Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Can you say "microcosm"?

So, I get off the uptown #5 train and begin walking up the subway stairs. In front of me, a woman is carelessly holding a large umbrella with the pointy end aiming behind her. Any false move on my part could result in a poke in the face. In addition, the woman is walking dead center in the staircase...taking up so much space that passing her would be difficult.

As I mutter under my breath, a young man comes tearing around the corner to run down the steps in the futile attempt of catching a train. He bumps the umbrella lady a bit but continues on without a word. Umbrella Lady ™ turns and sneers at this man...clearly unaware that her own behavior is equally as oblivious and, yes, rude.

I finally reach street level just as a woman lights a cigarette. Her first exhale promptly fills my lungs with tar and nicotine.