“This is ridiculous!” Came shouts from one of the foremost cabins Disgruntled passengers looked on at the scene. Two men standing at the back of the cabin, facing off. The face off had already lasted ten minutes and it didn't look to be ending any time soon. “Does no one on this train appreciate the elegance of modern music?”
“We appreciate music sir, but some passengers have expressed their distaste for the kind of music that you've been playing. And besides, we are about to depart. Your phonograph will only skip and your recordings will be scratched.” One of the train's workers responded.
“I get it now. The stuffy Brits don't want to hear the offensive sounds of a Yank. Mark my words, years from now, when people stop listening to Ralph Williams, the sounds of George Gershwin will still be strong.” Terry said.
The air tasted foul with the stench of the argument and despite the cool weather, the train cabin was aflame with anger from many passengers and workers. The sounds, to Terry, were magical, but to most, they were just unwanted. Terry clasped his clammy palms in front of him and refrained himself from taking the argument any further.
“Regardless of your words, sir, I'll be taking the phonograph until we reach London.”
The whistle blew loud in the air and the sounds of the train's engine roared through the crowds outside waving away their loved ones as the train lurched across the tracks. Screeching metal slowly turned into a consistent rocking that echoed through the station. All of which played on top of the melody resonating from Terry's phonograph. The distinct smell of burning coal urged Terry to grab a cigarette from his breast pocket. He didn't light it just yet. Holding it alone was enough to calm his nerves. The worker went to his phonograph and lifted the needle. Now only the train's rumbles could be heard. “Might I suggest finding another cabin. One in which the patrons don't hate you.” The man said in such a way that you couldn't be offended by his words, but rather listen in awe of the correctitude of them
With that, Terry took out his lighter and lit his cigarette. He turned and exited the car. From one to the next, he went until he reached a car close to the back of the train. Every other cabin had been full up until that point. Terry had wished to have some room to stretch out his legs and enjoy the sounds of the train. If he wasn't allowed to listen to his own music, he was going to have to make due with what the world had to offer him.
The cabin that he chose to settle in was filled with only four people so far. The train had just started to move and other people were probably bound to come, stuck in the same sort of position as Terry had been, but for now, the cabin was comfortably filled. He was about to sit when he made a realization. The cabin was nearly empty, but almost everyone in the cabin had seemed to congregate around one area. Something interesting was happening and it sparked Terry's interest. He decided that he would go sit by the rest of the group as opposed to by his lonesome. Maybe he'd be interested in what these people had to offer him.
“I hope you all like music.” He said as he sat himself in the seat across from the others.