The Tour Bus

The interior of the tour bus is narrow and dimly lit, fatigue-lined seats running along either side with overhead compartments stowed shut. The scent of stale coffee and synthetic upholstery clings to the air, mixed with the metallic tang of the folding table bolted to the center aisle. Ace kneels between the front and rear axles, fingers probing the base of the passenger bench until they catch on a loose panel. When she pries it free, the compartment’s brass latch glints dully under the flickering fluorescent strip above. Outside the sound of diesel engines and passing traffic pulses through the thin walls, muffled by blacked-out curtains that block the road’s blurred lights.