Sylvester spent a year on trains

Sylvester spent a year on trains travelling to somewhere he didn't know. He would talk to anyone who would talk back and ask them to try to convince him to get off. It only worked once, that was all it needed.

Sylvester's old friend from school, Tom, got on the train and couldn't keep his eyes off him. Sylvester started talking about why he is on the train, Tom smiled, but actually pitied him. He let the pity out of the corner of his right eye. Sylvester had to excuse himself and went and threw-up in the very small train toilet. His digestive system had been ruined months ago from a diet of cold sandwiches and cheap coffee. When he got back he said he recognised him, Tom confirmed this, so they ran through their life stories until they found each other. They then took more time going over their lives. Once they got to modern day, Tom talked about his current plans, Sylvester had none. Tom was on his way home after a long couple of days documenting an album being made. Having just finished their project he's going to Mali to make a documentary on a musician there.

Sylvester was fascinated with this man who has come so far and is doing so much. He started to pity himself but was able to shake this little sink off luckily. Tom invited Sylvester to Mali to help him with the project. He wasn't sure at first but after hearing more and more about the place he started to fall in love with it, like Tom had a long time ago. He spoke French as well, so that would help.

Sylvester met Tom a day or two later at an airport train station where he left National Rail property for the first time in nearly a year. He was surprised at how comfortable he was in the airport and started seeing it as a static train, with so many people coming and staying for a while then going. The two new/old friends checked their bags in and went to the bar to get a drink. Tom was a big drinker of Rums, but seeing what was on offer behind the 'Irish Bar' had a Heineken. Sylvester started to feel his hands shaking, so got a coffee. Tom told Sylvester more about the documentary in Mali. It's focused on a Musician who has made it quite big in Europe and the US but got a really bad deal with his record company and hasn't received any money for all the records sold. He said they will be recording him playing some music and talking for a few days then they will go travelling around Mali.

Sylvester said how excited he was and they finished their drinks. He was starting to grow fond of Tom and was glad that he got off the train. They went over to their gate and queued up to board the plane.