Its been a while since I've posted but there is a valid reason for this; I have a job! (woohoo!) Also I've been helping out at the Hospital Broadcasting Service in Glasgow at weekends (double woohoo!). I guess its not the most adventurous way to spend my summer compared to those travelling to exciting and far out places but I'm pretty content with it. Instead of exploring Australia, driving across America or island hopping in Greece, I'm sitting on a Scotrail train for 2 and a half hours every Friday and returning home every Saturday at about half five on the "Rush Hour" train.
Now, I'm calling it the "Rush Hour" train because as you might expect at half five it will be filled with workers and shoppers commuting home after a busy day. However, this is only partially true. Yes, there are a few workers and a few shoppers but the train is never really that busy or jam packed like you would expect through the week in London, for example. The main reason why I call it the "Rush Hour" train is because of one man.
One man in a grey jacket carrying a Starbucks and a briefcase. The one man who runs down the platform in order to sit in 'his' seat on the four carriage train. He has speed, agility and technique as he flies past oncoming families with their prams and little children running off in all directions. He is the 'rush' in "Rush Hour".
Last week it was like any other Saturday in Glasgow Central as I stood there and waited for the platform to be announced for the Carlisle train. I spotted grey jacket man almost straight away. He was (of course) right at the front of the crowd of people looking up at the departure board, but wait, what was this? He had a friend with him. I use the term 'friend' lightly as what he was about to do later on to his buddy is not what I would call looking out for a mate.
It was the usual scene in the station; groups of teenagers screaming and hugging each other, people ducking to avoid dive bombing pigeons and single travelers looking bored. I was one of those bored looking travelers but when I spotted grey jacket man I devised a cunning plan. I decided to challenge myself and make things just that little bit more interesting. I would race grey jacket man to the train.
Tension started to build as we stood there watching the departure board. Me with a master plan and him with no idea what was about to happen. I decided to take a risk and edge towards platform 9 for a head start. Potentially I could have been cut off and left battling through a crowd of people if the train was on a platform before nine. I held my ground with nerves of steel and sussed out any obstacles that may hinder my swift approach to the train. Time seemed to stand still as we waited on the announcement of the platform, the pressure was beginning to get to me and my eyes strained as I did not want to blink and miss the board change, but grey jacket man stood there calmly sipping on his Starbucks. He was definitely a pro at this.
Then finally the departure board flicked on and off and 'Platform 9' was where my finish line would be.
My risk had paid off, I had the advantage and so with my ticket in hand I walked at super speed towards the Carlisle train. I looked to my left and there he was. He was gaining speed and rapidly approaching at a light jog. He had distracted me and I was suddenly engulfed in a mob of teenage boys walking towards me, I twisted and curved my body through them putting Keanu Reeves from the Matrix to shame. There was no time to celebrate that exquisite maneuver, I looked over to my left to see grey jacket man hurry towards platform 7 so he could run behind the shops I was on the opposite side of. What had I let myself into? This man was like the terminator of train stations, nothing would stop him or get in his way.
I could see platform 9 in front of me but there were marshals checking tickets before we could get on to the actual platform. With my ticket ready I managed to sneak my way past a few stragglers and past grey jacket man and his 'friend'. He fumbled for his ticket, this was obviously not going to plan. He found it, showed the marshal and sped after me. In the distance his 'friend' cried out for help, he couldn't find his ticket and thought grey jacket man must of had it. I would like to say it ended well but I really don't know what happened to grey jacket man's 'friend'. He left him behind and continued towards the train and towards 'his' special seat.
My opponent was quickly closing the gap between us, we were heading for the front two carriages of the train. It was the home straight, we were nearly there! I was walking at lightning speed, I couldn't let this man of more than double my age beat me. His light jog had turned into a light run and I could hear his footsteps get faster and faster and louder and louder and soon he was beside me. It was neck and neck with one more carriage to pass. I continued walking as fast I could without looking uncool but that was my downfall. He passed by me and stepped on to the train to find 'his' seat.
If only I'd ran. If only I'd lost all respect for myself and ran down that platform. But no, in the end I had too much pride to physically run alongside a 50-odd year old man.
I sat on the train feeling frustrated and disappointed in myself. Grey jacket man had won the race, a race he didn't even know he had entered.
I have all summer to perfect my technique and one day I will beat him.
Watch out grey jacket man, my time will come...
