meetings

People believe that nothing happened twice in the world. They used to think so before they were stuck in the Snowpiercer. Now all the days seemed to be alike and they couldn't do anything about it.

It was just their life now.

Still Melanie thought that there was one thing on the train that never was the same. One person, to be exact. Miss Audrey was full of surprises, her performances were something Melanie had never seen before with all the shining lights, sparkles and glitter. Maybe it was just her assumption as she was always at work and simply had no time for such things. She didn't know and to be honest, she didn't give a shit about it. Now her visits to the night car became a part of routine she was eager to follow after the tired working day. Miss Audrey’s company who appeared to be really interested in her was a pleasant bonus.

Yet, today everything was mixed up.

It was usually Ruth’s duties and job to fill the needs of the third glass. And she did it perfectly well just for one exception. Somebody broke into the supply car and stole a box of apples.

Melanie could laugh at the situation if there was no the end of the world outside the windows. The system required actions from her. Ruth would have done everything Melanie would ask her to. But she had a day off and Melanie as a head of hospitality should step in instead of her.

So, today Melanie wasn't wearing her usual clothes she used to while visiting the night car. Today she had the obligations in front of the whole train and the system that she knew would never tolerate any inconsistencies and selfishness. The crime required punishment and it was up to Melanie now to provide it.

Audrey was sitting at the bar with a cup of tea when she heard the noise from the entrance. The people were coming, a lot, as she could see and hear the steps. There were screams and talks and it was so loud that she couldn't understand what everybody was talking about.

The people were gathering in the hall in front of the stage. Audrey could easily recognize all of them. They were her people, the third class. Of course, not all of them were here, but the majority. She noticed how tense and frightened some of them looked and she was wondering what really had happened and how they were connected to it.

Suddenly the rising noise came to an end. Audrey could feel the shake in the air as if something really important came to the light.

And then and there she saw her.

The woman was going straight to the stage surrounded by the guards. Everything about her was so domineering from her high-heel shoes to the strict bun on the head and intense gaze that there was no doubt that she was someone important.

Nothing was left from the woman Audrey met a few nights ago, no black clothes, no wide smile. The only thing that resembled that woman was the gaze and authority in it, as she was looking at everything around her. That look Audrey knew too well.

It was the woman who intrigued her so much.

She was there stepping on the stage with a lot of armed people who, Audrey was sure, were ready to use their guns if they needed to. They were here to protect and show the power thought Audrey could say for sure that the woman standing between them was so much more than they presented themselves.

“Good morning, all passengers of the third class,” the woman started speaking. Everything seemed to pause. All the people were staring at her, some with distrust and fears, others with some expectations. “My name is Melanie Cavill, I am the Head of Hospitality.”

Audrey looked at her, evident surprise written across her features. So, she was in charge. Remembering all the actions and the emotions the woman caused Audrey thought that explained a lot now.

“Wilford  Industries wish all of you a good journey,” Melanie continued feeling the gazes upon her. “We all live in a difficult world, as the last piece of humanity. Two weeks ago our lives changed completely and we are here getting adjusted to the only possible environment. Without the Snowpiercer there is no life. The Earth can't be our home. But the train is now. And every home requires order and system,” Melanie paused for a second. “Mr. Wilford is really disappointed that one of you decided to disturb it.”

Melanie looked at all the people and heard the upcoming whispers.

Audrey also was looking around when her eyes met the green ones. They were full of force and determination that made her shiver a bit. Audrey suddenly understood that it was not the end and as if to prove it Melanie spoke.

“Benjamin Whilst.”

The name sounded like a danger and the sudden noise came after it became unbearable. People started screaming, pushing each other and pointing at one person who appeared to be pale as a wall.

Audrey hold her breath.

When he came to the stage visibly shaken, the tears in his eyes. He was just a mechanic in one of the sections, young and too self-confident. Audrey remembered how he spent a night here drinking after several days in the train. He was absolutely harmless.

“What did he do?” suddenly Audrey asked drawing everybody's attention but looking just at one and only person who knew the answer. Melanie signed meeting her gaze.

“Benjamin Whilst is accused of stealing a box of apples today's morning. The box was found in his room and the cameras in the supply car caught him”.

It was a box of apples that let the hell break.

“All?”

“ What the fuck?”

“Are you serious?”

The shouts were coming from all sides and Audrey could feel that the atmosphere somehow became lighter. She was going to laugh herself when she caught Melanie's eyes and all the sounds that were ready to leave her lips froze.

Melanie's eyes expressed nothing but seriousness.

Benjamin was now standing behind her, men at both of his sides as if they thought he would escape.

Nothing seemed normal.

“Mr. Wilford system requires order and obedience,” Melanie's voice sounded above all of them. “The life of people depends on all of us and our actions. Every crime on the Snowpiercer will have its consequences and punishment and the box of apples won’t be an exception.”

With the last sentence the night car was silent.

“It was just apples,” Benjamin's voice was so miserable. Yet, it was too loud in the deafening silence.

Melanie turned to the man and stepped to him.

“Who will not keep a penny shall never have many. Does that sound familiar to you?” Melanie looked straight at the man who started nodding quickly.

“I'm so sorry Miss Cavill. I would never do something like that again, please,” he was begging but Melanie wasn't already looking at him. She looked at the only person whose opinion she knew would change forever after this.

“Mr. Wilford had already reached a verdict,” Melanie said, sign left her lips. Audrey saw her take a deep breath before saying the following. “Benjamin Whilst, you are found guilty of theft and sentenced to cut off your hand by frostbite.”

Hearing the verdict, Audrey gasped. Melanie's intense gaze never left her.

“And I'm here to fulfill the will.”

The last words echoed from all the sides as if hundreds of voices repeated the awful truth. People were shocked and frightened. They were in trance and seemed to have no words left.

The only sound that was heard was the sobbing and screaming from Benjamin who was shaking violently and mumbling something. Everything was happening so quickly. Audrey watched like in a nightmare as Melanie nodded to one of the guards and he grabbed Benjamin holding him tightly not to let him escape. The others brought the table and the chair and push the weeping man at it making him sit. Melanie walked to the left side of the stage putting out a long tube with some mechanism on it.

“No, please, I beg you, Miss Cavill, please,” Benjamin sobbed shaking with fear as Melanie came to him and stood at the right side of the man.

“Benjamin Whilst, you are accused of a theft and your fault was proven.”

Her voice didn't tremble,  Audrey could hear it. She couldn't take her eyes off the woman. It was too much. It all seemed like a bad dream and Audrey really wanted to wake up. But the green eyes were too insistent, and not a muscle seemed to move in Melanie’s face as she lifted the tube to the man's hand.

Nobody made the sound watching in horror as the hand froze in a second. Only Benjamin’s sobs and screams were heard.

Audrey stayed silent and couldn't look away from the hand covered in ice. She thought she was going to vomit when she saw that one of the guards gave Melanie a small hammer.

Audrey shivered, she didn't want to see what was coming next but she couldn't make herself turn away.

The crash of ice was the only sound followed by the hysterical cry of the man.

Suddenly she met Melanie's eyes and just for a second she could swear she saw pain and hopelessness there. It was quickly gone, replaced by the Head of Hospitality. She put the hammer on the table where Benjamin was almost unconscious and stepped in front of it.

Her words were heavy as metal.

“Wilford Industries is deeply sorry for the inconvenience and wish you a good day.”

Melanie didn’t look at Audrey when she left.