Hello, what can I offer you?

Hello, what can I offer you?

Nothing for me, but hello there. I'm Winston, the new conductor of car No. 7.

I see... That's a pity. I'm Tom. The cook.

A pity? Why?

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought I'd be feeding people here, but none of the passengers are coming to me.

Sounds like your job is very important to you.

It is. You see, my brother is serving in a firing squad.

How is that connected?

I just wanted to do something completely different, you know? Something that makes people happy, not...

I get you, Tom. I might be able to help you.

Really? If you do that, I'll share a little secret with you.

Deal.

Hi.

What's on the menu today?

The same as always.

I've brought you a patron, Tom. You said you knew some kind of secret.

I think our trainmaster isn't letting passengers come to me on purpose.

He only orders me to cook for the prisoners and the policemen sometimes.

Why do you think he would do that?

No idea, maybe because he has it in for me?

Sounds like it's very easy to fall out of favor with him.

But that's not all.

There's more?

Yes. He once dropped this key and didn't notice.

What does it open?

Dunno, it doesn't fit any of the doors around here. Maybe something at the head of the train.

You seem like a good person, Winston, so I want you to have this key.

Thanks, Tom.

I've brought you a patron, Tom. You said you knew some kind of secret.

Oh, thanks a lot! She eats with such gusto!

What a woman!

Oh, I wish I could get to know her better!

Wait, what am I thinking? I've never been popular with women, especially ones like her...

Tom, if that's the secret you promised to tell me...

Huh? Aah, no. I wanted to share something else.

I'm all ears.

I think our trainmaster isn't letting passengers come to me on purpose.

He only orders me to cook for the prisoners and the policemen sometimes.

Why do you think he would do that?

No idea, maybe because he has it in for me?

Sounds like it's very easy to fall out of favor with him.

But that's not all.

There's more?

Yes. He once dropped this key and didn't notice.

What does it open?

Dunno, it doesn't fit any of the doors around here. Maybe something at the head of the train.

You seem like a good person, Winston, so I want you to have this key.

Thanks, Tom.

And I'll give it to you if you ask this lady about her favorite dish. I want to surprise her.

You're not so simple, are you, Tom? Okay, I'll find out.

Well? Did you manage to find anything out?

Yes, she said it's been a while since she had any cakes.

I'll make her the best cakes she's ever eaten!

Thanks, Winston! Here's the key.

The officers who are guarding the storage car say that I have to bring them their lunch.

Sure, I've just cooked it. Here.

I heard you were looking for me?

Me? No, I wasn't. Who told you that?

Louisa, the woman you took a shine to.

She must have made a mistake. She's clearly stressed.

Yes, she was worried that the prisoner was a danger to her.

If only I could help her somehow.

We worked it out.

Tom, you said your brother was in a firing squad...

Yes.

Could he help rescue two good people who are in trouble?

It depends.

A prisoner has escaped from the train.

That's terrible!

Yes, and we need to make sure that he's listed everywhere as executed.

Who would that help?

The two policemen, otherwise they'll get court-martialled.

I don't like them. They're mean.

I'm not going to help them.

The escaped prisoner is the husband of Louisa Manishek, the lady you liked.

They've suffered a lot. Do you think maybe they deserve their happiness?

So she's married?

Yes. And she risked her life for her husband.

That's a shame...

But I'll help.

You'll be doing a good thing.

Tom, do you have any hot water?

Of course; why?

I have to hand out hot water to passengers in honor of the Triumphant Anniversary.

Oh, right, I totally forgot that was coming up.

Take as much as you need.

Hi, Tom. There's a lady in first class who wants to try the cheapest food of all.

Can you help?

Hmm... I have a whole pot of slop that we feed to the prisoners.

Great!

Do you want anything for it?

No, I make it from expired stuff anyway.

Tom, that rich lady has made another culinary request.

More slop?

No, she wants something as dangerous as fugu.

Oh... Hmm... I'm afraid we don't have the right ingredients.

Maybe I could get something from first class?

Let me think...

Okay, well, I could probably make a Northern Kraken...

What do you need for that?

Right, I have this... and that...

I'm only missing dried fish, cat food, wine, sleeping pills and caviar.

Wow, that's quite a list.

If you get them, I'll cook the dish your passenger wants.

Okay, I'll look for the ingredients.

Will this do?

Sure.

Okay, looks like I have everything I need... Now give me ten minutes and the dish will be ready.

Done! Northern Kraken!

Thanks for helping me out, Tom.

You're welcome! And here, take this bottle of wine back. You need to pour it over the dish when serving, otherwise it won't be as tasty.

Won't be tasty or won't be dangerous?

Dangerous? Nah, you can only get poisoning from this dish if you add actual poison to it.

But you can easily get indigestion.

Poison, you say... All right, thanks again, Tom.

Sure.

Sure.

Sure.

Sure.

Sure.

I have to go.