INT. ORIENT EXPRESS DINING CAR - DAY

POIROT elegantly enjoys his breakfast, sunlight streaming through the window onto him. BOUC hurries towards Poirot, anxiety written all over his face.

BOUC
Monsieur Poirot, may I disturb you? It's very urgent.

POIROT
(setting down his cutlery, speaking gently)
Of course, my friend. What has happened? You look troubled.

BOUC
We have a murder on the train!

POIROT
(surprised but quickly regaining composure)
A murder? How unfortunate. Who is the victim?

BOUC
A Mr. Ratchett, who was sleeping in the next cabin.

POIROT
(frowning slightly, as if recalling something)
Ratchett... I have a faint impression of that name. He seems to be a very mysterious man.

BOUC
Indeed, he always kept to himself and rarely spoke with anyone. I know almost nothing about him.

---

INT. RATCHETT'S CABIN - DAY

The cabin door is slightly ajar, revealing RATCHETT lying lifeless on the bed, covered with a blanket, but several knife wounds are visible on the exposed parts of his body. POIROT observes the surroundings closely, his brow furrowed.

BOUC stands behind Poirot, his expression grave.

BOUC
When we found him, he was already dead. The killer's method was brutal.

POIROT
(examining Ratchett's wounds)
It appears the killer harbored deep hatred for him.

BOUC
The worst part is, we’re trapped.

POIROT
(turning to Bouc, puzzled)
Trapped?

BOUC
A snowstorm started last night, and the train is stuck. We are like prisoners in an iron box, and the killer might be among us!

POIROT
(calmly)
Do not worry, Bouc. I will investigate this case and find the true culprit.

BOUC
(sighing helplessly)
I hope so, Monsieur Poirot. We’re counting on you.

INT. ORIENT EXPRESS CORRIDOR - DAY

POIROT and BOUC walk side by side down the narrow corridor, Poirot deep in thought.

POIROT
Mr. Ratchett... did he have any enemies?

BOUC
I'm not sure, but he gave me a bad vibe. He always seemed mysterious, as if hiding something.

POIROT
Can you tell me more about him? Any details might help solve this case.

BOUC
I don't know much; he was a wealthy businessman, often traveling on the Orient Express between European countries.

POIROT
(stopping, turning to Bouc)
It seems that to uncover the truth behind this murder, we must first unravel the mystery of Mr. Ratchett.

