DAY TWO
The sun was almost peeking over the horizon when Mario and Peach were both startled awake by the conductor's voice over the P.A. system. "Everyone, please come to the dining car."
"Hmmm..." Mario yawned, his eyes feeling heavy and droopy. "I guess it's time for interrogation."
"Oh, dear," Peach said quietly, putting her hand up to her mouth. "I was afraid this would happen."
"Now, now," Mario said, reassuringly. "I'm sure you didn't do it--they couldn't possibly find you guilty!"
"Okay, thanks Mario. You make me feel much better," Peach said, and hugged Mario. They both got dressed. Peach put on her make-up, then they both left the room.
Everyone sat at the tables in the dining car while the conductor paced around the room. Peach and Mario sat together at their own table.
"The engineer is badly hurt. He is resting in the engine room." The conductor stood at the window, clasped his hands together behind his back, and stared out the window at the sunrise.
Everybody sat watching him.
"I feel it is my responsibility to find the truth, and discover who shot the engineer. So that is why we are all gathered here, to solve this mystery."
Mario was sleepy. He wanted to go back to sleep.
"YOU!" the conductor turned and pointed at the fat Toad. "You did it, didn't you?"
"N-no!" the fat Toad replied, panicking.
"You're the one who stole Chef Shimi's favorite pot! You probably shot the engineer too, right?"
"I didn't shoot him!" The fat Toad was looking nervous, but he always looked that way anyway.
"Oh? What's that in your pocket, then?" the conductor said accusingly, pointing at the fat Toad's pocket.
"It's my lucky fork," the fat Toad said, slowly pulling the fork out of his pocket. "It's the only fork I'll eat with."
"Hmmm..." the conductor said. "How... suspicious."
"No no!" Pennington said to the conductor, jumping out of his chair. "You're doing it all wrong!" He walked to the Koopa Troopa. "YOU! Shellback!" He pointed accusingly, for effect.
"Yeah?" replied the Koopa Troopa, resting his head on his hand.
"Where were you yesterday evening?"
"Um, I was here on the Excess Express," the Koopa said sharply. He was obviously trying to give the conductor a hard time. This was all a huge waste of his time--he still wanted to be asleep.
"Where in the train were you?"
"I was here in the dining car, eating dinner."
"Ahh..." Pennington said, staring into the young Koopa's eyes. "So, if you were in fact eating the dinner, then you would know exactly what was served?"
"Yes," said the Koopa, still sharply. "It was mushroom pie."
"Is this true?" Pennington asked Chef Shimi.
"Yes," Chef Shimi said, rolling his eyes. "You would know, Pennington. You asked for seconds last night. Then you dressed up in a costume to get even more."
"Well, yes. That was good pie. I didn't want to look like a pig, ordering a third serving."
"I have a keen eye. I saw right through that costume," said Chef Shimi. Pennington began to blush.
Mario was getting tired of watching all this. Nobody was getting anywhere. He dozed off, resting his head on the table.