InsaneJournal

Intercom Broadcast
[The train's music cuts off abruptly, and after a moment or so of silence, the voices fade in]

Female voice 1: ... on the grid, there was evidence they'd b--

Male voice 1: It doesn't help knowing where it's been. We have--

Female voice 1: To get ahead of it, I know, but if it's blocking--

[there's the sound of a door opening, and paper rustling]

Male voice 2: Bad news. They've cut the funding for a rescue.

[the sound of several voices protesting, some expletives, the sound of something like a hand striking a solid table's surface]

Male voice 2: I know. I know, all right? But they said it's been a month, and we've already spent too much in pursuit of one train, and--

Female voice 2: A train? A TRAIN? This isn't about the fucking train. It's about the people on --

Male voice 2: Bridget, I know. I know, and they've said there isn't any concrete evidence there are people on it. They said all we can prove solidly is there's a train missing, moving, and untrackable. We can't prove--

Male voice 1: This is outrageous! Concrete evi--

Male voice 2: I'm appealing it. I'm going to try. It could be weeks, months before they'll hear it. It's the best we can do.

Female voice 1: And what about the people? Reggie, you know there are people. There might be dozens, a hundred of them now.

Male voice 2: [heavy sigh] I'm doing what I can. But until we find funding, I'm afraid they're on their own.

[The transmission fades out, and the music begins again]