Some people need to play with matches

from:		PC
to:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Mon, Apr 6, 2015 at 2:07 PM
subject:		Quiet Zone fun

Hi CJ

Last Thursday, the "fake" Friday leading into the long weekend, I was on the 4:53 Lakeshore East and sitting in the Quiet Zone. I don't care if people talk while we are still at Union but once we roll away, it's time to ssshhhhhhhhh!

I was sitting behind the quad nearest to the stairs. The one right under the HUGE Quiet Zone sign. There were four people in that quad and all four were talking so loudly that someone from the bi-level section actually came up the stairs and shushed them!

I couldn't work up the nerve myself and all around me, people kept turning and staring at these losers who just didn't get the hint.

After the man from the lower level asked them to keep it down, it got really ugly as these four people decided to be more obnoxious and started laughing louder with all kinds of grandstanding.

It was incredibly pathetic and rage-inducing.

So I asked myself, what would CJ do? 

I didn't have a chainsaw handy, and I can't throw a punch because I'm broke. So I decided to stand up and move into the little space that enters into their quad and I just stood there, staring out the window. They shut up for a bit while they tried to figure out what I was doing. What I was doing was interfering with their comfort of riding the train by invading their space because their loud, obnoxious behaviour was interfering with my comfort and enjoyment. I didn't budge. I didn't make eye contact. I just held onto the pole and stood there. My knees were almost touching the knees of the guy who was the biggest jerk of the four. Finally, after what felt like hours, but was really only a few minutes, the jerk asks me if I wouldn't mind going back to my seat. I ignored him. His friends laughed awkwardly. 

I was working up the nerve to actually sit on his lap when this woman got up and she stood right next to me and asked me how I was. We began to have a quiet conversation about the quiet zone and how it works, and how people are total assholes. I am really grateful to that woman. She enhanced my superpowers tenfold. 

The loudest asshole to ever ride a train got up and excused himself and went downstairs. His friend eventually followed him. I wouldn't move for either of them, so they had to force their way around me. I wanted to kick both of them in the arse as they went down the stairs. Then the lady and I sat down in the two seats that were now vacant. The other two noisy jerks ignored us, but at least they were quiet. I put my music back on and the lady stared out the window. 

I was really proud of the two of us. My new best friend left at Ajax and wished me a Happy Easter. I then left the quad to return to where I was sitting originally. And then I threw up... nah, I'm just kidding but I really did feel like it. 

Did I do good?!!!