Rolling down a long road, Prince is sitting in the car looking dejected while Wade is driving him
Wade
Sigh, why do you look so down?
Prince
Why can't we just drive all the way there?
I don't get why we need to take the train…
Wade
Easy for you to say, you're not the one who'd need to drive that whole way.
Do you even have your licence?
Prince
Never got it, we didn't own a car, so there wasn't any reason for me to get one.
Wade
See?
It takes around a day to get all the way there, it's basically on the other side of the country.
Personally, I don't feel like driving that whole distance.
So instead, we're going to take a train.
Prince
What about your car?
Wade
It isn't mine in the first place, it belongs to the government.
I called my superiors in advance, so they know the plan.
Someone is waiting at the train station to pick it up from us and he'll give us our train tickets.
Now do you see why I told you to pack lightly?
Prince
Yes, sir…
Still, I guess it's pretty exciting
I've never actually taken the train before!
Wade
Really?
Prince
Yeah, again, I've never really needed to leave Texas, let alone Dallas.
My grandparents live there, and my mom's hospital is there.
Everything I needed was in the city.
So I never had a reason to leave the city.
Wade
Well, this is going to be a big step up then.
Not just staying in your home town, but travelling abroad and getting to see the world!
Prince
Yeah!
I'm glad I decided to come with you!
Wade
Ha, hope you don't take that back later on when things get tough
Prince
We'll see.
Wade
Pft, very reassuring.
The two pull into the the parking lot of the train station where they're met with a man in all black, like Wade
Agent
Agent Libreman?
Wade
Yes, are you our contact?
Agent
Yes sir, I have prepared the tickets for your departure.
The train starts boarding in half an hour.
Wade
Thank you very much, let's get going Prince.
The agent mutters something under his breath as Prince looks back at him before following Wade inside
Prince
Wade–
Wade
It's fine.
I'm used to it.
Especially down south, most people aren't too happy to have to recognize a black man as their boss.
But I'd rather just get the mission done and out of the way.
Live my best life in spite of what they may say, isn't that what you do?
Prince winces as he looks at Wade forcing himself to smile, but he drops the topic as they begin to board the train
Prince
Wow, there are a lot of people gathered here!
Wade
It makes sense, this train is going to the capital after all.
But from now on, we should try not to stand out too much, you never know who could be watching.
Prince stands in silence before pointing out his bright yellow rain jacket with hearts on its sleeves, as well as his long hair covering half his face
Wade
…
Ok, maybe you have a point.
But it's fine, you're small enough that most people wouldn't even see you when looking around.
Prince
Hey!
You didn't need to say that last part!
Wade
Haha, sorry, you're right.
You're just travel size.
Prince
I'm a proud 5'6"!
Wade
And I'm a proud 5'10", it doesn't matter right now.
We need to find our seats on the train.
Prince picks up two people whispering to each other
?? 1
Are we really doing this?
?? 2
Of course we are, we've come too far to turn back now.
Once we do this, the whole of America will know us and our cause!
So don't back out now!
Inside the train, Wade escorts Prince to their seats.
The cart is filled with many rows of double seats, and large windows on both sides. The train itself is composed of 5 cars, including a dining car
Prince
This is a really nice train
Wade
Enjoy it while you can.
No guarantee once we leave the country will get such comfortable transport
Prince
Won't we have a car overseas?
Wade
Not necessarily, we might need to hike because at the end of the day, we're going on a secret mission where no one is supposed to know about us.
That's the whole point of assigning a team of Manifesto users.
An unpredictable group of a few powerful individuals.
With multiple Manifesto users, we can easily bypass checkpoints past the Iron Curtain.
Prince
Erk, are you saying I'll need to walk for days in Soviet territory?
Wade
Probably, why?
Is it a problem?
Prince
Well, I spent most of my time on my own practicing controlling sounds and music, so exercise isn't really my strong suit…
Wade
…
You've got to be joking.
How can you not be good at exercise if you're so muscular!?
Prince
Uh, good genetics?
Wade
Huh?
I've never heard of genetics giving you such large muscles–
Oof!
One of the shady figures from outside the train accidentally bumps into Wade
?? 2
C'mon, look what you did!
Apologize right now, David!
David
Oh, I'm so sorry!
Are you alright?
David was a tall and lenky man, with long greasy bangs covering his face
David's appearance is dishevelled and unkept, with small blood stains being present on his clothes.
By contrast, the man standing behind him is rather tall, with large muscles, and a large red beard. The man is dressed in blue jeans and a plaid shirt that highlights his build.
Wade
Don't worry about it.
Hope you enjoy your trip.
David
Uh, oh, thank you!
?? 2
C'mon, let's get going.
David
Ok, Brian!
David and Brian leave and take their seats further up
Prince
Pst!
Wade, those were the guys I saw outside!
Wade
What guys?
What were they doing outside?
Prince
They were talking about how they needed to do something!
Wade
…
Ok, there's a level of your nonsense that's quirky, but now you're just stating the obvious.
Of course they have a need to get on the train if they want to get across the country.
Prince
No, not like that!
They were scheming saying how what they're about to do would make the whole country recognize them and their cause!
Wade
Oh?
Well, worst comes to worst, we can handle them using our Manifestos.
Just relax, everything will be fine.
You're too on edge for your first time on a train.
See? We've started leaving already.
Have your ticket ready to show the person who comes by.
Prince sits back down uneasily, keeping an eye on Brian and David ahead of him.
After an hour, Prince is still staring intently at the two, like a dog watching a squirrel
Wade
C'mon Prince, you're really still watching them?
Are you that suspicious of them?
Prince
You didn't hear what I heard!
Wade
Alright, but if you're tired when we get to DC, that's your problem, not mine, ok?
Prince
Sure, now hush, I need to listen!
Prince begins to focus on David and Brian's talk
David
Ohhh, are we doing it now?
Brian
No, we need to be farther from the city.
We'll make our move when we're in a more rural area.
Just keep watching the scenery.
For now, sit back and relax!
Prince gets up from his seat
Wade
Prince?!
What are you doing?
Prince
Hey.
Brian
?
What do you want?
Prince
I don't know what you're planning, but you'd better not do anything to this train.
Brian
And why is that?
Got someone important to you on this train?
Prince
No, it's my first time being on a train and I want to enjoy it.
Brian
Huh?
What does that have to do with us?
Prince
How am I supposed to relax when I keep hearing you talking about your mysterious plans for the train that will make the country recognize you?
Brian
…
Pft, hee haw haw haw!!
Oh, you're a riot!
Well, guess there's no need to pretend anymore.
David
Eh?
Are we doing this now?
What happened to waiting?
Brian
It will be fine.
Just go take control of the conductor's car, I'll be there shortly.
David
Huh?
A-are you sure–
Brian
Just go!
David
Eek!
David begins to run towards the front of the train
Prince
Wade, go after him.
Wade
Huh?
But–
Prince flashes Wade a smile
Prince
Your Manifesto is better suited for capturing and slowing someone down!
You got this!
I trust you!
Wade is confused for a second but nods his head
Wade
Alright, I'll trust you to handle things here!
Brian
Hold on, not so fast!
I'm not letting either of you leave this–
Brian gets punched suddenly in his jaw as the impact causes him to lose his balance.
His attention turns to Prince and he glares at him
Prince
Sorry, but you're gonna fight me, not my friend.
I hope you aren't disappointed.
Brian
Hee haw haw, no, you seem like you're a fun way to kill time!