In spite of the obvious dangers of taking a walk on train tracks, can you believe that there are very few (if any) signs in the NYC subway system that actually tell you not to do that?
It was a Friday night, and I was playing at 42nd Street Times Square Station on the Red Line. I had a foot long transparent vase I used as my tip jar. Though I was pouring my heart out on the guitar, I was falling way below my average when it actually came to tips--maybe because the vase was so transparent that it was invisible.
Then I was approached by a dazed looking teenager. He used gestures to ask me if I he can play my guitar (he wasn't really speaking). I figured I wasn't making money anyway, so letting him have a few strums wouldn't hurt. After about 4 seconds of that, he thanked me with a smile, and walked off.
Before I knew it, I heard gasps from the audience as they were all watching this young man (instead of me) walking on the train tracks as if he were taking a stroll in the park. Calm as ever, he was walking straight towards the direction that the train would come from. The air was filled with the sounds of the commuters gasping and pulling out their phones to record it.
For what seems like the most suspensful forty seconds of my entire subway performing career, he strolled further and further until a brave sould jumped in behind him to try and save his life.
A girl's voice from the crowd screamed, "Oh my God...look at the other one!"
With absolutely no resistance or struggle, the good Samaritan gently guided this train track pedestrian on to the platform's edge which they both climbed together. After a brief sigh of relief, much of the audience was glad he made it to safety. They let comic relief set in and allowed themselves to laugh at the situation and at how scare they were.
Who knows what would have happend if no one pulled him to safety? Him being run over by the train was everyone's worst fear, but it'd be just as shocking (pardon the pun) if he accidently touched the high voltage power rail by accident.
Meanwhile, a hero's name goes unsung. The person who saved the guy did his deed with only the recognition in himself that his own good will and bravery preserved the life of another.
As for our rail diver, I don't think a sign saying "Do not walk on the train tracks" would have even bothered him. From the moment I saw him, it was obvious he was high as a kite on SOMETHING.
Question of the day: What would you have done if you witnessed someone walking on the train tracks of the subway? What if they fell?
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I'm Guitaro 5000 and I'm a subway performer. Everyday at work is a new adventure. TO be updated on the next story, click on the "Follow" button --------------------->
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