[over the mountain]

I had a run in with a woman who looks just like that lady in red on the left. A sweet innocent-looking older lady.

i had to take the train up to NYC yesterday to Penn station. its about 2:30 pm when i walk up the stairs to the street level and it is raining really hard. about 200 people are crammed underneath this canopy out front on the street.

i walk up to the taxi stand (at the front edge of the canopy) but no one is there working it. i am standing behind a lady who says there is usually a guy here who directs the cabs. there is a long line of yellow cabs but no one is getting in or out. when people do break from under the canopy and run up to an idling cab, the driver doesnt open the door and they have to quickly retreat back underneath.

an older lady comes up behind me and asks if we are waiting for a cab. Me and the lady in front of me say "yes". I small talk with the older lady who had just come into line for a minute or so, tell her im from baltmore etc. the lady in front gets in a cab and i move forward a foot or so to where she was standing (just barely still underneath the canopy and almost on the curb). your typical shuffling line action.

the older lady then proceeds to edge me out of the way and try and angle herself in front of me. she then turns around and says "ohh im sorry are you waiting for a cab?". i said "yeahhhh". the sweet older lady then turns into a bitch and says "well you better get out there then if you want to catch a cab". I say "i dont feel like getting drenched". she says "well you're going to have to get wet if you want a cab" and then body bumps me forward.

i chuckle and say "ma'am have a good day" and walk to the side of the canopy, make hand gestures and thumbs up until a cabby gives me a thumbs up back then i run into the rain and into the cab.

of course the older lady didnt go stand in the rain like she told me to but then just took my spot at the edge of canopy.