doors are closing

The stainless steel door closes behind me and I am left standing in the car without a seat. I’m grateful to feel the pull of the engines that will take me away from misery towards home.

My imagination sends me images of a train crash, and decide to lean against a metal panel so as not to hit it at 40 mph. Be Prepared.

I stare blankly at a woman sharing the aisle with me. She is yelling into her phone, over and over, sometimes in German. “Hello???? Hello????” She keeps fiddling with the buttons and looks desparate and confused. She is smartly dressed.

I’m tempted to tell her we’re underground, but god, I’m just too tired to do anything but watch her with the rest of the defeated...