There was a loud argument on my train home tonight. A man sitting on the far end of the car was yelling at someone to “stop fucking looking at” him and to “shut the fuck up.” Occasionally, he would stand up and start yelling “Are you fucking talking to me???” Then he would sit again and eventually repeat this again. It was rather frightening, but more so for the fact that he was talking to no one.
Yes, the whole argument was happening with an imaginary foe. When he stood up, he threatened the air. And yes, there were people around him who seemed remarkably calm to the fact that there was someone who was clearly mentally disturbed and making threats right next to them. Often it seemed that his actions were spurred by someone in the train moving, though I don’t think that was the case.
All I can say is that I’m really glad he did not get off at my stop!
