i left the office shortly before 10 pm yesterday, it’s short walk to the metro station but on the way i have to change trains once. so while i was waiting for my connection i sat down on a bench next to an older couple, a young lady and another guy about my age. so while the five of us were sitting there, two boys not older than 18-19 walked up. one of them got on the train (there are two lines passing the same platform) the other one stayed on the platform, suddenly staring to hit the window next to some of the passengers in the train. the metro left after which he turned around and walked up to the old guy who had been watching him all the time. since my french is non-existent i couldn’t get what he said, but suddenly he started pushing the old man, who took his hand and pushed it away. the whole thing repated itself a couple of times but lasted seconds nevertheless. what did we do: the old man’s wife watched in panic, the girl next to me stared on the other side of the platform, i kept reading my book and the guy next to me just shook his head. for the rest of the evening i kept thinking what i should have done. what we all should have done with a little courage and solidarity that must be still somewhere hidden inside us. but we remained silent and pretended not to see. because it’s easy to hinde in a big city and no one will point you out. but deep inside we point ourselves out because we failed when character was needed. i learned my lesson.
i believe.
Song of the moment Caruso /Luciano Pavarotti