Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Praise White Castle
It was surprising to discover that even on Sunday mornings, Pennsylvania Station was still quite busy.
I sat on the cool tiled floor of the waiting area, leaning against a column, and staring at the bronze stairs leading down to Track 18. Four Port Authority Police officers stood in a huddle drinking coffee having a whole-hearted conversation. People hurried down the long corridor that ran deep underneath 34th Street connecting the 7th Avenue end of the gargantuous terminal to the 8th Avenue end. Even deeper below lay the dozens of railroads that led from here out into Long Island and the rest of the country and continent.
Here a person could purchase a ticket and pretty much go anywhere in the western hemisphere. Some people where just going to work. This is a Queens-bound E train to Jamaica Center. Next stop will be: Times Square. Some where traveling to far off destinations to visit loved ones. Amtrak Train Number 7652 to Chicago now departing Track 41. Some were off to a day of relaxation in the Garden State. The 7:14 NJ Transit train to Trenton is now boarding on Track 9. I was heading home from a long night in the city. The 7:29 train to Long Beach will be arriving on Track 18.
I had just spent my last five dollars on my ticket and I was starving. I checked my pockets and rounded up 70 cents. I looked at down the corridor at the various kiosks and tried to figure out what I could get for 70 cents. A Dunkin' Donuts glimmered in the distance.
I arose and made my way down there only to discover that somehow, donuts sold for $1.15 in Manhattan. Since when?! I knew it hadn't been that long since I last visited a Dunkin' Donuts, and I could recall that donuts had been in the 60 cent range. This was an almost 100% markup! I was bewildered.
I retreated to my column and sat down defeated. I cursed the cigarettes in my pocket. I could have had an extra seven dollars.
Ahead I saw a row of payphones. There had to be at least 100 phones scattered throughout the terminal. I checked about 15. No change to be found. I checked the ticket vending machines. Nothing. I scanned the ground for dropped change. Zilch.
Back to my column again. I still had at least 20 minutes before my train left. I fell asleep aginst the column and dreamt of her.
I was startled by a sudden trembling which was none other that a massive horde of people coming up the bronze stairs. I leapt to my feet and glanced at the large digital clock over the ticket booths. 7:28 AM. I had to hurry; my train would leave in one minute.
Once on the train I stared out the window. A young mexican woman selling imitation light up roses was strolling on the platform. I remembered her, and thought of how ironic it was that the Karaoke Lounge had been named Planet Rose. I knocked out again in the burgundy leather seat of the train and leaned my head against the strong plexiglass.
I awoke minutes before arriving at Lynbrook. I unboarded the train and as it pulled away from the platform, I saw a White Castle across the street. My 70 cents were about to get used.
God Bless White Castle and it's 65-cent burgers.
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I sat on the cool tiled floor of the waiting area, leaning against a column, and staring at the bronze stairs leading down to Track 18. Four Port Authority Police officers stood in a huddle drinking coffee having a whole-hearted conversation. People hurried down the long corridor that ran deep underneath 34th Street connecting the 7th Avenue end of the gargantuous terminal to the 8th Avenue end. Even deeper below lay the dozens of railroads that led from here out into Long Island and the rest of the country and continent.
Here a person could purchase a ticket and pretty much go anywhere in the western hemisphere. Some people where just going to work. This is a Queens-bound E train to Jamaica Center. Next stop will be: Times Square. Some where traveling to far off destinations to visit loved ones. Amtrak Train Number 7652 to Chicago now departing Track 41. Some were off to a day of relaxation in the Garden State. The 7:14 NJ Transit train to Trenton is now boarding on Track 9. I was heading home from a long night in the city. The 7:29 train to Long Beach will be arriving on Track 18.
I had just spent my last five dollars on my ticket and I was starving. I checked my pockets and rounded up 70 cents. I looked at down the corridor at the various kiosks and tried to figure out what I could get for 70 cents. A Dunkin' Donuts glimmered in the distance.
I arose and made my way down there only to discover that somehow, donuts sold for $1.15 in Manhattan. Since when?! I knew it hadn't been that long since I last visited a Dunkin' Donuts, and I could recall that donuts had been in the 60 cent range. This was an almost 100% markup! I was bewildered.
I retreated to my column and sat down defeated. I cursed the cigarettes in my pocket. I could have had an extra seven dollars.
Ahead I saw a row of payphones. There had to be at least 100 phones scattered throughout the terminal. I checked about 15. No change to be found. I checked the ticket vending machines. Nothing. I scanned the ground for dropped change. Zilch.
Back to my column again. I still had at least 20 minutes before my train left. I fell asleep aginst the column and dreamt of her.
I was startled by a sudden trembling which was none other that a massive horde of people coming up the bronze stairs. I leapt to my feet and glanced at the large digital clock over the ticket booths. 7:28 AM. I had to hurry; my train would leave in one minute.
Once on the train I stared out the window. A young mexican woman selling imitation light up roses was strolling on the platform. I remembered her, and thought of how ironic it was that the Karaoke Lounge had been named Planet Rose. I knocked out again in the burgundy leather seat of the train and leaned my head against the strong plexiglass.
I awoke minutes before arriving at Lynbrook. I unboarded the train and as it pulled away from the platform, I saw a White Castle across the street. My 70 cents were about to get used.
God Bless White Castle and it's 65-cent burgers.
Praise White Castle posted @ 5:26 PM :: 
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