#26

They are putting up a new building right next to where the train I take to work exits the elevated station. At first, unaccustomed to there being anything there, I find myself frightened that we are about to hit the foreign structure when it suddenly appears. But we never do.

Now though, I am prepared to see it. I make sure I stand on the right side of the train car so I can watch the faces of the workers as we pass. They are easy to spot in their neon vests and helmets, perched like tropical birds in trees.

I’m surprised to see them all looking as we pass by. Do they look at every train? Are they even building anything, or just seeing how many passengers they can lock eyes with? Or is it just me they wait to see? I imagine the foreman blowing a whistle and yelling “Here comes the 9:25 northbound F train! First to spot the nosy bug-eyed lady gets a free lunch!”