It’s over 37 degrees and muggy. Cicadas are screaming in the trees outside. A family, mum and 5 kids, stagger into the waiting room, red-faced and sweating, and collapse on the seats. At first they take the news that their train has just left with equanimity
Unfortunately Shouty Man has got off the train they just missed. Shouty Man is a heavily built 40 something man who walks around angrily shouting f*** off you ugly C*** and other such abuse at no one in particular. He’s a regular. He seems to be harmless. But he’s scary enough that I’ve had tradesmen get ready to protect me from him. As he strides through the waiting room furiously swearing and telling people to F*** off it’s hard not to take it personally. He makes it worse by slamming his fist on the telephone kiosk as he goes out the door.
“I’m never coming by public transport again,” breathes the mother.
Can’t say I blame her.
Public transport is one place where the fortunate come into contact with the less fortunate.