Anna was having a wonderful time! She took Daddy's hand and with mother in tow walked the narrow hallways from car to car. At last the Dinning car loomed ahead. Anna peered in through the door's window to see many people seated at tables and several busy waiters dancing about as the train rocked and rolled along.
As the three entered the car the tall thin head waiter approached and explained. "Sorry but we don't have any table available for the three of you together! I can place you and the misses at one table and the little girl with that lone lady in the corner table, if you wish?"
Anna's dad looked at her as he said, "Be a big girl and set with that lady there and mom and I will set across the isle here."
Anna felt a little scared but she was able to see mom and dad while setting like a big girl with the nice looking lady, "OK Pop!" she said.
Mom and Dad sat down introducing themselves to the other two people sitting at the table. Anna plopped down across from the lady only to recieve a scowl and a few grumbled mumbled words of disgust.
Try as she might Anna could not get a full sentance from the lady. The train rolled onward and with the crossing of a long bridge over a wide river she began to prattle.
"SHUT UP, DAMN IT GIRL!" hollard the Lady at Anna. "I didn't ask for your sorry little self to be seated at my table!" grumbled the lady.
Anna spun around as her Father stepped over asking the lady to be more cival. It was then the dinning car heard an explosion. The lady stood up tossing her napkin into Anna's face. A quick toss of her hot tea hit Anna's father as the head waiter raced to fend the two apart.
"Out of my way, how dare you talk to a lady of my promince like that! I did not ask for that bitch of a child at my table, remove her or I'll.....!" hollarded the lady?
Now Anna being only tweleve was normally quite forgiving about people, but Circe was not so forgiving, just giving.
The lady stapped to the door ordering the head waiter to serve her meals to stateroom 7-b car 4231. As she walked out the car's door and stood taking a breath of air in the vestabule, Anna stepped past the door.
"I'm sorry you don't like little girls!' said Anna to the lady.
The lady spun around on her heel and with an open hand slapped Anna's face. "You stupid little bitch I never want to meet with you again!" said the Lady as Anna began to cry.
Anna's father seeing the slap started to get up and head for the vestabule door when Anna pressed against the door blocking Daddy's help.
"Your one tough cookie there Old Lady!" said Anna but Circe was directing the situation now.
"What did you say?" replied the lady now stunned.
"I hate men, but in your case I could begin to dislike Old Ladies like you, oh and you called us a bitch! Bitch, yes I think an Airdale bitch is just the style of life for you, now get!" spoke Circe as Anna shook her head as if in agreement.
Daddy slowly pushed the door open as due to the train's wheel noise he heard not a word of what was being said. "What did she say to you daughter?' asked Daddy as he knelt down to look at Anna's red cheek.
"I told her she was not nice and that's when she slapped me Daddy. I told her I forgave an old Airdale like her for being stuck up, then she left." told Anna as down deep Circe chucled to herself.
Meanwhile back in stateroom 7-b car 4231 an old grumpy lady sat growling to herself and feeling the onslaught of nervous hives beginning to itch.
The train rolled on as Anna and her parents enjoyed their lunch and went from there to the dome car for real first class sightseeing.
State room 7-b had a upset lady about to scream of terror as she looked into a wall mirror. Her reflection was fast changing from a stately old lady to the reddish faun colored curly haired square skulled Airdale dog.
Twisting and wrenching pains roccked her head as human changed to canine in ears, nose, mouth, eyes, and head. Her stately neck was lengthening as more hairs sprouted.
Suddenly her dress slinked and then fell to a heap on the floor as human bones became doggy frame. A whimped cry eeked out her black lips past sharp canine teeth as a tongue lolled out the side of her mouth.
Fingers rounded into paws with pads and toenails like anyother Airdale dog. She looked down as her body narrowed and with a jerking pain saw a tail grow out in seconds.
Standing down to a natural all fours stance she jumped from floor to couch and chair then to floor. Nervous she knew what had happened but wanted to seek out Anna, the only person she thought worthy of her trust.
A dog yelping and barking soon brought Porter and Conductor to state room 7-b.