something very strange happened today.
a down-town lo-cal one. train to -- south ferry -- [was] approaching the station.
this downtown local one train stops at
110
103
89
82
79
72
until
66th St -- Columbus Circle
where i needed to get off.
but today
i was staring at the window, and saw 66th st come into view -- yellow and green tile, all the people on the platform
it is kind of a miracle how the people emerge from darkness and disappear, like a slide projector.
until i realized i had watched them disappear
they had come and gone and i had not gotten off
the train just kept going.
a few people looked at each other confused, each asking themselves, "did i just miss my stop?" and answering, i guess i'll get off at 59th and walk.
but 59th never came.
that is, we approached the 59th st station, slowed down, made eye contact with the various commuters, and the train kept going.
now people had realized what was happening. this train was skipping stops.
the next one we all thought. obviously it will stop at the next one.
the tunnel was dark until it wasn't -- that's simply how the nature of this type of waiting goes (very peculiar indeed) and I had no book with me, so i closed my eyes, and matched the darkness.
but the next time the train stopped, and i opened my eyes, we were at
42nd st -- Times Square.
i could see the next uptown local one train to van cortland park -- 242nd st approaching the station, but of course, i couldn't get on. there was only exposed cable and black ashen innards of the subway, spelling death, i would have to use the concrete above walkway to cross.
going up just to descend again. a man is playing the cello in the path which would make this crossing easiest, and so i immediately find the music stupid where it otherwise would be romantic.
the next uptown local one train to vancortland park 242nd st approached quickly. someone on it, who was in a similar situation, to no one in particular
it became an express train.
It became an express train. perhaps this downtown local one train to south ferry would likewise decide to become a submarine once it reached the water! The suddenly pathetic, mindless, un-sentient parallel train we were on now stopped at
50
59
66st -- colombes crible.
i exited at dusk. i like this part of town. they have lincoln center lit up for a film festival, where people pass through the darkness on little slides, in and out of dark tunnels you descend just to ascend from. i went to a nice dinner at a restaurant someone else picked and which i couldn't afford. i walked around for the sake of walking, following the subway line until i got tired of moving myself and rode the rest of the way. i felt the need to be around other people, so i went to a library, and then sat outside on a bench to read. i felt the sense i should do something i like right now. that i should hear other people talking and laughing (someone always is on the lawn, right around 10pm). i ran into some friends and now we are studying together. i am unsure whether i am still alone.