Railway
Tracks
Workers had their lunch in a cafeteria made out of concrete. People
sat in groups of four or six in separate compartments. I didn't know
anyone here. I ate alone.
The
food was good and varied. I returned the plate, forks and knives to
a stand and stepped outside.
The
yard contained half-finished railway tracks going up the hill. Men
in dirty overalls toiled among the tracks clearing the ground and
putting the tracks in their place. I walked towards the hill and joined
the labourers.
A
machine moved along the rails. The vehicle was bigger than the old-fashioned
track inspection cycles; it worked in the same way as a railway engine.
There were seats for two, so I jumped in.
The
machine was driven by a middle-aged man, who obviously had years of
experience with the job. The machine was used for fastening the tracks
and making them even. We were moving up towards the hill top. At times
we moved back, then forward, to make sure the tracks were firmly fastened.
At
the other side of the hill there was a precipice and a river below
in the valley. The tracks continued for a few metres after the edge,
and then they stopped. A bridge was being built but this wasn't ready
yet.
I
sat on the passenger's seat. Through the window I saw how we came
close to the edge. The machine moved slowly along the tracks. Our
project manager ran behind us. "Stop!" he shouted.
The
driver slowed down but didn't come to a complete halt. He wanted to
fasten the tracks down to the last centimetre. Just before the edge
he stopped the engine.
"Are you mad!" the manager shouted from the window. "The
machine will fall into the river if it's driven so close to the edge."
"I know my job," the driver assured him.
At
that moment the machine tilted. The manager jumped back, as the timber
beneath us gave in. "Open the door!" the driver shouted.
I
looked for the door handle but couldn't open it, since we fell down
to the water.
The
machine floated for a while and then started sinking. It was impossible
to open the door, so I pulled the window down. The water came rushing
in.
I
couldn't get out. I had to wait until we were completely under water.
I
held my breath and tried to turn towards the window, making an effort
to reach out. This was difficult since the machine was still sinking
and I had to keep my balance while trying to get out.
With
the lack of air my lungs were about to burst. I had to get some air.
If I couldn't withhold my breah, I would drown.
I
made one last effort...
