As Spotted on the Subway #127
Out of the many subways that cross the East River, only 7 lines (out of 23..26 if you count the Shuttles) make that cross above ground on a mere 2 bridges. The J-M-Z cross on the Williamsburg Bridge, while the B-D-N-Q cross the Manhattan Bridge.
My latest theatre job is rehearsing in downtown Brooklyn and I had to head down there this morning for a meeting…my first time in the Park Slope area since in over a year! The Q train took me right across the Manhattan Bridge, giving a striking view of Lower Manhattan and even a peek at the Statue of Liberty. This great view all for a mere Subway fare. It certainly gives you a new appreciation for what a special place this is. Of course, if it was my daily commute, I’m sure the grandeur would wear off!
Once we were in Brooklyn, a guy got on at the first stop, seemingly to ask for money, which is not at all an unusual sight. But he didn’t want money. Instead he carried a small bible and started pacing up and down the car preaching loudly about salvation and God and whatnot. Thank goodness for my headphones, but I can’t honestly say I’ve ever seen anyone preaching on the train before! The stations and street, yes, but train, no!
Later, I was meandering 5th Ave and all the sales everyone was having now that Christmas is over and I happened to wander into Brooks Brothers (don’t worry, I can’t afford their sale prices either). The second floor is home to all their suits and back in the corner, near the tuxes (and away from everyone else), a couple of sales associates were busy attending to a customer who looked remarkably like Rupert Murdoch! I just can’t imagine that someone as rich as him would actually shop for his own clothes, but who knows?