Public Transportation: Better than Television

I recently took the longest subway ride in the history of subway rides. Actually, it was only from Grand Central to Astor Place on the 6, but it felt ike an eternity. At the 28th street stop the doors opened and people began to funnel in and out of the train. The doors, however, did not close again after the typical 3.5 seconds. We were evidently delayed because of train traffic ahead. Gradually, a woman's voice became audible from the middle of the car. She was chastising the man accompanying her for making her feel unappreciated or something of that nature. Then she began to yell.  And she continued to yell. People in the car started to fidget visibly, as one does when one is embarrassed to be listening to something personal but has no other choice. By some cruel coincidence, the doors stayed open for around 5 minutes, which felt like around 5 years. You could read in people's body language that they were considering getting out and walking the 20 blocks to their respective destinations...it had to be better than listening to this. Then the pressure started to get to these unfortunate passengers. The woman next to me began to chant "Jerry! Jerry!" under her breath while intermittently erupting into fits of laughter. I began to visualize the entire train joining in the chant, and I have to admit it, was pretty funny. But the humor faded as I continued to listen reluctantly to the meltdown in the center of the car. Finally, just when I had decided to abandon the train and hoof it, the doors closed. The woman did not let up, but miraculously got off at 14th street. There was a collective sigh of relief. Nobody actually cheered, but the jubilation was understood.

Since that day, I've been a bit apprehensive when boarding the subway. Does this woman look sane? Does that couple look like they have it in for one another? I realized that you really put your mental health at the mercy of other people when you decide to use mass transit. 

On the other hand, everyone gets off eventually.