South to the Sea

Otto came to the window. “Hello. One ticket to the coast, please.”

“North coast or south coast?” the woman asked.

“South. I want to see the sea.”

“Single or return?”

“Return, please. How much is it?”

“That’s twelve pounds.”

Otto gave the woman the money. “Which platform?”

“Platform two. The south train. The north train is platform one — don’t take that one.”

“South, platform two,” Otto said. “Thank you!”

“Have a good trip,” the woman said.