12/30/00: Subway Ride Number 2,464
I was late leaving my house because I couldn't quite get my act together, and I don't think I'm going to make it on time. I'm pretending not to notice the general smell of the subway car, I'm just looking out through the windows. Euclid Avenue, East New York, Nostram Avenue, I never remember the order of the stops on this route, the A train. If I were going to stay here a long time, I would make up an obscene mnemonic to remember it, but since I'm moving in a week, it's just not worth my time.
I keep trying to read my book, it's Pride and Prejudice again, but it's hard to concentrate on it. I've read it too many times and too recently. It's a shame but I've re-read all my favorite books and I think it might be time to invest in some new ones.
I look up and we're at High Street, which is the last stop in Brooklyn. We're making good time -- I might actually make it. I'm going to see O Brother Where Art Thou with Reneau.
I can't read, I'm thinking about taking over feudal Japan. I blame my sister for buying me that damn game. But at least with my mind on the game, I'm not imagining conversations I shouldn't have, I'm not playing out situations that are very close on the horizon. I'm just moving my armies around on my map.
We're at Broadway/Nassau, which is maybe the first stop in Manhattan. The announcer comes over the intercom to say that this train will be taking the F-train route until West Fourth Street. Which is okay, I guess. Not a soul on the train seems concerned.
I'm pleased to be seeing O Brother Where Art Thou. I'm a Coen brothers fan, even if it was Tom the Schmuck who introduced me to Miller's Crossing. Also, I kind of like that Clooney boy. I liked him when he was Falconer on Sisters. When he first showed up on that show, my sister and I said, in unison: "Love interest!" We like being right about things, even if it's stupid things like that.
Yes, we are indeed making F-train stops. This is really foreign territory. These are streets I've never even heard of.
I decide that when I get back home, I'll put Shogun: Total War back on and I'll build some mines right away so that they can start generating revenue for me and my troops. Can't build a decent army without some free cash. If only that were really true.
At yet another bizarre stop, a man comes on the train carrying a backpack that appears to be moving. He is standing next to where I am sitting. He is saying to the bag, "I bet you don't like that, huh? So you better be good and I'll let you stay out." I am not sure what I hope is in the bag.
The conductor comes on the PA again to say that this train will be returning to a regular A-train route after this next stop, West Fourth. There appears to be some discussion going on about this in the background. There is a long pause while we sit, doors closed, in the station. Then the conductor affirms his previous statement and we're off again.
I can't help but stare at the man and his moving bag. He apparently has forgiven whatever is in it, because he is opening the top drawstring up a little. Instantly the pointy tip of a face, a cat's face, sticks out from the bag. It looks a bit like a Siamese cat, in shape, but the coloring is wrong, it's pure black. And naturally, it looks terrified. The man is petting the cat's nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin, because that is all that is showing.
We pull in to West Fourth. The conductor comes on to tell us that we will not, repeat, not be stopping at Fourteenth Street, due to police activity. That perks me right up and I get up from my seat so I can stand by the door and watch the police activity as we go by.
I'm opposite the man with the cat. I am so tempted to say, "Don't let the cat out of the bag!" that it's driving me to near madness. Even not saying it, I'm laughing at how bad of a joke it is. People are looking at me a little because I'm laughing, but the guy with the cat is more of an interesting spectacle. When I catch people's eyes, they smile, and we are sharing a joke. Did you hear the one about the guy who brought a knapsack with a cat in it on the subway? Yes, I did, and it was very funny.
We pull in to Fourteenth Street, and, despite previous statements to the contrary, the doors open. Not a copper in sight. I'm vaguely disappointed. The conductor comes on the PA and says, "Next stop is 34th Street, Penn Station." There is a long pause, in which the muffled conversation resumes. Then the conductor asks over the PA: "What's the next stop?" Many people on the train shout out suggestions, like members of a game show audience. There is another pause, and then the announcer says, "This train will be making local stops until further notice. Next stop, 23rd Street."
A real A-train pulls in across the platform. It's a real A-train because it's on the express line, and if I go get on it, not only would I be free of this madness, but I might also get there on time. But then I wouldn't be able to ask the man why on earth he was carrying a cat in a knapsack.
But I figure it's more fun not knowing, and I run across the platform and get on the other train.