The homeless man on the F train going from Brooklyn to Queens was wearing a hat that had the train name on it. (F) from Brooklyn to Queens. Official MTA embroidery. He announced his line, he was homeless and hungry, asked for anything, money or food. I happened to have a banana in my pocket. He took it and thanked me by saying that this would cover his potassium for the day. He also wished me to get home safely. I replied with a reflex of a "you too..." and noticed after a split second that I was sitting in his home, maybe. He was in control of the situation. He was the man, on the train, his train. We were his, he was not ours.
The lady next to me gave him a dollar bill.
I wonder if this was the same guy who was on the F train this morning on my way to work. He announced every stop and the connections (and threw in a "stand clear of the closing doors", too) at each station. He was much better and easier to understand than the real conductor. The train was crowded, though. I couldn't see him.
Posted by: Anna on January 30, 2003 05:06 PMHehe, maybe.
I remember riding in the last car of the 2 train late at night, when the breakdance kids entered. You probably know tem. They are 3 boys who are about 10 and ten one about 16 year old? They do these stunts which involve saltos and back flips right in the middle of the subway car. A 20 second show, but packed with wild jumps and screams and crazy coordination.
I was in the car alone with them, they obviously did not care about me, as they started to count their money. Bills only, large amounts of green bills. Hundreds.
They did not perform for me. They just went straight back through the door between the cars. It was showtime again.
awwwwwww... :-)
Posted by: - s - on January 30, 2003 09:42 PMi saw the f train guy last night. i had 2 candy bars in my bag but i didn't want to give him junk food so i gave him the 75 cents in my pocket. i also replied "you too" to his "get home safely" and then got sad when i realized he had just announced that he was homeless.
Posted by: matt on February 6, 2003 02:58 PM