Chug… chug… chug…
The engine roared, followed by a long, piercing whistle that cut through the noise of the station.
"Coffee , who wants some coffee? ""sir, do you want some pies ?"
"Sir, would you like today's newspaper?"
"Give me one" .He handed one cent to the kid and took his newspaper .
Stalls lined the platform, men shouting for customers, offering coffee and pies, while others waited impatiently for the train to come to a full stop .
As the train comes to a stop, its whistle covers the crowd noises.
As soon as the door opened people started pushing, some were getting off,some boarding,and some couldn't afford to move as they were crying.
And then there was Joan , clutching her bags , getting off the train. Staring worriedly for a moment, before determining her direction.Walking with her heavy bags amongst the crowd was troublesome.Unfortunately she doesn't have enough to pay for help.
Just then, a man of medium build approached her with an easy smile.
"Need a hand with that?"
"Oh, thank you, but my cousin is waiting for me."
"No trouble—it's on my way," he said, already reaching for her suitcase.
"I said no, thank you."
She stepped back, then suddenly raised her voice, waving ahead.
"John! Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages!"
She walked straight toward a nearby family and stood beside them, pretending to belong.
Ten minutes later, the man was gone .
After finally leaving the station. Joan froze.
White streets. Horse-drawn carriages. Clothes that didn't belong to her time.
She stopped a middle aged woman
"Ma'am, I'm sorry for bothering you,do you know where I can get to rent a carriage or a tram "
"Yes , just walk two buildings to the right and you'll see one "
"God bless you, thank you very much"
Dragging her bags,she soon saw it .
paid the fare ،lifted her skirt and boarded it.
She put her bags around her legs ,leaned back and relaxed a little.
Looking around the tram with a calm face but actually a curious mind .As much as modern the tram looked, it was an antique.It looked like a metal horse carriage , but without a horse,also its speed doesn't compare.
"Well,its my future legs"
Within 20 minutes ride ,
"We arrived at the intersection of 10th Street and Broadway," the driver informed . After getting off, Joan walked familiarly on these old , lively roads. Watching where to step was a hassle ,as there was horse trash every few steps. After a few minutes walk a sign with (Alpert Hotel) written in it ,came into view.
Joan took a breath and entered,went to the reception and waited as there was a man ahead of her.
"Good day miss , what can I do for you?" Mary said . Looking at the beautiful woman with the green skirt.
"I would like a single room, please."
"Very well. A room with a bath and a balcony would be three dollars a night. A smaller room without a bath is one dollar fifty," Mary explained.
"I'll take the smaller one—for three nights."
"That will be four dollars and fifty cents."
Joan handed her the money. Mary smiled, opened the register, and dipped her pen in ink before asking,
"Your name, miss?"
"Joan Blackwood "Joan smiled back and took the key.
"Okay, miss Joan , please turn left and you will find the elevator, your room is room 27 on the second floor,and it is the third room to the right of the elevator "
"Thank you,Mary . You have been a great help " taking her bags Joan told the elevator operator "second floor, please "
Opening her room , taking a quick look around it,then closing the door locking it. Finally collapsed on the bed , letting out a sigh .