"...you learn how to inhabit different perspectives. An old man. A young girl." This line reminds me, of something I used to mentor in new police officers when I was their supervisor. "Imagine being in their shoes," I'd tell them. "Imagine what they're thinking, feeling, worrying about. Be it suspects, victims, witnesses." My goal was to inspire empathy. Understanding. Which makes one a better cop, in my view. As for your story, I wonder what would have happened had you immediately handed the purse to a fellow rider, smiled, and proclaimed, "I know what you're thinking, but the purse belongs to my good friend, (and then said her full name). She handed it to me when the door was closing. Check her ID inside the purse, you'll see her name." I don't know if that would have worked or only made matters worse?
Oh Charles, I really like this! Very immediate, very visceral. Maybe following George Saunders, I wondered to myself: how would this piece feel if you stopped before your last divider? You would have just left me alone to contemplate ... It’s making me think about how I’m ending something I’m working on. I really liked this one though.
Awesome story and observation! There's another lesson from your perspective, an action I would have attempted, even in NY. Instantly recognizing the horror, you could have disarmed the crowd with a quick wit. It's a learned behavior, and even rehearsed among friends. I guarantee if done correctly it's even better in this situation because it's on the heels of horror that humor works best.
"...you learn how to inhabit different perspectives. An old man. A young girl." This line reminds me, of something I used to mentor in new police officers when I was their supervisor. "Imagine being in their shoes," I'd tell them. "Imagine what they're thinking, feeling, worrying about. Be it suspects, victims, witnesses." My goal was to inspire empathy. Understanding. Which makes one a better cop, in my view. As for your story, I wonder what would have happened had you immediately handed the purse to a fellow rider, smiled, and proclaimed, "I know what you're thinking, but the purse belongs to my good friend, (and then said her full name). She handed it to me when the door was closing. Check her ID inside the purse, you'll see her name." I don't know if that would have worked or only made matters worse?
Oh, wow, this is so visceral. I'm time-travel worried about the you on that train.
If you wrote a novel, I would devour it in an instant and purchase copies for everyone from loved ones to acquaintances.
That story is hilarious. Thank you for a good laugh in the morning.
Oh Charles, I really like this! Very immediate, very visceral. Maybe following George Saunders, I wondered to myself: how would this piece feel if you stopped before your last divider? You would have just left me alone to contemplate ... It’s making me think about how I’m ending something I’m working on. I really liked this one though.
Awesome story and observation! There's another lesson from your perspective, an action I would have attempted, even in NY. Instantly recognizing the horror, you could have disarmed the crowd with a quick wit. It's a learned behavior, and even rehearsed among friends. I guarantee if done correctly it's even better in this situation because it's on the heels of horror that humor works best.
Wonderful hook, hilarious story.