CREDITS
- Rookie move, buddy. - Whatever.
Battle scars give a man character.
So when are we taking out that null?
Well, it's big
and would put up a serious fight.
And we could lose Hazel if we attack it.
She's too attached.
I mean, when you first got on the train
and that null of yours...
Uh...
Anyway...
brute force can get so boring.
Am I right? We've got time.
Hmm.
We made a new friend.
This is Louis.
He's a good sort, but barking mad.
What a coincidence!
We have a friend named Louis in the Apex.
The Apex is the country where you're from?
The Apex isn't a place,
it's a special secret force of kids.
Yeah, that's right!
In the Apex, we fight for our rights as passengers
because an evil robot named One-One
has taken over the train.
A evil robot?
Yep. See, the True Conductor was a man
who wore big black helmet with a red wave on it.
He has the highest number in the world
and even saved my life once.
So we wear the red wave on our faces to honor him.
He built the train for humans.
But no one knows where the True Conductor is now,
and One-One is trying to get rid of all the humans on the train.
Ever since he took over, kids have been disappearing
when their numbers go down.
I hate One-One!
Where do the children go?
No one knows.
But I have the highest number,
just like the True Conductor did,
so I'm the leader of the Apex.
I make sure everyone's number stays high.
Can I be in it?
Hmm.
Well, Apex kids are all really special
and really brave.
Hmm.
Hmmmmm!
Yeah, maybe someday.
Someday.
# Don't be a worry baby, no need to hurry, baby #
# When you're with me #
# Just take it easy-peasy, my little lemon-squeezy #
# 'Cause you're with me #
Hah! That's cute.
Tuba used to sing it to her kids.
But I added the "easy-peasy" part!
Kids, huh?
So, you're probably gonna need
to head back to 'em at some point?
No.
I...am on my own... now.
Nuh-unh! You're with us!
Of course.
Stop!
Stop right there!
What do you think you're doing?
Simon, get to higher ground.
I'll find its... You aren't even dressed.
I can't present you in such a state.
Where are your escorts?
We don't need escorts.
Where's the exit?
The exit only makes itself seen to those who've entered society.
You must have a debut. Procedures must be followed.
Oh. I'll take you to the Cotillion Room
to learn the waltz.
Follow me, if you will.
What now?
We'll play along, for Hazel's sake.
Former debutantes, all paired off now.
Great. Look at that. Good for them.
Well, here we are!
I'll be back to collect you all later,
so follow the feet, learn the steps, no mistakes,
or you'll be trapped here forever.
Okay. Cheerio!
Hey! You can't leave us in here!
This is what happens when we play by train rules.
Ceiling panels might budge. I'll take lead.
- You go and... - Let's learn the dance!
Hazel! You are so sweet,
but here's the thing about life on the train.
It is smart to try what we know can work.
Mm.
Thank you for the input, but...
If we don't dance, we can't get back to the Apex!
And we have to so I can be in it!
I can be special and brave.
I promise.
Huh?
Okay.
We'll cover our bases.
You go through the vents and look for another way out.
I'll learn the dance.
I don't like this, Grace.
These nulls are a bigger threat than they seemed.
They always are.
Hee!
So...
let's learn this dance.
We follow the feet!
This is a ballroom dance!
Some of the steps are backwards.
We have to be partners.
You're right.
How do you know about this stuff?
I took classes.
Do you have one of those intense dance moms or something?
- Dance moms? - Yeah.
Puts you in contests to win trophies,
makes you wear supertight ponytails,
gives you too much sugar?
I...
don't know.
You... don't know?
What about your dad?
He was...
Ugh! I don't know!
What doesshe know?
Mnh.
Okay. That's okay.
Hey, I had dance lessons, too.
- Yeah? - Yeah! All kinds...
tap, hip-hop, ballet.
Couples do ballroom as a fun bonding activity.
Uh... yeah, I guess so.
I never did ballroom, though.
I didn't go to classes.
I had private instruction.
No other kids?
Yeah. My mom and dad were all about "learning from the best,"
which always just meant I was alone.
One year, my instructor put me in her group class recital,
but my parents couldn't come, and the other girls in the class
didn't know me, so they didn't invite me
to get ice cream afterward.
But, really, they were just jealous
because I was way better than them,
which got so boring, so I quit.
It's okay.
I don't know any other kids, either.
Hmm.
Whoa! Ugh!
Simon!
I looked for a way out of the building.
Grace, there's literally nothing out there.
It's just a black void.
Okay. Let me think.
Well, the dance is our obvious option right now.
But... And if it doesn't get us to the exit,
then we'll make them regret they ever met us.
So be my partner already!
You know, we're not half bad at this.
Must be all the drills we run together.
Sure. What's a little box step
when you've taken the head off a 6-foot vulture together?
It's time, my lovelies!
I present to you as their entrée into society
the Mighty Tuba,
Hazel Last Name Unknown,
Simon Laurent,
and Grace Monroe.
And now the couples will take their first dance together.
Hee-hee!
What a handsome young man.
I must introduce my nephew to her.
It that a gorilla?
I don't know, but she's stunning.
I think that one's a little young.
Shh! Please!
Finally!
Whoo-hoo! We did it!
Youdid it, Hazel!
We would never have learned the dance without you.
You know, Simon...
I think she's ready.
Congratulations. You're Apex now.
I was brave?
Mm-hmm.
Now Tuba!
Oh, man. We totally would,
but the red waves are for kids only.
Are you a kid, Tuba?
No.
I am not a kid.
See? She's not a kid, so we can't.
Being Apex is so fun!
Hey, why don't you teach me that cute song
you were singing earlier?
Okay! The first part is...
# Don't be a worry baby #
Mm-hmm.
# No need to hurry, baby #
# When you're with me #
CREDITS