Red or Dead

The Argument III (cont.)

On the train, at their table. Harold stared out of the window. Harold did not recognise the landscape, Harold did not recognise the place. Harold turned away from the window. And Harold took a postcard from out of his jacket pocket. Harold put down the postcard on the table. Harold slid the postcard across the table towards Bill. Harold smiled. And Harold said, You know who that is, Bill?

Aye, said Bill. Of course I do. It’s the Huddersfield Town side that won the Championship three seasons running.

Harold shook his head. And Harold said, No, on the other side. Turn it over, Bill. Do you know who that is?

Bill picked up the postcard. Bill turned over the postcard. And Bill read the words on the back of the postcard:

Up the Town, Nikita Khrushchev

Bill looked up from the words on the back of the postcard. Bill looked across the table at Harold. And Bill nodded. Bill smiled. And Bill heard the whistle of the train. Bill heard the voice of the guard –

All change here! All change, please!