One ride on the subway tells you a lot about the day ahead.
Some guy decided three seats were his personal footrest. Fair enough. Then another guy walks the length of the train, heavy set with an unsettling look about him. He positioned himself a few feet from me and stared hard. The kind of stare that makes you wonder what’s behind it. When he finally sat down, he didn’t stop. Just kept looking at everyone across from him with that same intensity.
Right after him, another guy boards and does the same thing. I figured they were together. Turns out they weren’t.
I’d also noticed a group near the doors when I first got on. Same energy. Just watching people, and staring if you looked in their direction.
Someone asks me for directions. I point them the right way, but they want to turn it into a conversation. Want to debate something about the route maybe. Another passenger makes a gesture indicating this person’s not quite right in the head. I get the message and step back.
Then there’s the guy with the portable speaker cranking salsa music on the D train. Volume turned up like he’s the only one riding.
I see a couple. The guy’s staring at me with that same hard look I’ve seen all ride. I give a friendly nod. He just keeps staring. Figure maybe it’s just my face.
Mean mugging seemed to be the theme today. A lot of it.
Then at the end of the ride, I see someone with a tiny chihuahua. Finally something that made the whole thing worth it. Not to mention seeing my mom, sister, nephew, and mom’s yummy home cooking!
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