Crazy people

Yes, I know, I know. I may very well be one myself, but I can't help but comment on the fact that most of us encounter them every once in a while; the heroin addict in the subway, the micromanaging boss, the uptight housewife.... I could go on. Most of the time they probably are nuts, but sometimes it's merely a facade.

Case in point: this evening I took the train home from work (car is still suffering post pothole stress disorder), and I could have sworn I sat across from one of the craziest. It was only myself in the car, and no sooner had she sat down directly opposite me, she started singing, quite audibly mind you, a song about death. And no somber song at that. No. This was the happiest, jolliest old tribute the reaper ever heard. "Death is fun, and soon I will be dead", and save for the lyrics you would have thought spring had brought a banner year as far as the mockingbird population is concerned.

This frightened me greatly.

And so I sat, unsure of what to do, but determined not to move or put my headphones in while the refrain of repose abounded. Many possibilities went through my mind: 1) this girl could actually be suicidal, in which case the authorities ought to be contacted 2) she's playing a game and trying to get me to move. Not a chance.  3) it's a filmed sociology experiment on how people react to unusual circumstances.

"Excuse me miss, you have a voice an angel would envy, are you practicing for a morbid musical?"

"That's the first time someone has actually asked me anything! I was expecting you to get up and move like people usually do."

And thus we started talking - it turns out she had been having a rough go of it as far as love and finances were concerned, and actually relished the opportunity to talk to a stranger.

"I bet you're from Midwest, why the hell are you so nice?"

"Guilty as charged. Kansas."

"Well Kansas, you've really brightened my day and cheered me up. Thanks for talking."

I have to say, that was by far one of the best moments of the year, and it was something so simple. It's amazing where a "hello", or "why are you singing this crazy song?" (Diplomatically couched, of course) can lead. In this case, what I thought was a crazy person turned out to be totally sane and simply going through a turbulent time. If I ever lose it, I hope people think the same.