1572 Carl's Jungle Experience

First day, first day... First day...

Carl hopped on the bus with a newbie attitude.

Do you know what bus he was on?

These particular buses were only for those working in the Lower region.

He showed his badge and quickly took a seat.

Before today, he and many newbies had already met with people from the Lower region in the academy.

Their pictures were taken, and their badges and rule books were personally given to them in school.

These rules weren't so different from many academy rules.

Don't leak secrets out, don't intentionally harm others, and so on.

As long as one stayed on their best behavior, whether it was the academy or the Lower Region, they would treat them well.

(^_^)

~Vrmmm!

The bus took off, taking everyone to the main station.

Arrived!

Carl's heart drummed loudly as he jumped off, only to see over 100 other buses stopping too.

With the slight dark sky and the many people storming out, Carl suddenly felt he was Harry Potter jumping off the train when arriving at Hogwarts.

The inflow of people was astronomical. No wonder the station was this massive.

[Train Lightning McQueen will depart in 10 minutes.]

[Train Thunderbolt will be departing in 25 minutes.]

[Train Spirited Away, will depart in 40 minutes.]

Many announcers went off as Carl walked into the station, which made him feel like an ant trapped in a massive tower.

Maybe because of the aesthetics, Carl felt he was moving through a fantasy world within a clock.

So cool!

The interior theme was clockwork, which made many feel they were in another world.

But wait. Carl's brain was spinning rapidly.

'Each train has a 15-minute gap... One is leaving 10 minutes from now, another 25 minutes from now, and another 40... So every 15 minutes, does a train leave the station? Or is it because of the high flux of workers during such times?'

Yes.

The trains would only get used from 5~ 9:30 A.M (mornings), 2~4:30 P.M. (afternoons), and 6~8:30 P.m. (those going for evening shifts).

Those were the busiest times and the period when many typically left for the lower region.

Of course, if one wanted to head to the lower region during times not shown on the train schedule, they could always board the buses, which would be available then to take them down.

Statistics have proved that during those times, the trains had small numbers of people boarding in, which was not cost-effective.

But gathering their few and putting them in a bus was better. So buses from the station to the lower region only ran during those times, not showing in the train schedule.

Carl had long passed security, holding a sheet of paper in his hands.

'Though all trains stop in the Lower region, it says there are 3 train stations in the lower region. And the ones heading to the 2nd station are closer to the industry I've been assigned to.'

Very quickly, Carl ran his hands through the trains listed while also looking at the massive digital screen that showed all trains, their time of departure, and if they were delayed or not.

Trains: Dasher, Heartnet, Britannia, Miracle train...

Lightning McQueen!

That's the one separating in... Carl checked his watch. 6 minutes now!

C7!

That's where he was supposed to be!

"Excuse me... Coming through... Excuse me... Thank you!"

Carl felt his muscles bulge and his feet take off like the Flash.

He didn't want to wait for the next bus in 21 minutes,

Run Carl, Run!

Din. Din. Din. Din!

His massive backpack slapped his butt with every swaying leap he took.

Up and down the many moving escalators he went, also utilizing the leveled moving floor along the open paths. Until soon, he reached his final destination, once again feeling lucky to have survived this doomsday experience.

Yup.

He felt he had just beaten hundreds of zombies before heading into the train, taking him away from it all.

He placed his hands on his knees and panted heavily.

No wonder one of his school seniors advised him to come earlier and take the first trains. Along his journey, he found many were also running by themselves, causing a stampede more terrible than one could imagine.

At some point, he swore that the sea of people almost carried him in another direction.

But who was he? Carl felt he was now the sin of luck.

~Shmmmm!

The train doors closed with him inside and some not making the cut.

Sorry. Before every door was a train guard controlling the traffic and the many who entered. Or else won't they all be sardines in here?

~Phew.

Finally, it's over!

Carl took his hanky, wiping his what off, only to see a buddy of his standing next to him.

The duo pointed at each other with gaped mouths '0'.

"You--"

"How come I didn't see you befâ€“?"

"Hahaha!... Buddy, you have a sandwich sticking out your chest pockets."

"You're one to laugh! Just look at your hair? Why is it running away from your head?"

"Well, it looks like there was no point combing it today."

"Pfff~... Me too. I look like a mess."

"Hahahahahaha~"

Laughter, joy, and excitement.

The duo laughed, and many around them also smiled.

Newbies. They were always so entertaining to watch. And anyone could spot them easily. They weren't used to the fast life of those in the lower region.

They too used to be newbies. And you know what, they wouldn't change their current style for anything.

It gave a sense of adventure and excitement for the day ahead.

Carl listened to his friend's hilarious start, trying his best not to laugh so hard.

Sure enough, work-train-life sure was a mysterious thing.

Next stop, the Lower region!

Full speed ahead.

~Drmmmm!!!

Off they went, into the land of Narnia.

(^_^)

Like so, Carl and his friend reached station 2 within the lower region and hopped on their prospective buses.

His friend was working in the oral care and toothpaste industry while he was working in a new industry he hardly knew a thing about.

All he knew was that it was a branch industry from overseer Tim's.