Nona Gaye: Hero Girl

The Polar Express

Hero Girl

The Conductor: There would be no Christmas without the Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?
[He sees the Hero Boy]
The Conductor: You! I should have known. Young man, are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the North Pole?
Hero Girl: But, look!
[the Conductor sees that all of Caribous]
The Conductor: Caribou Crossing?
Smokey: I make this herd to be at least a 100,000, maybe even a million. It's going to be hours before they clear this track!
Steamer: A tough nut to crack!
The Conductor: We are in some serious jelly!
Smokey: And a jam!
Steamer: Tight spot!
Smokey: Up a creek!
Steamer: Up a tree!
Smokey: Lost In the grass!
Steamer: I'll tell you what's grass: our a...
[the Boy pulling his beard, screaming and Caribou whines]

[after he pulling the emergency brake, Lonely Boy gets on the train, Hero Girl shook her head to him and Mr. Conductor opens the door]
The Conductor: Who in the blazes applied that emergency brake?
Know-It-All: [gets up, points to the Hero Boy] He did!
The Conductor: You!
[He comes to the Hero Boy]
The Conductor: In case you didn't know, that cord is for emergency purposes only!
[He comes to the window, train whistle blows and closes the window]
The Conductor: And in case you weren't aware, tonight is Christmas Eve and in case you hadn't noticed: This train is on a very tight schedule! Now, young man, Christmas may not be important to some people. But, it is very important to the rest of US!
The Boy: But, but...
Hero Girl: He was just trying to stop the train, so that kid could get on!
[Conductor sees that Lonely Boy sitting alone in the next car]
The Conductor: I see.
[to Hero Boy]
The Conductor: Young man, is that what happened?
[He nods]
The Conductor: Well... Let me remind you: we are on a very tight schedule.
[he checks his watch]
The Conductor: And I've never been late before and I am certainly not going to be late tonight! Now, everybody, take your seats! Please!
[Everyone sits down]
The Conductor: Thank you.

Hero Girl: [seeing the word that the conductor has punched in her ticket] It says "lead", like a lead balloon.
The Conductor: I believe that also spells "lead", as in "leader," "leadership. " "Lead the way."
[salutes the child solemnly]
The Conductor: Follow you anywhere, ma'am.

The Boy: You!
Know-It-All: You!
Hero Girl: What are you doing here?
Know-It-All: Same as you. I'm checking out my Christmas presents making sure I got everything on my list. All I found is one present and all it has is just a bunch of stupid underwear!