The further north the train went, the more people got off. Eventually, I was the only one left in my compartment. I had been working overtime until late last night to get home, and my eyelids were already heavy. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I vaguely heard a commotion outside. I rolled over, not thinking much of it. With so many people on the train, arguments were bound to happen. After all, I had just argued with a mother and son myself. The commotion grew closer, and the voices became increasingly familiar. “Come on, Jaxie, stick with Mommy. Don’t mind them. She just got her skirt accidentally lifted, what a sensitive little thing.” The voices conveniently stopped right outside my compartment door. I opened the door, and Brenda and I stared each other down. Seriously, why did this woman feel like a bad penny that just wouldn’t go away? My fancy organic cucumber was still on the small table nearby, and Jax reached out to grab it. “This cucumber is expensive, you know? $50 a piece. Do you really want to eat it?” Jax’s outstretched hand was quickly slapped down by Brenda. “Don’t eat her stuff. It’s probably stale and unhealthy. Mommy will buy you something delicious when we get home.” “Some people just like to hoard their things like treasures, don’t they? Hope you don’t choke to death.” Listening to Brenda’s taunts, I picked up the cucumber and took a bite. “Some people might not have any manners, but they sure have a lot to say.” “I used to hear that you could tell if someone was brain-damaged just by looking at them, and I never believed it. Today, I realize it’s true.” Brenda’s eyebrows shot up, and she opened her mouth, ready to unleash a torrent of curses. I narrowed my eyes. “This sleeper compartment has a door. That’s nice. If I lock it, nobody would know if someone got a beating, right?” She looked at our respective sizes, snorted, and then climbed onto her bunk with Jax. Even with my earphones in, I could still hear Jax’s吵闹 noise. I opened my eyes and, good heavens, he was wearing his shoes and stomping all over the bed again. The previously white sheets and duvet cover were now covered in black footprints. When the conductor came in and saw the scene, I clearly saw him take a deep breath. I asked if I could switch rooms. “I’m very sorry, ma’am, but this is the last available sleeper berth on the train right now.” Desperate times call for desperate measures. This time, when I left, I made sure to put my backpack away. Jax was clamoring for instant noodles, and Brenda, with no other choice, had to buy a cup for her precious grandson. After I’d happily taken care of business, I hadn’t even reached my compartment when I saw two people standing by the door, pointing and talking about something inside. An uneasy feeling crept up on me. As I walked through the door, I saw that little Michelin Man causing trouble again. My bunk was now covered in instant noodle soup. That little Michelin Man was reaching into the noodle cup, pulling out strands, and flinging them onto the wall. And to top it all off, my down jacket was on the bed.