Very nice. I employ a similar technique when engaging sketchy folk. I look the person in the eye and say "Dude, serious question, I gotta know. What's your favorite dinosaur?" It doesn't really scare anybody, but it reworks the interaction.
Nice build up of tension before the deliciously unleashed dialogue of a 'madman'. The details lure you in, knowledge of the metro, the late hour, the threat. Love it
Funny thing is that this might actually work. It might also get you stabbed, but if you think you’re going to get stabbed anyway then you may as well try to save yourself.
Our subways are so boring, quiet and orderly, so I cannot imagine being so on guard while boarding one. In light of what happened to that poor man who was choked to death in the subway, your story really hit home.
So damn timely with at least one mentally off, now deceased person, in the news. Can't tell you how many times I felt vulnerable on the subway. Talking to yourself works and messing with your hair. Thanks for a great story.
Thanks, Sharon. I'm glad you liked Crazy Man in the Subway. Even the meanest and scariest in society shy away from those they think are out of their minds.
I'm glad, I was tucked in bed all nice and cozy dreaming of baking bread all night and watching the dough rise higher and higher till I wondered how am I going to get this in the oven! Good read Bill.
Very nice. I employ a similar technique when engaging sketchy folk. I look the person in the eye and say "Dude, serious question, I gotta know. What's your favorite dinosaur?" It doesn't really scare anybody, but it reworks the interaction.
Thanks, Kent. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
Confusing and confounding an enemy seems like a good strategy.
Nice build up of tension before the deliciously unleashed dialogue of a 'madman'. The details lure you in, knowledge of the metro, the late hour, the threat. Love it
Thanks. I had fun writing Crazy Man in the Subway and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
The joy of words ... and ideas that become words!
Thanks. They do!
Funny thing is that this might actually work. It might also get you stabbed, but if you think you’re going to get stabbed anyway then you may as well try to save yourself.
It's a roll of the dice, but better to do something than just stand there and lose.
Our subways are so boring, quiet and orderly, so I cannot imagine being so on guard while boarding one. In light of what happened to that poor man who was choked to death in the subway, your story really hit home.
Same here: Bad things rarely happen on Tokyo's trains.
Jordan Neely being choked to death on New York's subway shook my bones.
Another great little story.
Thank you, Dan. I'm happy you enjoyed Crazy Man in the Subway.
Man, you write some darn good short stories!
Thank you, Donna. I'm very happy to hear that.
Cool story, Bill. Nice twist. Felt cyberpunkish with a mix of 12 monkeys. In a good way.👍
Thanks, Alexander. I loved 12 Monkeys!
Terry Gilliam, yep. Brazil is my favourite of all his work, though.
Brazil is a wild and brilliant movie.
Acting like a lunatic can pays dividends. On another note, I always say that nothing good happens after 10pm. Here's yet another example of it.
I'd never thought about that: Indeed, past 10 p.m. it's best to be in bed with a book.
I always thought it was after midnight. The optimists would say 2am.
It always looks like night in the subway.
In my book it’s gotten earlier as the world’s gotten crazier. But I’m not a night owl anyway. More of a morning person. ☀️☕️🥞
I took a ghost tour of Tokyo, where I live. I don't go out at night anymore. ;-)
So damn timely with at least one mentally off, now deceased person, in the news. Can't tell you how many times I felt vulnerable on the subway. Talking to yourself works and messing with your hair. Thanks for a great story.
Thanks, Sharon. I'm glad you liked Crazy Man in the Subway. Even the meanest and scariest in society shy away from those they think are out of their minds.
Yep, this has worked in the past. As a very small female I learned early on to pretend, a lot. A good bluff is worth a lot.
I'm glad to hear that this worked for you. We live in a world that's sometimes scary and dangerous.
I'm glad, I was tucked in bed all nice and cozy dreaming of baking bread all night and watching the dough rise higher and higher till I wondered how am I going to get this in the oven! Good read Bill.
I'm glad I could help and glad you enjoyed the story. :)