Last Train Home
© William D'Ark 2022
Set in D.C. during the 1980s. Fictionalized around an out-of-the-blue experience.
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It is shit working in that office. Always on the wrong side of the boss, never hearing 'thanks, great job' when all the paperwork has gotten signed, sealed, delivered to meet whatever today's deadline demanded. Doesn't seem matter if it's on time, there are only two outcomes. Surly older guys like me trying to make it to retirement. Or young fucks competing for that next promotion. Fuck them. They are younger than they should be to have such responsibility, green at the gills, thinking they have the right to out-talk, out-do, and own somebody else's ass whenever the boss is looking on.
The Metro is slow this time of night. Twenty minute commute will become an hour. Fuck that and fuck this shitty claustrophobic train station. It's damp, humid in the tunnels from today's all-day rain. Scent of sweat and engine oil on the air. This time of night the Metro feels gritty and seems to draw in the dregs. Especially when it's raining. But it's past 10 now and as the old train squeals to a halt I see there are only two cars to choose from. The first has two couples seated towards the back and a girl standing, holding onto the pole. The other has a bunch of guys shouting at each other though they stand or sit just two feet apart. Easy choice. The first car, sit down, relax if you can.
I put my briefcase on the floor next to my seat and lose myself in the front page of
The Sun
. My journey is ten stops long. A half hour wasted. I'll make it a slow read.
I like this tabloid. It's British but the stories can be fun. Something to do with Brit humor and choice of language. There is always a twist from other tabs the street vendors sell. Today's title reads 'Telly Cougar's Confession.' 'I slept with 1000 men...but I used to be one myself!'
Oh my god, I think to myself. Hope they used condoms. Why can't they keep it simple? Traditional? Like the old days. Pretty girls full of themselves. Handsome guys ready to give them the world, ready to own their lovely round asses pulled into view by too-short dresses. Bend over girl let me have it again. Yeah... with the boss looking on this time. Those young fuckers looking on. The boss grinning. If she belonged to me that would show them something new to think about. Something to chew over. He's not a loser... he's got that pretty girl doesn't he... he must be fucking her good if she's stayed with him this long. Oh and she wants us to watch... wants us to be next. There she goes again sorting thru that bottom file drawer. C 'mere baby give us a kiss. It's okay innit..?
Hmm, Brit humor...
Train jolts to a stop.
Line of thought lost. Take another breath. Smile into empty air remembering
The Sun
's word play. Eyes wander to the route map. Six more stops. I'm ready to toss the paper aside for the next poor bastard who's got nowhere to go, no one to hold, no one to show off and be proud of.
Like I used to do before Sandra went away.
Paper open in my hands, I move to fold it and set it on the empty seat beside me.
'Wait,' a soft voice says.