Such a big and modern building, Philippe thought to himself. It indeed was a magnificent building. A stark difference between the district he just left. Concrete buildings with an ancient feel to it. Huge entrances welcomed thousands of people, and the huge exits said goodbye to the travelers. The ceiling stood at 100 feet high. As Philippe enters the building and goes in, he begins to see a resemblance between the empire and the station itself. A majestic feel began to blend in with the modern infrastructure. Statues of great gods and thinkers and warriors were placed all around the building. Huge chandeliers hung from the tall ceilings almost reaching the grounds. Philippe wandered in disbelief gaping at the marvel. There is much to learn he thought to himself. The books never spoke of such infrastructure, he thought. There was no time to stand in awe at the marvel, people flocked brushing him aside. It is better I move, Philippe said to himself. He somehow managed to locate the counter, where the tickets were being issued. Bright lighting surrounded the counter. And the counter must have had a dozen separate officers issuing tickets. "One ticket to District 11," Philippe stammered "Can you repeat that sir," said the clerk "One ticket to District 11," said Philippe a bit louder "Yes, of course," one ticket to District 11, said the clerk as he handed over a white slip with wordings on it to him. "Thank you," replied Philippe carefully going through the details of the ticket. "Sir excuse me," turns back Philippe to the officer. "Where do I go? Which lane do I wait for the arrival of the transport?" enquires Philippe. "Lane 29 replied" the clerk. "Thank you once again," said Philippe and headed towards the lane. Philippe walks into the mouth of the beast, countless elevators and lifts went up and down the building. A startled Philippe spots a bystander. He looks like a person who could help me. "Sir," said Phillippe The man raised his hat and looked up. He was 5 feet tall at best. "Yes," replied the man "I need to head toward lane 29. Can you point me in the direction of the way?" asked Philippe. "Oh yes, it is that way said the man" he pointed Philippe to the west end of the station. "As a matter of fact," I'm headed towards lane 29 myself said the man. "That is very much well," remarked Philippe. "The train leaves in half an hour" said the man in the hat as he picked up his luggage and dropped the newspaper on the stand. The man begins to walk in front of Philippe at a rapid pace! Philippe tries to keep up. They get on an elevator going through a lot of people in the process, resembling something like a maze. It was hard to keep up with the man, his strides were beginning to get faster. I must keep up, thought Philippe to himself. The man in the hat, not once did he think to look back to see if Philippe was following him. They must have walked what looked like a mile. After what looked like a sprint he manages to keep up with the hat-man. They finally reach lane 29! Finally, the man looks at Philippe. "This is it. This is where the train is to arrive. In another 15 minutes, the train will arrive!" he spoke feverishly. "What district are you from?" asked the stout man with the hat. Philippe hesitates to respond. "Did you not hear my question?" asked the stout man. After a small hesitation once again, he responds to District 8. "I thought so" said the man. "I'm Philippe" he introduces himself. The stout man looks at Philippe and turns away. "My name is Alex," he said looking at the train in the opposite lane. Philippe begins to look around and starts to observe the details. For a few minutes, he is lost in the surroundings, looking at the old and magnificent clocks and in general awe of the combination of the old and new. And how they are perfectly blended. The train finally arrives. "The train has arrived," said Philippe to Alexas he picked up his bag. To his surprise, Alex was not there! Where must he have gone, Philippe thought to himself There was no time to waste. I better get on the train Philippe gets on the train His seat was a window seat. He places his luggage carefully in the luggage compartment and places himself on his now that he assigned seat. Philippe makes himself comfortable. Where must he have gone? thought Philippe of Alex, about his sudden disappearance! The train slowly moves away from the station Quickly forgetting about his friend who had vanished, Philippe looks out the window as the train moves away from the crowded junction, the train moves first slowly and then faster. There is a bit of calm to this speed, almost complete silence inside the cabins and only the sound of the train moving. He begins to watch the scenery outside. It was mostly the deserts and empty spaces. The Desert was more peaceful now that he was inside and not there in the rough terrains. As he was busy looking outside the concealed window, the train master quietly appeared and presented himself before him. "Ticket please," said the officer Philippe instinctively reaches out to his pocket and hands his ticket over to the officer. The master took a quick glance, tucked over his attendance register, and went over to the next passenger. There was a sound and an announcement on the screen, three hours until arrival at District 11. The electronic board read.