Subway Story

I should have known better. I should have guessed when I saw the empty car, the man by the door holding the sleeve of his sweater against his nose. The problem became palpable with the first step into the train. But the conductor cautioned against the closing doors, and the train was about to start. I followed a man as he opened the door between the cars, chased out by the stench. I never saw the offending person. In the next car there was spirited debate about the homeless man's future, the charity organizations to which he could avail. In the end, an Urban Express courier shook his head and summed up the situation. "That guy ain't helping himself," he said. "He done gave up." Posted by eku at January 20, 2004 2:46 PM