Student Avoids Sitting Next to Scary Man

Last Wednesday, during his very crowded train trip home for Thanksgiving, Tom Davenport (COL ’06) successfully avoided sitting next to the scary man. Davenport thought he could avoid the holiday rush by leaving at this time, but his train had in fact sold out minutes after the student bought his unreserved ticket. After entering at Washington’s Union Station, Davenport searched the entire train, but he could not find a single empty seat. Passengers stood impatiently in the aisles and vestibules, and the café car was too full to occupy for at least a few minutes. The student had a big suitcase with him and was exhausted after writing a paper and looking at internet pornography all night. Finally, at the BWI Airport stop, one seat opened up. Unfortunately, a rather frightening man sat in the spot next to it. Davenport told the Heckler, “He had a huge beard and was chewing on his kneecaps. I stood there in the aisle, contemplating whether or not to sit, and every once in a while he would look up at me and motion to the chair as if it were a great option.” The student remained a bit delirious until minutes later, when several seats emptied at the Baltimore city stop. With a breath of fresh air, Davenport took two seats for himself.

Davenport’s situation is unfortunately a common one. The Heckler urges students to beware of scary individuals like the man Davenport encountered. During Thanksgiving weekend, Hoyas take packed flights to all parts of the country, and many Georgetown northeasterners brave the extremely crowded trains back home. It is true that sacrifices sometimes must be made – we support you giving your seat to a senior citizen, as long as they are kindhearted. Otherwise, do your best to grab a seat as soon as you enter whatever form of transportation you are using this holiday season. Above all, be careful.