Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Priority Seating...for Jeff

A mother and her young son get on the train. I'm not sure what stop they got on at.
"Jeff, hold on to the pole," his mother said.
"I want to sit down, but all the seats are taken," Jeff said in a whiny voice. "I wish somebody will leave the train so we can sit down, mommy. Two seats for you and me."
"Well, sweetie. That would be nice, but right now we have to stand. There's nothing wrong with standing" His mother said, trying to convince her son. I sat about 4 or 5 seats away from them. I couldn't help but stare at the little boy. He was bold and fearless in his talking.
Another random stop. People got on and people got off. Young jeff was still huffing and puffing about not getting a seat.
As a man stands in front of him, blocking his view of the window: "Mommy, I can't see. He's blocking my view. I can't look out the window." Jeff whined.

His mother trying to remain composed. You can see her cheeks getting flushed by every word her son says. "Well, honey. We have to make room for people to get on." His mother said, trying to reason with him.
"But there's room over there." Jeff said, pointing to the left side of the increasingly crowded 7 train. The man just looked at him then at his mother. But Jeff was unphased by the man and his mother's words.The look of impatience straightened her lips and arched her eyebrows.
"Jeff, there's nothing I can do. We have to stand. Eventually a seat will be available. Have a little patience." His mother said sternly.
He continued to huff and puff. Pouting and rolling his eyes.
Jeff was making a spectacle of himself and his mother. You didn't know whether to be annoyed with the boy or with his mother. Or simply relate to the fact of wanting to sit down.

A man got up to exit the train. Jeff's eyes lit up like a christmas tree."A seat, mommy!" Jeff squealed. "A seat!"
"Yes, sweetie." His mother said relieved in the knowledge that he'll finally stop complaining.
"We need another seat for you, mommy." Jeff said. His mother nodded her head.

"OOh," Jeff whined.
"What is it now?" His mother said annoyed.
"There's no window. Where's the window? I wanna look out the window." Jeff whined again.
"You wanted a seat, Jeff." His mother said irriated, like the rest of us watching them."But I want a window too, mommy." Jeff whined yet again.
"Well, its either a seat or a window. Beggars can't be choosers." His mother said flatly.
Jeff just sat there sulking. Finally I got off the train at my stop.

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