The Insane Train by Sheldon Russell

through the door. She struck him as prettier than what he remembered from the funeral, petite, and with a spray of freckles across her nose. Her mouth turned up at its tip, and behind her round glasses were eyes the color of gunmetal.
    â€œNurse Delven,” Doctor Baldwin said. “This is Hook Runyon, special agent with the Santa Fe.”
    She held out her bandaged hand and then withdrew it.
    â€œSorry,” she said. “I forget.”
    Hook held up his prosthesis. “I’ve carried this chunk of iron around for years, and I still forget sometimes.”
    â€œWe call her Nurse Andrea around here,” Doctor Baldwin said. “She volunteered first among the few to help us out with the move.”
    â€œJust Andrea,” she said. “Will you be involved in the transfer, Mr. Runyon?”
    â€œIt looks that way,” he said.
    Baldwin came around his desk and put his hand on Hook’s shoulder.
    â€œMr. Runyon would like a tour of the place, Andrea. I’ll get someone to cover for you if you’ll show him around.”
    â€œThe security ward, too?” she asked.
    â€œI’ll arrange for Doctor Helms to be there,” he said.
    â€œAlright,” she said. “If you’ll follow me, Mr. Runyon, I’ll introduce you to Baldwin Insane Asylum.”

7
    Seth drove back to town at an easy pace and rolled his window down to let in the morning breeze. He’d forgotten how good it felt to be driving, to go somewhere without waiting for a freighter to break on the horizon. He lit a cigarette and turned toward the jungle. Maybe some of the boys would be up and about, and he could show off the company truck.
    Just then he spotted Roy from the jungle coming down the street. He could tell Roy’s walk anywhere. He swung his arms high and dug the heels of his boots in with a thump. Drill sergeants had taught him that. Roy said he’d forgotten how to walk any other way, like he’d been reborn and had learned to walk all over again.
    Roy hailed from Kentucky and hadn’t been anywhere else his whole life until the army took him, though he claimed to have ridden all the way to Louisville once on his sister’s bicycle. When pressed, and when under the influence of busthead liquor, Roy would admit that he didn’t actually go into Louisville but could see Louisville from atop a nearby hill. He said the world’s tallest building resided right there on the banks of the Ohio River, which put Ethan, who had lived in New York City, into a frenzy.
    Seth pulled over, shut the engine off, and waved at Roy to come over.
    â€œHey, Seth,” Roy said, pushing the hair from his eyes. “Where’d you get the truck?”
    â€œIt’s a railroad company truck,” Seth said. “They provide this vehicle as a benefit of my employment.”
    Roy dug out an empty pack of cigarettes, crumpled it up, and threw it into the back of the truck.
    â€œYou got a smoke, Seth?”
    Seth rolled his eyes and handed him a cigarette. “Where you going?” he asked.
    â€œHeaded for the still. Got a prime batch just finishing up. Maybe you could give me a lift?”
    â€œI’m on company business, Roy.”
    â€œDoing what?”
    â€œMostly I escort the railroad yard dog to the Baldwin Insane Asylum. Then at night I take him back to the depot.”
    â€œThey let him go home at night?” Roy asked.
    â€œHe’s just working out there, Roy.”
    â€œI thought you said he was a yard dog?”
    â€œHe is.”
    Roy’s brows, which were like thick bushes, converged over his nose.
    â€œThey have trains in the insane asylum?”
    â€œNo, they don’t have trains. He’s lining up security and such. Goddang it, Roy, the point is I can’t be using the company truck for taking you to your still.”
    Roy lit his cigarette and hooked his arm over the side mirror of the truck.
    â€œWe’re running a tad low on