A Legal Alien

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25 July 2005

I did it. I rode the Tube today home from Oxford Circus. I needed to get out of the house today and do a bit of shopping. I was walking down Oxford Street and I was heading farther away from where my bus picks up. I had to talk myself into going down those stairs. Of course, I hadn't recharged my Oyster card since coming back so I had to do that. Then when I went to go through the turnstiles, it wouldn't open for me. The oh-so-helpful LU guy told me to go to the ticket office to get sorted out. I didn't know why he told me to go there and didn't just scan me through. There was a HUGE queue to wait in too. Grrr.
I stood in the line, wondering if there was a reason I should be delayed like this. I finally got my card sorted out and as I was riding down the escalator to the platform, there's an announcement that there was an incident at Gant's Hill and that station is closed. I thought about turning right around and getting hell out of there but decided I needed to just get over this building fear of riding the Tube. The longer I let it go on, the worse it would be. I didn't want to get to the point where I wouldn't ride it at all. It was crowded, rush hour with limited service. I was trying to keep calm, breathing regularly and praying.
But, it was fine. I got home. I saw the Piccadilly line platforms all blocked off and it made me sad. People died needlessly. The world is becoming a frightening place. I need to have my faith restored.

For Paul Barrett

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