Agoraphobia Revisited.

After work today, I went down into the LRT station, like I usually do, to wait for my train home. The speaker bings and says "next train, Clairview." Oh good. I watch the tunnel expectantly, and with a sudden rush of dread and despair, I see the train has 4 cars. This can only mean one thing.

I turn to my co-worker, who is taking hte same train, and say "Yay, I wonder what big event is going to swamp us with ten million people this time."

He chuckles nervously and says "None, I hope."

We're riding along, chatting idly about stupid customers and even stupider techs, when I catch sight of the Stadium, lights ablaze and the stands nearly empty. "Football game," I gulp, "the Staduim lights are on."

"Nah," my buddy replies, "They just want to raise tehir power bill."

"HOLY MOTHER OF PARK-AND-RIDE, BATMAN!" I exclaim, catching sight of about a gadzillion people, vehicles, and busses attempting to evacuate the area.

Buddy repeats my sentiment.

Then I see the seething column of people that goes from the stadium to the entrance of the station. It reminds me of the ant column marching through my room the other day. "Oh joy," I murmer sarcastically, turning green. I start to say something about the platform had better not be packed, but we pull up to the station and it is. Craptastic. I start to shake a little. "don't stop, don't stop" I cry, only half-joking.

The doors open and hundreds of people pack on the train. Oh well, I'm getting off at the next stop. I can handle this.

Of course I had forgotten all about the Ex at Northlands Park.

Me: "getting off the train now"
People: "push shove, push shove, lemme on the train"
Me: "I'm getting off the train now."
People: "push shove, lets see how many people we can fit in here."
Me: "I'm GETTING OFF the train now"
Lady: "I think someone wants to get off the train guys."
Rude Guy: "Haha, good luck."
Me: "I'm NOT going to frickin ride all the way to fricken Clairview just to get off this fricken train. LET ME OFF NOW!"

The doors try to close. I punch my arm through the writhing crowd and stop it, then shove my way through the 6 inch space between the two people trying to get out of my way, shout "cheers" over my shoulder to my buddy, who followed me off the train, and fight my way down the stairs to the street to walk home. Phew. Not sleeping anytime soon. I'm still shaking and that was nearly 3 hours ago.