Strange day

Yesterday was an unusually strange day, which like many others starts out with the good old NYC subway system. I walk down the subway stairs, to be greeted by the rush of people leaving the train, hence, missing mine by seconds. As i fumble with my recently broken headphone, I walk to the exact spot i need to stand when i'm ready to bolt off the train and get ready for the wait.

I notice the regular folk standing around, mostly with headphones on, eyes peeled on whatever was entertaining them at that moment. Then someone else arrived. I'm not quite sure of the gender, race, or species for that matter. At first impression, it was like "it's Pat" and that lord of the rings creature. I wasn't sure if it was a mental disability, physical, or both. However, it soon became quite clear.


A couple of minutes later, a train comes and does an obnoxious orchestra of beeps, signaling that it wasn't going to stop. Go figures, i just about expected that, considering my recent bad train karma, but whatever, i'm chillin. Who is NOT chillin is the it's Pat-Gollum lovechild. The next thing i know, i hear a loud screaming/crying in hysterics and look over to see this specimen kicking and screaming like it just found out it's mommy died and someone cut him off at the same time. Just pure pissed, angry and making it very loudly known. It's always funny at times like these when the real new yorkers really shine. You have the people that stare (from across the platform and far away) then you have the immediate audience, myself included that pretend nothing is happening, though it's impossible to ignore. These are people quite close to this being wondering what the hell is going on, but are afraid to look it in the eye. Is this going to be a situation? is he going to jump? there's another train right behind it. chill, dude

Meanwhile, all along the subway platform, people were looking, some alarmed, some confused, some in their own zombie stupor, but mostly just hoping the train would come soon. Finally the train was on the way and i strategically placed myself as to NOT be in the same car as temper tantrum space cadet. As i get on the train, there is an announcement that the train will go express for a couple of stops, which leaves most people in turmoil. This happened to be great news for me because i was going even further, however, I tried to hide my happiness as i heard the many moans and groans from the passengers. It's not like i was responsible, just got lucky, probably because i missed the 2 before it, must be that karma coming back, the universe balancing itself out. I could only imagine the reaction the non chill dude was having in the next car.

EEKK