A man walks into a room …

…. where about a dozen or so people are seated, men and women, they are waiting for him and all have identity tags pinned to their clothing.

Sitting up the back and scoffing out of a large bowl of cơm chiên is the affable John Sanders, patron of the illiterate, next to him the bookish Clive is flicking through the morning’s broadsheet and next to him slouches a mysteriously shadowy figure, probably a lurker. Side by side on a two seater-couch are Jo and a flushed Nick Pelling, they are looking into each others’ eyes and holding hands. Perched uncomfortably on a wooden chair by the wall is a man wearing a stetson, he’s got to be The  Lonerangeraus and next to him no-one is trying to fruitfully engage Issac Nick Gurh in a meaningful conversation despite not knowing what language Isaac uses. One man is making a disgusting noise as he sucks down a can of vodka and lemonade: Guzz(le) rating.  The Sly Dog is whispering in thedude  747’s ear, we suspect they are organising a drug deal and the very attractive Shabby Cochran is pretending not to listen. David Morgan‘s seat is empty as is Stevie H‘s, perhaps they might still make it. Gordon Cramer has the most comfortable seat in the room and appears to be sleeping but we know he’s eyeing off Pat on the sly. Pete Davo meanwhile is engrossed in a text conversation with someone called Lolita’s Lolly. We worry about that. Poppins is giggling at something on her phone, we hope it isn’t unseemly but we can hear groaning. There was also a rumour that a highly distinguished Professor specialising in Ear Physiology might attend but he may not have heard the call. Pity that.

The man sets up a large blackboard where all can see it and he commences to write using a new stick of white chalk.

“A senior policeman sits at his desk looking at a train ticket purchased the previous day at the city’s main rail station which sits only a couple of blocks away from his office. This ticket was found in an unidentified dead man’s pocket. The policeman wonders if the ticket may be of any help in finding out who the man is and where he came from. He wonders if whoever sold him the ticket might remember something. Perhaps he might wander over to the station and ask.

But he decides not to bother.”

The man then puts the chalk into his pocket and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.