Saturday, January 25, 2003

WHATS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY

WHATS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY
(Another mass transit saga)

He got on one stop after me, inbound at night - not a commuter, just a loose youth.  He was tall, thin and pale, expensively tattered and utterly unremarkable.  He moved fast past the faretumbler , flashing a wad of paper at the busdriver.  The driver called him back - “Hey, let me see that again!” The youth was indignant - “whats the problem man come on!” “I need to see your transfer.” He held it out.  “This is old, this is a week old. You gotta pay the fare.” They youth cursed as he fished out a bill and rammed it with ill humor into the slot.  “There, you satisfied?  Gimme a transfer too. “ Handing over the slip of newsprint the driver advised sternly but without rancor, “You should know better.” Stomping his way to his seat the youth rejoined, none too quietly but not to the driver’s face, ‘Yeah, well you shouldn’t give a shit.”

I was wearing my seiral killer trenchcoat, black watchcap, leather boots; my jaw was set and I felt potentially dangerous.  I stared at the youth from my side-facing seat till I got off, three short stops down the line.  I made him uncomfortable.  He stared at his feet, occasionally flashing a glance at me to see that I was still on his case, saying nothing to me, clearly wishing I were not there.  The feeling was mutual.  I’m sick of people who not only don’t give a shit, but resent others who do.  I gave him the scowling of a lifetime.  It was a job well done and he just sat there and took it.  It was the most satisfying accomplishment of my day.