The scene opens in a dimly lit train carriage. Two strangers, James, a weary businessman in his late thirties, and Marie, a woman in her late twenties with an air of enigmatic confidence, are seated across from each other. James is fiddling with his phone, while Marie is intently solving a Rubik’s Cube, her fingers moving with astonishing speed and precision.
James (noticing Marie’s skill, speaks with a mix of awe and curiosity): “Wow, that’s quite impressive. Is that something you do often?”
Marie completes the cube and sets it on the table with a soft click. She looks up at James, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and mystery.
Marie (with a calm, almost sinister smile): “I do things I’ve never done before every day.”
There’s a pause as James processes her words, a flicker of intrigue and unease crossing his face.
James (attempting a lighthearted tone): “That’s quite a philosophy to live by. Keeps things interesting, I guess?”
Marie leans back, her smile widening ever so slightly.
Marie: “Oh, absolutely. Life is too short for repetition. Today it’s solving this,” she gestures to the Rubik’s Cube, “tomorrow, who knows? Maybe something more… exhilarating.”
James laughs nervously, unsure how to respond. The train rumbles on, the sound filling the silence between them.
James: “I suppose that does make every day a bit of an adventure.”
Marie nods, her gaze still fixed on James, who now seems visibly unsettled yet intrigued.
Marie: “Exactly. You never know what you’re capable of until you try. Sometimes, it’s the things we’ve never done before that reveal who we really are.”
The train begins to slow, signaling the approach to the next station. Marie stands up, gathering her things.
Marie: “Well, this is my stop. It was… interesting chatting with you, James.”
James, still a bit taken aback, manages a small smile.
James: “Likewise, Marie. Safe travels.”
Marie nods, and with a final enigmatic smile, she exits the train, leaving James alone with his thoughts and the echoing words of their conversation.