Monday, December 12, 2005

Early Morning Shock

The mix of people at Upney tube in the morning is pretty much static. I was jolted out of my early morning reverie last week when I spotted a rather distinguished-looking man.

Highly-polished shiny brown shoes. Well cut navy suit. Wool overcoat. Brown leather gloves and attaché case. Navy hat (can't tell a fedora from a trilby; sorry). Nice aftershave. Of a certain age.
We ended up sitting next to each other on the train. He leant into his bag and produced an intelligent tome as expected.

I'm lying. He pulled out a bright pink paperback.


Danielle Steel.


I was flabbergasted. I spent the twelve minutes to West Ham arguing with myself.

Book group. Researcher. Reviewer. Critic.

I couldn't ask as I don't speak to people in the morning.

I'm scared he might have been reading it for pleasure. The world is doomed.

7 comments:

Hobbit's Journal said...

Well that story has made me smile, we all get our kicks from somewhere em's ! I wonder how they'd react on the tube if I got my 'Bondage & Fetish' monthly magazine out ?

Each to there own, though I would have been curious too in truth!

Your tube stories make me smile at times, all that people watching - love it!

coolbuddha said...

che-jay - an image is conjured which no doubt will stay a long time...

Shep said...

When I was in charge of the kids section at work I could frequently be seen on the bus reading the latest Jacqueline Wilson (my favourite was Girls In Love, by the way). I didn't get as many funny looks as the guy who sits near the front reading martial arts magazines. Weirdo.

(This is the very same reason why I have to be discreet when reading the Wrestling magazines Pat sneds me kindly through the post...)

Shep said...

Are there free gifts with Bondage & Fetish monthly by the way?

coolbuddha said...

The last edition had a free rubber-band. Weird.

Hobbit's Journal said...

Yes, last month's free gift was a pvc gimp suit, i look so cute in it!

pat said...

jay - you brag about it, but i remember a hobbit who dashed in an out of one of london's finest sex shops....

emma - very much a nick moment there, i am afraid. next thing you will be telling me - you only read books with the original covers no film and tv tie-ins for you....