"Holy crap." Dean mutters as he watches the lights on the control panel alternate. "Holy motherfuckin' crap. Sam, what the hell do we do?"
Suddenly, all the lights in the train switch off, perpetuating them in darkness. Then, the train gradually grinds to a halt.
"We've lost power..." Dean says with worry.
"You don't say." Sam replies, as the door to the driver's compartment opens unexpectedly.
The conductor enters the compartment wearing an angry expression. She then notices the body on the floor, and in the driver's seat. "Would someone like to tell me what the hell is going on?"
"We're just having some difficulties..." Sam mumbles.
"Difficulties?" she cries. "That guy is dead, right? Are you guys even qualified engineers?"
Dean steps forward and inspects her name-badge. "Ok, Jolene, listen: I want you to do me a favour and find out exactly how many people are on this train. Then, I want you to gather all the passengers into one car, where they'll be safe."
"I'm the conductor of this train. and you guys are just two random clowns in overalls. Who are you to give me orders?"
"Jolene, people are dying in here." Sam states impatiently. "Now, are you gonna help us protect people, or are you gonna let this be the last ever train ride you take?"
Jolene stands speechless. Dean observes Sam with admiration at his sudden assertiveness.
"Ok...well I can tell you right now how many passengers are supposed to be aboard this train." The conductor removes an electronic device from her belt and checks the screen. "64. Plus you two, that makes 66."
Dean and Sam exchange wary looks.
"Thanks." Sam says finally. "Now, we need to keep an eye on every single one of them. Dean, could you make another announcement and bring the passengers to the front of the train?"
Dean reluctantly picks up the mic and speaks clearly into it: "Good morning, passengers, once again, we apologise for the delay, but for your own safety, we would like to bring you all to the front of the train, where you will be given further details. Thank you for your co-operation."
Sam, Dean and Jolene step out of the driver's compartment to greet the confused and frustrated passengers.
"I have an important meeting to get to for 9, and we've stopped in the middle of nowhere!" the angry businessman with the coffee-stained suit jacket bellows. "I demand an explanation."
"Sir, you will receive an explanation and a full refund when you sit quietly in your seat and wait to be counted." Sam orders.
"Ok, guys," Jolene addresses the students. "I want you to count yourselves and tell me if anyone's missing."
"Where's Miss Gardener?" one by asks.
Jolene turns to Sam and Dean for assistance. Dean clears his throat.
"Your teacher fell and knocked her head. She's safe with the driver in the driver's compartment."
"Well I would like to speak with the driver." a nervous businesswoman asks. "I need to see a member of authority."
"I am a member of authority!" Jolene booms, causing everyone in the car to jump with fright. "Now I want everyone to remain here in this car without causing any trouble. This is a state of emergency, and I need your full co-operation."
The passengers are stunned into silence. A girl in a floral blouse raises her hand to speak.
"Yes?" Jolene asks tiredly.
"Graham went to the bathroom before." Daisy says anxiously. "Should someone go and look for him?"
Sam and Dean look to each other. Sam volunteers and marches through the door into the next car, clutching the toolbox tightly in his hand.
Confined between the thin plastic walls of the bathroom, Graham dangles a crucifix over the bowl of the toilet, and begins to mutter an incantation.
Sam approaches the door quietly and knocks once, and calls out. "Is anyone in there?"
Graham is too preoccupied with the spell to answer, and continues to mutter with his eyes firmly closed.
Sam knocks again and puts his ear to the door to listen to the murmurings. "Graham? Is that you?"
He opens the door with a thrust of the handle and bursts in, just as Graham drops the crucifix into the toilet and proceeds to flush it. Graham spins round and catches Sam's eye. Sam glances from Graham's horrified face to the gushing toilet water.
"Holy water." he deduces.
Graham instinctively rolls up the sleeve of his hoodie and dips his hand into the toilet, splashing Sam with the enchanted water. Sam blinks and wipes the water from his eyes.
"Don't worry: I'm not a demon." Sam assures the student. "And it doesn't look like you are either."
"So you're a hunter?" he asks excitedly.
"Yep." Sam says. "And you?"
"I'm learning." Graham shrugs modestly.
"Well we could really use you on our team right now. Come with me."
"So let me get this straight," Dean mutters to Sam as they stand with their backs to the group. "This kid from England is a hunter in training and you caught him trying to fill up the toilet with holy water. Was his daddy a hunter or something?"
"Mother, actually." Sam replies. "She kept it a secret for 15 years until Graham announced he was heading to the US on a music tour. She knows all about how the hell-gates have opened, and she taught him the basics to protect himself. Good job too, if you ask me: it looks like the demons have been following him."
"Well why haven't they killed him already?"
"Maybe the Graham knows more about fighting demons than he's letting on."
A cough from behind. Sam and Dean turn to see Jolene, looking desperate. "I've just tried to inform HQ, but the lines are dead. The kids are crying 'cause the wi-fi's out too."
"So we're trapped out here..." Dean sighs.
"'Fraid so." Jolene says, resigned, and returns to patrolling the aisles.
"For the time being, we need to make sure that everyone's safe." Sam states authoritatively.
"And make sure none of them are possessed." Dean adds. "Get Graham to fill a flask of holy water and pass it around."
"What, so now he's our 'apprentice'?" Sam remarks.
"I prefer the term 'student'." Dean corrects him. "You can play teacher. Go and show him the ropes."
Sam scowls as Dean pats him on the shoulder and points him towards Graham and his friends. Sam finds them sitting by the window, playing cards. All three of them glance up with tired eyes and bored faces.
"Graham? Could I borrow you for a second? I need you to do a favour for me."
"Make sure he wears condoms Graham." May mutters almost inaudibly. Sam grits his teeth and leads Graham away from the table.