INT. TRAIN - DAY

The train car is quiet.

Rezekah sits in silence with one other passenger, ROBBY (17), a teenage boy wearing a red hoodie and sweatpants. Robby has a bookbag sitting in between his legs.

Robby is holding a novel in front of his face, but his eyes occasionally peek over the book to glance at Rezekah. His eyes travel downward toward their chest. He blushes and goes back to his book. A few seconds later, he glances back at them.

Rezekah is staring right at him.

His face goes beet red. He jerks his book upward, covering his face. He pretends to read, flipping a page and, after reading for a few seconds, gasps loudly.

Rezekah tenses. Robby peeks at them and flushes, lowering his book.

ROBBY

(bashful)

S-sorry, I, um, I shouldn't stare...

Rezekah says nothing, turning away. Robby pales.

ROBBY

It's not what you're thinking, I swear! It's just...you look like the main character in this book I'm reading.

(hesitant)

She, uh, she's very...pretty...

Robby turns his book over so the cover is facing Rezekah. He gestures at it weakly, pulling his lips into a strained smile.

ROBBY

See...?

Rezekah glances at the cover. A brunette woman bearing striking resemblance to their host stares wide eyed back at them. The upper part of her dress is torn, revealing a bra underneath.

The title reads 'HOT IN PURSUIT'.

REZEKAH

Is it a sexual book?

ROBBY

(flustered)

Huh? N-no! It's a mystery book about a woman running from the law with the help of some guy she falls in love with and...

Robby trails off, his face growing redder as Rezekah stares at him blankly. He lowers the novel and looks away.

ROBBY

It's not what you think...

REZEKAH

I shall take your word for it.

(pauses)

So...how does this woman go about...escaping her pursuers?

Robby blinks. A shy smile plays upon his lips.

ROBBY

It's a secret. I can't tell you, else it'll spoil the story.

REZEKAH

(shrugging)

I have no plans on reading this novel of yours in the future.

ROBBY

Yeah, but, I dunno, you might...change your mind one day?

Rezekah frowns.

REZEKAH

Unlikely. But I am still curious.

ROBBY

About the book?

REZEKAH

No. How one would...

(pauses)

Hypothetically escape their pursuers.

ROBBY

Um, well, I guess it would depend on who's chasing them? I haven't read a lot of stories with gangsters in them but-

REZEKAH

The authorities are chasing this hypothetical person.

Robby licks his lips, squeezing his hands. He sets down his book, closing it with his finger holding his place.

ROBBY

Oh, I've read tons of books about that! The first thing they'd have to do is turn off any devices the police could use to track them, like a phone or something. Next is to get far, far away from any cops. Skipping town is, of course, the best way to do that. Now they have to make sure the cops can't use any other means to track them. Ditch their credit cards and avoid public detection. If they can get far enough away, the police might never find them!

REZEKAH

How would they survive without a credit card?

Robby looks up at the ceiling, thinking. He shrugs after a moment.

ROBBY

Uh, a fake identity? Maybe. The books I read never went into too much detail about that.

REZEKAH

That sounds...complicated.

Robby flushes.

ROBBY

Sorry I couldn't help you out.

Rezekah narrows their eyes at him.

REZEKAH

The hypothetical person.

The teenager pales and holds out his hands.

ROBBY

O-of course! I wasn't accusing you or anything! I doubt anybody as pretty as you are-ugk-I mean, um, I-I know you're not a criminal!

REZEKAH

(amused)

So we're in agreement. Your answers were acceptable in the meantime.

ROBBY

Sure, sure...

He quickly shoves his book in his face again, hiding his reddening cheeks.

Rezekah shakes their head. They pick up hugs their bookbag to their chest, covering their mouth.

REZEKAH

(to themselves)

Zex will have to withdraw the money of the host's credit card into physical currency. Hopefully, using it will not draw extra attention to Zex. Though, if any of the natives have problems with Zex's use of physical currency, it can always deal with them...one way or another.

The CONDUCTOR speaks over the train's loudspeaker.

CONDUCTOR

Arriving at Human City B Train Station #2. All passengers with tickets for this destination, please depart. Arriving at...

Rezekah grabs their bags and stands. Robby quickly puts his book away and grabs his bookbag. He looks at Rezekah.

ROBBY

Um, it was nice talking to you. Sorry for, uh, being weird and...stuff.

They nod and step in front of the door.

REZEKAH

It is no matter. Your assistance was well needed.

Robby blushes, giggling quietly. He claps his hand over his mouth, stifling further laughter.

The doors open and both passengers leave the train.