By the same author:

Steve 1
dining car

Steve 2

Steve 3

Steve 4

Steve 5

Steve 6

Steve 8

Steve 9

Steve 10

Steve + Peter 1
Steve + Peter 2

"Thank you very much for the drinks," Steve said to Herbert and Sallowski. "Haven't I seen you gentlemen before?"
They both nodded yes. "We noticed you on the Thalys. Heard you sing in the bar with the other guys. Sounded really nice. Are you someone we should know?" 

"A famous singer, you mean?? No-o-o-o. But I may be famous before this trip is over. You never know......"
"Now... (burp, excuse me), what exactly do you mean by that?" Sallowski inquired, leaning like the Tower of Pisa.

"Nothing. Forget it."

"Aw, c'mon. We can keep a secret. What is it?"

"All right. It's my birthday tomorrow. You're all invited. If you're going to Westport, that is."

"That's it? You think you're going to be famous just because tomorrow is.......

Judith, are you all right?" Herbert turned to a pale woman by his side who reminded Steve of Edvard Munch's famous painting "the cry." Judith - that name sounded familiar ...

"Excuse me, but I will have to take her back to the hotel. See you on the train tomorrow," Herbert said. 
"What was that all about," Sallowski wondered.

"I have no idea," Steve said. " Did you see her staring at me? Like I was the devil incarnate! Poor old woman. I don't want to get old and crazy!"

"Let's drink to that," Sallowski decided, one arm around Steve's neck. "You wanna know what the secret is, Steve, my friend?" Sallowski exhaled through his nose and put a serious look on his face. "The secret is staying in shape. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 today and we don't know where she is...." Ha Ha Ha, Hoo Hoo, Hee Hee.

They left the bar in the wee hours of the morning. Somewhere along the way back to the hotel Steve lost Sallowski. "Oh well," Steve mumbled to himself, "I'm going to be all right." Or would he?

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