down on the opposite lower bunk.
BIG LADY
What are you doing for dinner?
ME
I just ate too much. I even brought back a
doggy bag.
BIG LADY
What are you going to do with that?
ME
I'll eat it later, maybe for breakfast
tomorrow.
BIG LADY
I don't have any money. That's why I'm
eating these cookies.
INT. HOSTEL DINING HALL
An Australian YOUNG MAN, a few days short of 21.
ME
How's your day?
YOUNG MAN
Okay. What else is there to do?
ME
Enjoy while you're here.
YOUNG MAN
Guess so. I think too much. Whenever
my mother sees me quiet, she'd ask
"Are you thinking again?"
PART II B - Chicago
