Na maioria das versões do Assassinato no Expresso do Oriente , um diretor da empresa de trens (M. Bouc) desiste de sua acomodação de 1ª classe para Hercule Poirot quando ele desembarca na Itália.
A entrada no wikipedia para este filme não cobre explicitamente isso, mas quando combinada com a entrada para o romance, parece claro.
Receiving a telegram from London about an impending case, Poirot must return home, with Bouc offering him a place onboard the fully booked Express.
On the second night of the journey, as he is only travelling to Italy, M. Bouc gives up his first class-compartment to Poirot, who is going to Calais. This gives Poirot the compartment next to Mr. Ratchett.
No romance, um "A.M.Harris" é listado, mas não chega.
Do romance parece que Harris era, de fato, inexistente. MacQueen tenta protestar quando Poirot é designado para o compartimento, mas o maestro é forçado a confirmar ....“No. 7 berth—a second-class. The gentleman has not yet come, and it is four minutes to nine.”
“Who is it?”
“An Englishman,” the conductor consulted his list. “A M. Harris.”
“A name of good omen,” said Poirot. “I read my Dickens. M. Harris he will not arrive.”
“Put Monsieur’s luggage in No. 7,” said M. Bouc. “If this M. Harris arrives we will tell him that he is too late—that berths cannot be retained so long—we will arrange the matter one way or another. What do I care for a M. Harris?”
Poirot noticed the apology in his tone with some amusement. Doubtless the man had been promised a good tip if he could keep the compartment for the sole use of the other traveller. However, even the most munificent of tips lose their effect when a Director of the Company is on board and issues his orders.