Shortly after midnight; a grimy train station in a midwestern city. CAIN wearing a conductor’s hat, opens a thermos and pours a cup of coffee, adds to it from a flask he carries in his jacket. GRACE enters; opens a large handbag, her only luggage, takes out an apple, or some other fruit, and eats. As CAIN drinks, he turns to look at the woman. Finally she notices him, and she smiles.

GRACE

It’s a long night.

CAIN

Like usual.

GRACE

Are we waiting for the same train?

CAIN

I don’t know. Are we?

GRACE

I’m going east, I’m taking the first train east.

CAIN

So am I.

GRACE

There don’t seem to be many others. ANY others.

CAIN

(Obliquely) There never are.

GRACE

(Conversationally) It looks like you’re an official.

CAIN

An official WHAT?

GRACE

Conductor?

CAIN

Of what?

GRACE

Well, not electricity. Passengers, I suppose. You con…