Herb Pulaski, dressed in his worn but expensive suit, arrives twenty minutes early to the first-class lounge, nervous but determined to belong. The lounge is empty, with no bartender or staff, echoing the train’s faded grandeur. Herb clings to his invitation promising financial benefit and hopes for a legitimate opportunity to solve his money problems.

Judd Dodge enters and confronts Herb, asking if Herb is behind “all this.” Judd reports that the train’s crew and passengers have vanished, leaving the Philadelphia Phoenix seemingly empty. Herb denies any involvement and asks if Judd invited him, which Judd firmly denies. Both confirm they were instructed to be in the lounge by eight.

Their shared past at Union Atlantic surfaces. Herb recalls being the factory foreman who built engines designed by Judd, including the Phoenix’s. He recounts the day he flagged a flawed Army-commissioned steam engine design—overpowered for the specified iron and destined to fail—and Judd deflected blame onto Arthur Matheson. Herb knew Judd was lying because Arthur would never cut corners and could not have designed the engine alone.

Herb pressed Judd, who then revealed a deal that traded ethics for money. Herb, exhausted by brutal factory work yet protected by a deferment, agreed out of desperation. The scheme enriched Herb, allowing him to quit his job, buy a house, and marry, but his money has since dwindled and his wife’s expectations remain high. Herb is haunted by the consequences: innocent men died, including a Matheson boy, their mangled bodies haunting his dreams.

Back in the lounge, Judd speculates that only the train’s owner could have cleared the train, and wonders if more is planned. Herb hopes for a legitimate opportunity but admits to himself he would go along even if it is not. Judd remains wary and wants no part of any further scheme tied to their past.

Judd asks Herb to reexamine the invitation. After initial confusion over the listed duration and time change, Herb notices the critical detail: the invitation specifies only the journey to Chicago with no return. The discovery deepens their unease, suggesting they have been lured one-way for a deliberate purpose.