The Trolley at Night

When I tell people that I ride the trolley at night they are suddenly concerned for me. I always say it's fine but some don't believe me. I will say, though, that there are quite some interesting people on the trolley at night. Some people are tired and just want to go home others look like they are just riding to get out of night's chilly air. Maybe they just want to get off the unforgiving streets where the wind is funneled between the tall buildings.

On a typical Tuesday night the trolley is almost empty and quiet. Passengers nod off, listen to music, read, sit quietly to themselves or even sleep. At the transfer station people exit the trolley like zombies and slowly, dragging their feet, walk over to the trolley they are transferring to.

On a Tuesday where an event is taking place people are stuffed into the trolley with standing room only. People talk loud and drink and laugh because they are all excited and having a good time. There is an obvious difference between those going out to have fun and those just wanting to go home or are on their way to work or school. Those people are quiet and watching the party people make a fool of themselves or are just being loud.

Tonight there is no event but the trolley is not empty. People are casually sitting in booths talking to other people and laughing. It must be too early for the undead to surface. I mean it is an hour earlier than when I usually ride the trolley. Maybe the zombies have not awaken yet.

The trolley seems more jerky than normal. Perhaps it was because it was an old trolley car. There was a new car to transfer to at Old Town. It is much more smooth.

It is sad to look around the trolley at night. There are signs of much use on the ground. Across from me empty sunflower seeds are strewn about on the ground. Small papers slide into openings, corners, and walkways. There is even a piece of clear, plastic silverware broken on the ground. Plastic bottles, cans, and cups litter the ground especially under seats. It makes me sad that people would just throw their trash on the ground when there is bound to be a trash can around when they get off. One item that is always present is the crumpled newspaper that may even be torn up. So many use the trolley on a regular basis and it makes me wonder if they are part of this litter problem.

After transferring those who did have energy slowly seemed to lose it as we waited for the trolley to go. It always seems like an eternity has gone by with how long it takes to resume. At night the trolley doesn't leave and arrive nearly as much. Every thirty minutes. Don't miss it or you will watch an eternity pass by as you wait in the cold night air.

When the trolley leaves I feel the jubilation but don't see it because those around me are becoming quiet. I think they might be becoming the zombies I usually see. False alarm! With the moving of the trolley they snap out of their trance and are alive again. They are alive but tired from the day's events whatever it may have been for them. I am tired too. The gentle rocking of the trolley could easily put a person to sleep. I am lucky to have this blog or I may have fallen victim to the power of the trolley at night.

Until the next ride,
Alana