Tales

The textbook shun

Kentish Town, southbound platform. Sitting on a bench waiting for the train, there's a weirdo a few seats away. A bit trampy.

I'm buzzing a little bit from a gig that I've just been taking photos at. Almost singing along to the music that's now playing in my ears (We Are Scientists).

Admittedly I'm breaking some rules by displaying emotion, but it just came out. I mouthed some lyrics. Couldn't be helped.

Anyway, weirdo takes this as an opportunity to talk to me - but I've not lost my senses sufficiently to break that rule. I'm looking past him, searching out the next train. Zero eye contact is the key. I've definitely heard him initiate conversation and he's definitely looking straight at me. I stand fast behind the sword of my stare and the shield of my earphones.

The train arrives and I've easily sold the idea that I'm just another faceless automaton of the Tube. Which is exactly the look I was going for.

I imagine there is a blog somewhere that describes the brilliant conversations the author has with weirdos on the Tube.

In fact I remember one where a guy made a point of speaking to someone on every single tube journey he made... can't remember the name of it though. Anyone?