One ordinary weekday afternoon, I was casually people-watching while swaying with the movement of the One train and the rhythm of the music on my iPod, when I heard an announcement coming in through the intercom. So far, nothing unusual; James Brown's voice seemed much more riveting at the time, so I tuned out the background noise. But then I noticed something incredible happening. The humble passengers around me were smiling and gazing upward as if toward the Heavens (I say "as if" because, alas, we were underground). I paused Mr. Brown mid-wail, just in time to hear the ethereal intercom voice proclaiming, "Remember, we are the MTA. We run this city, and you know it. Always have and always will. Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy your ride."
I couldn't help but crack a smile too, because, well, it's true. The MTA "runs" this city, literally and figuratively. And I think by now it's becoming a cliché to say this, but, is there any place more the center of the world than the NYC subway? If, tomorrow, I somehow receive intergalactic communication signals from aliens and they tell me they are planning a brief visit to the Earth as part of a whirlwind galaxy tour, and they are for some reason fascinated with humans, and want to know where is the best place to go to get a decent slice of human life on the planet, I would direct them directly to the One train. Why do you think it is called "The One" train? There has to be a reason. And it has to have something to do with the Matrix.
So there you have it: the Earth is the center of the universe, New York is the center of the world, The One train is the center of New York, and I happen to live right off one of its sacred stops. And yes, I do enjoy my illusions of grandeur, thank you very much.
As the train rolled (screeched) into my home station that fateful day, that same voice of God (er, I mean the MTA) requested our attention once again: "This is 145th Street, Harlem, USA. You are riding the the Bronx-Bound One Train EXPERIENCE via Wa-shin-to HEIGHTS! Please enjoy your ride."
