UNDER THE PLATFORM

 

      A CPA by the name of J.B. Sutton writes a brief account of a day in which the natural order of things appears to break down.  He leaves work only to discover that the train schedule he carries around with him almost religiously means nothing. Life becomes unforgivably messy.

      And when he enters the train station, so begins a Kafkaesque nightmare. For hours, he struggles, in vain, to catch a train home; but try as he might, he can't find a train.  He doesn't know where to go, nor does he know who to trust. He's alone and he can't leave until he's forced to leave on account of making such a nuisance of himself.

 

            CORA

 

      Marcus Marsh is a drifter who forms few attachments. But when he arrives in Southside, he meets an attractive and wealthy widow by the name of Ada Donovan. he charms her and wheedles his way into her life and her home.  Life is bliss until Ada's neurotic sister, Cora, pays Ada a visit. Cora has run from home where she'd been caring for a very demanding mother.

      Marcus endeavors to seduce Cora; he's fascinated by her because he doesn't quite understand her.  She shies away from him and yet she challenges him by claiming to understand him better than he does.  He ultimately makes his conquest, but Cora soon develops an attachment to him which exceeds his expectations. He's afraid of where these feelings might lead. 

      Marcus and Cora having been having an affair under Ada's roof, and Cora wants to come clean. Marcus, however, enjoys his life at Ada's home; and he's reluctant to give that up to run off with an unpredictable young woman like Cora.  She declares her love for him; but he insists that he has no feelings for her. He cares for her, but refuses to admit that either to her or to himself.

      Cora attempts to kill herself; but Ada prevents her. Presumably, Cora confesses the truth to Ada and Ada orders Marcus to leave. Marcus has become too satisfied with his aimless life to protest or to run to Cora's side. He leaves the two sisters and vows never again to feel an attachment to any place or person.